Starting Cues - Brands & Dealers?

Halfjack87

Halfjack87

In Training
Silver Member
I'm not a good player (yet). Right now I own 3 junk cues and am in the process of getting my first table.

Based on conversations I've had with Ewa*, I'm planning on pair of playing cues, same style, same linen wrap, both 19 oz, but one with a 13mm soft Kamui tip, and one with a 12mm medium Kamui tip. Call it exploration.

Right now the best thing I've found online (far as I can tell) is McDermott's Lucky brand cues. I can get this pair for about $200 (for both) from McDermott's website. Other suggestions for starting cues and places online to shop? My local physical store is Ft. Worth Billiards.

I also plan to have 18-21 oz 13mm medium (?) house cues, and would like suggestions for good inexpensive on these as well.

All comments welcome!

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*The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pool & Billiards by Ewa Mataya Laurance
 
200$ for 2 McD Lucky is too much.
Buy Schmelke, or look for s/h cues in this forum, you'll find best cues for your $.
 
duplicated post
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Halfjack87 said:
I'm not a good player (yet). Right now I own 3 junk cues and am in the process of getting my first table.

Based on conversations I've had with Ewa*, I'm planning on pair of playing cues, same style, same linen wrap, both 19 oz, but one with a 13mm soft Kamui tip, and one with a 12mm medium Kamui tip. Call it exploration.

Right now the best thing I've found online (far as I can tell) is McDermott's Lucky brand cues. I can get this pair for about $200 (for both) from McDermott's website. Other suggestions for starting cues and places online to shop? My local physical store is Ft. Worth Billiards.

I also plan to have 18-21 oz 13mm medium (?) house cues, and would like suggestions for good inexpensive on these as well.

All comments welcome!

------------------------------------------------------

*The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pool & Billiards by Ewa Mataya Laurance
Click to expand...
So you plan to have 5 junk cues after all?
The lucky cues won't be much different to your current junk cues.
Get a real McDermott cue (start from $255 retail - go to your local shop it will be 100% close to $200 if not some online sellers can do it) it comes with G-core shaft 13mm. Play with it if you don't like it go find another shaft 11.75mm or 12 etc, I am sure that if you bought the McDermott from your local store, they should have no problem to let you test another smaller shafts.
 
Why buy two identical cues with different shafts, when you can just get one cue with different shafts for exploration....
 
My suggestion would be a Players HXT cue, best bang for the buck.
The HXT-15 for example is under $130, they also come with a choice of
a 12.75 or 11.75mm shaft, it makes no sense to buy the shaft seperately
since the retail price for the cue is $149 and the retail for just the shaft is
$139 so for under $10 you get a second butt.

Way, way, waaayyy better then a lucky series cue.

gr. Dave
 
Lots of good ideas here. I always look at the used market. For 200 you can likely find a used cue with a predator shaft. Or even buy a cheap butt and buy a brand new ob shaft (first gen) for it. I believe they are about $150 on seyberts right now

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
Looked at the Schmelke, Cuetec, and Players HXT - will look at these all some more, but really liked the Players HXT.

Keep the comments coming!
 
fish2 said:
Why buy two identical cues with different shafts, when you can just get one cue with different shafts for exploration....
Click to expand...

Four reasons:

1. I want to keep track of which one is which by slightly different markings on the butt - I like the idea of clearly marking which one is which

2. Convenience - I like the idea of grabbing this one or that one, rather than unscrewing/screwing every time I want to do a compare.

3. I want the one I'm not using available for my wife or sons to try.

4. For the price (as pointed out in the thread), why not?
 
caff3in3 said:
Lots of good ideas here. I always look at the used market....
Click to expand...

Yeah, right now I'm trying to sort out the world of cues - new cues in clear comparison with all the info and retail pricing is like getting a baseline. Want to understand the new market before I start looking at the used market.
 
IMHO you cannot go wrong with an entry level Joss. Probably around $260. Ozone will turn the shaft to your specifications.
 
used cues

Halfjack87 said:
Four reasons:

1. I want to keep track of which one is which by slightly different markings on the butt - I like the idea of clearly marking which one is which

2. Convenience - I like the idea of grabbing this one or that one, rather than unscrewing/screwing every time I want to do a compare.

