Buying a cue - Vintage EJ Riley??

[styler]

Hi Im new to this forum.

I have played snooker in dribs and drabs over 20 or so years (im a novice in reality) but have started playing more recently. Im now looking to buy a cue, at about £70 ish price range. I think Im after a single piece. Ive had the chance to play with 4 cues from the club shop and I just dont know what to do.

One was bowed so that was out. One was 3/4 length - it felt ok but mmmmmm unsure.
Next was a brand new cue - Rapier? - it felt ok but maybe a little heavy and chunky - but still ok. It was £85.
The other HOWEVER was a vintage (so I was told) EJ Riley 'The Riley Cue'. Apparantly 60-70 years old. It was dead straight. When I hit a few shots it was lighter and thinner than all the others but did feel pretty good. I was also told it would have originally been made as a billiard cue. £70 price tag.

So now im in a quandary. Do I buy an old second hand cue that may not have been made for snooker and I have no idea on its history but is likely to stay straight forever because of its age, or go for a new cue ????

Any help?

[Willeverton]

I've always been a fan of vintage cues, you can get great value for money. I play with a circa 1930's padmore badged cue, it's lighter and has a slightly slimmer shaft than more modern cues but that suits me. It would have probably been just a rack cue when it was made, but the quality is so much better than the modern equvilant. Generally vintage cues have bigger butts too which I like!!

If you instantly liked the feel of the riley I say go for it!

[sberry]

the best cue I ever has was a vintage e.j.riley prize cue, they were made for snooker as they were made around 60-70 years ago and billiards was dying out then, they knock spots off today's modern things if you can find a good one

citylink broke mine but karma got them back, aha

[DeanH]

Buying a cue - Vintage EJ Riley??

doesn't matter what make, age, or way it is made; the cue you should buy is the cue that feels right to you!

[Master Blaster]

There are O'min cues on ebay going for £80. These are brilliant cues at fantastic prices. If you don't like it, you can easily resell it. Thais make great cues for half the money they'd cost here. And O'mins should really retail at £150-200 given the quality of the cue.

[Master Blaster]

Superb O'min cue at a ridiculously low price, better than LP. He even adds the mini-butt, extendable mini-butt and a nice case into the mix as well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2717646593...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[cyberheater]

If you like a cue straight away then buy it. Get used to it. And never ever sell it.

[ADR147]

If you like a cue straight away then buy it. Get used to it. And never ever sell it.

sound advice. the age of the cue makes no difference to its straightness.

[jrc750]

There are O'min cues on ebay going for £80. These are brilliant cues at fantastic prices. If you don't like it, you can easily resell it. Thais make great cues for half the money they'd cost here. And O'mins should really retail at £150-200 given the quality of the cue.

You do realise these will be the Chinese one's, not Thai ???

[ADR147]

You do realise these will be the Chinese one's, not Thai ???

at £80 yep - they are good though. for £80 !

[jrc750]

at £80 yep - they are good though. for £80 !

Quite possibly, but just in case he thought he was getting a Thai version

[Master Blaster]

But if you like the EJ riley cue, buy it, it can always be reweighted.

[mythman69]

at £80 yep - they are good though. for £80 !

This link says Thai made for 65 pounds:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Th...3D271764659315

[ADR147]

This link says Thai made for 65 pounds:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Th...3D271764659315

that is a machine spliced cue!

[styler]

My dilemma now is:
I have tried the vintage EJ Riley and it felt nice so do I go with it at £70. Or are these Omin (Thai version) cues on eBay better quality? Plus it is new. And are they reliable, as in genuine. I also worry it might arrive not straight!