Dale Perrys hit like a rock, not my style at all
Who makes the best cue in the $175 to $250 price range?
- Thread starter Lou Bones
- Start date
If you would be interested in a brand new Meucci send me a PM on what model you like, I will beat any price on a brand new Meucci that you can find!
He seems like a nice person so why would you inflict a Meucci on him?
He will get a vastly superior cue in a McDermott.
Or a Schmelke, or a Jacoby, or a lot of others....... including some used SP from some good cuemakers.....You can always add the OB shaft later
Thank you. Your comments mean a lot and are definitely helpful. I've put together a short list, with five cues I've been seriously considering. Two of the five are McDermott g-series cues with G-core shafts. Your comments reaffirm what I've heard about McDermott and echo comments I've heard about their G-core shafts.
I didn't know their Star and Lucky cues were... uh... "internationally manufactured", but, no offence to those lines, I hadn't really thought about going that way. If I buy a McDermott cue, it will be a US made one; most likely one of two G-series, G-core cues. One that I like could see myself owning goes for $225 and the other costs $242.
Some people, whose comments I appreciate greatly, have recommended I call a couple of custom cue makers to see what they can do in my price range. I put calls in to both and waiting for a call back. However, I'm still leaning toward a McDermott. Your comments in particular, are reassuring in this regard. You described it as the best cue you've hit with by far. Those are strong, compelling, and helpful words.
Out of curiousity, how do you compare the G-core to other LD shafts? I know it's not their top of the line i2 (which if I do buy a McDermott, I can always upgrade to IF, at some point down the road, I think I need to). But do you see much of a difference in terms of lower cue ball deflection from solid shafts?
Well, thanks again.
No problem brother. I'm glad I could help. I got a lot of good help and input when I joined and was having the same concerns. You'll find the members in this forum are pretty cool and quite helpful too.
Of course I'm kind of biased but I think you're making a good choice by leaning towards the McDermotts. Be careful of McDermotts spelled with a lower case d, they are chinese copies. Other than that if you choose to buy a cheap cue for a kid or girlfriend later on, the Lucky or Star line will give you a good hit for the money.
I was considering going the custom route as well but when I really looked at it. I wasn't getting the best value, in terms of getting the technology and build quality I can be confident in. If I wanted to spend closer to $500 I could get a nice custom from McDermott themselves or go with some local cue makers, with the same qualities in the cue. I wouldn't go custom until I'm ready to pony up some cash and it would most likely only get done to satisfy personal vanity. I ended up getting a great deal for a custom G-601 slightly used off the second market right here on AZB, much more cue than I was hoping for. So don't forget to look for good deals on used cues. As long as they roll straight and are not beat up, you can get some amazing deals. You may be surprised how far your $200 will go.
Now for the important stuff. The hit on my cue is sweet! It's very solid but not stiff. It just feels so natural, with the wood to wood joint and Everest tip. It almost reminds me of the best one piece cue I've ever hit with back in the day. I can definitely feel this "Radial Consistency" McDermott talks about with their performance shafts. I like it best though because there is nothing overtly different with the feel of the shaft. Just hits better :grin: I haven't shot with many other LD shafts though. I hit with the players HXT and I wasn't too impressed. I know people with the I shaft from McDermott and even though they say it hits better than the G-Core they haven't really been able to properly elaborate. But I guess I have the same problem describing the G-Core.
All in all. I'm quite happy with my McDermott with the G-Core shaft. I don't see any reason why I would need a different player cue until I either step my game up big time and start going to a lot of tournaments or get enough money and want to hold a fancy, pretty looking cue, while I wait to rack again
No problem brother. I'm glad I could help. I got a lot of good help and input when I joined and was having the same concerns. You'll find the members in this forum are pretty cool and quite helpful too.
