Which cue should I buy?

B

bluesjammer92

New member
I am coming into some money and I am looking to finally buy a new pool cue. I was thinking of getting a McDermott G-Series cue. This is based on the research that I have done and the fact that it is within my price range which is 300-450 dollars. I was looking for some input on this decision from those who play more often than I. I play about 4 times a week and love it but find that I need a proper cue. Basically I am wondering what other pool cues I should look at before I buy. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
In your price range I'd get a Diveney sneaky or one of the first 2 Schons in this link:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=358679

Can't go wrong either way and will hold their resale value much better than a McDermott! You could also look into other used options that would be better investments than McDermott. Not that McDermott doesn't make a good cue, they just don't hold their value and most players I know prefer the playability of a Diveney or Schon over McDermott.


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In that price you could get a low end custom,that plays very well.A sneaky Pete by Jon Spitz,or possibly a Tim Scruggs,well maybe a Scruggs.There is also a Ned Morris sneaky on the board,all in your price range.Jim Baxter could make you a cue too.I am only mentioning a few as others will add more. I almost forgot,contact "gkloop" he has a bunch of Bob Frey Sneakies in your price range.You won't get much better and they are new.When Bob Frey was working with Tim Scruggs,he made a lot of the TS Sneakies.Good luck.
Marc
 
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Tons of good options from plain Jane and sneaky customs to an OB cue with any of the OB ld shafts. McDermott wouldn't make my short list in this price range personally, but many people do like them. I think they are a better value at the $200 entry level price point.

I have a Diveney sneaky and a plain Jane Olney that I got for less than $400 each and they are both stellar playing cues. I know there is at least one nice Olney for sale on the forum right now. Also have heard good things about Frey sneakies which should be right at the top end of your range and would also be a great choice.

Finally, if you want to go with a low deflection shaft the entry level OB cues are pretty great considering they already have a $200 ld shaft installed. Their sneakies are a bargain and their standard wrapped or wrappless models are in your range too.
 
Worktheknight is also a schon and Jacoby dealer and is an excellent guy to buy from. You could send him a pm asking what he has in your range. Jacoby is another good option, probably not much in your range other than a sneaky though. I'm waiting on my 4th Jacoby to be finished here soon, just bought a cheaper schon, started playing with a McDermott. Everyone else's advice looks pretty solid as well, but I kept my advice to only the cues I've shot with.


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Personally, at that price I'd see what's for sale locally, buy that and stick a Predator or OB shaft on it. For instance, there was a used Schon in this area for $150 not long ago. You buy that, spend $200 on a shaft and you've got a cue that hits as well as anything. For buying a new cue, I'd do what was mentioned above and just get an entry level OB or Predator cue. I've shot with good McDermotts over the years but I can't recommend one over the modern LD stuff.
 
If you like a stiff but lively "big pin" hit and wrapless, I would wholeheartedly suggest a Gilbert jump/break. They do everything well, including functioning as a daily player. Plus, you can drag it behind your car for a while and still get over half your money back, if you decide to sell it. That won't happen with a production cue if you're paying anywhere near retail price.
 
bluesjammer92 said:
I am coming into some money and I am looking to finally buy a new pool cue. I was thinking of getting a McDermott G-Series cue. This is based on the research that I have done and the fact that it is within my price range which is 300-450 dollars. I was looking for some input on this decision from those who play more often than I. I play about 4 times a week and love it but find that I need a proper cue. Basically I am wondering what other pool cues I should look at before I buy. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
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get yourself an andy gilbert jump break or a bryan mordt plane jane. you could even get a rick howard mace and have money left over. you could get a nice used schon or a used mezz. you could get a production joss

with all those choices in front of you why would you go with a McDermott?
 
cueaddicts said:
If you like a stiff but lively "big pin" hit and wrapless, I would wholeheartedly suggest a Gilbert jump/break. They do everything well, including functioning as a daily player. Plus, you can drag it behind your car for a while and still get over half your money back, if you decide to sell it. That won't happen with a production cue if you're paying anywhere near retail price.
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I've shot with my Gilbert J/B cue before and it does play excellent!!

KP

P.S. It also breaks and jumps great!
 
the problem I see with a new members first post like this is that the OP probably has no idea of all the custom cue names or most of the production names being mentioned.
And the fact of holding value. Holding value is probably not the OPs concern.
If I was new to the cue world by now I would be really confused.

Just buy a McDermott that you like and move on with your life.
 
I've got a great value McDermott. Excellent condition retired in 03' M903. $275 takes it. Or I've got 18 other cues of all types, customs whatever. Uni-lock too.

I'm pretty good with helping choose a cue by speaking with you to see what you like and finding a good match for you. Give me a call, no harm no fowl if you choose something else.

Billiard Bill's

Billiardbills@gmail.com
239.823.0408

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He may not have before but now, because of his post, he has a list of 4-6 really solid recommendation, any of which would make a great choice. He can use the search function to learn more about each of them if he wishes, and he's obviously curious enough about alternative options to come on here and ask so I'm guessing he'll find it worth exploring.

Another really good option that isn't mentioned yet is Rat cues. Ryan is a member here and is a cue repairer and builder at Muellers. These are great because Muellers has them in stock for very reasonable prices so you can order one up just like a production cue. Might be easier than searching out a used example from the other makers recommended and you'll have some great options to pick from as well as they have quite a few different models.
 
Wow that is a lot of advice haha. As said by a few people I'm not too concerned about resale value as this will be my cue for some time. I have no problem admitting that I will most likely never play in a serious tournament. I'm taking classes at my college to get better. I looked at Schon and a few others. I couldn't really see any in my price range that wowed me as much as the McDermott G310 did. As far as the custom makers, I haven't even heard of half of them haha. I'm just a rook looking for a quality cue in my price range. What can anyone tell me about the G-series by McDermott?
 
My experience with McDermott has been somewhat spotty quality wise, I had two bad ones and never really tried again (not straight, bad wrap, etc). I think I was just unlucky though as they seem to have a solid rep. My guess is you'll get a fine playing cue and if resale value isn't a concern and you like that cue then go with it. If I was getting a McDermott I'd go with a more classic design as that fits my taste and I'd probably save money and get a G204 or something, but that is my taste.

I think if you're going to spend $350+ you can get a better cue for your money by going with one of the aforementioned options. I can totally see being overwhelmed by custom options, they're hard to find info on other than searching the forum here and you can't typically find them in a variety of options easily online. The one exception is Rat cues like I mentioned, take a look here. I think if you find a style of cue there that you like you'll be getting a nicer cue for your money.
 
I have a Huebler and until this weekend I liked it. That changed when I put a kumui clear brown soft tip on it. Now it is hands down the finest cue I've had the pleasure of playing. Bottom line is a "good" cue is to subjective to opinions. A tip made a good cue great. Some people thought it was better before. If you have been able to try different cues and found one you like chances are that is the best cue you can buy.
 
Icon of Sin said:
Buy whatever you like...
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^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Really can't go wrong with a McDermott. There are many starter cues that you can grow with for a long time, McDermott quality is as good or better than any of them. If you want new that might be the best way to go. If you're looking at new and used you'll find some customs in that price range, some really nice sneakys
 
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