what is the best 250 to 400 dollar range cue?

[holland]

now I did look at the mcdermott's I do like the look I want to try to get something that plays well too

What is "plays well"?

I have an older McDermott (D-6). Compared to my Joss, I like the McDermott better, but it's subjective. There's nothing wrong with the Joss. I like my McDermott shaft size and taper better. It's a 12.25mm tip with a "modified" euro taper. That can be done to my Joss. It will be done, when I get the funds and find a good cuemaker near me. The weight difference and balance differences don't bother me as much as the shaft.

I really do think it's going to come down to looks and if you want the cue weighted a certain way. Plays well is entirely subjective. As an example, every cue I picked up plays well. It plays as well as I can stroke it and adjust to the different amounts of squirt.

There are differences that may bug me, but it's nothing I can't get accustomed to, over time. The question is, do I want to? There are aesthetics that I enjoy relative to each cue, such as wood jointed big screw vs piloted stainless steel. More rearward balance vs a more forward balance. Fancy inlays vs a more basic cue.

 

[holland]

Many custom snakies are actually really good looking. People are recommending the best cue in your price range to get a "custom" rather than just spending the money on shiny stuff.

If you want something "flashy" that will look and play like a higher-end cue, try this http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/players/players_hxt90.htm

The shafts on the HXT Players cues are great, and the quality of the whole cue is very good.

My son has this cue http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/players/players_hxte10.htm and he just won the Jr MA State 9-Ball title with it Players that use cues costing 4-5-6 times what this one does liked the hit of it.

Personally, I wouldn't go custom until you know what you want, beyond looks. Most customs are hardly original looking, so the point of the custom is to have something tailored to you. IMO, of course.

Players is a solid cue. What is good about a cheap cue is that you can go through a bunch of them to figure that out. You can play with weight bolts to see what you like and how it affects the balance point.

 

[armoworrior]

What is "plays well"?

I have an older McDermott (D-6). Compared to my Joss, I like the McDermott better, but it's subjective. There's nothing wrong with the Joss. I like my McDermott shaft size and taper better. It's a 12.25mm tip with a "modified" euro taper. That can be done to my Joss. It will be done, when I get the funds and find a good cuemaker near me. The weight difference and balance differences don't bother me as much as the shaft.

I really do think it's going to come down to looks and if you want the cue weighted a certain way. Plays well is entirely subjective. As an example, every cue I picked up plays well. It plays as well as I can stroke it and adjust to the different amounts of squirt.

There are differences that may bug me, but it's nothing I can't get accustomed to, over time. The question is, do I want to? There are aesthetics that I enjoy relative to each cue, such as wood jointed big screw vs piloted stainless steel. More rearward balance: vs a more forward balance. Fancy inlays vs a more basic cue.

and by plays well I mean feels good in the hands stokes well no vibrations. I have adjusted to the cue I have now and I'm about to have the new tip put on. which should allow for more english.

 

[jhanso18]

why is everyone recommending a sneaky pete if I wanted to look like I was using a house cue I would use a house cue. the places play at everyone already knows I play well so why hide it.

Because that the best bang for buck style of cue. Most entry level custom builders start in that price range at $3-400.

If you want something fancy in that price range I made a bunch of other suggestions as well. I am one that won't sacrifice playability for flash. If I had $400 I would buy a plain jane or a SP from Keith kues, as he's the closest quality cue builder to me.


Good luck finding that one cue that you love how it plays. If you find it don't sell it ever. i don't care who made it, how it's made, or what it's made of. if you absolutely love the way something plays, DONT SELL IT!!!!!

best,

Justin

 

[Swarbt119]

If you want low deflection and NOT a sneaky, I would try an OB. Dollar for dollar it's the best deal in a performance cue. Mcdermott cues are good, Meucci, Joss, Schon, Viking, all make nice cues in your price range. You don't need a status symbol "custom" cue to shoot good pool. The main thing you need to do is try to shoot some different cues, they all feel different. Good luck.

 

[JimL]

Dominiak...

 

[armoworrior]

if it really comes down to it I'm fine with the less than $100 cue I have right now and my jump break cue. maybe a new shaft of 150 will do just fine. its just I don't like the wrap that's on the cue its is kind of has a thick feel to the ridges and doesn't absorb sweat as much as I would like

 

[armoworrior]

are the reproduction balabushka's as good as the old one were? or is it not even worth buying?

 

[peteypooldude]

Dale Perry with a stage 1V shaft would be my choice
Another option is plain jacoby or Carolina
There's an AZ member called Neiln I think ,who deals in the jacobys

 

[genomachino]

It's whatever you play with and get used to.

There are so many good cue makers out there that make great cues in that price range.

When someone asks what is the best cue you ever played with even in that price range.

I'd say, This one right here. The one I'm using..............

 

[Fatboy]

Any decent custom maker for $400 can build a really good playing sneaky pete, or plain jane.


I still think it's tough to beat a sneaky pete from Keith Kues. I have a couple available maybe for around $350-400 new!


$225 or less it's actually pretty tough to beat the newer Cuetec R360 cues. I'd say from $200-300 Joss is tough to beat. If your going to spend more than $300 just belly up on a custom sneaky pete from a reputable builder. You'll be miles ahead in the long run!!!!

I LOVE $300 Joss cues, if you look around you can find something that looks/plays good from Joss, I have played with them for years on/off.

