What kind of pool cue should I get for a christmas gift?

P

P@tman

New member
What brand pool cue would you recommend? She's a beginner/semi intermediate player that loves 8-ball and 9-ball. We used to play every day in the summer for recreation using the cues the pool hall supplied. So I guess we are straight out beginners compared to everyone on this board.

Anyways, I live in Vancouver Canada and there's not many billiard stores around. I need some brands or names of decent cues that cost around the 100 - 200 dollar canadian range.If I have to order online, I want to make sure that it can be shipped before christmas eve. I would prefer a name of a store in my area though. Any recommendations or suggestions on how to pick out a decent/good cue would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.
 
For a beginner, I'd suggest an entry level McDermott or a Lucasi. The big benefit of the McDermott is lifetime warranty against warpage.

If you are looking to get it before xmas, check out the links I put above. Email my friend directly at joerackem@aol.com - mention my name and you'll get a free case, tapper, and 5% off.

Merry New Year! :D
 
Beginner Cues

First off, I think most people here would suggest that you let her try the cue before you buy the cue. Weight, ballance, and taper are a matter of personal choice. Dufferin makes a decent cue for the money. They are made in Canada. I wouldn't pay much more than that due to the fact that most of us banged up our first cues pretty good. Hope this helps.
Purdman
 
If you wanted to go into a little higher price range Kevin Deroo from Langley BC right in your area makes really nice good hitting cues. Any cue he makes would last a lifetime and hold its value really well. I have shot with a couple he made, they are very well made cues of a very high standard. Usually about $400-$500, that is probably the ballpark you would need for a really well made plain custom cue that she could grow into and never need to replace. Otherise if you are stuck at the $200 maximum range you are limited, even brand name cues of quality are over that these days, $250-300 is more the range for getting into pretty plain production cues. You can go cheaper off the net but then you take the risk of it being warped and not being able to check it out and make sure it is what you want. You are a beginner so the hit of the cue may not be apparent to you or what to look for in the "hit" of a cue. At $200 max Dufferin had some "OK" cues and deals at the lower prices of $80-$120, they are definately beginner cues (even the expensive ones, which are a waste of money), if she gets really good she would likely want something better and the resale on a Dufferin is terrible. Dont buy Mcderrmot. Falcon made some decent lower end cues, they would probably be in the $250-$300 range for their lower end stuff now though. Meuci are all at least that price I would think, Lower end Joss Hustlers used to be good at that price range but I dont think they make them anymore. I have a used Joss I would sell that hits really well, but it has a few dings and is well used albeit dead straight. It would be about $200 and shipping but again, you would not get to see it and that is something you want to do when buying a cue. I say see what Deroo can do for you at his cheapest, you cannot go wrong there. Even if he turns out to be too expensive he probably can let you know the best pro shop to check out for production cue purchases in Vancouver.

http://www.deroocues.com

Purdy is right too, maybe best would be giving her a "gift certificate" for one cue purchase that lets her and you go check out all sorts of cues and lets her see what she likes. If you ended up going with a Deroo he can make a cue to the exact specifications such as weight, tip size, balance point, taper, ect... that she likes best. A cue is a very personal thing and what one person likes is not always what another likes.
 
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Celtic said:
If you wanted to go into a little higher price range Kevin Deroo from Langley BC right in your area makes really nice good hitting cues. Any cue he makes would last a lifetime and hold its value really well. I have shot with a couple he made, they are very well made cues of a very high standard. Usually about $400-$500, that is probably the ballpark you would need for a really well made plain custom cue that she could grow into and never need to replace. Otherise if you are stuck at the $200 maximum range you are limited, even brand name cues of quality are over that these days, $250-300 is more the range for getting into pretty plain production cues. You can go cheaper off the net but then you take the risk of it being warped and not being able to check it out and make sure it is what you want. You are a beginner so the hit of the cue may not be apparent to you or what to look for in the "hit" of a cue. At $200 max Dufferin had some "OK" cues and deals at the lower prices of $80-$120, they are definately beginner cues (even the expensive ones, which are a waste of money), if she gets really good she would likely want something better and the resale on a Dufferin is terrible. Dont buy Mcderrmot. Falcon made some decent lower end cues, they would probably be in the $250-$300 range for their lower end stuff now though. Meuci are all at least that price I would think, Lower end Joss Hustlers used to be good at that price range but I dont think they make them anymore. I have a used Joss I would sell that hits really well, but it has a few dings and is well used albeit dead straight. It would be about $200 and shipping but again, you would not get to see it and that is something you want to do when buying a cue. I say see what Deroo can do for you at his cheapest, you cannot go wrong there. Even if he turns out to be too expensive he probably can let you know the best pro shop to check out for production cue purchases in Vancouver.

http://www.deroocues.com

Purdy is right too, maybe best would be giving her a "gift certificate" for one cue purchase that lets her and you go check out all sorts of cues and lets her see what she likes. If you ended up going with a Deroo he can make a cue to the exact specifications such as weight, tip size, balance point, taper, ect... that she likes best. A cue is a very personal thing and what one person likes is not always what another likes.
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Celtic, I have a nice $2,200 DeRoo myself. Kevin is a nice guy. I like the extendable butt.
Purdman
 
1pRoscoe said:
joerackem@aol.com
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I'll second joerackem. I purchased a few things from him on ebay. He was top notch and I have seen hime recommended before. His prices were great. The cloth I purchased was half the price of the local stores and was a savings of $175 USD :) Cues were well below local prices, as well.
 
