Looking for a new cue

[rob_27685]

Hi everyone, wondering if you can help me. I'm looking for a new cue, I've looked extensively online already but am having trouble finding exactly what I want. Here's what I am after:

Standard weight (18oz)
Standard tip (9.5mm)
3/4 jointed
Screw in telespoic extension
Mini butt or Smart Extender.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks!

[Grazza]

Hiya, I've been going through the same problem and there really are only two places in the UK that I've found who make them by hand: John Parris and Mastercraft Cues (formally Lewis & Wilson).

www.parriscues.com
www.mastercraft-cues.co.uk/

These cues should be anywhere between £90 to £190 at Mastercraft and anything from £200 to £1000 or even more at Parris. Obvously depends on your budget, but at these places, you at least have the opportunity to practice with them and see if they are right for you, compared to a JJB shop where you don't get a chance at all.

failing this, your local Rileys should be able to help you out too.

Good luck,
G

[rob_27685]

Hi Grazza, cheers for the quick reply. I'm not sure whether to go down the hand made route or not yet to be honest. Do you know of anywhere that would do those specs in a mass produced cue?

[Grazza]

Ahh, right okay. Well, I've been playing for a while now and have used mass produced cues all the while, and so now think I'm ready for a hand-made one. Personally, I would start by asking your local Rileys (assuming you have one that is, as I know that many have shut up shop). Ebay will be a good place as well, providing they offer you a clause that if you are not happy with it, you can return it and get a refund. I tell you what might help - email the MasterCraft cue place I recommended and ask him. He'll know exactly where you should be going.

G

[rob_27685]

Great, thanks a lot Grazza, i'll drop him an email tomorrow. Do you think what I what is quite a common product? Have read about an Ebay store, will look on there too. Was a member of Rileys in Birmingham but have finished uni now so back in Cornwall now, nearest Rileys is in Plymouth which is about 90 mins away!

[Grazza]

Ha - yes, 90 mins is quite a commute - I would advise finding a club perhaps within walking distance!!!

The good thing is that you know exactly what specifications you want. Do you have a budget in mind, because you obviously pay for the labour (which is why mass produced cues will be cheaper) but also the quality of the raw materials will make difference. The reason I say is because Dave at Mastercraft cues may be able to make one for you out of cheaper quality wood, should it be available. Anyhow, these are just random thoughts, but your requests don't seem unreasonable at all. Based on your requirements it seems to me the only thing you'll be concerned with is what it looks like Anyhow, give Dave a ring/email and let me know how that goes.

G

[Watford]

Hang on what do you want to spend?
I've never seen a decent cue being sold at Rileys either.

ADR147 does Mastercraft cues from his ebay shop you could pm him for advice.
Craftsman are well priced but in Leeds but you can buy online.
Need to know budget really. Should be easy to get what specs your looking for.
Bluemoon used to make cues down in your neck of the woods. I've not heard of them for a long while.

[RGCirencester]

Rileys in Plymouth you will NOT get a decent cue from.

How much do you want to spend? Craftsman cues in Leeds do some machine spliced cues http://www.craftsmancues.com/acatalo...ssic_cues.html around 60 with a mini butt.

ADR147 has listed some lower end cues on ebay atm. Proceeds from the ones listed today are going to charity. http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/ADR147...0Q2em14?_pgn=1

He also has a number of mastercraft cues

Mastercraft and welshpooltrading both sell handmade cues at approx 150 for custom models.
http://www.welshpooltrading.co.uk/
http://www.mastercraft-cues.co.uk/10....php?p=3&pno=0

Welshpool also has an ebay shop
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/welsh_pool_tr...&_trksid=p3686

Greenbaize do a range of very good thai made cues for 160+
http://www.greenbaize.com/gbl.htm

[rob_27685]

Thanks for the replys guys, basically the budget is £100 but i'd like that to include the telescopic screw in extension, which I have seen priced between £25 and £40 online, so that does take quite a chunk out of the budget for the cue. Ideally if Dave could make one with cheaper materials around that budget then i'd bite his hand off! I can see mass produced cues are rather hit and miss. Kind of off topic but would you lot recommend I put a Mike Wooldridge tip on my new cue? Recently put an Elkmaster 10mm on my current tip and it just feels too hard for my liking

[ADR147]

trust me on this - forget about the extension and spend the money on a decent cue. if you need it buy an extension at a later date.

[ADR147]

oh i have a mastercraft here i had made for me with a mini butt and an old case you can have for £130 delivered. i promise you won't do better than that.

[rob_27685]

Hi, i'm really grateful for the offer but i'm asking for a cue for a Xmas present and I really can't ask them to spend £130 on me

[Grazza]

I bet you're head's hurting with all this advice eh? I do agree with ADR147 though in terms of spending the money on the cue first and then getting the bells and whistle additions later. Don't forget if you want the extenders and all that jazz then you'll need a propoer case for it all which will be typically 50-70 quid. Did you get any info from Dave at all?

[rob_27685]

I have an aluminium case for my current 3 piece, not sure if I have a mini butt, if it will all fit in?! Emailed Dave earlier, waiting for a reply!

[Grazza]

Good lad! I need to get a new case as well. AFter I get everythig in there it'll probably too heavy to carry around
Hope you get some good news...G