Selecting my first cue

[dr9ball]

I'm looking to buy my first cue. After a ton of research I have come to the conclusion that an OB-126 with OB-1 shaft for $420 might be a good choice.

With the same budget ($400-500), would you buy this one or is there better available? I considered the Predator Sport as well, but to be honest I find the huge puma logo on the butt to be a bit too kitsch. Maybe I shouldn't give too much weight to this aspect, but I've heard it can affect one confidence.

Either way, I'd like to opt for a LD shaft. Also, I'd like a Kamui Black tip, but I'm not sure about soft, medium, or hard when used in combination with a 12.75mm LD shaft. Weight wise I was thinking 19oz would probably be good.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

If I might ask some questions I might be better able to give a worthwhile opinion.

1. Have you played with the OB or Predator you are considering?
2. Which do you like better in terms of how you play with them?
3. Why do you want an LD shaft? Have you ever shot with one before?
4. What kind of tip do you like now?
5. What weight and balance feel good to you now?

Just answering these questions for yourself will help a lot in making your decision.

No one here can really tell you what kind of cue you're going to like. That's for you to decide and if you're new to the game, it can take awhile for you to understand what characteristics you really like in a cue. If you know what you like, buy what you like and don't worry about the hype and popularity of the cue you use. I've owned some production cues in my time and some were fine cues others were not. For the last 20 years I've played with custom cues designed by me and made by various custom cue makers. I know what I like in a cue and I can switch between my cues and it doesn't take more than a few shots to make the transition between them.

Good Luck to you in your search. Just remember as far as pool cues go. There is no holy grail of pool cues that will make you play better than any other cue. You play the game. You hit the balls. The cue is your instrument not the other way around. Take the time to learn what you like then buy with confidence.

 

[ctyhntr]

Buy a $35 sneaky pete, and budget $20 for a layered tip. Save your money for table time and lessons.

Brand new to the game. Played a handful of times. But I'm pretty serious about practicing and improving (I've been taking lessons, reading books, watching videos, reading online, etc).

 

[arps]

the OB121 (cocobolo sneaky) would be a good choice, and would potentially give you good balance. put a kamui black medium.
after your purchase, dont think of any cue upgrades (changing the tip, getting a different shaft, etc). practice and ADJUST to the cue.

 

[Nitrous]

I'll make a recommendation if you want to take a step towards simplicity, without all those exotic woods and fancy inlays and whatever else cues can have in them. I just got my Predator SP4RW today and I love the soft hit being a wood to wood joint. I would recommend that you try out a few different cues with different joints to at least first find the type of HIT you like when you strike the cueball. Only after then, start looking for a cue that fits your aesthetic tastes!

(Only thing I don't like about it is the uniloc joint, but it would've cost me twice as much to get my desired joint. ie. custom Bob Frey sneaky pete then ordering a Z-2 shaft. Good thing you can't see it when it's put together LOL :grin

I've gone through several hundred dollars and several cues which I've bought new to finally realize that I dislike steel jointed cues for their harsh/hard hit. Now I know better and I'll probably never own another steel jointed cue. Hit some balls around with your friends and teammates cues if you play on any leagues and see what kind of hit you prefer, THEN order yourself a cue based on that!

 

[Gogafem]

Hey, I'm sorry but I've never tried an OB shaft, though I can offer you some advice for cues I've tried or know in this price range.
For a 400-500$ price range here are cues I've tried.
- http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/predator/predator-sp6ol.html - Predator sneaky pete. Great cue and not that expensive for a Predator.
- Poison cues - Poison AR5 is 340$ online. It's the cue I use right now. Excellent cue for the price and decorated well.
- Lucasi cues - Many for 200-500$. They are all similar, just different decorated I suppose.
- Pechauer cues - Many cheaper ones and every single comment I have heard about them was positive!
- OB cues - Never tried, but the technology seems convincing and have only heard positive things about them.
- Mezz cues - I have tried the Mika Immonen MI-1 cue. Best cue I've ever tried, but the cheaper Mezz cues have a different shaft. Though they would be amazing if they are just a quarter as good as the MI-1...
As for the tip, I used Kamui Black Medium on my old cue, but my new one came with a Hard tip(I think Moori). Basically softer means the tip will stay on the cue ball for a longer time. Best to try out a few different tip densities before you decide.

 

[jgobigred]

The cue you are looking at is a nice cue. No other cue will make you shoot any better. You will have better resale value with a custom cue though. I would recommend getting a hard tip so you can break with it and not have as much maintenance. Also it will last longer so you can get used to it.

 

[Woofresh]

I just got an ob-128... With the kamui black soft....

I normally shoot with a bob frey sneaky with an ivory joint and a milkdud...

Its like two cues on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the hit... My ob is super soft gentle... The frey is crisp... What you like is totally dependant on your feel... I can't say one is any better than the other in terms of performance... I prefer a crisper hit so I'm likely to return the ob... But for some reason I haven't yet... Its a pretty cue... I think I have a problem...

 

[bulldogpool]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Several good points were made. I haven't made a purchase yet, but I'll take the advice given so far to heart.