 

[Maxx]

Get ahold of Chuck Starkey and get a wood pin no ferrule cue. He should be able to fix you up in your price range.

 

[armoworrior]

Get ahold of Chuck Starkey and get a wood pin no ferrule cue. He should be able to fix you up in your price range.

is there a benefit of having no ferrule?

 

[Maxx]

is there a benefit of having no ferrule?

I believe that the lack of ferrule translates into less density at the tip end of the shaft, which is the theory that all the high dollar low deflection shafts are based on.

All I know is that Chuck said try the ferrule-less shaft and if I didn't like it to send it back and he would install a ferrule.

It was a little weird at first, but I like how the cue plays. I break (don't crush them) and have hot had any problems.

 

[tbayplayer]

buy a RAT- Ryan Theewen, he is one of the cuemakers at Muellers. Quite a bit of cue for the money and you should be able to get something real nice for the kind of money you wanna spend. I am sure he backs his products up too, he can fix anything.

Goodluck in your search

 

[lorider]

as stated above what is the best $250 to $400 range cue on the market non sneaky pete? for deflection sound of hit and tip as well I've been playing with the fuji medium which I do like. the playing cue I use now is a good cue in my mind I don't think the cue really effects much but would like to have something that is a bit more flashy when I go to tournaments that works and deflects well. I might just get an ob 2 shaft instead of a whole new cue.

i dont understand all the people recomending sneaky petes when you are looking for something a lil flashy.

i like flashy myself. matter of fact i probably have the flashiest cue in most places i visit.:smile: sad thing is there are a lot of guys in my pool room that can beat me all day long with a house cue.

i saw 3 mike erwin cues in my local pool hall for sale that i think is exactly what you are looking for. they are about 50.00 over the price range you quoted though. a friend bought one and let me shoot with it and it played as well as my 3,000.00 custom.

the finish was flawless and had nice inlays, malachite is what the inlays were i think. beautiful ringwork also. a lot a bang for the buck at 450.00 plus feels good in your hands also.

 

[jhanso18]

I LOVE $300 Joss cues, if you look around you can find something that looks/plays good from Joss, I have played with them for years on/off.

Coming from a guy that can literally buy any cue he wants, I'd say this is a damn good refference.

eitherway good luck!

 

[holland]

I don't think you can go wrong with any major cue brand. Your definition of "plays well" is pretty simple to achieve, though when you say no vibration I don't think you mean that. The "ping" and "feel" of a shot are vibrations going through the cue. I don't know of any cue that completely dampens it, and feels numb. I, personally, would hate a cue with no feedback.

For $400 and under, take a look at Pechauer and Lucasi as well as all the aforementioned brands (Players, Joss, OB, McDermott, Cuetec, Carolina Custom, RAT cues, etc.). I'd be a little concerned about buying a cue blind, at that price range. The "feel" of the cue is something you can only decide once you bang some balls. Buyer's remorse would certainly suck, unless you're someone that can adjust to anything.

The only thing I would watch out for, are cues that use a wood butt cap. It might split, if you're one that bounces the cue.

 

[LuckyStroke]

What is "plays well"?

I have an older McDermott (D-6). Compared to my Joss, I like the McDermott better, but it's subjective. There's nothing wrong with the Joss. I like my McDermott shaft size and taper better. It's a 12.25mm tip with a "modified" euro taper. That can be done to my Joss. It will be done, when I get the funds and find a good cuemaker near me. The weight difference and balance differences don't bother me as much as the shaft.

I really do think it's going to come down to looks and if you want the cue weighted a certain way. Plays well is entirely subjective. As an example, every cue I picked up plays well. It plays as well as I can stroke it and adjust to the different amounts of squirt.

There are differences that may bug me, but it's nothing I can't get accustomed to, over time. The question is, do I want to? There are aesthetics that I enjoy relative to each cue, such as wood jointed big screw vs piloted stainless steel. More rearward balance vs a more forward balance. Fancy inlays vs a more basic cue.

The advantage to any custom, whether it be a sneaky, a plain jane, or a ebony into BEM-four veneered-leather wrapped-bumperless Hoppe style with ivory ring and joint with radial pin (in case Santa is reading) is the fact that a good cue maker can Taylor it to your liking. That kind of customization does cost a bit, so you would have to sacrifice looks to hit your budget. This is why most guys are recommending a custom sneaky. I am a big fan of these and I honestly think it is one of the coolest ways to display highly figured wood and still having a great player. I'm a little biased though, as I'm having a cue made for me in this exact style. I'm not saying buy a custom sneaky, but I am saying don't dismiss one because of it's simple looks.

Having said that, if I was going to buy a production cue in that price range, this would be my choice:

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/lucasi/lucasi_bw-pool-cues.htm

Classic Bushka style looks with veneers, leather wrap and radial pin. Not to mention you can get it with the LD shaft and stay in that price range. But that's just me. If you know what you want in a cue, have it made. If you don't, have a lot of fun trying all the different cues before you decide.

 

[holland]

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/lucasi/lucasi_bw-pool-cues.htm

Classic Bushka style looks with veneers, leather wrap and radial pin. Not to mention you can get it with the LD shaft and stay in that price range. But that's just me. If you know what you want in a cue, have it made. If you don't, have a lot of fun trying all the different cues before you decide.

I was thinking of that *exact* cue when I mentioned Lucasi. What are the odds...