Of course I'm kind of biased but I think you're making a good choice by leaning towards the McDermotts. Be careful of McDermotts spelled with a lower case d, they are chinese copies. Other than that if you choose to buy a cheap cue for a kid or girlfriend later on, the Lucky or Star line will give you a good hit for the money.
I was considering going the custom route as well but when I really looked at it. I wasn't getting the best value, in terms of getting the technology and build quality I can be confident in. If I wanted to spend closer to $500 I could get a nice custom from McDermott themselves or go with some local cue makers, with the same qualities in the cue. I wouldn't go custom until I'm ready to pony up some cash and it would most likely only get done to satisfy personal vanity. I ended up getting a great deal for a custom G-601 slightly used off the second market right here on AZB, much more cue than I was hoping for. So don't forget to look for good deals on used cues. As long as they roll straight and are not beat up, you can get some amazing deals. You may be surprised how far your $200 will go.
Now for the important stuff. The hit on my cue is sweet! It's very solid but not stiff. It just feels so natural, with the wood to wood joint and Everest tip. It almost reminds me of the best one piece cue I've ever hit with back in the day. I can definitely feel this "Radial Consistency" McDermott talks about with their performance shafts. I like it best though because there is nothing overtly different with the feel of the shaft. Just hits better :grin: I haven't shot with many other LD shafts though. I hit with the players HXT and I wasn't too impressed. I know people with the I shaft from McDermott and even though they say it hits better than the G-Core they haven't really been able to properly elaborate. But I guess I have the same problem describing the G-Core.
All in all. I'm quite happy with my McDermott with the G-Core shaft. I don't see any reason why I would need a different player cue until I either step my game up big time and start going to a lot of tournaments or get enough money and want to hold a fancy, pretty looking cue, while I wait to rack again
Thank you, yet again. I'm going to go with a McDermott G-series cue with the g-core shaft. I picked one at the low end of my budget and (once I pay all my bills this week) I'm planning to order it within the next few days. I'll post pics when I get it. And I'll let you know my impressions after I get to shoot with it a few times. I have no doubt whatsoever that I'm going to love it.
Safety Patrol
Safety Patrol
Predator
Best performance cue for the money is the Predator Sneaky Pete.
Seyberts.com has it for $279.30
Free Shipping
314 shaft is standard or upgrade to Z2 for Free!
No better cue for the money
If you want to upgrade to a wrap, or a steel joint that's a few bucks more.
I play with a Predator: Steel Joint, no wrap, Z2 shaft, Sneaky Pete
Most accurate cue I've ever played with.
Buy one before they run out!!!!
Best performance cue for the money is the Predator Sneaky Pete.
Seyberts.com has it for $279.30
Free Shipping
314 shaft is standard or upgrade to Z2 for Free!
No better cue for the money
If you want to upgrade to a wrap, or a steel joint that's a few bucks more.
I play with a Predator: Steel Joint, no wrap, Z2 shaft, Sneaky Pete
Most accurate cue I've ever played with.
Buy one before they run out!!!!
I would like to thank everybody for all the helpful and informative comments. There were many great suggestions, but in the end, I went with McDermott and ordered a G-series cue with a G-core shaft; with the shaft turned down to 12.75mm. When it arrives I'll post a pic.
TheThaiger
Banned
The steel jointed ones have run out...
I've noticed Predator drip feed older, discontinued models, most noticeably Ikons and Blaks, back to retailers from time to time. They have a broken white ring, instead of a solid silver one.
Hopefully they'll do the same with their sneakies, as I'm not keen on their newer designs.
Once again I want to thank everyone for the advice, comments, and helpful info. I bought a McDermott G208 which is one of their G-series cues with a G-core shaft. I had the shaft turned down to 12.75mm. If arrived Friday and I've gotten in about six hours of practice with it so far. I knew from the first hit of my first shot with it that it was awesome. It has a softer hit than my other playing cue and I love the wood to wood joint. The more I play with it, the more I love it.
Thanks again, everybody.
Thanks again, everybody.
