What j/b cue is out there for $300...
- Thread starter Catahula
- Start date
Well first of all I'm not a big fan of the idea of a break and jump cue all-in-one since they are quite a bit different.
More professional players use the Predator BK-2 than any other break cue. I LOVE this cue and break considerably better with this cue than anything else I have had in my hands.
As far as jump cues go, this has been a recent thread on here that I posted in. Personally I like the Jacoby jump cue that Koinnikid is selling for $100 with the G10 tip. A lot of other players seem to really like this cue. The predator air is liked by some players although I think its complete crap personally. Also, the steve lomax jump cues seem to be in high demand as well.
More importantly is to ask yourself what is important to you in each one and break it down that way.
For example, do you want a leather tip or a non-leather tip on your break cue? A leather tip will be better for things like 2nd and 3rd ball breaks in 8-ball. The G10 glass tip (white diamond and similar) is very good all around. Its a harder material than phenolic reason, but holds chalk better. Some people might argue that it damages the cueball; however frankly I just don't seem to care if it damages the equipment since my break isn't quite that earth shattering in comparison to some players. The most popular right now seems to be the phenolic tip/ferrule combo in a moderately shaped configuration. Most people use this for both 9-ball and 8-ball "english" breaks (the 2nd and 3rd ball breaks) although most people I observe doing this are not doing it effectively in 8-ball. As a result of this I find that either a BK-2, which just hits the ball hard with a lot of control and still has the ability to apply english or a cue with a G10 tip or tip/ferrule has the best overall effect if I could only have one cue to use. As a closing note, you definitely want to investigate the taper on the cue before you buy it. A lot of cuemakers are using a very aggressive taper on break cues that makes the cue not move easily through your hands because it fattens up so quickly. This is why I like the laminated shaft on the Bk2, its plenty stiff without being like a log in my hand (yes I'm waiting for the jokes to start flying). Remember, everyone is breaking with a light cue now (18oz or less), this is not bowling.
As far as jump cues go, consider the same options however you probably want something with a little more shape on the tip so you can move around with english. Thats why I like the jacoby with the G10 tip and brass ferrule with a slight shape to the tip. I can draw the ball etc. Obviously lighter is going to be better here. Also consider finger grips etc that make using the "dart stroke" much eacher for really close jumps.
If I were making a short list of cues to try
Jump cues:
Jacoby jumper with G10 tip
Predator Air - people seem to love this thing
X-breaker jump cue - lots of people love this however I do not.
Break cues:
Predator Bk2 - its the #1 cue on the mens tour for a reason
Varney - I own one but am sorely let down. A lot of people on this board seem to really like them. I'm taking some weight out of mine and we'll see
X-breaker - people love this cue
Sledgehammer - the oldest jump/break of the "new style" of break/jump cues. A lot of people still use these.
If I were picking simply based on value...
The Jacoby jump cue is so good it cannot be beaten in my opinion for the money. It outperforms everything by a wide margin that I've used.
The J&J jump/break cues that are available are actually quite good for the money. Switch out the existing ferrule and tip for G10 and shape it slightly and you will be VERY impressed for less than $100 for a jump/break cue.
I'll shut up now.
More professional players use the Predator BK-2 than any other break cue. I LOVE this cue and break considerably better with this cue than anything else I have had in my hands.
As far as jump cues go, this has been a recent thread on here that I posted in. Personally I like the Jacoby jump cue that Koinnikid is selling for $100 with the G10 tip. A lot of other players seem to really like this cue. The predator air is liked by some players although I think its complete crap personally. Also, the steve lomax jump cues seem to be in high demand as well.
More importantly is to ask yourself what is important to you in each one and break it down that way.
For example, do you want a leather tip or a non-leather tip on your break cue? A leather tip will be better for things like 2nd and 3rd ball breaks in 8-ball. The G10 glass tip (white diamond and similar) is very good all around. Its a harder material than phenolic reason, but holds chalk better. Some people might argue that it damages the cueball; however frankly I just don't seem to care if it damages the equipment since my break isn't quite that earth shattering in comparison to some players. The most popular right now seems to be the phenolic tip/ferrule combo in a moderately shaped configuration. Most people use this for both 9-ball and 8-ball "english" breaks (the 2nd and 3rd ball breaks) although most people I observe doing this are not doing it effectively in 8-ball. As a result of this I find that either a BK-2, which just hits the ball hard with a lot of control and still has the ability to apply english or a cue with a G10 tip or tip/ferrule has the best overall effect if I could only have one cue to use. As a closing note, you definitely want to investigate the taper on the cue before you buy it. A lot of cuemakers are using a very aggressive taper on break cues that makes the cue not move easily through your hands because it fattens up so quickly. This is why I like the laminated shaft on the Bk2, its plenty stiff without being like a log in my hand (yes I'm waiting for the jokes to start flying). Remember, everyone is breaking with a light cue now (18oz or less), this is not bowling.
As far as jump cues go, consider the same options however you probably want something with a little more shape on the tip so you can move around with english. Thats why I like the jacoby with the G10 tip and brass ferrule with a slight shape to the tip. I can draw the ball etc. Obviously lighter is going to be better here. Also consider finger grips etc that make using the "dart stroke" much eacher for really close jumps.
If I were making a short list of cues to try
Jump cues:
Jacoby jumper with G10 tip
Predator Air - people seem to love this thing
X-breaker jump cue - lots of people love this however I do not.
