Snooker cue dealers.
- Thread starter mnorwood
- Start date
They had 8 snooker cues at the billiard factory on I45 and beltway 8 a couple of weeks ago. All taiwan cues (not high end), but four of them were three quarters. I didn't pick them out of the rack to feel them, but worth a look!
Still, better than picking a random cue of the internet and hope you get lucky.
But you are very right, a cue is like a pair of shoes, try before you buy!
Still, better than picking a random cue of the internet and hope you get lucky.
But you are very right, a cue is like a pair of shoes, try before you buy!
The two cues I picked up for my parents feel really nice, but I doubt they will hold up under heavy play and practice. These cues are okay for my parents because they might play once a week.
How long do you think an Elite cue will hold up? If I thought I could play with it everyday for 10 years I would just play with the elite.
Wity
Banned
Lots of people say that but imho it's pointless. You can try 20 cues with the same spec in a shop and play best most likely with the last one you pick up as you have warmed up and got a bit used to the table by then. Or you could have a made a couple of really good shots with one which has stuck in your mind and opt for that only to later on then find if it were expensive it was a waste of money as it plays no better than any other cue or a waste of money if it were a cheap cue because it falls apart because of poor craftmanship.
Ones first step should be to determin the spec you want as this is by far the most important factor from a playing perspective and even then you should not dismiss lets say a 59" cue with a 10mm tip that weighs 20 oz going cheap just because you prefer a 57" 9mm 18 oz cue you merely take into account the cost of having the spec altered if at all possible.
The brand name tells you a lot but only if you know of the reputation of the maker or better still have seen their cues but even then dismissing lets say a Peradon cue because they are all finished with a lacquer that most find somewhat sticky could mean turning down a bargain for the sake of buying a few sheets of sandpaper, a bottle of linseed oil and spending 30 mins sorting it yourself. (Which you should definately try on the two cues you have mentioned in your video, lol at least then you'll throw away that poncy glove and apprecieate the feel.)
Best methinks for you to state your spec, describe what you want materials and looks wise and also state your budget. Only then can someone make a recomendation and on a public forum you'll soon find out if others agree with it or not.
EDIT: A number of custom snooker cue makers are listed here:
http://www.insidepoolmag.com/custom-cuemakers.html
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I looked and looked for shops in the U.S. that sold snooker cues and found only a few very slim leads. Your best bets outside of Texas may be in California, Chicago, and New York City. On the off chance that one or more bits of random info might be helpful, here we go . . .
I have a vague memory that the pro shop in a pool hall in New York City was planning to sell snooker cues. It may have been the pool hall where Tony Robles is or was the house pro. I looked through some old bookmarks but didn't find the link.
Given the number of snooker tables in California I'd expect at least one shop would sell snooker cues, but I don't have the names of any such shops handy.
Have you checked out the cue reviews on The Snooker Forum?
http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board/
Based on reviews at TSF I bought a Mike Wooldridge with all the standard specs, and I'm happy with it. Another option would've been to buy a snooker shaft for my Schuler, but I'm happy I have a proper snooker cue.
bnkunderme has a Parris. He posted comments about some snooker cues here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=143752
drsnooker has his own snooker cue.
McChen has tried more snooker cues than I have, and he's even tested my Shark from Mike Wooldridge; you might want to P.M. him to ask his opinion.
Fatboy has his own snooker table, but I'm not sure if he has any snooker cues.
100kbet in Indiana has his own table and (if I remember correctly) a pair of snooker cues.
tksix has a great-looking Trevor White.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=147227
Trevor's cues are highly regarded on The Snooker Forum. You might want to contact ADR147 through the Snooker Forum; he sells snooker cues and might be able to help you find something based on specs of the sort that Wity mentioned.
DKhan here on AzB could probably give you some ideas as well.
Wity makes a good point about removing the finish from a laquered cue; I believe there are posts on The Snooker Forum about this as well.
If I had mad wads of cash I'd contact Dieckman about one of his "universal cues" and try one out.
http://www.cuemaker.com/ninemine604.htm
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I know you asked for dealers in the states but here is my recommendation;
http://www.greenbaize.com/
Stu Green will give you the best service you could ask for. He has had players from all over the world come to his shop and try out new cues before they buy. He always has over 300+ cues in stock, on site. I bought my Mike Wooldridge from there and have never looked back.
Stu really is the best to deal with, he wont let you leave until he knows you're happy with the cue and even if you dont like it a week later he'll help you find a more suited cue in trade.
http://www.greenbaize.com/
Stu Green will give you the best service you could ask for. He has had players from all over the world come to his shop and try out new cues before they buy. He always has over 300+ cues in stock, on site. I bought my Mike Wooldridge from there and have never looked back.
