glengarets
Registered
Hey everyone. I've been wondering about what makes a good cue good? I want to buy one but i don't want to get ripped off because i don't know that much. If you guys could help that would be great.
Thanks!
Thanks!
What makes a good cue?
- Thread starter glengarets
- Start date
Cue
One Piece or two?
One Piece or two?
You can't go wrong with a screw-on tip!
glengarets
Registered
I'm looking for a 2 piece. I'm in college and the only place i can play is at my student union. so a 2 piece would be better for me travel with.
A consistent hit that you are happy with. All the rest is fluff. =]
glengarets
Registered
I got used to the house cues at my pool hall, so they give me the consistent shot, since ive practiced with them. Will they let me try them out at the stores?
Whichever cue feels right to you, doesn't matter if it's $5 or $500 it's about how it fels in your hands. I just got a custom Joss, made to my specs, about a month ago and I could not be happier it plays awesome for me. I used to play with a Viking G series and it played really well, just that I wanted a 60" and a little heavier cue and figured I could get Joss to make one for just a little more money than an 'off the shelf' so I would not hesitate in saying look at those two.
Quality of construction and materials makes a good cue good. Then you have varying degrees of good from "meh, it's pretty good" to "this is the goodest cue I've ever shot with!!!"... or something like that.
You have two options:
1) Shoot with as many cues as possible and pick the one you like the most
2) Consult with a cue addict, describe to them what you like, and pursue one of their suggestions
If you go with 2, there are PLENTY of cue addicts here.
Also, NEVER accept the suggestion of a cue that is currently for sale. It's usually just a buddy trying to help another buddy sell their cue, regardless of value or how it might feel to you.
A good starting point is a McDermott (warranty/price), and then use that as a reference point after playing with it for a while.
You have two options:
1) Shoot with as many cues as possible and pick the one you like the most
2) Consult with a cue addict, describe to them what you like, and pursue one of their suggestions
If you go with 2, there are PLENTY of cue addicts here.
Also, NEVER accept the suggestion of a cue that is currently for sale. It's usually just a buddy trying to help another buddy sell their cue, regardless of value or how it might feel to you.
A good starting point is a McDermott (warranty/price), and then use that as a reference point after playing with it for a while.
Perfect suggestion. I would add that a $100-$200 entry level McDermott or Joss cue [depending on whether you like a big pin (wood-to-wood) or piloted steel/insert joint] is NEVER A BAD MOVE. You can readily find good deals on these cues through reputable online retailers or on the secondary market, as well.
Sean ("cue addict".....I like the ring of that.)
The shaft will be maple, not ramin wood. If you want something that looks and hit like a house cue, its called a sneaky pete. There are plenty in the $50-$75 range. Years ago, I read an article in billiard digest and the author was perfectly happy with his $50 dufferin sneaky pete.
If you're looking for a fancier cue, the usual difference is in the construction of the designs. On a cheap cue, the designs usually stickers or painted on, whereas on the more expensive cues they're inlays. Same with exotic woods, maple stained black as a substitute for ebony, polyster string instead of linen for the wrap.
If you avoid Walmart and Sports Authority, you're halfway there.
Best of luck
If you're looking for a fancier cue, the usual difference is in the construction of the designs. On a cheap cue, the designs usually stickers or painted on, whereas on the more expensive cues they're inlays. Same with exotic woods, maple stained black as a substitute for ebony, polyster string instead of linen for the wrap.
If you avoid Walmart and Sports Authority, you're halfway there.
Best of luck
Stay away from the cues that are coated with fiberglass. They probably wont warp but it will get sticky over time.
I would start with a nice plain jane production cue. I bought a Joss in perfect condition from the buy/sell forum here a couple years ago for just a little over $100.
I would be very careful with anything under $100. If you buy used you will have a lot of options. I would go with a Joss, Lucasi or Viking to start off with. If you aren't interested in buying used check out this site for a good selection at the right price-
http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/index.htm
I would start with a nice plain jane production cue. I bought a Joss in perfect condition from the buy/sell forum here a couple years ago for just a little over $100.
I would be very careful with anything under $100. If you buy used you will have a lot of options. I would go with a Joss, Lucasi or Viking to start off with. If you aren't interested in buying used check out this site for a good selection at the right price-
http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/index.htm
Your question should not be what makes a good cue, it should be, how can I find a good cue and what should I look for when shopping for a cue.
The best place to start looking for a cue is not on line, or even on a forum such as this. The place to start is locally where ever you live, and the reason this is important is because most Billiards Equipment Dealers will allow you to test hit a number of different cues.
Trying a cue before you buy it is the most important thing you can do, and trying a number of cues is the only thing better. When people come in to my retail store looking for a cue in far to many cases they are looking for a certain design, you know what I mean, like a certain color, Frogs, Butterfly's, or what ever. Design should be the last thing that anyone is looking for when they purchase their first cue, the most important thing to consider is how the cue feels.
You need to focus on how the cue feels in your hands, nothing is more important, and no two cues will feel the same, while they may feel similar. The weight, the balance, diameter of the butt, the size and taper of the shaft / the tip will all be factors and this is why you need to try a cue before you buy a cue.
Good luck in your search
glengarets
Registered
Wow guys, thanks for all the advice. I'm going out to look at them after dreaded finals week. :angry:. But once those are done im going to be avidly looking for one. As a Chrismtas present to my self. 
Don't buy on impulse. You are most likely buying something that will stay with you for quite a few years as long as you take care of it right.