Break cues:
Predator Bk2 - its the #1 cue on the mens tour for a reason
Varney - I own one but am sorely let down. A lot of people on this board seem to really like them. I'm taking some weight out of mine and we'll see
X-breaker - people love this cue
Sledgehammer - the oldest jump/break of the "new style" of break/jump cues. A lot of people still use these.
If I were picking simply based on value...
The Jacoby jump cue is so good it cannot be beaten in my opinion for the money. It outperforms everything by a wide margin that I've used.
The J&J jump/break cues that are available are actually quite good for the money. Switch out the existing ferrule and tip for G10 and shape it slightly and you will be VERY impressed for less than $100 for a jump/break cue.
I'll shut up now.
maxeypad2007 said:
I second all these. I guess now you have a very detailed view of things concerning break and jump. A helpful guide for you. A small addition in J/B part is the Gilberts. You have to concider them as well if you choose to follow the j/b "pathway".
kgeorgia said:
My experience with J/B cues is a bit limited, but I have to say that I haven't seen much difference in expensive J/B cues aside from pure aesthetics.
For example I used to own a very nice Gilbert J/B. It had some of the nicest wood I've ever seen, and it was the most technically accurate cue I've ever owned--flawless points and rings. On it was a white diamond tip.
Also in my case was a standard-issue $60 J&J J/B cue, also with a white diamond tip. Definitely not the nicest wood around, in fact the maple was (and is) kinda yellowish. And from a technical standpoint, well, let's just say it doesn't fall apart. But I liked it better because I felt like I broke better, and I definitely jumped better with it. So I sold the nice Gilbert and kept the homely J&J.
Otherwise, my experience has been with trying friends' J/B cues and some definitely feel better than others, but as long as you have a good hard tip, and a weight you like there really isn't going to be that big of a difference in how you break. What you're paying for is looks.
Although I have never owned a Gilbert I have used them and they would be pretty high up on my list especially in terms of price. They definitely break well, a guy who played in a weekly tournament in lexington, ky broke, shot with and jumped with one.
One other area I forgot to mention is the joint. I personally detest uniloc and other "quick release" joints simply because they don't do anything for me on a dedicated break cue other than take away from the hit. I find that especially cheaper cues like the "players" brand cues the hit is dampened quite a bit by the use of that style of joint. Someone just needs to put out a really cheap J/B like a J&J level cue with a 3/8 x 11 brass pin or G10. The wood pin cues with the pin in the shaft like the hammerhead etc are also quite good for the money. Those cues really break hard and jump relatively well also. The quick release cues also come undone sometimes throughout the day that is also quite unsatisfying.
The same thing goes on a jump cue although I like the idea of using something extremely light in this case like G10 just to further reduce the weight of the cue overall. The predator is just lacking here, if this cue hit just a little harder I think it would be a much better jump cue. I blame the shortcomings of the predator on the joint and the lack of a G10 tip.
One other area I forgot to mention is the joint. I personally detest uniloc and other "quick release" joints simply because they don't do anything for me on a dedicated break cue other than take away from the hit. I find that especially cheaper cues like the "players" brand cues the hit is dampened quite a bit by the use of that style of joint. Someone just needs to put out a really cheap J/B like a J&J level cue with a 3/8 x 11 brass pin or G10. The wood pin cues with the pin in the shaft like the hammerhead etc are also quite good for the money. Those cues really break hard and jump relatively well also. The quick release cues also come undone sometimes throughout the day that is also quite unsatisfying.
The same thing goes on a jump cue although I like the idea of using something extremely light in this case like G10 just to further reduce the weight of the cue overall. The predator is just lacking here, if this cue hit just a little harder I think it would be a much better jump cue. I blame the shortcomings of the predator on the joint and the lack of a G10 tip.
Well, no reviews here...but I have a Brett Hartman (BHQ) I would sell you.
It is BEM w/ white phenolic ringwork and a black Pigskin leather wrap, G-10 Radial at main joint, Brass Radial at jump joint. Lyptus shaft with Phenolic I piece ferrule design.
Very well made, I received it new and used it a dozen times.. My scale and calipers have dead batteries so I can't list the specs. (In the 19oz range and 13mm at the tip).
$270.00 shipped if you interested let me know and I will get exact specs and a photo for you.
Thanks,
Dom
It is BEM w/ white phenolic ringwork and a black Pigskin leather wrap, G-10 Radial at main joint, Brass Radial at jump joint. Lyptus shaft with Phenolic I piece ferrule design.
Very well made, I received it new and used it a dozen times.. My scale and calipers have dead batteries so I can't list the specs. (In the 19oz range and 13mm at the tip).
$270.00 shipped if you interested let me know and I will get exact specs and a photo for you.
Thanks,
Dom
Catahula said:
tommy,
shoot a pm to railfirst. he was talking about selling his wrapless predator BK2 last night for $300. he may have changed his mind this morning, but it will definitely bit your bill
brian
Sent you a PM
Hi Tommie, sent you a PM -- Gilbert & Putnam J/B's :wink:
Hi Tommie, sent you a PM -- Gilbert & Putnam J/B's :wink:
pm sent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I have several in your price range. Click the link below. I also have a couple not mentioned in the post.
Click Here.
Click Here.
Pm Sent!!!!!
dave sutton
Banned
I Have A Fury J/b 125 Shipped. No Dings Like New. Red One Leather Wrap.
http://www.fury-cues.com/pool-cues-fury-cue.asp?id=23
http://www.fury-cues.com/pool-cues-fury-cue.asp?id=23
PM sent to you Sir