Things to consider for those forum members buying their first pool cue

manwon

manwon

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Hello everyone, I have seen many new players asking for help buying their first pool cue. The following information will hopefully be helpful when deciding which pool cue to purchase

1. Production pool cues are approximately 58 inches long and they come in a variety of weights from 17 to 21 ounces. In most cases when buying a pool cue you are able to choose the weight. Most players use a pool cue that weighs between 18 and 19 ounces however this is not set in stone. I would recommend the best of two world which in my opinion as far as weight is concerned is approximately 18 1/2 ounces. However, It can be changed very easily by removing the cues bumper to get too the weight bolt underneath. These white bolts can be purchased online for a very small investment.

Installation is as simple as using a screwdriver to remove weight bolt and screwing the new one in. Before ordering a new weight bolt remove the existing weight bolt and weigh it. This way if you want to increase the weight you can order the right weight bolt for your needs. Production pool cues have two types of standard grips, wrapped with Irish linen or unwrapped with no Irish. Whether you purchase a a pool cue with or without a wrap is nothing more than personal preference. The shaft on most production pool cues is 13 mm at the tip, however, this can vary depending upon the manufacturer.

2. Today most production pool cues are made in China or the United States. The price of pool cues can range from $50 dollars too many thousands of dollars. The prices of pool cues are based upon the manufacturer, the quality of materials and the quality of construction. Like everything else in life when buying a pool cue you get what you pay for nothing more and nothing less. When you get your pool cue in your hands check it out based upon the following information.

a. Check the pool cue to make certain that it is straight together and apart. You can do this by sighting down the length of the pool cue then turn it slowly. Next check the fit and finish of the pool cue. You can do this by running your hand over the surface of the pool cue. Pay particular attention to parts of the cue that has inlaid rings, points, along with the cues joint. If, you can feel the inlays or other materials through cues finish i would not recommend buying that pool cue. Because overtime those problems will become worse and they will crack cues finish.

I sincerely hope this is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please ask.👍👍👍
 
softshot said:
1 note, all wraps are not the same linen is or at least should be slippery and players like myself prefer that, to allow the cue to slide through my hand a bit at impact.
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I agree there are different preferences for different people. However, any wrap can be modified by a experienced cue repairman, in most cases it only requires pressing the cues wrap.
softshot said:
leather and wrapless are more tacky and wont slide and some players prefer that.
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That’s is true however some people like it that way it’s all personal preference nothing else.
 
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Everyone has been very helpful in pointing out and explaining important things to keep in mind by a 1st time cue buyer.
The one thing no one has mentioned so far is the most subtle consideration in deciding just how much enjoy your cue.

Tip hardness……big difference between extra firm and extra soft and everything in between, plus layered versus single,
also different types of leather & so many brands, let alone breaking a tip in, shaping it, as well as nickel vs. dime shape.

You can order a brand new cue and specify what you want for the cue tip, however, when you purchase through the secondary resale market, you get what is on the cue shaft. If it’s not to your liking, then you have to replace it. So if
that were the case, what type tip is best? Remember a medium in one brand can play like a different brand’s hard.

All tips are not alike and play similarly which is creating friction but that’s about it. Tip condition, cue stroke and tip hardness are very important. 2 of the 3 are absolutely 100% controllable with maintenance and correct selection. The 3rd is the toughest since it’s entirely physical and mental that demands your constant and total focus, .i.e., stroke, or else you’ll fail.

So picking the right tip for your first pool cue, or replacing the tip if it’s not what you usually play, is very important.
The challenge is most players don’t take the time to decide what they like and just settle for a medium. It is sort of
the same thing with cue weight which is why 19 oz. cues are so popular. It’s akin to serving vanilla ice cream, i.e., safe pick.

Fortunately it’s not that expensive to change cue tips unlike a cue’s weight that sometimes can’t get to what you want.
 
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Regarding tip selection, save yourselves a lot of trouble and select a hard tip. Yes, for a few decades now there has been a gaggle of types of different hardness from soft on up. Remember kids, it’s a tiny sliver of leather that you’re going to repeatedly bash against a hard phenolic sphere. It’s going to be a “hard” within a week or so anyway, so you might as well start at hard and save yourself the mushroom and trimming.
 
