Suggestion on new cue purchase

jed1894

jed1894

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm sure you guys are tired of answering questions like this, but I'm about to put in a X-mas order. I think I'm going to try a Predator sneaky pete (entry level cue), but it's been a while since I've researched cues. I own a few sticks now (4 Meuccis (1 with black dot the rest with old shafts are red dots), Viking with regular shaft, a couple of Dufferins, and some misc. sticks I leave in the pool room and a few sticks I've loaned friends).

I want to stay under $300 (the wife won't go for anything over that I don't think) and I want to also try another type tip. I've only used Elk Master and Le Pros. I like a soft hit.

Any recommendations? Also, I'm not concerned about the deflection stuff too much. I don't think my skill level with ever notice. Just looking for a nice stick for under $300 with a top quality tip.

thanks in advance. JED
 
jed1894 said:
I'm sure you guys are tired of answering questions like this, but I'm about to put in a X-mas order. I think I'm going to try a Predator sneaky pete (entry level cue), but it's been a while since I've researched cues. I own a few sticks now (4 Meuccis (1 with black dot the rest with old shafts are red dots), Viking with regular shaft, a couple of Dufferins, and some misc. sticks I leave in the pool room and a few sticks I've loaned friends).

I want to stay under $300 (the wife won't go for anything over that I don't think) and I want to also try another type tip. I've only used Elk Master and Le Pros. I like a soft hit.

Any recommendations? Also, I'm not concerned about the deflection stuff too much. I don't think my skill level with ever notice. Just looking for a nice stick for under $300 with a top quality tip.

thanks in advance. JED
Click to expand...


If it was me with 300 burning a hole in my pocket I'd buy a low end joss, a case, and some chalk.

Or I'd buy a one of the many cues that bamacues posts on this site in that price range.
 
go to www.billiardwarehouse.com call the toll free number,speak to greg, tell him bernie told you to call and you want to try the BW X7 cue for a 5 day free no questions asked trial, if you love it which i know you will, ask for your free gift,you must speak to greg,and mention bernie,anyhow, once you get this great looking and hitting cue, if it doesn't play soft enough (it plays soft) then have your local cuesman put on an old muecci feruell, and a medium tailisman tip, that will give a soft sweet spot hit, that will have you in heaven!
try it, you've got nothing to lose,and everything to gain including a free gift!
medrry christmas!!
 
If it has to be by Christmas, I think your options will be pretty limited. You'll probably have to choose between a Southwest and a Searing.

Good Rolls,
Rasta.
 
You might also try PMing Brent Hartmann (BHQ) formerly stix4sale. He does some very nice conversion cues, often for under 200.00, great way to get yourself into a custom cue for a production price.

Bama had one of Brent's cues, a gorgeous curly purpleheart conversion, for 175.00 shipped. The cue is a knockout...not sure if it sold yet or not, but you can PM him as well...Bamacues...Joe is a heckuva nice guy, and well, Brent is too. ;) :D

Seriously, there are quite a few new cuemakers here on AZ, and I cannot understand why someone would want to buy a production cue for 300.00 when they can get a nice little custom from one of the makers here. Some others to check out would be J&D Custom Cues, and Chuck Starkey, and I'm sure there is someone I am missing....maybe even Kevin Varney. If you can squeeze about 100.00 more, that'll get you into some very lovely Pat Diveney cues:http://www.erikleecues.com/index2.html

Lisa
 
Last edited:
On a more serious note, I've had really good experience with Nelsons Billiards in the past. After checking several dealers, he offered the best prices. He had to special order the cue I purchased, and it still arrived about three days earlier than expected, and communications were excellent. I recommend checking to see if he can accomodate your needs.

Good Rolls,
Rasta
 
Rasta said:
If it has to be by Christmas, I think your options will be pretty limited. You'll probably have to choose between a Southwest and a Searing.

Good Rolls,
Rasta.
Click to expand...

BRILLIANT, I'm calling them tonight!!! Maybe GUS could get one done by then too.....:)

On topic.. JOSS, MCDERMOTT, and HUEBLER are USA based PRODUCERS that would have extensive models to choose from.
 
