Snooker Cues in US?

[Wity]

Rethunk..I see yours has Mikes latest joint wherby the brass is invisible, thought you'd had it longer than that and it was the old joint.
I like the idea of the new type in that it looks and in theory give a hit more akin to a one piece but at the same time theres ebony at risk of getting chipped with poor hadling when not joined.

Perhaps the only snooker cue that might benefit from joint protectors ?



Can just imagine Mikes answer to being asked to make them...

"What you want them poncy bloody gimmicks for? " lol



Renegade.. Thems pretty much standard specs that'll suit the vast majority of folks, maybe a 9.5-10mm tip would be better though. 9-9.5 is just my preference. A mini butt aint really needed but a long extension sure is be it a screw in telescopic or a push on. A push on will be cheaper and you'll have no need for the female fitting but you'll not fit one in a case less it's a custom made one.

Which is the next thing to consider, a case for it.

 

[Renegade_56]

Well I did order the Mike Wooldridge Black Shark. It took about 4 weeks to get it, but was well worth the wait. It is a solid ebony butt with a 3/4 splice into a beautiful ash shaft. It has the new airlock joint that is almost invisible. The hit is amazing, though I'm still trying to get used to the 9.4 mm tip. It's still scary when I need a really deep screw, though most of the problem is me, not the cue tip. The tip is a Mike Wooldridge Supertip, and I'm told, by Mike Wooldridge, that it needs to be played in. I believe it is the same as Rethunks cue has,(beautiful cue BTW). Just like Rethunk, I couldn't imagine getting rid of this cue. It feels natural in the hands, likely due to the ebony butt. The craftsmanship is second to none. Maybe that's why you almost never see used MW's for sale used, while the other top cuemakers cues, (John Parris and Trevor White) can readily be found used on Ebay and The Snooker Forum for sale. I did get the mini-butt, and a nice 3/4 case. The shipping from the UK is high, but I'd do it again now, and may!

 

[Rethunk]

Well I did order the Mike Wooldridge Black Shark. ... I believe it is the same as Rethunks cue has,(beautiful cue BTW). Just like Rethunk, I couldn't imagine getting rid of this cue.... The shipping from the UK is high, but I'd do it again now, and may!

Congrats!

I bought the White Shark, so I think mine looks a little different from yours. I look forward to seeing some photos.

The cost of the shipping is high, but then Mike sends the cue well wrapped and (from what I remember) the package is sent via priority mail.

Where do you play snooker? (Or have I asked that before?)

 

[Renegade_56]

Hi again Rethunk, you are correct on both the excellent packaging and the priority mail.

Right now I play 1 night a week at Mr Stixx, in New Bern, NC. It is not where I usually play, but they have 2 10 footers, though neither is in great shape. But I play there with my brother (who has played snooker for a long time) to get the feel for the game, which he currently administers in the form of a good spanking, LOL.

My regular room is BJ's Billiards, in Havelock, NC and they currently do not have their snooker table set up, though I'm told it's in the works very soon.

I asked Mike about the White Shark, and it is no longer available, at least not for the price of the Black one anyway.

 

[Rethunk]

Right now I play 1 night a week at Mr Stixx, in New Bern, NC. ...
My regular room is BJ's Billiards, in Havelock, NC and they currently do not have their snooker table set up, though I'm told it's in the works very soon.

Wow, I don't have either of those on FindSnooker.com. Thanks!

I asked Mike about the White Shark, and it is no longer available, at least not for the price of the Black one anyway.

I'm happy to get any cue from Mike.

After having playing regularly with the cue for a number of months, I'll say that whether the tip has been played in a bit or whether I'm more used to the cue, I've felt more comfortable lately.

For deep screw (which, as an American, is amusing as hell to say) you might just benefit from miscuing a few times as you try to determine how low you can strike the cue ball. It's easier to practice side pocket shots for this: set the blue on its spot, shoot it into the far pocket, and draw back into the near pocket. Etc. Maybe you're already doing that. In any case, you'll just need a little time.