I bought my first cue 15 years ago. It was a PJ (plain jane) Ray Schuler. I still have it, although I lent the shaft to a buddy of mine whose 20 yo schuler needed a new shaft. I played with that thing consistently up until about a year ago when I moved up to my cog.
I played with it for so long because every time I tried someone else's cue I knew I liked the hit of mine better.
And then I tried a Cognoscenti and started saving the next day.
Try a lot of cues, take your time with the search, be happy with the cue you decide on. If budget is an issue check out a Dale Perry. A lot of people here think they're firewood but personally I like the hit on both the ones I've tried out.
I bought my first cue 15 years ago. It was a PJ (plain jane) Ray Schuler. I still have it, although I lent the shaft to a buddy of mine whose 20 yo schuler needed a new shaft. I played with that thing consistently up until about a year ago when I moved up to my cog.
I played with it for so long because every time I tried someone else's cue I knew I liked the hit of mine better.
And then I tried a Cognoscenti and started saving the next day.
Try a lot of cues, take your time with the search, be happy with the cue you decide on. If budget is an issue check out a Dale Perry. A lot of people here think they're firewood but personally I like the hit on both the ones I've tried out.
It might be easier to say what makes a bad cue then what makes a good cue! It might even be more beneficial!!!!!
1. Bad tips!!! Too Hard or Too Soft! Medium is best
2. Bad tip install need good tip mechanic using good glue and technigue!!!
3. Loose joint or a bad connection between the shaft and butt.
4. Rattling in joint area or in forearm near points
5. Quality ferrules may be the most important! A cracked ferrulle will give you the blues!!! Want something that can with stand 5 to 10 bad tip installs and not crack never know when a hack attack will occur!!! HA HA
6. Unstablized wood will mean your cue in a short amount of time will start to look more like a banana then a pool cue
7. wrap poorly done and unravels or leather pealing back at grip area
8. uneven points meaning uneven weight distribution and or poorly balanced.
9. Too long a pool cue or too short limiting the range of motion of your stroke.
10. Too much deflection hard to aim and account for! too little deflection hard to adjust or account for!
11. stainless joints can make the cue feel life less and have little to no vibration transfer to the grip hand
12. wood to wood joint & Ivory joint gives too much feed back and vibration all personal preferences!!!
13. joint collars making hit too stiff
14. missing joint collars making hit too soft
15. missing joint collars causing pin to crack through weak joint area
In so many ways these common issues are common daily complaints about bad cues on this board. If you can eliminate these I think you will come away with the perfect cue!!!! Best of luck and join the club! let the search begin!
This list is in no way complete so please feel free to add on.
Kid Dynomite
Just to add a small note to manwon.Wow guys, thanks for all the advice. I'm going out to look at them after dreaded finals week. :angry:. But once those are done im going to be avidly looking for one. As a Chrismtas present to my self.
It sounds like you haven't been playing too awefully long. Please don't take offense if I'm wrong.
The easiest way is simply choose a brand or custom builder you respect and simply choose a weight you think you like and let the rest just be a given. From there experience may or may not cause you to buy something else.
The hard way and equally imperfect.
I'd suggest that if there's a good selection of house cues where you play then test them out. Pay attention and take note to the shaft tapers/ stiffness, tip hardeness, balance point (measured from the butt end), weight, tip diameter, ....... Make sure you try every combination you can find.
If you find a cue you think you like, find some identifying mark and find it when you go there for some length of time. Then experiment with others. During all this time if you can try other personal cues then do it.
All of this stuff is personal and few people can tell you this cue, for me is the holy grail and there will never be anything better.
One last note. One of the best 9 ball players I've ever known played with a house cue. Same one mind you, but that's what he played with and beat many very well known pros in the late 70's and early 80's maybe beyond. Point is house cues can be good players. Don't discount them.
For anyone starting out, I always recommend a plain jane (no points) McDermott...lifetime guarantee, very consistent, solid hit and good selection of colors, wraps, designs, etc. My first three cues were McDermotts, and I only sold them to raise cash for more expensive cues I wanted (2 Joss cues and finally a Schon). After 16 years with the same Schon, I'm getting a custom cue made to my design and specifications. It will take you a couple of years of pretty consistent play and trying out some different types of joints, forearms, etc. for you to know what really feels good to you...and that will change constantly as you play over the years. Trying out a bunch of different kinds of cues is good advice, but frankly, you won't know how a cue really feels until you've played a while and know enough shots to really feel how it responds. McDermott cues are a safe choice.:thumbup:
Whatever you get, get a decent case to protect it, and DON'T LEAVE IT IN YOU CAR!! Fastest way to end up with firewood or a paperweight. Also, don't trust you drunk buddy with using it...my first ding in my first cue was from my "best friend" swatting the rail of the table after dogging an easy shot...:frown:
Whatever you get, get a decent case to protect it, and DON'T LEAVE IT IN YOU CAR!! Fastest way to end up with firewood or a paperweight. Also, don't trust you drunk buddy with using it...my first ding in my first cue was from my "best friend" swatting the rail of the table after dogging an easy shot...:frown:
Finest cues
This ones easy. Sears has the finest cues in America. You can also pick up a pair of bluejeans while there. Try buying bluejeans from your local billiard establishment. Best of all is the screw on tip. Just kidding dude. Let folks know your looking and buy a decent used cue from someone who just upgraded. Test drive that baby.
This ones easy. Sears has the finest cues in America. You can also pick up a pair of bluejeans while there. Try buying bluejeans from your local billiard establishment. Best of all is the screw on tip. Just kidding dude. Let folks know your looking and buy a decent used cue from someone who just upgraded. Test drive that baby.