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Search For A Cue - 2015 Update Part 1

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  • Search For A Cue - 2015 Update Part 1

    OK, since my last 'Search For A Cue' post its hard to believe but its been almost exactly FOUR years!! It was March 2011 when I had bought the famous Parris cue that Ronnie Osullivan had given away at the Crucible. That cue is now treasured by a good friend in Singapore so........my Search for a cue continued!!

    After the Ronnie cue I am really lucky as I live only 20 minutes from Greenbaize so I bought a lovely 3/4 ash GBL cue which I used for a few weeks and then, as usual sold. Next was a Master Cue one piece that was Stu Greens own playing cue but Jon Birch (ex pro) had modified and then changed his mind so as it was a lovely cue I bought it, but sadly it wasnt 'the one'. Next cue was another GBL ash cue but this time a one piece and 9mm tip. I loved the cue but didnt love the 9mm so the cue went.....and my next cue was a stunning Hunt & Osborne 'green plate' cue that looked just about perfect but for some strange reason, even though I couldnt have chosen a nicer looking cue it just didnt feel right, so it had to go! My next cue was a centre joined hand made maple cue but didnt suit me so I bought a wonderful old Aeon 'Special' cue from Jeff Cundy. He had chosen the unique number '155' and the cue was lovely and even felt right. I used this cue for a few months and played (for me) good snooker so eventually I even thought that I had found the Holy Grail.....but as usual I reached a local snooker singles final and played (also as usual) total rubbish so blamed the cue and off it went!

    Next was a Master cue ash 3/4 folowed by a Master maple 3/4. I then bought a Parris Ultimate that had been owned by a pro but although the cue was a work of art it was over 19oz weight and just felt too heavy for me. I then bought an old Trevor White one piece ash cue from Paul Davies the Welsh Pro player. It had been his playing cue all his career but he had given up snooker whih is why he sold his cue. Absolutely lovely cue but sadly not for me......I then bought a one piece Trevor White maple cue from a semi pro player in Wales. This actually felt perfect and i used it for a few months until I fell out of love and sold it. My next cue was an old Cannon 3/4 ash cue from the 1980s with the white badge with a cannon. i had bought it on ebay from the guy who had owned it from new but when it arrived it was in a horrible condition so I sent it to Alan Day (local cue doctor) and he made a new butt, cut off the 8.8mm ferrule and put on a 9.3mm ferrule as requested and made the cue 58in long. When I got it back it was in perfect condition and felt good and I played with he cue for over a year, knocking in some good breaks (for me) and winning more games than I lost in the local league. So I was used to the cue and playing well and then the usual happened........I reached a local snooker pairs final and let my partner down by playing rubbish and it couldnt have been ME had to be the cue, so it went into the cupboard (I actually still have this cue!) and I then bought an old Rodney Hinde cue that had belonged to an ex pro called James Tatton. Couldnt use the cue so off it went and i tried a local cue makers centre join ash cue which I also played badly with so then bought the GBL maple cue from Mike Dunn who had bought his idntical cue to Stephen Maguires and used it on the main tour. As usual I couldnt use it so then bought a wonderful 3/4 ash Parris Traditional which was just about as good looking cue as I have ever seen.....but as usual with these perfect looking cues it just didnt 'feel' right.

    My next cue was an old Parris Special cue that I bought from Scottish pro Fraser Patrick.....it had belonged to a couple of ex pro players from Scotland. The cue was too thin for me and the tip was just below 9mm so it had to go. I next bought an original Powerglide one piece Conny cue like Stephen Hendry had used but wasnt a good playing cue. Next was an Andy Giibb 3/4 ash cue followed by a GBL ash 3/4 cue and then a Maximus ash one piece cue but none of them felt right. During this time I kept going back to my old Cannon cue but it had fallen out of love with me and refused to pot anything! I then bought a beautiful LP top of the range 3/4 ash cue that had been made for Mike Russell, the billiard player. I spent a lot of money getting this cue modified to my own spec but at the end of the day it looked stunning but I just couldnt play with it.

    Next was a one piece Maximus maple ultimate that John Higgins had used for a few weeks followed by a GBL 3/4 ash cue that had belonged to a really top class local player and his was followed by a Master cue Heritage 'S' and then a Master cue one piece ash cue. none of them felt right so I then bought a lovely James Butters one piece ash cue from JRC, it was a lovely cue but just didnt feel right (as usual). Next cue was a Niche 'Hunter' 3/4 ash......followed by another Master cue ash one piece......followed by a beautiful Robin Cook ash 3/4 cue with full Cocobola butt. I didnt play too bad with the Robin cue but just couldnt find a tip that I liked for the cue that gave me the feel that I was looking for.