In my experience, building up cue speed while maintaining accuracy of hit for a deep screw takes time at the snooker table even if you can already draw a total of eight or ten diamonds or more playing pool on a 9' table.

Wity: yeah, I'd read about the old joint, but had sort of forgotten about it. I like the look of the new joint. The one-piece look is nice, but I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of brass.

I'm going with good old Joe Davis's advice: once you get a cue that works, don't ever use another.

Perhaps the only snooker cue that might benefit from joint protectors ?

Can just imagine Mikes answer to being asked to make them...

"What you want them poncy bloody gimmicks for? " lol

Ha ha! I wonder if he'd say it that delicately.

 

[Wity]

Note how the weasle has banned him for a month from TSF for swearing. lol

All the good uns get banned from there.

 

[Rethunk]

Note how the weasle has banned him for a month from TSF for swearing. lol

All the good uns get banned from there.

Maybe Ferret could be convinced to start a Swear Like A Sailor thread for no holds barred profanity. I'd probably read it. Wouldn't post in it, though.

I haven't visited TSF for a while. Need to do so.

One of the things that convinced me that Mike was the one to make my cue was that he didn't take crap from someone who insulted him in TSF. Mike rightly defended himself and his work and smacked the guy down.

 

[Renegade_56]

..........One of the things that convinced me that Mike was the one to make my cue was that he didn't take crap from someone who insulted him in TSF. Mike rightly defended himself and his work and smacked the guy down.

That was one of the big things with me also,,,,,,to go along with the fact you rarely see used MW cues for sale. To me that speaks volumes!

Renegade

 

[Georgia Boy]

If you are looking for a decent cue go with Wity's post they are as good as you'll get for the price. However you do find used cues on both e-bay and craigslist occassionally. You could also go with another shaft for your Pool cue depending on who you can find to make it and at what price.

I did try an OB2 for snooker and it was ok and you are perfectly good of course using that for both Pool and Snooker. You can generally get them for around $190 new, just occassionally you will pick them up on ebay for a little less new.

 

[Wity]

A good 2nd hand cue on ebay at about 50-60% of the new price are increasingly difficult to come across, believe me. Thats been sorta my criteria for the last 3 years.

The habit of searching has dwindled though now to once a fortnight at most as theres no cue out there i really want. This year i've picked up but one cue a Peradon for £45 that i sold on for £75 (£150 new) and that was only because i could collect it from a local seller and i refinished it, whereas last year i found half a dozen or more bargains.

2nd hand Peradons like that one either 3/4 or i piece if you refinish them with oil are pretty good, as are any cues made by James Butters (but of late he's always closing down the auction and selling them backstage.) I had a cracker 1 piece maple/ebony and 4 splices of lovely tulipwood brand new for £45 delivered 18 months back off him. B+W cues of cradley heath are another very good cue rarely seen on ebay but when they are they go for a pittance. Northwest cues are another simlar.

Spose it's a sign of the times, when the economys good and folks have flush money bargains are plentifull but when times are not so good everyones searching for a bargain.

TSF's probably the best place for a 2nd hand cue now, eveyone out to save on ebay fees and finds their way there advertising. Mind theres some plonkers about, only one i fancied in a while was a peradon king where the bloke wanted £80 (£180 new) I phoned him 3 times and he never picked up, someone else did, agreed the puchase only to find the seller never completed, makes you wonder if it ever existed.

 

[rebound]

I wonder if you'd all mind providing your opinions on this deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/60-3-4-Panama-cocobolo-black-Ebony-handmade-snooker-cue-/250728817870?pt=AU_Snooker_Pool_Billiards&hash=item3a609a24ce

Bearing in mind that the shipping drives the price to $77-95 that price still seems crazy low if this cue is as advertised. I will also just mention in passing that I'm 6' so a 60" cue is not a problem for me. 9mm is a little small for a tip for me but I can work with that.

[Edit]Strangely, they seem to have the identical item offered for 99 pounds w/ free shipping. I don't frequent Ebay so if anyone can help me understand the difference I would appreciate it. I know the first listing is in Australian dollars but the exchange seems to be about 1-1 right now.

