what cue do you suggest?

Like many have said try out as many cues as possible first to figure out what you like. To that end I suggest spending $10 on a scale (for example):

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1165

And, I got a pair of digital calipers for $12 but don’t remember where.

With a portable scale, calipers and a tape measure you can measure each cue you try. Suggest you go to a store that sells lots of cues that you can try out and then measure the ones that you like the best. That way you can determine what feels best to you.

For example, for me my preferences changed around for a couple of years until I finally settled on the following specs:

Length: 58”
Weight: 19.6 oz.
Tip/ferrule diameter: 12.65 mm
Tip type: Kamui brown med. or Wizard med.
Balance point from rear (excluding rubber bumper): 18.75”-19.25”
Type of shaft taper: conical (i.e., gets larger gradually versus the pro type taper)
Type of joint: 5/14 x 16
Type of wrap: Linen

If you can definitively answer the above questions for yourself, you will have taken a big step towards knowing what you want (and as long as the cue is well made the brand or cue maker is less important IMHO).

Edit: You can also measure the joint size (e.g. .840") and butt size (e.g., 1.25") and grip size to determine how well the grip fits your hand (i.e., feels too small or too big).
 
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To whoever suggested Josey - THANK YOU! I've been looking for distinctive cue designs and I'm really impressed with their cues. I requested a price list and I'm hoping that will help me make a decision - but just browsing through the cue gallery here and their site, there's about 19 of them I would love to try out. heh
 
thanks for all the info guys i really appreciate it!! i will prob end up ordering a cue from the website with the satisfaction guarantee so i can try it out.

i really appreciate all the responses and help you guys have provided!
-Brian
 
Woof Biscuit said:
X2 IMHO, the best production cue ever made. It's a proven weapon and has stood the test of time. I would buy a used one from the wanted/for sale section of the forum to get more bang for my buck. Just make sure it has a nice shaft close to 13 mm so you can get a lot of play out of. It seems like you keep cues for a long time. If you like the hit of the predator shaft, you can always add that later (or now).
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I love my Schon. Got it for under 300 too. I don't think I need a predator shaft. Deflection is so much less since I made the switch from my McDermott. It just feels great.
 
Cant go wrong with a Murrell Hustler cue.

Pricing is good. It will last you a life time.

If you are looking for a production cue. Schon, Joss, Prather, Huebler and McDermott are all good places to start.

Older the better on all of them.
 
Neil said:
No one else came out and said it, so I will. THE CUE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR GAME! Not as long as we are talking about at least a half-way decent cue such as Falcon or Cuetec. (I am not familiar with the others you mentioned) SO many fall into the trap of thinking a new cue will make them play better. It won't.

I prefer low deflection shafts. That doesn't mean that I can't grab a house cue with a decently shaped tip and play just as good. The cue, as long as it has a decent tip, and not a TON of deflection, is just a piece of wood. YOU control what it does. You want to improve your game? GET SOME LESSONS!!
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Tough to tell if that was meant to be scolding or inspirational. Perhaps both. Regardless, Neil is right. Is there a difference between a low end cue and a middle of the road cue with an LD shaft? Sure there is. But it won't make you better.
 
Check out Bebot Bautista. You can get a plane jane cue with a leather wrap for around that price. Solid hitting cue
 
I've played with a few really nice cues, but none flat out performs like my Schuler. I like the Professional taper. At one time he was offering 10 different tapers from a Meucci style whip to a railroad tie. The Pro (#3 in the lineup) offers a stiff shaft for less deflection on left/right english shots but is still comfortable to play with. Spending major coin on an expensive tip is unnecessary. Porper offers a laminated tip for about 5 bucks that will do everything you could expect it to do. Leave the high dollar tips for the folks who need placebos.
 
My suggestion would be a Frey sneaky pete. Brand new, around $350, used, around $275. Later, you could pick up a used Predator shaft for around $125, but you really would not need it with the Frey.

If you just want an inexpensive cue like McDermott, Pechauer, Meucci or Viking, etc, I can get you a good deal on one of those, as I am a dealer for them and then some.

However, you asked what we felt like the best cue for your limited budget is, and that would be a Frey SP, IMHO...I don't have one for you, BTW.

This Predator Quiet Roller for $365 is a great buy, too: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=191305

Joe
 
Welcome to AZB! This question gets asked more often than you could know...LoL! And, you will get a gagillion different answers and recommendations.

I would tell you to first research what might be available to you at the local level...local pool hall pro shops, brick and mortar retail shops. This would allow you to try 'dry' hitting different cues, with different joint and shaft options...thus allowing you to make a more informed decision as to how to best spend your hard-earned $$$, and be happy with the end result.

If nothing is available to you locally...next, try looking regionally. There may well be either one or both of the aforementioned above...and there may well be a cue maker or two, whose shop they may allow you to visit, and try out some of their wares.

If all else fails, then you can look to the internet. It just really helps not only you, but should you choose to go with a custom, will help a prospective cue maker, to get you set up with what you need BEFORE you buy...to know what it is you want. (And yes, that was a horribly constructed sentence!)

I tell you all this because I can tell you that it is really quite disappointing to spend your money and then not be happy with what you got...and it happens often.

Again...if we knew your approximate location...we might be better able to get you started in the right direction.

Lisa
 
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I say save as much money before you decide to pull a trigger. I know you want to buy it now but it will pay off later.
 
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