Stu really is the best to deal with, he wont let you leave until he knows you're happy with the cue and even if you dont like it a week later he'll help you find a more suited cue in trade.
One thing to consider when you do decide on a cue is that you should also look for a place that can offer a package deal on the case/accessories as well because finding them within the US market may be fairly difficult afterwards.
Most high-end snooker cues are either 3/4 butt or one piece so the cases for them are not like a standard 9 ball cue. The accessories are often overlooked by people but having a cue with its own extensions(both normal and telescoping) is a big benefit.
You could always consider having a cue made to your own specs as well if you know what wood type/tip size/taper you're looking for. There is a cuemaker in British Columbia, Canada who makes some really high quality snooker cues that wouldn't require shipping from the UK if that makes a difference to you. His name is Kevin Deroo and his website is here:
http://www.deroocues.com/mainframeset.htm
Good luck with the search.
P.S.- If it makes a difference, I personally play with an O'min and love the way it feels.
Most high-end snooker cues are either 3/4 butt or one piece so the cases for them are not like a standard 9 ball cue. The accessories are often overlooked by people but having a cue with its own extensions(both normal and telescoping) is a big benefit.
You could always consider having a cue made to your own specs as well if you know what wood type/tip size/taper you're looking for. There is a cuemaker in British Columbia, Canada who makes some really high quality snooker cues that wouldn't require shipping from the UK if that makes a difference to you. His name is Kevin Deroo and his website is here:
http://www.deroocues.com/mainframeset.htm
Good luck with the search.
P.S.- If it makes a difference, I personally play with an O'min and love the way it feels.
Wity
Banned
Deroos cues are bloody expensive though nearly as much as Mikes and they are a kinda half pool half snooker cue imo.
Trevors presence on TSF has not only boosted his rep but also his order book and good luck to him his prices.
Although Dan's (Totlxtc) making me what i think will be a stunner, (pearwood and champour burl) by far my favorite cue at the moment is this one, looks gorgeous, feels great and cost me peanuts really.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=153099
Definately an ad for going the 2nd hand route, buying the exotic wood yourself and having it spliced on.
Trevors presence on TSF has not only boosted his rep but also his order book and good luck to him his prices.
Although Dan's (Totlxtc) making me what i think will be a stunner, (pearwood and champour burl) by far my favorite cue at the moment is this one, looks gorgeous, feels great and cost me peanuts really.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=153099
Definately an ad for going the 2nd hand route, buying the exotic wood yourself and having it spliced on.
i just bit the bullet and bought my snooker cue from overseas when I was looking for one. there just isn't any selection in the states and if there are a few, chances are it isn't going to be near you anyways. i ended up being quite happy, but i can certainly understand the concern about not being able to touch and feel it before buying. I think if you go with a well known maker and know the exact specs you want, you should be mostly OK unless you are super particular. compared to the price of high end pool cues, a nice custom snooker cue isn't that costly. shipping is kind of pricey though!
i wouldn't go with any kind of "production" cue like BCE/Riley, etc. some of these you can get here and the ones i've tried were absolutely awful. the grain was the ugliest i've ever seen and it was lacquered very heavily and very sticky. even if you plan on sanding it all off and oiling it, that's a lot of work to get off that thick coat. might not look nice afterwards either. also these sticks did not hit like a piece of wood, it felt more like a stick of plastic! the best low end production i saw was the Elites, they didn't have the nasty finish of the Rileys
i wouldn't go with any kind of "production" cue like BCE/Riley, etc. some of these you can get here and the ones i've tried were absolutely awful. the grain was the ugliest i've ever seen and it was lacquered very heavily and very sticky. even if you plan on sanding it all off and oiling it, that's a lot of work to get off that thick coat. might not look nice afterwards either. also these sticks did not hit like a piece of wood, it felt more like a stick of plastic! the best low end production i saw was the Elites, they didn't have the nasty finish of the Rileys
This post on The Snooker Forum lists some Canadian cue makers:
http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=15833&page=2
http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=15833&page=2
for what its worth and it might not be what you are looking for (butterfly points, metal ferrule, square butt, ash shaft, etc.) viking can/will build most of their cues overlength (butt and shafts), can provide an european taper, and give you whatever diameter tip you want if you are willing to wait a few weeks.
i had one made for my father a few years ago, and he likes it.
i had one made for my father a few years ago, and he likes it.