What cue do you use ?

[silverdragon]

im completely different from everyone! yay, i feel special.

since my friend uses the same brand pool cue as i do, i borrow his cue shaft because it fits on my cue butt as well. no, its not a snooker cue, i used a pool cue with a 10.5mm shaft euro tapered. he had 2 made so he lets me borrow one when we play each other.

im still looking for a snooker cue though.....

[Shinsakuto]

Mastercraft

I play with a Mastercraft Emerald Gem. Has a nice feel to it, only thing I dont like is the lower splicings could have been more accurate.
Owned many cues including Trevor White and a 20 yrs old Parris but the best I think is a cue by Tony Glover the splicing accurate the grain on the shaft dead straight and the arrows lined up evenly not just on one side but both side of the shaft. All ash cues by Tony Glover are like that but you dont see this feature on any other makes.

[cueman]

If you are looking for accuracy with splicing then you are more likely to get that with an individual cue maker such as Glover, Ions, Coutts, Trevor White etc but IMO that shouldn't be a major factor when choosing a cue. Not to say thats its of no importance but it won't affect how a cue plays.

Also just to point out that grain straightness or seperation plays little to no part in how a cue plays, wood is natural and therefore has no bearing on how each piece plays, only by feeling it, flexing it etc can you get any judgement on how it will play. Even the most experienced of cue makers can't be sure how a piece of wood will play well once turned and finished. Anyone who says different, well I'd love to hear what you have to say on this.

[Shinsakuto]

Sorry but have to disagree with regard to grains, they do affect how a cue play otherwise every cuemakers would not be charging a premium for better ash. Having seen many cues the more expensive makes has premium quality ash with straight grains, with the exception of Parris because they farm out their stock cues to another cue makers and not what they seem.

Some cheap cues actually play with a thud sensation while other quality cues with a spring effect with lots of feedback. Also I find a very straight grained cue like Glover with even arrows on both side of the shaft are very powerful, on a break off shot the cue ball instead of gently resting on the baulk cushion it came back down the table off the bottom cushion and ended up near the middle of the table. A straight grain cue and not impeded by the grain and instead divert the strength of the cue from the butt to the tip. I experiment with all the cues I had and that is what I find.

[cueman]

As a very good player and very knowledgable on cues how they are made etc I can guarantee you that grain pattern in a cue has no definitive influence on how a cue plays. Yes cheap cues such as those that you may find in a sports shop or catalogue are, in the main, made from inferior quality materials and therefore will be nasty to play with and quite lifeless.

However top range cue makers and I won't name names, will select ash or maple based on feel and strength alone, its just a lottery of what the grain looks like. Most ash is quite similar in appearence and depending from where the ash was cut it will have different characteristics, pattern etc. Some players like to play with very straight grained wood or even spaced flower points but this is very difficult to find in wood and doesn't guarantee a better playing cue. This is one of the reasons some cue makers can charge extra but this is a con IMO.

There is no proof that a straight grained cue plays any better than one with a more wild grain so its perhaps your own experience convinces you so but trust me I have used very straight and wild grained cues down the years and to be honest they all play differently, some good, some bad, thats why its impossible to judge how cue plays by looking at it.

Don't believe me, check this page http://handmadecues.com/web/7stepsoverview.htm

This from one of the top cue makers in the country and the only one who gives a real insight into cues and I can vouch for everything he says.

[Shinsakuto]

I think you are referring to Mike Wooldridge, his opinion although respected is just an opinion. Yes I agree its a lottery and not all straight grain ash will play better or more powerful than another with a wild grain. My opinion would be not all ash is the same, that would be the more significant factor.
If you have a poor ash but with straight grain it will most likely are poor compared to a good quality ash with wild grain. Like for like ash then the straight grain gives better feedback and more power to the cue.

The grains on the ash dont have the same consistency as the white part, if the grains arent straight and fluid it will act as a cushion therefore absorbing and redirecting the impact when striking the ball.

