Cue on a budget?

[pjl83]

Hi everyone

Having found myself being bitten by the hugely infectious snooker bug recently, I am looking at getting a bit more serious about the game. I have been using an old "Alex Higgins" 2 piece cue that my dad gave me years ago, but it is a little warped and as I have only been playing once a month (or even less) I can't say that I would miss it. I am looking at getting myself a new cue, though I am reluctant to pay more than around the £30 mark.

What would I be missing out on if I buy myself an "off-the-shelf" cue in this price range. The majority of the cues I like seem to be Riley or BCE. I was thinking of buying one, once I've decided which and then fitting a new talisman tip.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...NOOKER+CUE.htm

This is my favourate at the minute though it's hard to buy from a place like argos as you cant hold the cue and get a feel for it first. There are no weights specified so I can't see which cue is "light" or "heavy" etc..... I have no idea of the weight I'm looking for, but if I was to pick 2 cues up at the snooker club, I will always prefer the lighter of the 2.

What's your general thoughts?

Thanks
Paul
:snooker:

[RGCirencester]

I wouldn't reccomend any cue from argos... In my experience they are badly balanced, varnished, painted, made from poor materials that may be likely to warp.

I would reccommend getting a little more money and buying a craftsman classic for 60 quid.
http://www.craftsmancues.com/acatalo...ssic_cues.html
Lots of threads open on budget cues already.

Seems a bit strange to me to care enough to fit a tip as expensive as a talisman on such a bad cue?

Given that a cue could last you many years of use, 60 quid doesnt seem like that much.

[pjl83]

Thanks for the frank and honest response, just what I was looking for I was assuming that a cheap cue would have a bad tip, but on reading more and more it seems that cues have different features that I never even realised. Being a relative "beginner" you assume that you don't need anything more than a cheap cue, but I suppose if I want to improve then I should take the plunge and buy myself a nice weapon

Those craftsman cues do look nice.

[RGCirencester]

Craftsman would the ones I would really recommend if you are looking for something cheap that will last you. You would need a case to go with it though.

If you don't want to shell out the money on a first cue though there are loads of chinese cues on ebay that seem OK for a beginner, however in my experience they can be a bit hit and miss on whether you get a nice one or not. It is also not guaranteed how long they will last, as they are often made from very low quality materials, may warp in time etc.
If you can get one for around 30 quid they don't seem a bad deal to me for a first cue. They are certainly better than anything you get from Argos, and if you do buy another cue in the future you could reuse the case.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Handmade-Ash-3...item2304a2b355

Personally I would go for the craftsman if you can afford it. You can be sure you will be getting something of decent quality, and can ring craftsman themselves, or go down to thier showroom in Leeds, and they will be happy to answer any questions you have.

[andy carson]

if you are insistant on only spending around £30 on a cue go to JJB and at least pick trhe cues up to get the feel of them....

but my preference would be to go for the craftsman....

[RGCirencester]

Craftsman Victor red and blue I assume on ebay atm. if you want a 2 piece cue.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CRAFTSMAN-CUE_...item439c680df5

[pjl83]

Thanks guys,

The more I look at those craftsman cues, the more I like them. I've sent them an enquiry. I've been bitten hard by the snooker bug, can't wait to get a new cue and get on the table with it

[RGCirencester]

How hard have you been bit... If your not careful you'll be looking at 400 pound cues It's a slippery slope

[pjl83]

lol

Not that hard! :snooker: Though it may get worse as the high break rises

[RGCirencester]

Look how nice these cues are... I'll just slowly edge your budget up
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-HANDMADE-SN...item1c0eed67d7

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-HANDMADE-SN...item1c0df4c942

[andy carson]

Look how nice these cues are... I'll just slowly edge your budget up
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-HANDMADE-SN...item1c0eed67d7

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-HANDMADE-SN...item1c0df4c942

or.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIKE-WOOLDRIDG...item335648acc2

[pjl83]

I never thought I'd be into cue porn but there are some nice pics out there I like cues with rosewood on the butt section, just a shame my budget wont stretch to a cue like that

[RGCirencester]

Nooo you've gone too quick first he has to agree to Welsh Pool... Then its Heres a nice Robin Cue... Then comes Mike

[andy carson]

hang on hang on......

we forgot a kevin sharland cue

[pjl83]

very nice indeed. imagine explaining that one to the wife.

"we not having a holiday this year darling - I'm buying a new cue instead"

nice bit of cue porn there guys