Cue makers

[snooker steve]

Hi all, new to the forum and looking to buy a new cue. Budget of around £200. Any thoughts for a novice?

[MikeTheBigMonster]

That would be plenty for Thai or China cue.
Unlikely to get a custom UK one

[Rob153]

Have a look at Master Craft, UK based- good value handmade cues made to your specs. Have a had a couple really nice cues for the money.

[timcunnell]

Craftsman Cues near Leeds would be my recommendation. Although £200 might not quite do it. But if you're gonna spend £200, might as well spend £300, right!!?
(And that will really get you a cue you might well use for life!).

[pottr]

What Tim said... £300 can get you something more than special that could last a lifetime.

£200, it's pot luck really but there are bargains out there.

I picked up a one piece, maple, Glover cue with snakewood splices off ebay last year for £115

[Leo]

Remember if it was the price that got you the best cue then we'd all be playing with John Parris ultimates and ditching all the rest. Many people will go for the top cuemakers not only because they make some nice quality playing cues But also for re-sale purposes. Then of course you have the hobbyist cueists who'll buy most cues with the big names and leave them under the bed until they go skint.

[timcunnell]

Actually Craftsman Cues have a lovely maple "Majestic" for £245 - which is pretty good if maple is your thing, and the specs are right. But they could make you a cue for around the same amount to your exact specifications. And they offer an upgrade option on the shaft which gets you some good chevrons on an ash cue.
I used to have an ash Majestic and it really was a corking cue. And they looked after me really well.

[DeanH]

Dont forget Andy Travis, maybe not in the budget but worth an ask

[timcunnell]

Remember if it was the price that got you the best cue then we'd all be playing with John Parris ultimates

Very true! I know this will probably ruffle a few feathers, but I'm not sure I'd ever stump up the money to buy a JP Ultimate. No doubt it would be a fantastic cue - but for all that money AND a 2-year+ wait!? At the end of the day, any cue is only as good as it's components and the craftsmanship. No question that JP's craftsmanship is outstanding, but plenty other makers out there who are as good. Maybe not all have his knowledge of matching a cue to a player etc - but just outright cue-making I am sure there's a handful of guys in the UK that can make a cue as well.

I'm lucky enough to have a Stamford Series 1 and I'd wager its as good as anything. It probably just doesn't have the same cred as an Ultimate - OR the re-sale value for that matter!

[jono*]

Green baize are having a sale. Check their Facebook page

[Tony Morgan]

For under £200 I would recommend a 1piece Marksman from Cue Craft (£150-170 approx) or an Edwardian 1piece from Burroughes & Watts (£175-200 approx). Both of those cues are very very good value for money & not that long a wait for delivery too. Both will last you a lifetime. It's not what you spend on your cue. It's what you can afford. Just because you can afford a JP Ultimate. It doesn't mean your going to be the next Ronnie

[cantonguy]

Highly recommend James Butters cue on your budget .

[Byrom]

get your 200 pound - go to casino buy chips bet on black two or three times - win - walk out smiling - ring Trevor White.

[jrc750]

get your 200 pound - go to casino buy chips bet on black two or three times - win - walk out smiling - ring Trevor White.

Lol, love this idea

[mythman69]

get your 200 pound - go to casino buy chips bet on black two or three times - win - walk out smiling - ring Trevor White.

Maybe take a second shirt, just in case you lose the first one.