Frosty said:
Regarding tip selection, save yourselves a lot of trouble and select a hard tip. Yes, for a few decades now there has been a gaggle of types of different hardness from soft on up. Remember kids, it’s a tiny sliver of leather that you’re going to repeatedly bash against a hard phenolic sphere. It’s going to be a “hard” within a week or so anyway, so you might as well start at hard and save yourself the mushroom and trimming.
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I have been using pressed Le pro medium tips the 1970s. I can see no reason to ever change all this hype about this tip or that tip in my opinion is bullshit. No tip alone it’s going to make anyone play better and anyone who believes otherwise is sadly mistaken. Pressed Le pro cue tips become harder when pressed in vise. The advantage to pressing them is the fact that they will mushroom which can be trimmed off and from that point forward, play ability remains the same.

These tips are my preference and my preference alone each player should try a variety of tips until they find the one tip, they feel suits their needs. It doesn’t matter if it’s layered or pressed cowhide as long as the player has confidence in their tip they will play good with it. That’s the real secret to finding the right cue tip.
 
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Bavafongoul said:
Everyone has been very helpful in pointing out and explaining important things to keep in mind by a 1st time cue buyer.
The one thing no one has mentioned so far is the most subtle consideration in deciding just how much enjoy your cue.

Tip hardness……big difference between extra firm and extra soft and everything in between, plus layered versus single,
also different types of leather & so many brands, let alone breaking a tip in, shaping it, as well as nickel vs. dime shape.

You can order a brand new cue and specify what you want for the cue tip, however, when you purchase through the secondary resale market, you get what is on the cue shaft. If it’s not to your liking, then you have to replace it. So if
that were the case, what type tip is best? Remember a medium in one brand can play like a different brand’s hard.

All tips are not alike and play similarly which is creating friction but that’s about it. Tip condition, cue stroke and tip hardness are very important. 2 of the 3 are absolutely 100% controllable with maintenance and correct selection. The 3rd is the toughest since it’s entirely physical and mental that demands your constant and total focus, .i.e., stroke, or else you’ll fail.

So picking the right tip for your first pool cue, or replacing the tip if it’s not what you usually play, is very important.
The challenge is most players don’t take the time to decide what they like and just settle for a medium. It is sort of
the same thing with cue weight which is why 19 oz. cues are so popular. It’s akin to serving vanilla ice cream, i.e., safe pick.

Fortunately it’s not that expensive to change cue tips unlike a cue’s weight that sometimes can’t get to what you want.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for sharing. This is a good addition to this thread and I appreciate it very much.👍
 
Frosty said:
Regarding tip selection, save yourselves a lot of trouble and select a hard tip. Yes, for a few decades now there has been a gaggle of types of different hardness from soft on up. Remember kids, it’s a tiny sliver of leather that you’re going to repeatedly bash against a hard phenolic sphere. It’s going to be a “hard” within a week or so anyway, so you might as well start at hard and save yourself the mushroom and trimming.
Click to expand...
This is just as important, as the balance. Unfortunately, there is not one tip that fits all.
A hard tip, is a good place to start. you can always change it.
 
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manwon said:
I have been using pressed Le pro medium tips the 1970s. I can see no reason to ever change all this hype about this tip or that tip in my opinion is bullshit. No tip alone it’s going to make anyone play better and anyone who believes otherwise the sadly mistaken. Pressed Le pro cue tips become harder when pressed in vise. The advantage to pressing them is the fact that they will mushroom which can be trimmed off and from that point forward, play ability remains the same.

These tips are my preference and my preference alone each player should try a variety of tips until they find the one tip, they feel suits their needs. It doesn’t matter if it’s layered or pressed cowhide as long as the player has confidence in their tip they will play good with it. That’s the real secret to finding the right cue tip.
Click to expand...
I have had some good ones lately, the newer ones are defiantly improved. You can't beat the old ones though.
BTW Its good too see you, back posting again🙂
 
Cue Alchemist said:
I have had some good ones lately, the newer ones are defiantly improved. You can't beat the old ones though.
BTW Its good too see you, back posting again🙂
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Yeah, I certainly agree, that the old Le Pro tips are best at least for an old fart like me.😀 However, the new tips work just fine after they are pressed. Thanks for the welcome back. It’s good to be here. Unfortunately we’ve lost so many of the old members. I’m still trying to catch up.😥

Peace, my friend thanks for posting in this thread.👍
 
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triley41395 said:
Probably not going to affect a new player as much but the diameter of older traditional cues are larger than most newer builds.
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That’s certainly a good point and it’s very accurate. Thank you very much for sharing.👍
 
manwon said:
Yeah, I certainly agree, that the old Le Pro tips are best at least for an old fart like me.😀 However, the new tips work just fine after they are pressed. Thanks for the welcome back. It’s good to be here. Unfortunately we’ve lost so many of the old members. I’m still trying to catch up.😥

Peace, my friend thanks for posting in this thread.👍
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Ditto on good to see you back posting!!
 
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