SPJU vs P2 and 3K Series

[JW]

I have the SPJU sneaky pete with uni-lock joint, moori tip and no wrap. I have cut the weight bolt for my preferred weight and balance point and I love the way it plays and feels when I shoot. I would not trade it for anything!

However, I am curious as to how it would compare to a P2 with no wrap. I know the performance is the same, but just how much better can it feel? Has anyone out there ever played with both of these cues and could you give me some insight. Is the improved feel worth 300 extra dollars? I will be trying one soon and would like to know how others perceived the differences.

Also, how do the sneaky petes with uni-lock joints compare to the 3K series cues with the uni-lock joints? Is the butt made of cheaper material on the sneaky petes as compared to the others? Do the 3Ks have a more solid hit? If so, why?

Thanks for your input and time,
JW

[dags_lax]

I have tried the P2 and it does have a nice feel. Although it was only for a few racks so I can't say that I have given it a fair shake. I would really like to get my hands on a P2 with the Z shaft and have a month to work it through its paces. I feel I need to have a chance to shoot with a cue when my game is on and even more importantly, when my game is way off. To do that I need to get a lot of racks under my belt with a given cue so that I have adjusted to the peculiarities of a cues weight, balance and tip. Although I do have a couple of cues with a leather wrap I am (slightly) partial to a linen wrap. But that is just my personal preference because my hands sweat a lot.

As for the question " is the P2 worth the extra $300.00" I can't say given my limited experience with that cue. The folks at Predator have definitely put a lot of the best technology into this cue and if you value playability over cosmetics the P2 may be one of the best bargains in cues to be had. For many shooters though, their skills may not be honed enough to take full advantage of what this cue may be capable of. A Ferrari may be one hell of a car and while everybody will gain some performance advantages, there are very few drivers that can take it to the limits of its potential. That may be the case for many players and the P2.

One thing I can say for sure is that spending the $300.00 for some time with a good instructor will definitely improve your game no matter what your skill level. I have always been a big fan of professional instruction, and the return on your investment is a great value. Given a choice between the two I would spend the money on lessons but if you can afford both go for it and you can have the best of both worlds.

[New Kid In The Hall]

dags_lax: That's going to be my next investment...some professional instruction...but I want to start at a school where I can get at least 2 or 3 days of intensive instruction with no distractions.

Have you been to a school or made appointments with BCA instructors? Which would you recommend?

[dags_lax]

My instruction has been limited to a few one on one sessions with a couple of BCA Certified Master Instructors. It has been a few years and I don't remember what I paid, but these guys do not work cheap. I have not tried a school. If you live in the upper Midwest Jerry Breisath is out of Madison Wisconsin and may be the highest regarded instructor in the nation. He also offers a pool school that is limited to only a few shooters per session. Jerry has his own web site at http://www.thepoolschool.com/index2.html.

For a list of BCA Instructors and locations http://www.bca-pool.com/cgi/site/play.cilist.cgi.
Here are the requirements for BCA certification http://www.bca-pool.com/play/instruction/guidelines.shtml. As you can see the BCA wants to make sure that an instructor is able to instruct. That is why I would feel more comfortable advising a shooter to go to a BCA Master Instructor over some of the pool schools offered by by pro players who do this as a sideline.

[Tanar]

New Kid,
Go to www.poolschoolinparadise.com. This is a school held yearly in Vancouver and is run by Allison Fisher, Mike Massey, Gerda Hofstatter and Paul Potier. It is 4 days of almost 1 on 1 with the pros, plus hanging out with them during the day. I wish I had them money because I would be there.

[New Kid In The Hall]

dags_lax, Tanar, both good recommendations. I will investigate. Thanks.