Took The Old McDermott Out For A Stroll Today

HawaiianEye

HawaiianEye

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I bought this C-14 model cue new in 1985, when the D-series cues came out.

I was playing with my second custom Richard Black cue at the time and I wasn’t in the market for a cue, but my old boss at the pool hall where I worked as a kid was a dealer and I was able to get it at a super-low price when the D-models became their current line.
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I originally was going to sell it but, after playing with it for a bit, I liked it better than my custom cue, so I sold the Richard Black instead.

This cue is one of the best playing cues I have ever played with and everybody who has tried it has liked it and many have asked to buy it. I have turned down numerous offers of over many times what I paid for it.

I sent it back to McDermott for a refinish a few years ago and had another shaft made for it as a spare. The original shaft is still in amazing condition and it plays as good as brand new. I can’t count the many thousands and thousands of games that are on this cue and I have used it to to break with many thousands of times, too.

I put it in my carrying bag today, with the original shaft, and took it to play and I was glad I did.

I haven’t put many games on it since I got it refinished and it was a pleasure to play with today.

It is around 21oz and it has a full 13mm, or a bit larger, tip and it drives the cue ball around very smoothly with minimal effort.

I can’t wait to take it out again as soon as I get a chance.

I think the C-series cues were the best they ever made.

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That is a sweet cue. I have a McDermott EK3 and I feel the same way. It plays so good that it is the cue I compare every other cue with. I have a Predator and a Helmstetter that are right there with it. I have played thousands of games with it and other than a bluish shaft the cue looks brand new.
 
And I feel the same as both of y'all about my McD E-B5, although I also own a Rick Howard and Dzuricky FS fancy sneaky.
I want 2 new shafts for my McDermott but leery about sending it in. It is in pristine condition, absolutely mint.
 
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Johnny Rosato said:
And I feel the same as both of y'all about my McD EB-5, although I also own a Rick Howard and Dzuricky FS fancy sneaky.
I want 2 new shafts for my McDermott but leery about sending it in. It is in pristine condition, absolutely mint.
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I was surprised they were able to perfectly match the rings on the new shaft to a cue that was made around 40 years ago.
 
HawaiianEye said:
I was surprised they were able to perfectly match the rings on the new shaft to a cue that was made around 40 years ago.
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I've heard they have no problem matching rings EXACTLY, even if there's been some fading. 40+ years is a long time with wood. Mine has the simple black collars. Mine is the E-B5, it's a true Merry Widow. Plays like a Happy Hooker!
 
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My other McDermott plays pretty good, too. :)

CJ Wiley was able beat Earl Strickland in the finals of the Million Dollar Challenge Tournament in 1996 with it.

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The Million Dollar Challenge Tournament cue is the one on the bottom in the two photos above. (The tape is where I was measuring and comparing the balance points of the cues.)
 
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I don't recall much drama from McDermott over the years as a production cue. I've purchased 7 new since the mid eighties from $300 - $1,500 and not only did the cues shoot well but they all stayed straight, the finish never went wonky and everyone at McDermott was professional with forward acting customer service. Even though I really shopped around on this last one and considered all the standard production cues, I couldn't find a reason to leave what's always served me well. The imports seem like a good value but I do not consider them a true McDermott cue.

I do see some customs I'd like to own but I see all kinds of things I'd like to own...lol. I'm fine becoming one with my two players and am fanatical about cue care. Have undoubtedly miffed a relative or friend over the years that reached for the player I'm holding and I point to the wall with the cue rack of Players cues and inexpensive one pieces. All straight and smooth.
 
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fastone371 said:
My everyday player is D18 that I bought used and had McDermott refinish about 5 years ago. I also have a D11.
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I think I almost bought a D18 for my BIL when I got my WC2 from a dealer back in 1987/88. Instead I ended up getting him a D15 with a cork wrap and for whatever reason he's learned to love cork. It also had a dark stain which I haven't seen on another in all the pics I've seen online, including MCDermott's site.

It's almost spooky thinking about stuff you did or bought 35 years ago when it seems like yesterday. We play once a week and he's still sporting that D15. Am not surprised your 11 & 18 are still going strong.

I'm not a fan boy but I sure like stuff that never disappoints. Hard to come by these days.
 
A D8 was the first cue I ever had, sold it when I purchased another cue. I recently picked up another D8, which is currently in transit, so I've now gone full circle. Looking forward to shooting with one again. That C14 is a really sharp cue, I can see why you've not let her go.
 
71dewajack said:
A D8 was the first cue I ever had, sold it when I purchased another cue. I recently picked up another D8, which is currently in transit, so I've now gone full circle. Looking forward to shooting with one again. That C14 is a really sharp cue, I can see why you've not let her go.
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The D-line had some really popular models.

I used to see quite a few people with the D-19 cues.
 
HawaiianEye said:
I bought this C-14 model cue new in 1985, when the D-series cues came out.

I was playing with my second custom Richard Black cue at the time and I wasn’t in the market for a cue, but my old boss at the pool hall where I worked as a kid was a dealer and I was able to get it at a super-low price when the D-models became their current line.View attachment 618961

I originally was going to sell it but, after playing with it for a bit, I liked it better than my custom cue, so I sold the Richard Black instead.

This cue is one of the best playing cues I have ever played with and everybody who has tried it has liked it and many have asked to buy it. I have turned down numerous offers of over many times what I paid for it.

I sent it back to McDermott for a refinish a few years ago and had another shaft made for it as a spare. The original shaft is still in amazing condition and it plays as good as brand new. I can’t count the many thousands and thousands of games are on this cue and I have used it to to break with many thousands of times, too.

I put it in my carrying bag today, with the original shaft, and took it to play and I was glad I did.

I haven’t put many games on it since I got it refinished and it was a pleasure to play with today.

It is around 21oz and it has a full 13mm, or a bit larger, tip and it drives the cue ball around very smoothly with minimal effort.

I can’t wait to take it out again as soon as I get a chance.

I think the C-series cues were the best they ever made.

View attachment 618870View attachment 618871
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This is a great looking cue! Amazing how nice that is.
 
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