Cue Advice for Average Player

[ChrisB]

Hey folks, new on the forum, my names Chris, im 26 and from Sunny Scotland.

Been playing snooker for 15 years on and off but recently have picked up a cue again and started playing more. As a result I have decided to purchase my first hand made cue. Having previously played with mass produced riley and bce cues.

I suppose budget and spec would be a good start, looking to spend £150-200 so obviously mike wooldbridge, trevor white, john parris are all out of the question LOL so have been looking at cue craft, craftsman, mastercraft, green baize, peradon etc so if anyone has any opinions or suggestion please do post.

Cue Spec

Standard Length
9.5mm Tip
3/4 Join
17.5-18.5 oz
Ash Shaft

Many thanks to anyone taking the time to read and lend some advice.

[RGCirencester]

Not quite true, mike wooldridge does a butterfly spliced "shark" series of cues for around 160, however you would go over budget including extensions.
Stu at greenbaize does what is by all accounts a very good series of thai made cues for around that budget. Also craftsman, mastercraft, welsh pool trading. All will do you a good cue. best advice i could give you would be to visit a shop, for instance craftsman in leeds or greenbaize, and try out a number of cues and choose the one you like best
There have been plenty of threads on mid range cues if you search the forum.
Would you need a case included in your budget?

[vucko117]

this looks quite good.. What do you think?

https://www.maximumbreak-snooker-sto...e-Package.html

And welcome to the forum

[cally]

this looks quite good.. What do you think?

https://www.maximumbreak-snooker-sto...e-Package.html

Have a word with Adr147 on here he deals with those...

I've read good reviews on the range and debating between a few cues myself at the mo. hard work int it...

[Bigmeek]

Hi Chris. Welcome to the forum. Not many places up in Jockland to buy a good cue I'm afraid. ADR147 is in Blairgowrie but not sure if he has facilities for you to try a few cues out. He's away for the festive period anyway. If you're happy to buy on-line then all the above suggestions by RGCirencester are sound. I recently bought an Eclipse from Mastercraft. Just e-mailed them my specs. Cue turned out fine in the end but had to send it back a couple of times for some modifications. Dave at Mastercraft was very helpful and was keen to get things right. Doesn't like to have unhappy customers. I'd like to try Greenbaize next. Another knowledgeable person on this forum has told me they are the best value for money.

[cueinhand]

cue craft, craftsman, mastercraft, green baize, peradon etc
Green Baize wil be the best choice

[ChrisB]

Many thanks guys, to answer the question about a case, no I have a very good case so no need to budget that in

Hey BigMeek, so I have noticed mate, seems like most if not all manufacturers are south of the border, as you say it might be a case of buying online or hope I come across some players in clubs that have cues im looking at.

Had a look on the threads and seen a user posting about omin cues, I dont know if these are silly money or not as no mention of price on the website.

So people rate Green Baize? (I must admit I had never heard of them) Peradon, Parris etc I had heard of obviously but i get the feeling people think they are over priced and are better alternatives

[RGCirencester]

Can't link greenbaize, am on my phone but search for them on google. Stu is a top bloke and has them made in thailand (gbl cues on his site) and i've heard good things from people that have them. the designs arn't my cup of tea personally but many people like them and if your not bothered what the cue looks like i'm sure stu will get you a great cue. Phone him up and tell him your from tsf and you might be able to negotiate a discount. He has said so in the past but you would have to ask him about that.

[ChrisB]

Thanks RG much appreciated mate, im not overly keen on the designs myself but all the ones I have seen that really catch my eye seem to be by trevor white and mike wooldbridge. The Thuya burr wood is one od my favourites as is the marble maple look. Can I just say what a nice bunch of helpfull guys you all are it is very much appreciated

[RGCirencester]

Well if you email dave at mastercraft or paul at welsh pool trading they will give you a quote for any design you want. Send them a picture of what you want with spec.
I went for welshpool myself but whoever you pick of those mentioned will get make you a good cue basically.

[ChrisB]

Thanks mate the emerald gem by mastercraft is a lovely looking cue at the very top of my budget so no tele extension

[vucko117]

why don't you get a cue with plain ebony butt from mastercraft? I think it's called Black Prince... and you'll have like 75 GBP to buy extensions

[sneaky_russian]

why don't you get a cue with plain ebony butt from mastercraft? I think it's called Black Prince... and you'll have like 75 GBP to buy extensions

Yep...I agree...
I guess it's a personal preference,but if your budget is 200GB,you might as well get a plain ebony butt (instead of a fancy one) this will save you quite a bit of money.
You can also ask UNCLEVIT (here on the forum) he sells OMIN cues (Thailand)
Cheers

[ChrisB]

thanks might ask him what kinda money is in the omin cues.

[Bigmeek]

Yep...I agree...
I guess it's a personal preference,but if your budget is 200GB,you might as well get a plain ebony butt (instead of a fancy one) this will save you quite a bit of money.
You can also ask UNCLEVIT (here on the forum) he sells OMIN cues (Thailand)
Cheers

ChrisB I've seen on this forum that these Thailand cues are apparently good value for money, particularly if you want something a little bit exotic. There's lots of posts from this UNCLEVIT chap but I've not read through them all. I'm not sure how you go about ordering and paying for one of these cues. I intend to follow through this avenue in the New Year when I've got some more time. I quite like the idea of owning a fancy looking cue. Purely for show. I saw a photo of one of these cues on this forum. Cue was nice but didn't like the badge much.