Cue makers, dealers in Melbourne/ choosing specs

[kluga]

I've been thinking about getting a nice snooker cue either custom made or just simply buying one. The problem is, I'm simply having trouble figuring out what would be right for me. I was hoping to find a quality dealer here in Melbourne, Australia but there doesn't seem to be much. I'd send away for one (to John Parris or something like that) but as I mentioned I'm unsure about how to choose the perfect cue for me without trying extensive amounts of cues.

So:
Any Melbourne-dwellers know of an actual decent dealer/ maker?
Advice on choosing the right cue..

[eaoin11]

I don't know of any makers in Melbourne? I think Peter Hanley's somewhere in NSW and Zac is in Brisbane. You could try sellers of tables and accessories,e.g Heiron and Smith, or Alcocks apparently have a range of cues including parris, according to websites.

Another option is to try the website www.cueball.tv . A lot of aussie pool players there to steer you in the right direction.

[deej]

Ive found the same problem and it was either jump on a plane to beta billiards in adelaide or just order a parris, lately ive been importing peradon cues and whatever else i can get onto and selling them around here, Bendigo as there is realy nothing around at all

[kluga]

Yea I found a lot of the interstate makers you mention. I may eventually order a cue from overseas but I first have to seek out exactly what I want.

[BoBnoGG!n]

uhhh email me on honkeh_tonkeh_bobnoggin @ hotmail.com

ive been getting a few Omins and Unclethai cues from Unclevit. if your curious to check out their quality, etc, then get in contact with me. i wont steer u wrong with my limited advice, but if u go down the road i went, u should be a very satisfied person.

[eaoin11]

I'd suggest not going overboard for the first cue. It wasn't until I'd owned a couple that I really settled on specs. I would start with 9.5 mm tip (for snooker, or 8.5-9 for pool) and try a few cues to get an idea of the length and weight you need.

Table suppliers usually stock quite a few cues (often not of great quality) and will let you try a few so you can get an idea of the weight and length you like.

[kluga]

I'd suggest not going overboard for the first cue. It wasn't until I'd owned a couple that I really settled on specs. I would start with 9.5 mm tip (for snooker, or 8.5-9 for pool) and try a few cues to get an idea of the length and weight you need.

Table suppliers usually stock quite a few cues (often not of great quality) and will let you try a few so you can get an idea of the weight and length you like.

I do own a pool cue and snooker cue. I picked them up from a table supplier and choose them based on what felt best (within that limited range). They were only about $100AUD each. I'd have to try a few more to find one I really like. I have friends down at the snooker hall who own Parris and Omin cues, maybe I could have a quick try of their cues to get an idea of what they're like as I don't really even know what a high-end cue really feels like.

[Supe]

I don't know of any makers in Melbourne? I think Peter Hanley's somewhere in NSW and Zac is in Brisbane.

I didn't receive a reply email (via his website) from Zak when I sought information on his cue offerings. Tis ok. I've ordered an Omin cue through Unclevit. Next one will be a UT.

[TheRowdyOne]

I do own a pool cue and snooker cue. I picked them up from a table supplier and choose them based on what felt best (within that limited range). They were only about $100AUD each. I'd have to try a few more to find one I really like. I have friends down at the snooker hall who own Parris and Omin cues, maybe I could have a quick try of their cues to get an idea of what they're like as I don't really even know what a high-end cue really feels like.

If you picked them up from a table supplier and only paid about $100 then chances are it's worth about $40...... That's a bit like a graphite cue having a RRP of $199 but selling on ebay for $29.95, the person selling the cue probably brought them in bulk for $12.95ea. There is a serious black hole in the top end cue market in Aus.

[TheRowdyOne]

you'd have more chances of getting a full Australian team to the commonwealth games that you would finding a top quality cue that isn't over priced.

[Supe]

If you picked them up from a table supplier and only paid about $100 then chances are it's worth about $40...... That's a bit like a graphite cue having a RRP of $199 but selling on ebay for $29.95, the person selling the cue probably brought them in bulk for $12.95ea. There is a serious black hole in the top end cue market in Aus.

Just on the graphite cue. A mate bought a cheapo two piece from Ebay and he played some awesome shots with it. I had a go with it and thought it was ok. Way better than the venue cues which were junk.

As an aside. The venue we played at tonight couldn't locate proper pool chalk so they gave us chalk you'd use on a black board! Disgraceful. Now there's yellow chalk dust all over their pool tables.

Should buy some chalk from Ebay.

[kluga]

Hmmm...sounds like a case of all or nothing. Either an imported top-end cue or stick with my slightly-better-than-house cue. If I continue to practice and see a bit of improvement in my game I may try and justify grabbing a nice cue.

[kluga]

Sorry for the double post (can't edit previous post). I just had a look at some Mike Wooldridge cues. Seems he offers "standard" hand-made cues which are supposedly as good as his custom cues, they basically just don't look as good. Anyone had experience with these cues?

[TheRowdyOne]

Just on the graphite cue. A mate bought a cheapo two piece from Ebay and he played some awesome shots with it. I had a go with it and thought it was ok. Way better than the venue cues which were junk.

As an aside. The venue we played at tonight couldn't locate proper pool chalk so they gave us chalk you'd use on a black board! Disgraceful. Now there's yellow chalk dust all over their pool tables.

Should buy some chalk from Ebay.

That's really bad to hear about the chalk the venue was handing out. To be honest though a good player will always have their own block of chalk. Yes i think it's time to go ebaying...

[TheRowdyOne]

Sorry for the double post (can't edit previous post). I just had a look at some Mike Wooldridge cues. Seems he offers "standard" hand-made cues which are supposedly as good as his custom cues, they basically just don't look as good. Anyone had experience with these cues?

I brought a Mike Wooldridge Black Shark about 11 months ago. Really good quality cue and well worth the money, although the cost of shipping was a killer like most things. Now is the time to buy though, with the way the Australian $ is at the moment.