What should I buy?

leehayes

leehayes

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey everyone. I'm sure you've all answered this question before. I'm planning on spending around $1500 for a cue. I'm looking for the best hitting, best playing cue that isn't going to be worth crap 6 months from now. I'm thinking either a Capone or a Nitti. Found one of each that I like in that price range. What are the thoughts of anyone who'd like to reply.
Thanks
 
leehayes said:
Hey everyone. I'm sure you've all answered this question before. I'm planning on spending around $1500 for a cue. I'm looking for the best hitting, best playing cue that isn't going to be worth crap 6 months from now. I'm thinking either a Capone or a Nitti. Found one of each that I like in that price range. What are the thoughts of anyone who'd like to reply.
Thanks
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If your buying for a resale later I'd get a capone. Really like Nitti's cues in how they looks, but seems like they take a hit. If your buying used then it probably won't matter as much. From what I read both cues play pretty nicely, haven't ever hit a nitti peronally. Have hit a capone a time or to and like them.

Best advice is to find some you can try out and see which you prefer.
 
Don't buy a name unless you want to flip it later. Buy what you perceive to be a good hitting cue. So many variables out there, there is one for everybody, but you cant rely on text or pics to judge hit.
 
Black-Balled said:
Don't buy a name unless you want to flip it later. Buy what you perceive to be a good hitting cue. So many variables out there, there is one for everybody, but you cant rely on text or pics to judge hit.
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Thanks for the advice...the problem I have here is that I haven't been able to locate many cues of that caliber locally.
 
Buy a $300.00 Frey sneaky, and then spend $1200 on lessons... then you get a strong stick, and stronger game :)
 
leehayes said:
Hey everyone. I'm sure you've all answered this question before. I'm planning on spending around $1500 for a cue. I'm looking for the best hitting, best playing cue that isn't going to be worth crap 6 months from now. I'm thinking either a Capone or a Nitti. Found one of each that I like in that price range. What are the thoughts of anyone who'd like to reply.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Bender Cues are always a great value, hit well and is going to be worth at least as much as you paid for them in six months and more in a year or two. His precision in workmanship is seldom equaled. $1500 may be his starting price but it doesn't hurt to check.

BENDER CUES. Mr. Michael Bender. Ms. Tracy Dunham. HC60 Box 3890. Delta Junction, AK. 99737-9454. 907-895-4725. bendercues@wildak.net
(just because I like his cues).

JoeyA
 
CTYankee said:
Buy a $300.00 Frey sneaky, and then spend $1200 on lessons... then you get a strong stick, and stronger game :)
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LOL.. That's pretty good advice! IMO

Unless he is wanting to invest the $1500 in a cue that may go up in value. If this is the case I would enlarge/change the list of cuemakers that he is considering... Nitti's ivory jointed cues hit good, unsure of how much they appreciate in value. I also liked the Capone that I had, although it is a very different feel than a Nitti. IMO

Get a Mottey, SW, or a Scruggs. You get playability and resale
 
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CTYankee said:
Buy a $300.00 Frey sneaky, and then spend $1200 on lessons... then you get a strong stick, and stronger game :)
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Never suggested that I needed to spend $1500....besides...I can still pay the $1200 on the lessons and still have a $1500 cue. All I'm asking for here is some thoughts on what other people think are worthwhile players cues.
 
plain jane Bluegrass or 4pt Mottey/JMW both have better resale value than Capone or Nitti.
 
I would go with a Capone, he's got some of the longest points in the business. Mike makes a great hitting and playing cue, I have 2 & the wife has 1.
 
Custom I would go with Mike Webb. I have one and another on the way. They play beautifully and his point/veneer work is right there with the best.

Production I would recommend either Joss or Schon with a slight edge to Schon. I happen to like a thinner buttsleeve and Joss' are a little on the chunky side.
 
Qjunkie said:
plain jane Bluegrass or 4pt Mottey/JMW both have better resale value than Capone or Nitti.
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If I found a cue that I loved I doubt that resale would be a problem. My mike Stacey is nice...but there is something missing. I sold my Phillipi a little while ago and shouldn't have...that had a nice crisp hit.
Resale value is important but far secondary to the playability.
 
Jerry Rauenzahn

I would talk to Jerry Rauenzahn. Jerry makes a great custom cue and you can get a great cue for under $1,500. Jerry will design the cue with you and is very easy to work with. Here is his website.

http://webpages.charter.net/rauenzahncue/index.html

I have 5 of Jerry's cues. They retain or grow in value and his veneers & points are in my opinion the sharpest in the industry. PM me and I will send you pic's of the 5 cues. They range from an ivory joint with torquoise inlays model to a sneaky pete.

Wedge
 
I would say Capone out of your two choices you listed. You can get a lot of cue for $1500 as far as looks. You will also get a great hitting cue as well. I have had mine for almost 4 years and I love it even on the bad nights.
 
Wedge said:
I would talk to Jerry Rauenzahn. Jerry makes a great custom cue and you can get a great cue for under $1,500. Jerry will design the cue with you and is very easy to work with. Here is his website.

http://webpages.charter.net/rauenzahncue/index.html

I have 5 of Jerry's cues. They retain or grow in value and his veneers & points are in my opinion the sharpest in the industry. PM me and I will send you pic's of the 5 cues. They range from an ivory joint with torquoise inlays model to a sneaky pete.

Wedge
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I haven't hit any balls with Jerry Fauenzahn's cues but the points are very nice. He designs well too.

BUT THE BEST ADVICE is to go to THE DERBY CITY CLASSIC, look at cues, hit with cues for sale UNTIL YOU ARE BLUE IN THE FACE., then pick the one that suits you.

JoeyA
 
Qjunkie said:
plain jane Bluegrass or 4pt Mottey/JMW both have better resale value than Capone or Nitti.
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I couldn't have said it better myself. Look for a Mottey or a JMW on the second hand market. You'll find plenty in that price range and you WON'T be disappointed.

Otherwise, the one cue I regret selling more than any other was my Bluegrass! Those cues are INCREDIBLE!
 
Go to some of the places online that sell used cues. Look at what's selling and how much. Capones seems to hold their value. Also Scruggs and Richard Black if you can get a Black for $1500. Sears keeps its value, but if you want to buy from Sears its about a 2 year wait. Try ebay for starters. Don't just look at what the cue is listing for. Look at how much it actually sell for. Some cues have a reasonable listing price, but just don't sell. Different cues are hot at different times. I don't think it is a good time to sell cues right now. Investments are risky at times. Good luck.
 
kaznj said:
Go to some of the places online that sell used cues. Look at what's selling and how much. Capones seems to hold their value. Also Scruggs and Richard Black if you can get a Black for $1500. Sears keeps its value, but if you want to buy from Sears its about a 2 year wait. Try ebay for starters. Don't just look at what the cue is listing for. Look at how much it actually sell for. Some cues have a reasonable listing price, but just don't sell. Different cues are hot at different times. I don't think it is a good time to sell cues right now. Investments are risky at times. Good luck.
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I'm willing to consider any cue. I've thought of Scruggs because the people who have them seem to like them. The Bluegrass cues sound about the same. I'm not looking for an investment. I'm looking for an awesome playing cue that won't be worth $600 if i ever decide to sell it. I buy guitars the same way. Guitars are easier to try out than cues.
 
A cuemaker that has not been mentioned is Rick Howard.

He makes some of the playing cues in the world. For some reason he doesn't get alot of love on AZB. But if a great playing cue is what you are looking for, you should look him up. Another plus with him is you won't have to spend anywhere near $1500 to get a great cue.
 
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