What to do with this cue?

[Cornerman]

Just recently after letting my mom know I would be with my dad's side of the family for Christmas her and her bf state that they want to give me my gift ahead of time since I won't see them the day of. Since they don't know much about pool at all they think those cues from stores like Walmart and swap meets are generally used cues. I can clearly appreciate the thought of it but would feel horrible telling them the cue isn't worth much to me after seeing their faces thinking they had bought me something I really liked. Even my cheap $40 cue is better though and I have no idea what to do with the cue they gave me.

p.s sorry for the bad camera quality and angle idk how to turn the pic on here

You keep it. I echo what others have said here. My immediate family knows that pool has been part of my life for 35 years or so. They often will get me things like slip on tip/ferrules, griptite tip shapers, bridge heads that have one purpose (to destroy shafts), tip clamps, powder cones, soft, vinyl cases...

They mean well, and accept their gifts and their love. The stuff gets stored in a box with all the other things I foolishly bought for myself. Except the vinyl case. Sometimes I use that... LOL!!!!

Freddie <~~~ collector

 

[KRJ]

First off, we have to award points to Mom for trying. She knows pool is an interest of yours and wanted to get you something for that. Gotta' grade on a curve here. Last year as a stocking stuffer I got some of the Mizerak screw-on tips with ferrules.....for my Joss. She didn't know and I didn't say anything derogatory. They're still in my desk drawer. I'll never use them, but I wont give them away either.

Lastly, I'm blown away the Minnesota FATS (Why this is in all caps is beyond me) line is still in business considering the dude died over 20 years ago.

And George Foreman Grills will sell after his death, etc. etc. etc. It's just a "brand name", for cheap cues, and like his mom, probably the only pool player she knows, hence why she jumped on this sweet cue

I"m with PJ, put a hard tip on it and use it as a break cue. Of worst case scenario if you already have a good break cue, use it as a cue for a buddy that does not have a stick, so when you shoot, you always have a cue that is not "off the wall".

 

[accustatsfan]

You keep it because
#1- it was a gift from your mom.
#2- it was bought out of love. From your MOM.
Just saying.

What he said

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I'm with PJ

Be still my heart.

pj <- at least he didn't say "Stupid"
chgo

 

[cubswin]

I'd buy a shaft for it, and take it to league. Everyone is going to take you for granted, at least until you beat them at least twice. I've sold/given away a few items the folks gave me, and I regret it more and more the older I get.

 

[Black-Balled]

I wouldn't put a penny into it, but I would sstick it in the closet.

 

[Zphix]

I know a guy who uses a Fats Walmart cue as his hustle. Same cue as the one you have, but he's got a real shaft on the cue (OB) that he dinged up and sanded off the logo. He's made tons of cash with it.

 

[KAP1976]

I would be curious to hit a few balls with it just to see what it plays like. I mean, you do have pool's version of the platform shoe with a goldfish in the heel. That's actually kind of cool. If Cosmic Pool ever becomes a thing like Cosmic Bowling did you're gonna' be ahead of the curve.

 

[pt109]

You keep it because
#1- it was a gift from your mom.
#2- it was bought out of love. From your MOM.
Just saying.

It can make for a great hustler cue .
Blow torch the joint screw.
Core it with rosewood. Install a new joint screw.
Replace the shaft with an ugly looking unmatched no collar hard maple and a good ferrule/tip combo.

I actually like both these posts....do what you have to do to make the cue playable.
....win anything that earns you a trophy...
...send a picture to your mom....with you holding the trophy...and the cue.

Now you'll both have something to be treasured

 

[michael4]

use as break cue, or donate...

also, in a few months, tell your parents that you have all the pool equipment you will ever need (to avoid this situation in the future)

 

[SJDinPHX]

Take it out, play with it, get some photos of you playing with it. Send photos to your mom.

A few months from now, it gets stolen when you go to the bathroom and everybody is happy.

Then you can show your mom some pictures, (and prices) of a high end Gina or 'Bushka cue!..Then you'll see how much she really loves you!..

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Except the vinyl case. Sometimes I use that.

Freddy, you has a Vinyl Case? I couldn't imagine.

Myself, I have been relegated to using a Naugahyde Case, but was lucky and got one before Naugas were put on the Endangered Species List.

As for the OP, yeah, I can understand your obvious disappointment somewhat, but it does come off as being a tad ungrateful.

Be Happy that your Mom is still here to buy you a gift. This year will mark the 28th year that my Mom hasn't spent Christmas Day at my house.

Take the cue to the hall, shoot a few games with it, take a few pictures for the future.

Tell your Mom how much you appreciate the thoughtfulness of the Gift. See, cause that is what was behind it, the Thought and Her Love.

Then put it in a case downstairs. In the future, when your Mom isn't around any longer, you can take it once in a while, and you will have the most important thing, "A Memory".

BTW Freddy, I could be in for a trade. My Naugahyde case is of the Templar Knight model. It has the Templar Crosses stamped on the outside in Silver.

 

[SlashingAxe]

I finally tried the cue today sadly the shaft I use doesn't connect with the butt but I kind of figured it wouldn't unless I take out a bit of some wood from the part connecting the metal part but I'm afraid to do that myself. I can still make some shots but it feels weird with the hit likely due to the cheaper wood it feels just too light and I can't use much English due to the cheap tip but that can be fixed with another tip.

After reading all the comments I've decided to keep it and didn't figure to save it for a future offspring but that will be my goal ^_^. Is there any way to preserve the cue without it warping for so many years til that happens?

 

[RiverCity]

I finally tried the cue today sadly the shaft I use doesn't connect with the butt but I kind of figured it wouldn't unless I take out a bit of some wood from the part connecting the metal part but I'm afraid to do that myself. I can still make some shots but it feels weird with the hit likely due to the cheaper wood it feels just too light and I can't use much English due to the cheap tip but that can be fixed with another tip.

After reading all the comments I've decided to keep it and didn't figure to save it for a future offspring but that will be my goal ^_^. Is there any way to preserve the cue without it warping for so many years til that happens?

Nope, its ramen wood if Im not mistaken.

Lots of nice sentimental messages urging you to keep it. Lets be honest, its a $20 cue. :grin-square:

If you want to have nice memories of your Mom, spend some extra time with her, doing things you both enjoy. Call her more often, etc etc etc. Make those the memories you keep...... because after your folks are gone, youll wish you spent more time with them, not a tchotchke she gifted you.
Just food for thought, everybody is different. :grin:

 

[Dockter]

I have a white Stealth cue that my grandma gave me shortly before passing. I would never dream of shooting with it but I also wouldn't ever dream of getting rid of it. Who knew such a silly looking cue could have so much sentimental value.

 

[pwd72s]

Yep..fond memories can be attached to stuff...and it needn't be a valuable antique.

I'm '72 now...and still have the Lesney #32 (Think matchbox) XK140 Jaguar coupe she placed atop the cake she made for my 16th birthday. It's precious only to me...