3. I want the one I'm not using available for my wife or sons to try.

4. For the price (as pointed out in the thread), why not?
Click to expand...


Lucky cues are one of the better of the cheap @ss cues on the market when they are selling for 39.95 shipped...
I sale lucky cues all the time, I also warranty them myself and I have had one that the wrap fell off,
That's it for the cue falling apart issues.

If you can pop for a 200.00 cue then I would put a ad or a thread in the WFS section and say you are looking for a good cue for 200.00 bucks shipped and insured.
Make sure you write in your thread that you don't want PM's that everyone needs to post description and pictures in the public reply to your thread.

Then post back here in the main forum and let some of the more seasoned members help you pick out the best cue from a trusted and established seller.
 
IMHO
A new player (depending on 1 or 2 things) should grab almost any cheap cue that grabs their eyes as their body can't tell the difference. If you play leagues then a tiny bit more consideration but still almost the same. If you don't plan on putting in some valuable practice time and has only been bitten by the bug then again, grab what you like. If you are looking for a cue to grow with this is when you go a bit above the low end and grab for the middle.
In this thing very few players can really tell the difference and even fewer new players can, most people get use to playing with a cue and the first part of that is looks. The average person will say that (a cue that they visually like) hits great.

New Player (no league or budget):
Grab a cue that you would like to call your own and learn the game first, develop a stroke, a feel and the concept for what is involved and required. Down the road after beating away at the information tree you will have a much better idea of what "you" want and can spend as you see fit.
New Player (on a budget):
Grab a cue that you would like to call your own within your price range and learn the game, use this time to inquire about higher end entry level cues, ask to hit a ball or two with someone (who would let you) that has one of these cues and save up to buy a higher end cue, once again that fits into your budget at that time.
New Player (no budget/a budget want something to grow with):
Do the same as the guy above, get a cheap cue, learn how to play, use that time to find out what will be your real first cue that you grow with.

Get a cue that maybe/if possible has a removable/adjustable bolt, buy it in a 19oz (that seems to be the magic number that pops into a new players head) that way you can remove it and play with a lighter cue to see how that feels. The fact is you just don't know what's what yet (in general, not "you") so unless you plan on reaching heights and want to hang this one on a wall somewhere and say "this was my first cue" then don't put too much thought into it and go with what really catches you eyes, cause that's where it starts. If however you are going to be coached by someone, someone that knows like an instructor and stuff like that then maaaaybe one could justify but when it comes down to it a stop shot and a stun shot won't know the difference.

75 mph in a honda civic is 75 mph in a lambo
 
If you don't mind my observation about your plan but why the same cues with merely different shafts
Seems a lot more practical and economical to just order one cue but with extra shafts the way you like.

"pair of playing cues, same style, same linen wrap, both 19 oz, but one with a 13mm soft Kamui tip, and one with a 12mm medium Kamui tip. Call it exploration."

It sounds like duplication more than exploration......changing shafts seems like the way to go vs.2 cues.

Matt B.
 
Realize how 2 piece cues came about...

7forlife is right, but remember, Herman Rambow's goal when he invented the two piece cue: his goal was to make a Cue that hit like a one piece cue.

When people ask me what type to get when they first start, I almost always tell them start with a Sneaky Pete. The reason is that they hit like a one piece wooden Cue, if they are solidly made. Most players always like to have one (I actually have two) after they get a feel for the game anyways, so it would be something that you could keep after you choose a playing cue. A good sneaky can be had for ~$150, allows a good feel for the ball, they are available from production and custom makers, and allow you to develop your stroke. They are also great for when you don't want to bring out your fancy cue...

Also consider regular vs LD (low deflection) shafts. LD shafts are generally more expensive, and easier to learn to play with. I personally think if you learn with a regular maple shaft that you will understand the nuances of the game better, and you will be able to play better later on.

Good luck!

Brad
 
As far as 1pc cues, I've always liked the old Canadian made Dufferins.., try ebay on those.., good luck with everything, I hope you luck up and find what you like the first time, because it can become expensive.. ;)
 
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