Cue Advice

[claret2123]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and general pool cue world.

I have been playing for around 4 years with a cue that was given to me by a team member, the cue is a very basic BCE cue that was £20 from Sports Direct so isn't great and also carries some damage such as chips on the shaft and a few cracks.

With this in mind I have begun looking for a new cue as I have also become a lot better with the hours I have put in. I know a few people who sell and resell cues and liked the look of a Maximus Ultimate they had, especially with the specs being similar to what I am already using.

I am unsure if this is overkill for my needs and if so is there anything you would recommend for around the £200-£300 mark (Maximus is £435). I have seen the Phoenix cues which seem to get good reviews for around £100 less than the Maximus.

Thank you in advance, its quite overwhelming with there being so much out there.

Claret.

[Mark187187]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and general pool cue world.

I have been playing for around 4 years with a cue that was given to me by a team member, the cue is a very basic BCE cue that was £20 from Sports Direct so isn't great and also carries some damage such as chips on the shaft and a few cracks.

With this in mind I have begun looking for a new cue as I have also become a lot better with the hours I have put in. I know a few people who sell and resell cues and liked the look of a Maximus Ultimate they had, especially with the specs being similar to what I am already using.

I am unsure if this is overkill for my needs and if so is there anything you would recommend for around the £200-£300 mark (Maximus is £435). I have seen the Phoenix cues which seem to get good reviews for around £100 less than the Maximus.

Thank you in advance, its quite overwhelming with there being so much out there.

Claret.

If you like Maximus, you can get cheaper than the Ultimates. I got a Maximis Legend Plus for under £300. The plain ebony Maximus Immortal is even cheaper, nearer £200

[claret2123]

If you like Maximus, you can get cheaper than the Ultimates. I got a Maximis Legend Plus for under £300. The plain ebony Maximus Immortal is even cheaper, nearer £200

Are they all very similar in quality? As I say I'm not to experienced with advanced cues and would happily pay for something that I can use for years to come or resell if I don't get along with it

[Mark187187]

Are they all very similar in quality? As I say I'm not to experienced with advanced cues and would happily pay for something that I can use for years to come or resell if I don't get along with it

You're mostly paying for aesthetics and more exotic woods with the more expensive Maximus cues. The Ultimates will have very evenly spaced grain arrows on the shaft, and may have more splices in the butt. I haven't played with the Immortals, but have tried the Prime, Legend, Legend Plus and Ultimate and they were all good cues. The Ultimate didn't play any better than the others I tried.

[claret2123]

You're mostly paying for aesthetics and more exotic woods with the more expensive Maximus cues. The Ultimates will have very evenly spaced grain arrows on the shaft, and may have more splices in the butt. I haven't played with the Immortals, but have tried the Prime, Legend, Legend Plus and Ultimate and they were all good cues. The Ultimate didn't play any better than the others I tried.

Ok that's great to know, I think for my skill level etc it doesn't seem the best option to spend more for the Ultimate then. Have you ever played with the Phoenix ones?

Also, are there any recommended online retailers I can look for cues on?

[mikee]

If your having one made or buying without trying ,it’s a lottery ,even two identical cues won’t play the same due to shaft density,grain weight etc . you could find the perfect cue for you or you could be looking for a bit ,I think the longer you have a cue the more it may take to get used to a new one ,a process I’m about to take on anytime .There's some good guys on here that know plenty about buying cues ,I’m sure someone will be along with good advice

[Starsky]

Welcome to the forum Claret2123,
If you live anywhere near Stockton -on -Tees then I’d recommend you go to Greenbaize for your cue as you can book an appointment and try cues out there including Maximus.
I took a chance and bought a Maximus from them without trying as I live too far from them . They have an excellent return policy.

In regards to what cue you should get it all depends on your budget. As Mikee has pointed out you pay extra for more splices and evenly spaced chevrons . Those don’t affect the playability of your cue whatsoever.
Some ranges of the Maximus stiffer than others so you will need to take that into account. I can’t remember which ones do but there is a guide somewhere on the website.

Do you know what spec you want ?

https://greenbaize.com/

[Starsky]

Found the info about the Maximus range on the site..
https://greenbaize.com/maximus-info

[mikee]

Good prices and plenty to choose from on there .

[claret2123]

Found the info about the Maximus range on the site..
https://greenbaize.com/maximus-info

Thank you guys. From what I already have id be looking for something around 57-58", 9mm tip and between 17-18w. I haven't tried to many cues so find it hard to source a good value cue without it being overkill for my game, but on that note I'm happy to spend a few hundred pounds to get something I will love for years to come.

I live in North Wales so Stockton-on-Tees is a little far away unfortunately, but I will look on their site as a good returns policy could suit my needs.

[mikee]

Keep in mind if the cues for snooker ,9 mill is probably as small as you really want to go .

[Starsky]

Thank you guys. From what I already have id be looking for something around 57-58", 9mm tip and between 17-18w. I haven't tried to many cues so find it hard to source a good value cue without it being overkill for my game, but on that note I'm happy to spend a few hundred pounds to get something I will love for years to come.

I live in North Wales so Stockton-on-Tees is a little far away unfortunately, but I will look on their site as a good returns policy could suit my needs.

I would recommend that at your level you get a tip diameter of around 9.5. That will help minimise you putting unwanted side on the cue ball. Pro’s rarely go below 9.3 for this reason.

Any particular reason why you want 9mm ?

[claret2123]

I would recommend that at your level you get a tip diameter of around 9.5. That will help minimise you putting unwanted side on the cue ball. Pro’s rarely go below 9.3 for this reason.

Any particular reason why you want 9mm ?

No reason no, just my current cue is around that but I will look for something around 9.5mm then as for my skill level it sounds like a good idea

[claret2123]

Also, the cue is for pool sorry

[Starsky]

No worries, a pool cue is normally a smaller diameter so it makes sense to step up for snooker .