    Next cue was an antique Joe Davis ash special cue followed by a Jon Lonergan 3/4 ash cue followed by a very old John Parris 59in Classic cue. next cue was a Master cue 3/4 ash Pyragon followed by a Tony Glover 3/4 maple cue that I bought from Stephen Maguire.......but as usual I couldnt get used to maple so then bought a lovely old one piece Mac Chambers cue that had belonged to Phil Seaton an ex pro player. This cue actually felt right and I started to use it as my playing cue.

    So...........the year is now 2014 (last year) and since the Ronnie cue I had used 36 different cues!!

    There are another 16 cues to go to bring everything up to date but I will have to continue this later in Part 2!!

    Sadly around 2014 I realised that every cue I have ever owned would probably have been perfect for just about any snooker player on the planet to use it was just my technique that was rubbish........but also I have LOVED trying out all these different cues!

    From an incureable addict

    Oldgit
    Last edited by Oldgit; 16 February 2015, 08:32 PM.
    'Believe To Achieve'

  • #2
    What a great, dual purpose post.

    On one hand, it's the perfect example to explain to someone why they should try before they buy ,

    on the other hand however, there are some people ( myself included ) that wouldn't know what
    to do with themeselves if they found the perfect cue after trying only 2 or 3 cues.

    If my memory was better , I'd do my own write up , but even then, it wouldn't be so entertaining.

    Just one thing, please sapce your sentences a wee bit so that it's easier to read . .

    Comment


    • #3
      Hells bloody bells! I thought I was bad:-) I can imagine a fair amount of members have done the same thing, including myself. Looking at your list of cues amounts to almost 'Cue Porn' what awesome cue history you've had. Have seen a Wooldridge listed yet, take it that's in Part Deux :-)

      Comment


      • #4
        What a great post. Made me smile no end. I'm sure you could rival ADR147 with amount of cues what have gone through your hands. You should produce a list a cues not yet tested and tick them off as you go. Have you still got any of these cues or do you just sell them as you go?

        My mate just got a maximus and GBL. They're both quality cues. Made me think about trying one out myself. The MW cue on classifieds on here isn't a bad cue. Although price may put plenty off. Market for second hand cues is very slow at the minute.

        All the best with the search, please keep us updated.

        Michael:snooker:
        Always a pleasure

        Comment


        • #5
          By eck lad! I got a mention tho, thanks. B-)

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally Posted by Oldgit View Post
            OK, since my last 'Search For A Cue' post its hard to believe but its been almost exactly FOUR years!! It was March 2011 when I had bought the famous Parris cue that Ronnie Osullivan had given away at the Crucible. That cue is now treasured by a good friend in Singapore so........my Search for a cue continued!!

            After the Ronnie cue I am really lucky as I live only 20 minutes from Greenbaize so I bought a lovely 3/4 ash GBL cue which I used for a few weeks and then, as usual sold. Next was a Master Cue one piece that was Stu Greens own playing cue but Jon Birch (ex pro) had modified and then changed his mind so as it was a lovely cue I bought it, but sadly it wasnt 'the one'. Next cue was another GBL ash cue but this time a one piece and 9mm tip. I loved the cue but didnt love the 9mm so the cue went.....and my next cue was a stunning Hunt & Osborne 'green plate' cue that looked just about perfect but for some strange reason, even though I couldnt have chosen a nicer looking cue it just didnt feel right, so it had to go! My next cue was a centre joined hand made maple cue but didnt suit me so I bought a wonderful old Aeon 'Special' cue from Jeff Cundy. He had chosen the unique number '155' and the cue was lovely and even felt right. I used this cue for a few months and played (for me) good snooker so eventually I even thought that I had found the Holy Grail.....but as usual I reached a local snooker singles final and played (also as usual) total rubbish so blamed the cue and off it went!

