Why buy a cue that is over $300?

[eddie0776]

Why do custom cues hit better than production cues? More specifically, why does your custom cue hit better than my Joss productin cue?

Its personal preference and the hit is subjective to what you are looking for. You may think yours hits better than mine and the next guy may think mine hits better. One of my favorite cues is a Hurricane sneaky pete with a steel joint I had made in the 90s. My buddy hates it and I love it. No one is saying that the production cues are bad I'm saying mine play different than those. I personally like a harder hit so I have never cared for the likes of the production cues. Some do hit harder and play to my liking a well but most dont. The production guys are doing something right they have been in business for a very long time. I have owned tons of them from malis to a $2000 schon. Some I liked most I didn't. I hand pick wood and put them together with a different a joint than they do and that makes a huge difference. There are several things done different that make mine hit different.

 

[Oddball]

Can someone send me links to information or explain to me the benefit of spending a couple hundred dollars or even thousands on a cue stick?

I just recently bought a McDermott G204. It ran me $209

It is a well made American cue, G-Core shaft.

It should do me very nicely for being an intermediate player....

In fact this cue will be better than me for years to come.

But what I notice is that there are a lot of amateur pool players who are shelling out $300+ for these cue sticks that wont make them play any better...

Back in the day people were pocketing balls with straight sticks and maple shafts...

Now we have this predator LD nonsense.

Whats the point? Pool is a very simple game, with a simple wooden tool.

If anyone can give me some insight...I am just recently taking the game more seriously

Most places where you play pool provide cues. So why spend money on a cue in when you can use one of theirs for free in the first place?

 

[scottyr44]

To this day I still think my 80 dollar Players sneaky pete was the best hitting cue I've ever owned. But I do love my PJ Pete omen

 

[eddie0776]

Most places where you play pool provide cues. So why spend money on a cue in when you can use one of theirs for free in the first place?

Most of us want to reduce the number of variables and the biggest one to me is the cue. I know my cue and how the tip reacts so that gives me confidence. This is just my opinion. :thumbup:

 

[PistolPat]

I used to be the type....

I used to be the type that was satisfied shooting with an Eliminator sneaky pete and said I would never spend more money on a cue when my Eliminator could get the job done no problem...But as time passed and my game got " Flashier "..so did my cue..go figure...

 

[arps]

custom-made cues hit better because it is built to a player's specific preferences. but if you can find a cheap cue that would exactly match your preferences, then there's no need to have one customized for you.

 

[Delaware Lar]

I had some customization work done to my Joss production cue. Dan Janes changed the diameter to 12.75mm and the pro-taper to 13 inches. He did this for free. I also bought a weight kit so I could experiment with different weighted cues.

Then we spent an hour talking about the old days at the Plaza Billiard Accadamy in downtown Baltimore. Larry Sapia got a few honorable mentions.

Dan's wife kept giving Dan dirty looks behind his back because of too much socializing.

I later bought a 30" shaft. I had been use to playing with a 59" Black Boar.

The 59" Joss cue is straight. I can draw the cue ball again.

 

[ZiggyLee]

Why I buy custom cues

I have owned many cues over my 35 years of playing billiards. I owned the elcheapos. As my game play got better over the years I would step up and buy a better cue. I never bought a cue that I could not afford. I now say to myself you only live once, I can say any cue will drop balls.
I have many hobbies one is billiards. I just love having a badass looking cues. I say if a person has the money go out and try all the cues you can afford to try. Go for it. Ziggy :thumbup:

 

[RED LITE]

See I think you have it all wrong. I think a expenisve cue does help you play better. Theres nothing like having a cue built from your dreams, for you to play this beautiful game. There is a sense of confidence that goes along with that. Knowing what your cue will and will not do. Some people pay more for that confidence than others. You can come with its the indian not the arrow line. I would have to say the arrow def. helps. thats how i see it from a players perspective any way.

Cannot disagree more. Unless you are really an expert player, how in the hell can you tell a cuemaker what you need (cue of your dreams)? Earlier posts to the effect that you can get used to, and adjust to, just about any priced cue are probably correct. IMO everything past $500 is artwork, no more. :grin-square:

RL

 

[West Point 1987]

OMG why do we keep ressurecting this dead post. Buying a nice custom is most definetly the best option if it is something you can afford. The quality of hit on a custom feels much more solid than a production cue. If you want to knock on people that have fancy cues just because you cant afford one then do it somewhere else. Theres already too many haters here. Once your game starts to progress you will feel a need for better equipment. Just ask poormanintx he just upgraded from a cheap player to a nice cue and is already seeing a big difference in his game. Enough said, now lets let this post die already.