I would also reccomend joerackem. If that is the direction you go. Done business with him several times.
Dan
 
McDermott D-6 w/ a 12mm shaft and 21 oz. was my cue for 14 years, and my first cue. All my friends had 13mm+ shafts for their first cues. My current cue is a Joss, 19 oz. Your sister should try as many cues as she can, however that foils the surprise.

Production cues to check out McDermott, and Lucasi, as noted. A Pechauer JP01 might be nice to try out, not necessarily buy. A Joss and a Dufferin should be tried too. The Dufferin is the most affordable. Just don't buy a sneaky pete...ooh, a cue...that looks like a house cue, but shiny. The first cue would likely be an emotional item, with no real understanding of what it is the person is looking for. So, don't try too hard to find the "perfect" cue, because as the person develops, tastes can change dramatically.

IMHO, it would be nice to have a plain jane custom built as Celtic noted. It would be more "special" and better as a gift as it was built for her and not bought off a rack. It would mean more, from an emotional perspective. I know it would for me. Take her to the cue maker and check out his goods, he may be able to help steer you in the right direction too. Different tips, balance, joint material, ferrule material, wood, how it affects things, etc. $200 CDN would be tough to meet though, I really can't say. Maybe the cuemaker is in a festive type mood and will cut you a deal with some decent bird's eye maple, but not the premium stuff, and no exotic woods. *shrug*

Do note that a cue's "feel", while a personal taste, doesn't really do much for the actual performance. It's just a matter of getting used to it. She sounds like she doesn't have enough to judge whether or not she's holding the "right" cue in her hands. I had exposure to Schon, Joss, Meucci, Huebler, and Adam before buying my McDermott, so I went in with a hair more exposure and knew I wanted a thinner shaft than 13mm. I didn't regret it, and I still don't. I love my McDermott D-6. It's also in very good shape, 2 spots in the butt where the clear coat seems to be thinning, and the clear coat on the shaft is flaking at the joint. :( I don't think it's bad for a 14 year old cue.
 
New Cue

I hear a lot about trying out pool cues before buying them, but in some areas there really aren't any decent billiards stores. So what do you do? Go to a pool hall and ask strangers if you can "test drive" their sticks? I'd get together with her (or without if its a surprise) and scan the internet for a nice looking stick. She can get a custom or a nice Schon if she goes fanatic.
 
Lucasi - Hands Down!

I have a 44 year old Balabushka that plays as good as the day I bought it from George. I also have a Lucasi ($89 on eBay) that I bought on Buddy Hall's recommendation (because I decided to retire my stick to the Safety Deposit Box), and it plays just as well as my Balabushka.
TY & GL
 
I love my Mcdermott. It hits nice, and get complements about it all the time. I would go with a Fury maybe i shot with one it was 189 CND taxes in, it shot nice and alot of players are using them now. Dont buy a Cutec, IMO
 
P@tman said:
What brand pool cue would you recommend? She's a beginner/semi intermediate player that loves 8-ball and 9-ball. We used to play every day in the summer for recreation using the cues the pool hall supplied. So I guess we are straight out beginners compared to everyone on this board.

Anyways, I live in Vancouver Canada and there's not many billiard stores around. I need some brands or names of decent cues that cost around the 100 - 200 dollar canadian range.If I have to order online, I want to make sure that it can be shipped before christmas eve. I would prefer a name of a store in my area though. Any recommendations or suggestions on how to pick out a decent/good cue would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.
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I know I guy(John Horsfall) locally who sells Falcon cues. I think a plain jane Falcon starts at around $250.They hit OK for a starters cue. When I get a hold of his phone number, I'll PM you. RJ
 
recoveryjones said:
I know I guy(John Horsfall) locally who sells Falcon cues. I think a plain jane Falcon starts at around $250.They hit OK for a starters cue. When I get a hold of his phone number, I'll PM you. RJ
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Falcon makes a great cue but if you do this make Horsefall throw in a hour of lessons for your girlfriend, he is also a awesome coach and a really nice guy. A $250 falcon with a hour of free lessons from John would be a cool gift.
 
You cant go wrong with a McD or a Joss. I grew up with a D series that I still have..... Have her shoot with a bud's Joss and look on ebay
 
pool cue

just my opnion, but the best cue for beginners is cuetex, i bought one and break stick fof grandson when he was 5yrs. no dings ,just soap and water to clean shaft. how he is 14yrs, and i had mike gulassy make him custom cue. he loves it and takes good care of it. STICK
 
OldHasBeen said:
I have a 44 year old Balabushka that plays as good as the day I bought it from George. I also have a Lucasi ($89 on eBay) that I bought on Buddy Hall's recommendation (because I decided to retire my stick to the Safety Deposit Box), and it plays just as well as my Balabushka.
TY & GL
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As far as production cues you just can't beat Lucasi. I use to say 'You just can't beat Lucasi for the price.' Now I dropped the 'for the price part'. Feel is vary important to me and I just like the way it feels and performs. I've tried lots of brands, it's a vary personal thing though. A beginner is going to have trouble telling what they like and don't like. I certainly wouldn't spend to much on a first cue, "unless it is one you had your eye on anyway" :rolleyes:
 
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