WTB - Please Help Me Make A Cue Choice!

wallstreet777

wallstreet777

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
WTB - Looking for a Special Cue

First off, This forum is fantastic, This is my first post but ive read a lot and have learned a lot from all of you.

Anyway, I currently have Joss $399 that i've used for a few years. There is nothing wrong with it, it plays perfectly, I play in the APA and use it weekly, I even shot it in Vegas in the tournament last year. But im now looking to get something different. I've done some research but want to reach out to "You" the experts for some advice.

My Budget is $600 - $900:
I was originally thinking doing a Willie Hoppe Conversion or a Balabushka. I guess I'm looking for something "Special" (Great Builder, etc..), something that I can use for years and is a piece of cue makers artwork! I dont know if i've given enough detail but Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Also if you have that "Special" Cue for sale, please let me know about, im ready to buy! it. :)
 
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I don't have any choices for you,but I'm going to get the popcorn and kick back and watch the show.:welcome::welcome:
 
Contact Jim Pierce - piercecustomcues@gmail.com; his work is exceptionally precise and he has a unique artistic vision when it comes to cues.

The feel and play-ability is also top notch and he is really excellent to work with designing something you'll love. His work is just becoming popular and that 600-900 will buy you a cue worth far more.

Furthermore, you won't have to wait a terribly long time before the cue is in your hands.
 
Thanks for the info angldemn, I emailed Jim for more info. Thanks everyone for the PM's. So much good stuff out there! Keep em coming!
 
save your money

save your money
when you get the chance, head down to one of the bigger tournaments and check out the vendors and what they have to offer.

finding the right cue is like finding the right pair of shoes, you're best to try them on first to see if they fit.

this is unless of course you're a poor bastard like me stuck 1500+ miles away in the middle of nowhere. then you're F'd.
 
With that budget and the bad market, you should be able to get a great cue. At $900, there are only a handful of current cuemakers who are over your budget for their basic cue.

Some makers I would look at(besides some mentioned already) are Gilbert, Blackcreek, Michael Webb, Darrin Hill, Olney, Capone, Omen, Diveney, Nitti, Capone.

This is just a quick list of some of the cues I have experience with. There are many many more great cuemakers. If you buy wisely, you can get a super deal in this market.

Good luck!
 
My vote would be have a custom made that way it is truely your cue and what is more special. Prather builds top noth fullsplice blanks and converting them is rather quick and can be done on a budget.
 
I would offer a suggestion.... If you have a cue made for you (or even some you buy second hand), make sure you get it with a couple of shafts to include an LD shaft. That way, you basically have two different types of cues to shoot with. Then, you can decide which you like better after really getting to know them.

R,

Greg
 
Omen

I was in the same boat as you a while back. I had a nice old Schon that I liked playing with, but, wanted more in the way of a custom cue. I have owned 3 Jensen's, two Schon's, 3 Omen's, a McDermott, Jim Baxter, and have hit with a friend's Coker. In the past, I owned a Bob Frey, Southwest, along with my share of production cues.

I could list these in order of which I like best from top to bottom, but, it will not do you much good. You need to figure out what feels right to you and helps your style and game out.

I would not invest in a production cue unless you get a killer deal because it will not hold it's value like a custom cue will over time. There are exceptions to this like old R series Schons, Old Joss's, and many more production cues that have lasted the test of time and have begun to appreciate in value.

I also think you get your best deal right here on AZB. You have access to many. many cues from just about every cue maker out there. The prices are far better than what you will find at a tournament, unless you buy from and individual. I could not believe how much cues were at the DCC. Talk about sticker shock....some were almost 2x asking price as what you can find right here om AZB.

For your budget, I would look for a nice Jensen, old Schon, Bob Frey, old Joss, Gilbert, TS if you are looking for something in a SS joint. If you are looking for something in 3/8 11 wood to wood, try Omen, Bob Frey Sneaky Pete, Coker, Richard Harris/Bluegrass and a few other decent cue builders.

Stick with a cuebuilder that has a good reputation and many others here on AZB praise for quality of build and playability. Also, do your homework and see what the prices are like for whichever cue you decide you want to try. I hope this helps a little and best of luck with your search!
 