Yep...agree completely. This thread resurfaces about once a year. It's usually cue envy by some folks that can't /won't afford a cue more than X dollars. I'm sure they can play better than some banger they see at league that spent a paycheck on a custom or high end production set up (and it drives them nuts for some reason), but that's irrelevant. People spend money on gear because they can and want to, taking pride in all aspects of their game. There's always better ways to spend money, but it's their money, so who cares? I personally believe that personal pride in your weapon of choice makes a huge difference in your performance (as compared to playing with something you don't have pride in). Look at competitive shooters. They spend thousands on custom tuned handguns when any stock Smith and Wesson revolver will shoot a tighter group than a human can hold. They still choose to go with the custom rig, and if that makes them shoot better than the stock stuff, all the better.

I worry about what's in my bag, not my opponent's...that said, I love to see what other folks are shooting with, only because I'm an admirer of fine cues, regardless of how well they play with them. Instead of scoffing at some banger with a Tascarella, I like to talk to them about their cue; it's a great way to build rapport and get a game! Being a hater just makes your own tummy hurt.

 

[leto1776]

See I think you have it all wrong. I think a expenisve cue does help you play better. Theres nothing like having a cue built from your dreams, for you to play this beautiful game. There is a sense of confidence that goes along with that. Knowing what your cue will and will not do. Some people pay more for that confidence than others. You can come with its the indian not the arrow line. I would have to say the arrow def. helps. thats how i see it from a players perspective any way.

I received my new Joss N-7 Saturday,and played the best weekend I have in a long time,if not ever. The feel of the cue in my hands (feels much lighter than it's actual 19oz), the way it hits, it's just beautiful. My player before that was a "lower-end" Joss, a Fury SP, and a Players SP. Granted, after a certain point,you're paying for the exotic woods and inlays,but that means you're paying for both art and craftsmanship.Plus,you're getting something you could hand down to your kids or grandkids someday,if you want.
Also,by taking pride in your playing equipment,you're showing your dedication to the game.A lot of haters will say that a good player should be able to play with any house cue.Sure,but why bother?

 

[Cornerman]

I know this is an older thread (now).... but if it wasn't, here's my new answer to an old & repeated question:

Can someone send me links to information or explain to me the benefit of spending a couple hundred dollars or even thousands on a cue stick?

Other than the purely aesthetic reasons that others will point out, some will find a certain cuemaker's cue to just fit them. And their base model happens to be over 400 dollars because they don't have the economy of scale that a mass producer might be able to achieve.

Economy of scale is probably the #1 cost differentiator between two cues of similar quality, style, looks and fit.

In my case after trying enough cues, I found that the Schuler fit my playing tastes. If I wanted just one hint of adornment to fit my aesthetic tastes, the cost goes up. Similarly to the car analogy, if I just want the 2-shade color scheme instead of the single, the cost goes up. The performance does not.

Those are the two basic reasons why the cost of cues are over $XXX. The economy of scale seems to escape most. And for the aesthetic reason... "life is too short to drive an ugly truck."

Freddie <~~~ needs a new truck

 

[rayjay]

Does anybody play a plywood violin?

 

[RackRunner]

First let me admit, I didn't read ALL 11 pages of this thread.
I'll just throw my $0.02 in. If you are a beginner/intermediate player and really
haven't figured out if you're even going to continue playing this game, then
there is absolutely NO reason for you to spend a ton of money on a cue. You
could be a very accomplished player (T.A.) who has too many flawed characteristics
to cover in a short novel, one of which is you're a habitual gambler and will never
be able to put together enough money to afford a cue comensurate with your
playing ability, so for whatever the reason, there are certain players who should
never spend a lot of money on a cue. Then there are the guys who have jumped
in this game with both feet (myself) and it's their passion in life. If their ability
warrants it, then there is no reason NOT to buy a custom cue. To those players,
I would simply state: "You'll never win the Indy 500 driving a '69 rusted out VW".
To the guys who will say "a good player can play with a broomstick", see the above
statement. And lastly, there are the guys who have more money than anyone with
maybe the exception of Bill Gates or a Shiek in Saudi Arabia. It doesn't matter
whether they can play or not, they will buy the best of the best custom cues
simply because they can, and to them it's a form of art. To them I would say,
(and I have) buy the cue, take a picture of it, and then hang the picture on
the wall, and sell the cue to someone who will use it for what it is intended for,
playing pool. Nothing chaps my ass more than someone who buys a highend cue
and they couldn't hit water if they fell out of a yacht. But it's someone just like
that, that gave me my start in cue buying/selling, (thanks Danny). I had a buddy
some 20 years ago who bought a $4500 Cognoscenti and 2 months later sold me
that cue for $700 because he couldn't make 2 balls in a row. I played with that
cue for a year and traded it for a new South West and $2500. So that's how I
was introduced to South West cues and they've been one of my favorites ever
since. Although the first custom I bought was a Runde made Schon in 1985.
And that my friends, is my take on why you should or shouldn't buy an expensive cue...

