What is a good 52" adult playing cue?

Lou Bones

Lou Bones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How do I find a decent cue that is shorter than the standard 58"? Ideally, I need one (or more than one) around 52".

I have two women in my family who need cues. They are both 5 feet tall, with small hands, and when they play with 58" cues, the length is too long for them. They grip the cue at or above the wrap. Consequently, the ballance is awkward for them.

There are a number of 52" cues made for kids, and I thought about buying the 52" McDermott Prodigy and having them try it. However, someone at McDermott told me that those are more for kids and would not be as good as their Lucky, Star or McDermott cues, and recommended I buy something else and have the shaft shortened.

Can anyone tell me if there are any decent cues that are made for adults who simply need a shorter cue?
 
You are best getting them custom made or having a 58 inch cue altered by a cuemaker.

If you cut a 58inch cue down to 52 inches the weight and balance will be off. Also if you cut from the shaft the shaft will be very stiff (as mentioned) and you will ruin the taper.

A cue maker can either make one for you to that length with the correct specifications or properly convert an existing cue whilst retaining its playability.
 
Try a 57" cue. One of my absolute best players is just that.

You might be surprised at what the difference an inch makes.

My wife tells me that all the time.
 
Lou Bones said:
Can anyone tell me if there are any decent cues that are made for adults who simply need a shorter cue?
Click to expand...

I don't know what fits your criteria for "decent", but I bought a Players 52" cue for my grandkids to use until they get tall enough for a longer cue. It has a stainless steel joint, 5/16x18 pin, and what seems to be a Triangle or LePro tip on it. The linen wrap is so-so, and the shaft wood is no worse than average. It rolls straight together and apart, and it hits firmly.

You could always try one and upgrade later if they decide that it is the right length cue for them. Better than spending big bucks on a couple of customs and then finding out that they actually could use a slightly longer cue.

Buy just one cue to start out with and let them both shoot with it for a while, then make a more solid decision.

Just a thought.

Maniac
 
pt109 said:
A 52 inch cue would hit very stiff....cues need a certain flexibility.
I think they should learn how to handle a cue that is no less than 57 inches.
Alex Pagulayan is not much more than 5 feet and he plays with a standard
cue.
Sarah Rousey manages to be a WPBA member and she's 5ft 1....
...tell them to watch this and learn...
https://www.google.com/url?url=http...rousey&usg=AFQjCNGZWagxsFlrFuqKciOvcZgCktYs0A
Click to expand...

Pat Fleming has played with a 53 inch cue for over 20 years
 
I think Cuetec makes a 52 in Cue with a fiberglass clear shaft. I think Cuetec would work, and I think they would like the smooth clear shaft, don't buy any of the painted shafts, and the price is very good. After that, I think someone mentioned a Players Cue. These cues are not what they used to be, they are much better, and most of them now come with a lifetime warranty..
 
It won't be cheap but you could use a Mezz Powerbreak 2
and exchange the shaft for one of their playing shafts. That would give
you a good playing 54" cue.

gr. Dave
 
John Novak said:
Pat Fleming has played with a 53 inch cue for over 20 years
Click to expand...

Pat is a special person...I was thinking of him when wrote that.
( I believe his cue is 54 )
But short cues DO tend to be lifeless, you have to be tricky on the taper.
I've had a few cues around that length for years. I lend them to friends
with kids and they give them back or pass them on at some stage.
I cut down some snooker cues from the butt end to give them some life.
....they are still really stiff.
 
pt109 said:
Pat is a special person...I was thinking of him when wrote that.
( I believe his cue is 54 )
But short cues DO tend to be lifeless, you have to be tricky on the taper.
I've had a few cues around that length for years. I lend them to friends
with kids and they give them back or pass them on at some stage.
I cut down some snooker cues from the butt end to give them some life.
....they are still really stiff.
Click to expand...

Use a 29" shaft with a shortened butt, problem solved.
 
Put a joint in a house cue and make both have 26 inches. A friend of mine done this because he has limited space for his home table but the cues play fine and look good as well.
 
The Saw said:
Imo, the butt would have to be weighted similar to a normal cue....
Click to expand...

Thanx, Saw, I should have thought of that.

Years ago, Ronny Allen was making games playing with just a shaft...
..and winning a lot.
Then they found out he was using a 20 oz shaft....
...cost him $400 to have it made.
 
pt109 said:
Thanx, Saw, I should have thought of that.

Years ago, Ronny Allen was making games playing with just a shaft...
..and winning a lot.
Then they found out he was using a 20 oz shaft....
...cost him $400 to have it made.
Click to expand...

Dickie Neighbors showed us a good one at pool league year ago where there was a pole in the way.... Using a shaft and holding a roll of quarters on the end of it. Works pretty freaking good.....
 
Good Advice. Thanks!

Maniac said:
I don't know what fits your criteria for "decent", but I bought a Players 52" cue for my grandkids to use until they get tall enough for a longer cue. It has a stainless steel joint, 5/16x18 pin, and what seems to be a Triangle or LePro tip on it. The linen wrap is so-so, and the shaft wood is no worse than average. It rolls straight together and apart, and it hits firmly.

You could always try one and upgrade later if they decide that it is the right length cue for them. Better than spending big bucks on a couple of customs and then finding out that they actually could use a slightly longer cue.

Buy just one cue to start out with and let them both shoot with it for a while, then make a more solid decision.

Just a thought.

Maniac
Click to expand...

Everything you said makes perfect sense. Thank you. The real issue is: we are still guessing at what length cue will be most comfortable for them. And, the fact that my wife and daughter are both the same height (5') doesn't mean they will both prefer the same length cue. So buying one inexpensive playing cue (whether a Players or the McDermott Prodigy) for them to both try out for a while makes perfect sense.

The players 52" cues are very inexpensive (which is good), and the shafts will have a comparable taper to a longer cue. Also the tips are 13mm. The McDermott Prodigy (which my daughter likes the look of) weighs less (18oz), and has an 11mm tip and a narrower shaft. I'll probably buy one cue and see how they each like it. They're inexpensive enough that it is an afforable way to experiment. After they've both played with it for a while, we'll have a better idea what would work best for them, should we decide (at that point) to have cues custom made for them.

Thanks for the great comments and advice Maniac.
 
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