high-end cue on a budget?

[JRobbins]

hi guys
i currently have a mastcraft eclipse which i'm happy with for now but i really want to step it up a bit. i've been shopping all around the net for a couple of weeks now but i can't seem to find anything thats fits the criteria of:
- £260 budget with a further £50 for extensions/tips
- 'higher end'; something that a century break player would be happy with e.g. John Parris, Trevor White, Mike Wooldridge etc...
- splices, preferably 4 in burrwood, snakewood or cocobola. there are many great cues out there in my price range, for example the JP Ambassador, but i really want something with nice, rich looking splices rather than a plain ebony butt.
- joint in the butt for extensions

have looked at JP, MW, Trevor White, Trevor Wilshaw, Green Baize, Dunns Cues, Hunt and Osborne and a few others but just cant seem to find anything that will fit the above points.
Obviously i could look second hand but there's something about a new cue that appeals more than a used one, as well as the market's impossible to predict.
So can anyone help me? maybe i've overlooked a product by one of the above cuemakers, or any other help much appreciated.
thanks in advance fellas.

[jrc750]

Dont think you'll get a fancy spliced brand new cue from a top maker for only £260, that may only get you a plain ebony cue, looks like second hand is the way forward for you, and even then it wont be easy finding one that cheap. Good luck :snooker:

[Snookster]

Hi,

If your on a budget, then a trevor white cue with standard splicing is £280 if im not mistaken.
Personally i dont see the difference apart from it looking pretty, saying that i like traditional old cues, i use an ej riley ash 1 piece with snakewood butt.
However back to what your looking for, i would say any of the major cuemakers will tell you the cost goes up dramatically the more splices you have inserted.

[vucko117]

You can check Robin Cook cues but I think with 4 splices it will be about 280

[lennon11]

be careful not to go down the route of thinking a expensive/famous maker cue will make you a better player...i'm pretty sure ronnie could make a bigger break/play to a better standard with my cue than i could do with his.as long as its a good solid cue,right weight for you,etc...then talent will get you to a century break player

[willytan]

If you are interested, I have a Aurora cue for sale @ 250GBP.
For a extra 50GBP, i will include mini butt & long tele-extension.

IT is a 1pcs cue, 57" long, ash shaft, ebony butt with single splice of snakewood over walnut burr.

[Freddie Ng]

Maybe you can look at some Omin and UT cues

[ADR147]

there is nothing wrong with the cue you have!

[Bigmeek]

JRobbins I really don't think you are being realistic in expecting to get a "new high end multi-spliced cue" for £260. If they were available I'd buy a couple for sure. All the makers you've listed will be considerably more. If you want a top end cue, by the folks you've named, you really need to cut back on the fancy splicing. I'd like to add another name to your list of cue-makers if I may. Forum member TOTLXTC (Dan Shelton) makes some very nice cues. Also Stamford Cues are good quality but expensive. Whilst I remember NorthWestCues are good value but maybe not multi-splice for £260.

[ashbash]

You could get a cue and both extensions from northwest as big meek say hear for £275. It would be a plain ebony butt at that price though. Spoke to Kevin yesterday and that was the price he gave me. most cue makers seem to have put up there prices recently. And some are not taking orders at all (hunt and Osborne) cause they have such a back log. Not sure if mike Wooldridge is either? Site seems to be down a few times recently???
If you want some nice designed butt then forget it unless you want to up your budget considerably and that is regardless of what top cue maker you look at. as for buying second hand, you will find that the very top cues from the likes of john parris, mike Wooldridge, hunt and Osborne, Trevor white and a few others will cost roughly the same if not slightly more second hand than they did brand new as you don’t have any waiting time for the cue, just ask fedia for a parris ultimate and see what he says.
The end of the day on you budget I would go for a plain ebony butt from one of the top cue makers mind also you just have to be patent waiting on you cue to be made I say that a bit tongue in cheek seeing as I’m chapping at the bit waiting on my Trevor white cue lol. .
I don’t say this to be rude or disrespectful I’m just trying to point you in what I believe is the right direction good luck in with your new cue anyway.

[Wright Cues]

New Cue

Hi
im sure i can help you with your new cue, i am a cue maker "Wright Cues" i cant say to much on this thread or i will be told off for advertising.
I'll keep it short, if you give me a call i will run through a few things with you, and do my best to help. All the cues on my website (www.wrightcues.co.uk) are just some of the cues that have been requested, they are not the only ones that i do. Give me a call we can have a chat. 07967 133737:snooker:

[sanman]

wrong post sorry

[JRobbins]

Hi
im sure i can help you with your new cue, i am a cue maker "Wright Cues" i cant say to much on this thread or i will be told off for advertising.
I'll keep it short, if you give me a call i will run through a few things with you, and do my best to help. All the cues on my website (www.wrightcues.co.uk) are just some of the cues that have been requested, they are not the only ones that i do. Give me a call we can have a chat. 07967 133737:snooker:

alright cheers, will have a look through your cues and have a wee think about a few things then give you a buzz. just so you know I wouldn't be interested in purchasing right now, more of a quote sort of thing so I can order towards the end of the year or beginning of 2011.

[Bigmeek]

JRobbins One more comment from me. If you're happy with your Mastercraft cue then you could give them a ring for a quote for something a bit more fancy than your Eclipse. I've seen some lovely looking Mastercraft cues posted on this Forum. Still won't compare with a TW tho!!

[MattCash]

Why don't you just buy a Plain ebony butted cue and have the splices added when you get the money, if you still want them. Obviously the splices won't make you play better, but you'll still have a top-end cue.