Last edited:
I agree with the others that suggest that Joss would be an excellent choice in your price range.
 
Cue suggestion

jed1894 said:
I'm sure you guys are tired of answering questions like this, but I'm about to put in a X-mas order. I think I'm going to try a Predator sneaky pete (entry level cue), but it's been a while since I've researched cues. I own a few sticks now (4 Meuccis (1 with black dot the rest with old shafts are red dots), Viking with regular shaft, a couple of Dufferins, and some misc. sticks I leave in the pool room and a few sticks I've loaned friends).

I want to stay under $300 (the wife won't go for anything over that I don't think) and I want to also try another type tip. I've only used Elk Master and Le Pros. I like a soft hit.

Any recommendations? Also, I'm not concerned about the deflection stuff too much. I don't think my skill level with ever notice. Just looking for a nice stick for under $300 with a top quality tip.

thanks in advance. JED
Click to expand...

If deflection isn't a consideration like you state then i'd recommend a Joss sneaky pete. I have one that I bought on ebay for a good price and it plays fine and it looks like it cost a lot more than I paid for it. I don't use the Joss shaft that came with it because I like predator shafts and all i have to do is screw a predator on the Joss and i'm set.

You can buy a Joss sneaky pete and have money left over and you'll have a descent playing cue that looks nice. Just my 2 cents!
 
If you like the predator shafts, or think you might, their sneaky pete is a great deal. For slightly more than the cost of a shaft you get a great hitting butt to go with it. Due to my crazy schedule, I often don't have time to go home to get my nice cue, so I keep a predator sneaky in the car at all times. Recently I have been using it more than my nice custom, and I love the way it hits. The everest tip that now comes standard on predators is a great tip, but if you really want an amazing tip, and have the couple bucks for the upgrade, I would add a sniper instead. If you don't want a low deflection shaft, I agree with the other posters that a Joss is a great choice in that price range. Either way, I highly reccomend the sniper tips.
 
i'll sale you a Pechauer JP7, only shot with it twice, paid 360 +tax, i'll take 275.00 shipped and even throw in a case. if interested let me know and i'll send you pics.
 
Until

you actually go with a custom made cue, you will not know the difference it can make to your game, and how it hits and feels.

For $250, you can get one: Shurtz Custom Entry Cue Bob (Gabe Owen's Dad) usually has a few of these in inventory, so it should be available.

If you like a soft hit, DO NOT go with a Joss. The low end Joss's hit like a steel rod with the 13.25mm shaft (the taper is funky too), and I am sure you don't want to spend extra having the shaft turned down.
 
Snapshot9 said:
you actually go with a custom made cue, you will not know the difference it can make to your game, and how it hits and feels.

For $250, you can get one: Shurtz Custom Entry Cue Bob (Gabe Owen's Dad) usually has a few of these in inventory, so it should be available.

If you like a soft hit, DO NOT go with a Joss. The low end Joss's hit like a steel rod with the 13.25mm shaft (the taper is funky too), and I am sure you don't want to spend extra having the shaft turned down.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, Scott! I just cannot figure out why, when some entry level customs are available for relatively few dollars (in the grand scheme of things), someone would want to go with a lowend production cue. Plus, the beauty of a custom is just that...you can have certain things you like about a preferred 'hit' built in or modified.

I would like to clarify, that just because a cue feels stiff, does not mean it it cannot hit soft...that can all be controlled with ferrule and tip selections.

Lisa
 
I think I've settled it.....it's going to cost me more than $300, however. I'm going to get one the BW cues as recommended by Bernie and also a custom cue. Just got to fiqure out which one now.

Again, thanks for all the help.

P.S. Bernie check your PM
 
One more question:

What makes a custom cue different from factory type? Is it different wood or what?
 
a custom cue maker can have a better stock of quality wood. But the best thing in a custom cue maker is that you customize it exactly how you want it. Weight, balance point, wrap, taper, tip, ferrule type, joint type, and especially design.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top