[InOff]

Yeah i am getting a cue for xmas altho i am selecting it.It is my 1st cue so i will probably be getting it from a a sports shop and my budget is about £40-£60. I know it wont be anything compared to the high quality cues you are describing but everyone has to start somewhere.

I was just wonderin whether you could give me any advice on what i should be loooking for in a potential cue.Anyhelp woud be much appreciated.

Thanks

[phoenixraker]

Yeah i am getting a cue for xmas altho i am selecting it.It is my 1st cue so i will probably be getting it from a a sports shop and my budget is about £40-£60. I know it wont be anything compared to the high quality cues you are describing but everyone has to start somewhere.

I was just wonderin whether you could give me any advice on what i should be loooking for in a potential cue.Anyhelp woud be much appreciated.

Thanks

Well if theres a specialist store near where you live i would recommend going there. You are more likely to get value for your money.

theres also a items for sale forum on this site i am sure someone can help you get a good cue

[Shinsakuto]

Glover cues

I had a chat with Tony Glover the other day about having a replacement shaft made for my playing cue, he asked me do I want dark or light ash? This threw me a bit even though I am aware ash are not all the same. So what is the different? Dark ash comes from the inner core of the ash tree which makes a stiffer shaft and light ash are the outer sap which makes the cue whippy. He also told me its very rare to get hold of an ash and then plain it in such a way that the arrows on both side of the shaft becomes even because its normally just one side not both.

[void]

Snooker Cues

I currently use a Riley 57"/18oz/2pc/Ash Shaft/Elkmaster tip. I've been using it for 2.5 years and I'm very pleased with it. It only cost me $60.

However, I have just ordered a John Parris Regal. I've tried this cue out and I'm very impressed.

I'm also keen on buying a Master Cue Pyragon. They're pretty cheap. The pyragon can be picked up for just $340 (including internationl shipping, case + extensions).

Whatever cue you buy, DON'T leave it in the trunk of your car.

[void]

Snooker cues

I currently use a Riley 57"/18oz/2pc/Ash Shaft/Elkmaster tip. I've been using it for 2.5 years and I'm very pleased with it. It only cost me $60.

However, I have just ordered a John Parris Regal. I've tried this cue out and I'm very impressed.

I'm also keen on buying a Master Cue Pyragon. They're pretty cheap. The pyragon can be picked up for just $340 (including internationl shipping, case + extensions).

Whatever cue you buy, DON'T leave it in the trunk of your car.

[void]

Maple vs Ash

What are the differences between ash and maple shafts?

I've noticed that maple shafts are generally used for pool and ash shafts for snooker.

I've also noticed that Master Cue charges $15 extra to have their cues fitted with maple shafts. Wonder why.

[SupaCues]

I currently use a Riley 57"/18oz/2pc/Ash Shaft/Elkmaster tip. I've been using it for 2.5 years and I'm very pleased with it. It only cost me $60.

However, I have just ordered a John Parris Regal. I've tried this cue out and I'm very impressed.

I'm also keen on buying a Master Cue Pyragon. They're pretty cheap. The pyragon can be picked up for just $340 (including internationl shipping, case + extensions).

Whatever cue you buy, DON'T leave it in the trunk of your car.

Be careful as you might get charged import duty on top of your oder if you buy direct from Mastercue. Our prices include all duty paid. 340 USD is a steal for the package. Is that a leather case included?

[SupaCues]

Ash vs Maple

What are the differences between ash and maple shafts?

I've noticed that maple shafts are generally used for pool and ash shafts for snooker.

I've also noticed that Master Cue charges $15 extra to have their cues fitted with maple shafts. Wonder why.

An ash shaft has a grain whereas a maple shaft is pretty much clear. You're right in that most, if not all 9ball cues made in the US are maple. However, there are a few top snooker players who use maple cues, the obvious example being Steven Hendry.

[void]

Cue cases

Be careful as you might get charged import duty on top of your oder if you buy direct from Mastercue. Our prices include all duty paid. 340 USD is a steal for the package. Is that a leather case included?

It's a black aluminium case. Haven't given much thought to cue cases. Which offers more protection against heat and harsh knocks, aluminium or leather?