 

[pt109]

Does anybody play a plywood violin?

I like this post.^

I usually say that Wyatt Earp didn't go to the OK Corral with a 'Saturday
Night Special".

Why would anybody want to play with a cue that guarantees that they
will play to less than their ability?

To the posters that say a good player will beat you with a house cue....
...they won't play a player of their own speed with a house cue.

 

[cardiac kid]

I like this post.^

I usually say that Wyatt Earp didn't go to the OK Corral with a 'Saturday
Night Special".

Why would anybody want to play with a cue that guarantees that they
will play to less than their ability?

To the posters that say a good player will beat you with a house cue....
...they won't play a player of their own speed with a house cue.

Careful PT, used to play the late, great Pat Howey 14.1. One night I got to the room only to discover I'd left my cues at home. We played several games to either 125 or 150. Don't remember for sure. Pat used to run out at least one game every night. Most nights he'd run a 200 plus on me. Did it really matter? That night I won one game by running 100 plus and out with a house cue! If the tip is well shaped, the cue "straight" and the weight and balance point correct for the player, a house cue is a dangerous weapon!!!

Still think too much is made of "custom" cues. If the cue is a work of art, let it be so. Every time I watch Tommy T or JMurphy play with a 5K plus cue, I get nervous just watching. One "whoops" and the value diminishes greatly. At least they play with them!

Lyn

 

[Cornerman]

Careful PT, used to play the late, great Pat Howey 14.1. One night I got to the room only to discover I'd left my cues at home. We played several games to either 125 or 150. Don't remember for sure. Pat used to run out at least one game every night. Most nights he'd run a 200 plus on me. Did it really matter? That night I won one game by running 100 plus and out with a house cue! If the tip is well shaped, the cue "straight" and the weight and balance point correct for the player, a house cue is a dangerous weapon!!!

Still think too much is made of "custom" cues. If the cue is a work of art, let it be so. Every time I watch Tommy T or JMurphy play with a 5K plus cue, I get nervous just watching. One "whoops" and the value diminishes greatly. At least they play with them!

Lyn

All and good, but you wouldn't play against yourself with a housecue.

Freddie <~~~ think Star Trek evil Kirk vs good Kirk

 

[pt109]

Careful PT, used to play the late, great Pat Howey 14.1. One night I got to the room only to discover I'd left my cues at home. We played several games to either 125 or 150. Don't remember for sure. Pat used to run out at least one game every night. Most nights he'd run a 200 plus on me. Did it really matter? That night I won one game by running 100 plus and out with a house cue! If the tip is well shaped, the cue "straight" and the weight and balance point correct for the player, a house cue is a dangerous weapon!!!

Still think too much is made of "custom" cues. If the cue is a work of art, let it be so. Every time I watch Tommy T or JMurphy play with a 5K plus cue, I get nervous just watching. One "whoops" and the value diminishes greatly. At least they play with them!

Lyn

Lyn, a good cue is a good cue...it could be a house cue by luck of the draw.
The biggest reason a good player is particular about his cue, imo, is how
it spins....it doesn't have to be a fancy cue, but the easiest way to get
one is to acquire a cue from a great cue maker.
I had a cheap snooker cue once that I was offered a 2,000% profit on
at the Rack in Detroit...I wouldn't sell it.

I've gambled using a 'Wallabuska' and won...but if you assembled the
10,000 best cues ever made, none of them would be house cues.
...and why wouldn't a player want the best he can get?

I liked your mention of Pat Howie...I recall him finally beating a Vietnamese
straight-rail specialist on the carom table at Classic....he grinned at me and
said "I'll never get even at this game, but I got him that time."
RIP Pat

 

[cardiac kid]

I've gambled using a 'Wallabuska' and won...but if you assembled the 10,000 best cues ever made, none of them would be house cues. ...and why wouldn't a player want the best he can get?

I liked your mention of Pat Howie...I recall him finally beating a Vietnamese
straight-rail specialist on the carom table at Classic....he grinned at me and
said "I'll never get even at this game, but I got him that time." RIP Pat

Damn PT, you were in Rochester all those years ago? Did we meet?

Pat tried hard to beat those Asians for years. Never gave up. They wouldn't play him three rail. He was foolish enough to play their game. One of those guys reportedly ran several hundred in straight rail. Kind of hard to believe.

Lyn

 

[mantis99]

I love the look of custom cues and would like to have one. However, I believe that the idea that an expensive cue can make you play better than a solid production cue is very mental. Place a good tip on a decent cue of the weight and balance you like and you will play the same either. There are reasons to spend a lot of money on a cue, improved play is not one of them.