 

[Wity]

Dont bother with it you can get far far better for the same cost.
At the mo i'm real busy i'll explain why in a post later.

 

[rebound]

Ok. Thank you. That would be great. While you are at it, here's a horse of a different colour, so to speak. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250724156733. It says £0.99 right now so I guess it's an auction. Do you mind telling me how high you would go on that item? And perhaps you could tell me how it is everything is so cheap these days. Yes, it's been a dinosaur age since I last looked at buying a cue.

Again, I appreciate any amount of time you spend in reply.

 

[Wity]

The cue, extensions, and case packages such as those branded Black Horse on ebay come direct from China even though many think they are canadian made it's merely the fact that the seller has used a canadian address to register with ebay.
Actually there are a few really good cue makers in china but the majority we see on ebay are poorly made from 3rd rate materials. Pay no more than £50 / $85 including postage as imo thats as much as they are really worth. £60 if it's real gaboon ebony which i doubt.

The cues look pretty enough but on close inspection you will find they have a coating of lacquer and/or paint which when you sand it off and oil a cue as it should be finished (basically so that it's less sticky to feel) you'll see the poor quality wood thats been used. The points of the splices are rarely level at the tops and always way out at the bottom. The shafts may well be straight but for how long they remain so who knows? You have no idea how well seasoned the wood is.

The mini butts are merely a cheap pine or simlar wood painted black (ebonised). The ali cases are part thin ali part plywood covered with vinyle as such they dent real easy and awill have a lifespan of maybe 3 or 4 years tops. When you see these cases sold seperately at about £25 remember a decent case costing about £35 should last 20 years plus

Of the 5 such sets I bought about 3 years ago only the telescopic extensions were faultless and although i've heard others complaining about them I reckon they are as good as any, not that they will fit any cue of course.


Whats your budget Rebound for a complete package inc postage to ? maybe i have or can recommend something?

 

[rebound]

The cue, extensions, and case packages such as those branded Black Horse on ebay come direct from China even though many think they are canadian made it's merely the fact that the seller has used a canadian address to register with ebay.
Actually there are a few really good cue makers in china but the majority we see on ebay are poorly made from 3rd rate materials. Pay no more than £50 / $85 including postage as imo thats as much as they are really worth. £60 if it's real gaboon ebony which i doubt.

The cues look pretty enough but on close inspection you will find they have a coating of lacquer and/or paint which when you sand it off and oil a cue as it should be finished (basically so that it's less sticky to feel) you'll see the poor quality wood thats been used. The points of the splices are rarely level at the tops and always way out at the bottom. The shafts may well be straight but for how long they remain so who knows? You have no idea how well seasoned the wood is.

The mini butts are merely a cheap pine or simlar wood painted black (ebonised). The ali cases are part thin ali part plywood covered with vinyle as such they dent real easy and awill have a lifespan of maybe 3 or 4 years tops. When you see these cases sold seperately at about £25 remember a decent case costing about £35 should last 20 years plus

Of the 5 such sets I bought about 3 years ago only the telescopic extensions were faultless and although i've heard others complaining about them I reckon they are as good as any, not that they will fit any cue of course.


Whats your budget Rebound for a complete package inc postage to ? maybe i have or can recommend something?

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this, Wity. I have to admit, my biggest concern in looking at them was the quality of the wood, the shaft in particular.

Ideally, it would be right around $100 CDN but I could go as high as $150.* As you can tell, I have no idea what I can get for that. When I was a kid I bought a beautiful all ebony BCE at half off the $150 price but that was, holy crap, almost 30 years ago. From your earlier posts, I think I might be able to dictate terms somewhat for design so I'll let you know that I think my ideal specs would be at tall cue, 58.5-60"; around 17.5oz; 9.5-10mm tip. I'm die hard when it comes to ebony but otherwise, it doesn't need to be flashy. There's no place around here to buy accessories so I'll need them included as well, e.g. case, extension.

*If that's not enough money to get anything worthwhile, I can wait and get the budget up to around $200. My biggest issue is wondering what the hit will be like without being able to try it before buying. Ah well, that's life I guess.

Thanks again.