Cue

This is a NO brainer and can't believe nobody has sent you in this direction. One name ONLY ! TIM SCRUGGS, get yourself a nice sneaky or Merry Widow, they are monster players and you can always get your money back out of it if you ever did need to sell. ITS A NO BRAINER, trust me. Dan
 
I disagree with the suggestion of going for a "high priced" sneakey pete...

I agree with the suggestion of staying away from production unless you run across a killer deal on a Schon or a Mezz...

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU TAKE THE SUGGESTION OF CALLING JIM PIERCE! I picked up one of his cues in a trade deal, took about 6 shots with the cue, set it down on my pool table and ran to the phone to call him...he's now making me a cue to my specs at a VERY fair price!

There were several cuemakers mentioned, but I seriously recommend Pierce. You get a lot of "bang" for your buck! (And he's a great guy to deal with!)

Jason
 
I was in the same position a few months ago and one thing for sure is; I did not end up keeping my first cue that I bought... I think I went through 3 or 4 before I found a cue that I am happy with.

I agree with NO production cues.. unless you want to try a Mezz or Predator. Both of these cues can be resold without losing too much.. Ebay seems to be the best place to look if you want one of the production cues. I bought 2 Predators on ebay and sold them both for what I paid.

I agree wtih Jason about not buying a High End Sneeky.. There are so many better deals in this market and this economy!

The one other cue maker that I really like and isnt too expensive is Kent Davis... I recently hit with one of his cues and I liked it better than my TS....

I currently shoot with a Paul Drexler (PFD) that I love.......just my preference.

Here is an example of a BRAND NEW KD cue that was in your price range.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=61815
 
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Current, I have a relatively high end Jensen and an AE 4 point cue in your price range.

Having said that, here is my opinion:
No production cues
No sneaky petes - too many nicer cues out there in your price range in this market.
If there are any in your area, find a cue dealer who has a wide range of customs to choose from. Test hit with as many as you can find.
Buy what you like, first and foremost. If you don't or haven't been following the cue market very closely over the past year or two, don't be deceived by all the "deals" out there. There are many to be had, but you have to know the market. I would suggest studying the "completed listings" on ebay, as well as keeping a close eye on the "wanted for sale" section here on AZ for the next 6 months or more. Keep an eye out for the style of cue you want/like and who makes them, where those cuemakers prices are, how fast they sell, etc.

Bottom line: Become an educated buyer. Don't rely on others to tell you that you are getting a good deal. Know it yourself.

PM me if you want to talk, I will send you my number.
Scott
 
cuenut said:
Current, I have a relatively high end Jensen and an AE 4 point cue in your price range.

Having said that, here is my opinion:
No production cues
No sneaky petes - too many nicer cues out there in your price range in this market.
If there are any in your area, find a cue dealer who has a wide range of customs to choose from. Test hit with as many as you can find.
Buy what you like, first and foremost. If you don't or haven't been following the cue market very closely over the past year or two, don't be deceived by all the "deals" out there. There are many to be had, but you have to know the market. I would suggest studying the "completed listings" on ebay, as well as keeping a close eye on the "wanted for sale" section here on AZ for the next 6 months or more. Keep an eye out for the style of cue you want/like and who makes them, where those cuemakers prices are, how fast they sell, etc.

Bottom line: Become an educated buyer. Don't rely on others to tell you that you are getting a good deal. Know it yourself.

PM me if you want to talk, I will send you my number.
Scott
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Thank you for the information, lets talk further.... PM Sent
 
I'll throw out a few names for ya.... Can't believe no one mentioned bob Frey, Leon sly, or Bryan Mordt. 3 of the best I've played with.
 
wallstreet777 said:
There is nothing wrong with it, it plays perfectly,
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Perfectly? Interesting.

If it plays perfectly for you then I am surprised JOSS hasn't been considered.



There are, of course, many options. I wouldn't pretend to advise you on this matter. Most have a favorite maker or somebody they think makes the best cue etc. I'll let them toss out some advice.
 
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