            Next was a Master cue ash 3/4 folowed by a Master maple 3/4. I then bought a Parris Ultimate that had been owned by a pro but although the cue was a work of art it was over 19oz weight and just felt too heavy for me. I then bought an old Trevor White one piece ash cue from Paul Davies the Welsh Pro player. It had been his playing cue all his career but he had given up snooker whih is why he sold his cue. Absolutely lovely cue but sadly not for me......I then bought a one piece Trevor White maple cue from a semi pro player in Wales. This actually felt perfect and i used it for a few months until I fell out of love and sold it. My next cue was an old Cannon 3/4 ash cue from the 1980s with the white badge with a cannon. i had bought it on ebay from the guy who had owned it from new but when it arrived it was in a horrible condition so I sent it to Alan Day (local cue doctor) and he made a new butt, cut off the 8.8mm ferrule and put on a 9.3mm ferrule as requested and made the cue 58in long. When I got it back it was in perfect condition and felt good and I played with he cue for over a year, knocking in some good breaks (for me) and winning more games than I lost in the local league. So I was used to the cue and playing well and then the usual happened........I reached a local snooker pairs final and let my partner down by playing rubbish and it couldnt have been ME had to be the cue, so it went into the cupboard (I actually still have this cue!) and I then bought an old Rodney Hinde cue that had belonged to an ex pro called James Tatton. Couldnt use the cue so off it went and i tried a local cue makers centre join ash cue which I also played badly with so then bought the GBL maple cue from Mike Dunn who had bought his idntical cue to Stephen Maguires and used it on the main tour. As usual I couldnt use it so then bought a wonderful 3/4 ash Parris Traditional which was just about as good looking cue as I have ever seen.....but as usual with these perfect looking cues it just didnt 'feel' right.

            My next cue was an old Parris Special cue that I bought from Scottish pro Fraser Patrick.....it had belonged to a couple of ex pro players from Scotland. The cue was too thin for me and the tip was just below 9mm so it had to go. I next bought an original Powerglide one piece Conny cue like Stephen Hendry had used but wasnt a good playing cue. Next was an Andy Giibb 3/4 ash cue followed by a GBL ash 3/4 cue and then a Maximus ash one piece cue but none of them felt right. During this time I kept going back to my old Cannon cue but it had fallen out of love with me and refused to pot anything! I then bought a beautiful LP top of the range 3/4 ash cue that had been made for Mike Russell, the billiard player. I spent a lot of money getting this cue modified to my own spec but at the end of the day it looked stunning but I just couldnt play with it.

            Next was a one piece Maximus maple ultimate that John Higgins had used for a few weeks followed by a GBL 3/4 ash cue that had belonged to a really top class local player and his was folowed by a Master cue Heritage 'S' and then a Master cue one piece ash cue. none of them felt right so I then bought a lovely James Butters one piece ash cue from JRC, it was a lovely cue but just didnt feel right (as usual). Next cue was a Niche 'Hunter' 3/4 ash......followed by another Master cue ash one piece......followed by a beautiful Robin Cook ash 3/4 cue with full Cocobola butt. I didnt play too bad with the Robin cue but just couldnt find a tip that I liked for the cue that gave me the feel that I was looking for.

            Next cue was an antique Joe Davis ash special cue foloowed by a Jon Lonergan 3/4 ash cue followed by a very old John Parris 59in Classic cue. next cue was a Master cue 3/4 ash Pyragon folowed by a Tony Glover 3/4 maple cue that I bought from Stephen Maguire.......but as usual I couldnt get used to maple so then bought a lovely old one piece Mac Chambers cue that had belonged to Phil Seaton and ex pro player. This cue actually felt right and I started to use it as my playing cue.

            So...........the year is now 2014 (last year) and since the Ronnie cue I had used 36 different cues!!

            There are another 16 cues to go to bring everything up to date but I will have to continue this later in Part 2!!

            Sadly around 2014 I realised that every cue I have ever owned would probably have been perfect for just about any snooker player on the planet to use it was just my technique that was rubbish........but also I have LOVED trying out all these different cues!

            From an incureable addict

            Oldgit
            Great to hear this update. Made my day to know others also struggle with cue addiction.

