Sugartree or Tascarella?

R

RAMIII

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have the opportunity to buy a Tascarella or Sugartree as my new playing cue. While I would love to buy both, I only have the funds for one. I'd like some recommendations from the members on which cue you'd recommend that I buy.
Thank you in advance for the recommendations.
-Ryan
 
I wish I had this problem.

Never handled either one, like what I've seen from both though and either would definitely be on a list of cues I'd love to own. Tasc is a dream cue for me, just like that style of cue a lot, it's what I would go with.
 
Sugartree tends to be a more modern design with woods and such, tascarellas tend to be a more traditional design,
 
up to you

Buy whatever you like better. I don't think anyone elses opinion would matter as much as yours.

that being said, buy my Southwest - playable and collectable :)
 
thefonz said:
Buy whatever you like better. I don't think anyone elses opinion would matter as much as yours.

that being said, buy my Southwest - playable and collectable :)
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To clarify, I haven't played with either, and am wanting feedback from those who may have played with both. I appreciate the Southwest suggestion.
 
RAMIII said:
To clarify, I haven't played with either, and am wanting feedback from those who may have played with both. I appreciate the Southwest suggestion.
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Unless they have the same specs they will most likely play vastly different. Woods, joints, etc...

Both are highly sought after so I doubt you could go wrong with either of them.
 
As I understand it, you cannot go wrong. I've heard nothing but great things about both, but have never tried a Sugartree. I play with a Tascarella and I love it, but that's not to say I wouldn't love a Sugartree as well. They're both known for excellent construction and playability as well as great aesthetic. There was actually a thread about this maybe a year or so ago where you can get some more opinions:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=364238

For me, stylistically, I've always loved the traditional look of a Tasc which is one reason why I lean towards his stuff, but the wrapless merry widows that Eric makes are another favorite look of mine and he certainly has his original touches that are really great too like his micro rings and fantastic choices of woods. Definitely a more modern counterpoint to the Tasc.

A couple things to consider: one is the fact that you'll probably be dealing with either a SS or ivory joint with a Tasc, and the Sugartree will be primarily phenolic or wood-to-wood. Also consider wraps - Eric doesn't make a lot of cues with wraps, so if a wrap is a must the Sugar is probably out. And unless the Sugar has a lot of points or is super fancy, it'll probably be much cheaper than the Tasc.

In short, blah blah blah and they're both really good.
 
Great link

Baron, very helpful link. I enjoy traditional cues as well. The Sugartree will be somewhat traditional (4 points with veneers--it's from a Davis blank). I'll add another caveat. Both cues are 60" cues, which is tough to find in either cuemaker.
Looks like the Tasc fans are in the lead.
Thanks for the feedback thus far....

Baron said:
As I understand it, you cannot go wrong. I've heard nothing but great things about both, but have never tried a Sugartree. I play with a Tascarella and I love it, but that's not to say I wouldn't love a Sugartree as well. They're both known for excellent construction and playability as well as great aesthetic. There was actually a thread about this maybe a year or so ago where you can get some more opinions:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=364238

For me, stylistically, I've always loved the traditional look of a Tasc which is one reason why I lean towards his stuff, but the wrapless merry widows that Eric makes are another favorite look of mine and he certainly has his original touches that are really great too like his micro rings and fantastic choices of woods. Definitely a more modern counterpoint to the Tasc.

A couple things to consider: one is the fact that you'll probably be dealing with either a SS or ivory joint with a Tasc, and the Sugartree will be primarily phenolic or wood-to-wood. Also consider wraps - Eric doesn't make a lot of cues with wraps, so if a wrap is a must the Sugar is probably out. And unless the Sugar has a lot of points or is super fancy, it'll probably be much cheaper than the Tasc.

In short, blah blah blah and they're both really good.
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I have played with a number of both makers cues. I enjoy comparing them and checking for consistence in how they hit.

I find that most cuemakers have a good bit of variability in the hit of their cues. Not so much with these two makers, in my experience.

And both Tasc and Sugartree cues have the kind of feedback and sharp note when striking whitey that makes them very desirable for me. Both crisp, stiff hitters that move thecue ball with ease.

As you might know, there aren't many sugartree wrapped cues and conversely there aren't an abundance of wrapless Tascs.

Sugartrees are less expensive generally.

As another poster mentioned, Eric uses some very interesting and beautiful woods in his cues so if that is a big draw for you then maybe lean that way.
or

if traditional looks made to the highest standards works for you, then lean toward the Tasc.

Regardless of which one you choose, I think you'll be very pleased.

pls let us know.

best,
brian kc
 
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barking4action said:
Tascarella with a ivory joint for me please /)
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+1 for me.

