What Cue?

[jimmyfivebellies]

Sorry, new to this forum, not new to snooker but not played properly for about 25 years, now 40 years old and looking at taking up again, but like everything I tend to get right into it! I've got a £50 ronnie o sullivan cue 3/4 plus extensions, think 9mm tip etc, which I've been using for playing pool over last 4-5 years. Now started playing snooker regular and already noticing all the different 'hand made' cues in the club and looking to buy my first 'proper' cue. I have read all the different forums and advice on how 'new' players need experience and feel for what cue to buy etc and won't notice the difference between a machine made and hand crafted cue and although I am listening to this advice I am a bit of a 'tackle tart' and want a nice cue from the start. I'm not arrogant I just like to try and do things right and although buying a more expensive cue may not improve my game I will feel better and gain a bit of confidence from a better cue from the start and 'why not' spend a bit more if it's something you enjoy?
I am willing to spend between £100 and £300 and although would like a nice cue I don't want an to pay for an antique, or something too difficult to play with as only just starting again, although want to feel like I have paid for a decent cue that is not going to effect my game too early on (for the worse).
Any advice welcome, just looking for a half decent cue that I can start with and keep for next 10 years, not looking for cue to improve (although want to improve), just looking for nice quality cue that will last me from beginner for hopefully next 10 years and cue a can look back at and say my first 'proper cue'.
I'm sure this has been asked many times before, I have been reading forum and can't find anything relevant so 'don't ask you don't get' any advice welcome.

[jrc750]

Hi mate, where abouts are you, as that may influence advice. if you could get to Greenbaize for example and try out the cues, you would definitely find a belter for that price range. http://www.greenbaize.com/

[machine230677]

Try Phoenix cues very good value for the money.

[dougieb]

Are Phoenix cues made by Craftsman ? Trying to work out what the relationship is.

[perpetualboredom]

No they're made in thailand, Craftsman have sole license to sell them at least over here.
As testiment to how good they are, I believe they had a small enquiry for someone wanting to buy some...
.. around 10,000 if I recall correctly!

[dougieb]

Thanks for the insight. Really that good ? They seem very reasonably priced

[machine230677]

I've just posted some pics of my phoenix cue on the cue thread have a look.

[Dalboy]

Hi JFB,

I am in a similar position to yourself and took the plunge on a Cue craft TR8 due to it looking good, felt good and it was local. I have only had it a week and had a 38 break, my best when I used to play was 41, although I look at the game in more detail now than I did and have got a mate of mine that I practise weekly with .
I do not think that I would know a good from a bad cue, looks straight, feels right ?? what else is there apart from the badge? Although as a bit of a tackle tart I did try a Paris but was not taken by it, didn't feel any better than what I've got.

Cheers
Dalboy

[02aleric]

You would do well to beat an Andy Travis cue in that price range, makes a seriously good cue and i'm pretty sure you could get any spec and plenty of decorative splices if desired in that price range quite easily

[damienlch]

No they're made in thailand, Craftsman have sole license to sell them at least over here.
As testiment to how good they are, I believe they had a small enquiry for someone wanting to buy some...
.. around 10,000 if I recall correctly!

Wow... that many? The buyer might find it hard to offload that many cues that's carrying a relatively new brand.

[jimmyfivebellies]

Thanks Dalboy,

Honest reply.
Like you say 'Is there anything different apart from the badge'?

Being tackle tart dont mind paying for the name, but would also like to think the cue was something half decent.

[B]To all, if you had £200 cash only what cue would you buy?

Wouldn't mind a Dalboy 38 break off my new cue!!

[perpetualboredom]

Wow... that many? The buyer might find it hard to offload that many cues that's carrying a relatively new brand.

They laughed it off, can't remember how many people they employ at Pheonix but its certainly under 10 - so 10000 would take them 10 year or more I'd guess! It was the mark williams cues they were after to sell in china, people forgot how huge the market is over there.. that was probably their annual requirement!

[damienlch]

They laughed it off, can't remember how many people they employ at Pheonix but its certainly under 10 - so 10000 would take them 10 year or more I'd guess! It was the mark williams cues they were after to sell in china, people forgot how huge the market is over there.. that was probably their annual requirement!

China... small wonder then... I'd bet majority of cues are going to the far east nowadays...

[damienlch]

...[B]To all, if you had £200 cash only what cue would you buy?

Presently, I'd like to give Greenbaize cues a go if I have £200 odd to spare. But I'm skint...

You can get a pretty good Master cue or Omin. They've been around for awhile and generally make good playing cues.

[SouthPaw]

Yes definitely has to be thai for me around that budget, personally would go gbl or mastercue probably sway towards mastercue, and if possible a would make the trip to gbl and try out the cues first...