            If you want somewhere to send all these useless cues, keep me in mind
            My favourite players: Walter Lindrum (AUS), Neil Robertson (AUS), Eddie Charlton (AUS), Robby Foldvari (AUS), Vinnie Calabrese (AUS), Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Alex Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Dominic Dale and Barry Hawkins.
            I dream of a 147 (but would be happy with a 100)

            Comment


            • #7
              if you're a club player or a pro, having a cue addiction will stop you reaching your full potential.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally Posted by Rob153 View Post
                Hells bloody bells! I thought I was bad:-) I can imagine a fair amount of members have done the same thing, including myself. Looking at your list of cues amounts to almost 'Cue Porn' what awesome cue history you've had. Have seen a Wooldridge listed yet, take it that's in Part Deux :-)
                Rob, back in 2011 I did Search for a cue parts 1-5 and even search for a cue the end!! They must still be on the forum somewhere and they detail another 80+ cues that I have owned, there are a few Wooldridge cues as well as just about every other makers cues!!
                'Believe To Achieve'

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally Posted by Leo View Post
                  if you're a club player or a pro, having a cue addiction will stop you reaching your full potential.
                  Leo, I am now 62, I reached my full potential 40 years ago
                  'Believe To Achieve'

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Well done Mike you always make me feel better about my own habit and just goes to show no sense or reason when it comes to cues, only adventure and a journey for some that never ends, so best just enjoy the journey and see where it takes you.......;-)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I sympathise and see a lot of similarities to myself in this post - you enjoy it and you make a few bob no doubt so carry on.

                      I think Leo is probably right if he was talking to someone who needs to obtain consistency but like you say you are past your prime and never going to be a professional so why not just enjoy buying and trying something classy. I think also when I get a new cue I enjoy using it and it actually motivates me to want to play a bit more to get used to the cues playing qualities - so there might be something in that too?

                      Good luck with the search -

                      One solution is have a bad day look down and blame the tip not the cue. Just get a decent cue and get used to it and try to accept the bad days as being just that - a phase that passes. That said I get bored too and cant resist the lure of a new cue for me like looking at someone else's cue is like the hot chick across the bar who's dating someone else but keeps on smiling at you - you know you really shouldn't - but at least people like us are keeping these cue sellers in the manner they are accustomed.

                      Its a harmless passion - removalmansteve eek

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally Posted by Byrom View Post
                        I sympathise and see a lot of similarities to myself in this post - you enjoy it and you make a few bob no doubt so carry on.

                        I think Leo is probably right if he was talking to someone who needs to obtain consistency but like you say you are past your prime and never going to be a professional so why not just enjoy buying and trying something classy. I think also when I get a new cue I enjoy using it and it actually motivates me to want to play a bit more to get used to the cues playing qualities - so there might be something in that too?

                        Good luck with the search -

                        One solution is have a bad day look down and blame the tip not the cue. Just get a decent cue and get used to it and try to accept the bad days as being just that - a phase that passes. That said I get bored too and cant resist the lure of a new cue for me like looking at someone else's cue is like the hot chick across the bar who's dating someone else but keeps on smiling at you - you know you really shouldn't - but at least people like us are keeping these cue sellers in the manner they are accustomed.

                        Its a harmless passion - removalmansteve eek
                        Byrom, so much of what you say is SO true

                        Firstly I always try and sell cues for exactly what they cost me, in all the cues that I have ever owned I think I've only ever sold around three for more than I paid for them. As long as I get my money back or don't actually lose too much then I am happy.

                        Secondly, you are right about trying different tips when you lose confidence in a cue, I am almost a weekly visitor to Greenbaize as Stu is such an expert in fitting new tips and you can then try them out immediately.

                        Thirdly, you are also correct about concentrating more with a new cue, I've lost count of the times I have gone to the club with a new cue and knocked in a few 50+ breaks as I really do concentrate more.

                        Oldgit
                        'Believe To Achieve'

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally Posted by Oldgit View Post
                          Rob, back in 2011 I did Search for a cue parts 1-5 and even search for a cue the end!! They must still be on the forum somewhere and they detail another 80+ cues that I have owned, there are a few Wooldridge cues as well as just about every other makers cues!!
                          If you've got the opportunity to do what you've done then why the hell not :-) I'll have a read of parts 1-5 later, no doubt will me even more jealous!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Oldgit you are mental, in a fantastic way, what a fascinating post thanks.
                            This is how you play darts ,MVG two nines in the same match!
                            https://youtu.be/yqTGtwOpHu8

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Oldgit i really enjoyed reading this as i can relate to it very well . Had heaps of cues in the last few years including a good few dozen Trevs . , like you not to sell on but to find a playing cue that is the one . Just to echo what someone said about trying different tips its so true , i carry two Trevs in my case and am always changing , one has a phoenix hard and feels nice , a phoenix hard on the other cue feels awful , i have an elk on that and it suits it but tried an elk on the other and hated it .
                              Keep searching , you know which cues hold a good resale value and which ones not so good so its a lovely journey to take .

                              Comment

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