Tascarella cues are one of the few cues I have bought brand new and didn't have to change a thing.

Highly recommend.

Only issue I have with Tascarella, is he seems to make ALOT of cues. IMO, that tends to keep the price from elevating.

Ken
 
Lots of tasc cues for sale not many sugar trees on secondary market! Especially eric newer builds! Leave it at that!
 
if you buy a tascarella, you're essentially buying a balabushka. outside of a blank used by balabushka by spain or whoever, the equipment, build and design are essentially his. ofcourse its not a balabushka, but the essence and history is there. sugartree is the new kid on the block that everyone wants to hangout with, but his designs are wood driven, which is also classic. personally paying a couple grand for a plain jane is ludicrous, but if the design is unimportant then go either way. basically, they are both in high demand and they both are known for a great hit, when it comes down to resale value and history, i think tascarella will win out bc of its history. pretty good problem to have though. good luck. I will add though that even though I favor tascarella, i would buy a pointed sugartree over him if it was like the one ddadams traded, or even the one he got, bumperless hoppe, wow:)
 
I don't think you will be disappointed either way. If it were me, I'd lean towards the tasc from the get go, but I would have to play with each before making my decision. I don't think you should pull the trigger before playing with both.
 
It depends on why you are buying the cue.

If possible I would hit some balls with each cue first because my reason for buying a cue is to use it.

If you are looking at it as an investment which cue you can get the best deal on. If money is no object I'd have to go with the Tascarella although Sugartree does make some fantastic looking cues.
 
Playing cue

alstl said:
It depends on why you are buying the cue.

If possible I would hit some balls with each cue first because my reason for buying a cue is to use it.

If you are looking at it as an investment which cue you can get the best deal on. If money is no object I'd have to go with the Tascarella although Sugartree does make some fantastic looking cues.
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The cue will become my primary playing cue, so playability is really the biggest factor. I am not able to try out both cues unfortunately. I am leaning towards the Tasc because it has a leather wrap and the ST does not, but I've also heard that Eric's cues play extremely well and it's even harder to get a full splice out of him.... He also suggested that Joe Rogan uses bees wax on his cue while shooting to prevent slippage and then uses a towel to wipe it off afterwards. I've never tried something like this before.

Anyone know the winning lottery numbers for this weekend? It would really help my dilemma. :D
 
Unless you are a flipper buy the one that feels and plays the best.

A few years ago a friend of mine bought a Hercek at the Derby when it was still in Ky. He just had to have one. He shot a few balls with it and he had me try it. I wasn't impressed and told him that the cue didn't feel right. He bought it for $3900 and we played for about a hour during the night on the practice tables with it and it still didn't seem right and now he wasn't happy with it. In the morning he took it to a cue repair man and had the wrap changed and a shaft turned down. I pleaded with him not to do that.

I met him at the local PH to play after getting home as he wanted to show off his new cue. There wasn't one person there that was impressed and most told him so. The owner that deals in many high end cues hit a few balls and rolled his eyes. I bet most would say that it was the worst cue that they ever played with. He kept the cue for about a year then went to the Derby again and did a trade for another cue and took a beating on the Hercek in the deal but did end up with a nice playing cue by Eddie Farris.

Don't go by the name alone. It may have been a great cue when it left the cue maker as a new cue but who knows what some idiot may have done to it since.

🎱
 
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Wow that's awful! Not a flipper and hoping to hear about the playability. Like I mentioned earlier, I won't have the opportunity to try the cue out before hand. I realize this isn't ideal, but I can return the cue if I'm not happy with it.

QUOTE=TheBook;5043935]Unless you are a flipper buy the one that feels and plays the best.

A few years ago a friend of mine bought a Hercek at the Derby when it was still in Ky. He just had to have one. He shot a few balls with it and he had me try it. I wasn't impressed and told him that the cue didn't feel right. He bought it for $3900 and we played for about a hour during the night on the practice tables with it and it still didn't seem right and now he wasn't happy with it. In the morning he took it to a cue repair man and had the wrap changed and a shaft turned down. I pleaded with him not to do that.

I met him at the local PH to play after getting home as he wanted to show off his new cue. There wasn't one person there that was impressed and most told him so. The owner that deals in many high end cues hit a few balls and rolled his eyes. I bet most would say that it was the worst cue that they ever played with. He kept the cue for about a year then went to the Derby again and did a trade for another cue and took a beating on the Hercek in the deal but did end up with a nice playing cue by Eddie Farris.

Don't go by the name alone. It may have been a great cue when it left the cue maker as a new cue but who knows what some idiot may have done to it since.

🎱[/QUOTE]
 
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