Mastercraft or Mastercue?

[Sledgeman]

I have a hard time deciding between theese cues, and i don't know much about snookercues.
The ones that interest me are

Mastercraft Retribution

Mastercue PB4

Is one much better than the other or is it like flipping a coin? Is it much better with 3/4 joint than center joint? If so, why is it better?

The specs on the cue i want is the following:
2pc center joint
Length: 58"
Tip: 9,5mm
Weight: 18oz

Please help me out here!

[vainparasite]

Hi, Sorry ive never used, played with or seen a mastercue but I do have a Mastercraft, and I find it an excellent cue for the money. I would deffinitely reccommend one. I got mine from ADR147, if you pm him or email he will probably be able to help you out.

[Jonny]

wait for ADR to come back from his holidays

although he'll say something along the lines of mastercues are good but only if you pick a good one

[KeithinFrance]

Of the 2 cues, Mastercraft is your better option, because they will make you the cue of your choice at no extra cost, whereas to get the PB4 in a centre joint you'll have to pay more. Quality-wise, they'll be about the same, although I have seen some bad Master cues. Vainparasite's advice is also good, contact Andrew and he'll be able to help; he may even have another alternative on hand that would suit you.

[eaoin11]

On the center joint vs 3/4 question, I've recently ordered a center joint cue myself.

Before ordering it I asked similar questions and heard from Trevor that there's no reason why a center joint cue shouldn't be just as good as 3/4 if it's done properly, but with them not being so popular maybe some makers aren't so good at doing them these days.

For that reason I chose a maker in my price range who advertises the center join option on his website (Robin Cook).

A couple of reasons for center join cues being less popular might be that they might be weaker than 3/4 cues, and possibly have weight/balance restrictions.

The thing that decided the issue for me was recently finding an awesome center joint cue that feels rock solid with great feedback (the only problem being that it isn't mine) and seeing Robin Cook's website offering the center joint option for his standard cues as well as his limited edition Geet Sethi facsimile cue.

With your weight specs you shouldn't have any trouble getting a well balanced center joint cue, but I'd recommend a cue maker who advertises the option (i.e mastercraft) and ask them before hand if they think you are losing anything by choosing the center joint option instead of the 3/4.

[Sledgeman]

Thanks for the inputs. I've had some mail contact with Dave at Mastercraft now and everything sounds and feels good about them, so i will most likely go for the Mastercraft Retribution.

Will probably place the order tomorrow monday. Waiting for the cue to arrive will be the hard part.

[ADR147]

mastercues are good but buy a one piece - and yes i am back folks - put on a stone with all the pasta but i am back!

[noel]

mastercues are good but buy a one piece - and yes i am back folks - put on a stone with all the pasta but i am back!

Welcome Back Andrew!

Hope you had a great time away.
We didn' t miss you at all. Well, some maybe a little bit...



=o)

Noel

[ADR147]

think of all those guys burning money on cheap cues........

[CTquick147]

mastercues are good but buy a one piece - and yes i am back folks - put on a stone with all the pasta but i am back!

I just bought a one piece mastercue and I'm very pleased with it. It has a solid, crisp hit, well balanced, and the ash used was good quality, my only complaint is the finish on the grip is not as good as my Kevin De Roo cue, it feels a bit waxy. All in all my mastercue has helped my game, and I think ADR is right, the joints on these cues aren't the best, so go for a one piece if you want one.

[Phil]

I do play a mastercraft and am very happy with it and the service mastercraft offers. check it out! just for the feel of it, I never would go back to a center joint cue (played one before my mastercraft cue).

[Asi]

have seen and played with more than 10 Master cues, all 3/4 ash. 90% of them had a really bad joints! Don't like the center joint cues, as never seen a stiff/solid one, which is my personal preference. But as Trevor said, there is no reason a center joint will be stiff/solid as a 3/4 cue. you just have to ask for it and the maker has to be capable of making such a cue. from my experience, don't go for a 3/4 Master cue or any Master cue where joint is needed. Tried two 3/4 mastercraft cues, and both are nice but not stiff enough for for me, but they are stiff enough for the owners of the cues.

[Phil]

I'm surprised. I thought the mastercues are not that bad cues?!

[Asi]

Didnt say they are bad, only the joints are very very bad. The ones with the solid joints or the 1 piece I've tried were good cues.

[ADR147]

even then you can remove the joints and fix properly - i have one here thats been done.