New McDermott

[STR8T_Shot]

I am about to purchase a new McDermott cue (Actually my g/f is for my b-day :D - all the same i'm about to aquire one). The one that has really caught my eye is the Voyager. I have shot with McDermotts before and I love the way they feel. I have a couple of questions though, and would appreciate any feedback.

The Voyager doesn't come with the Irish Linen wrap, which is pretty much all i've ever shot with. Should i ask for this to be changed or is the upgrade really better for me.

I'm overseas right now working on a Naval Installation. Can Seybert's ship to APOs?

That's all i can think of right now, I'm pretty confident with my choice as each McDermott that I've shot with has performed excellent for me (the one i've shot with recently is about 13 years old) as well as reviews and comments about the maker on this and other websites. Thanks in advance for the help. :)

Jeff

[skor]

I think that for $699 retail you can get a better cue like one of the more simple looking cues by Schon or even Predator 4k1 - 4k4 are still in the same price range

[DZ314]

Hell, get a good plain custom for that cheddar. :)

[spartan]

for that price range i would get a jacoby.

[STR8T_Shot]

I think that for $699 retail you can get a better cue like one of the more simple looking cues by Schon or even Predator 4k1 - 4k4 are still in the same price range

Well with me being overseas, and having never shot with a Pedator, I'm pretty confident about the purchase of the McDermott. I love the way they feel. I've been working overseas for a few years, and the last place I was I didn't have a chance to play pool, and haven't played anyone worth playing before coming to Bahrain in April since 99. Now i'm surrounded by some pretty decent shooters and my game is coming back. I shoot best with a friends McDermott and when i played every day in college I shot best with another McDermott. Besides, Seybert's has it for "$559" :D

[DZ314]

Check out erikleescues hehe

[spartan]

cueaddicts.com has some nice gilberts there.

[DZ314]

cueaddicts.com has some nice gilberts there.

Yep, those are great for the money.

[STR8T_Shot]

I guess what i'm saying is long story short, i wanted a McDermott.

My g/f said pick some. I chose some lower priced McDermott's and she said they just didn't fit me, when she saw the voyager she said "that one suits you the most, i'll get that one"

She doesn't care about the $. And she knows i like McDermott's. I just had a couple of questions, that's all :)

Jeff

[skor]

In that case, enjoy your new cue :twisted:

[audiopro]

Geeze guys.. McDermott's are great cues.. And true, you could get something for less that shoots just as well, but if he likes the looks of the Voyager, I say it is a no-brainer.. Get the Voyager!!

[STR8T_Shot]

Geeze guys.. McDermott's are great cues.. And true, you could get something for less that shoots just as well, but if he likes the looks of the Voyager, I say it is a no-brainer.. Get the Voyager!!

Pretty much that's what it was. I wanted a McDermott and didn't plan on spending that much. She was the one that decided on the higher priced one because of my cosmetic preference. I'm just wondering about the wrap because it's leather and i've always shot with the Irish linen, and whether or not Seybert's will ship to APOs. Other than that, i just can't wait to get my new McDermott in and play with it :D

Jeff

[DZ314]

McDermotts are great cues, but I wouldn't spend that kinda money for one. In that price range there are better options IMO. If he will be happy with it, that is all that matters.

[audiopro]

McDermotts are great cues, but I wouldn't spend that kinda money for one. In that price range there are better options IMO. If he will be happy with it, that is all that matters.

I disagree.. It is 100% personal preference. Your DZ will shoot no better than his McDermott. My Nitti will shoot no better than your DZ. It was my preference to have built a custom cue, with ivory inlays, etc. It was your preference to have built a custom cue with veneer inlays. It is STR8T's preference to buy a McDermott that has the looks he wants. None of our cues will shoot any better than the other. As for the feel, that too is 100% subjective. So what makes your DZ, a Viking, etc. any better an option?

STR8T, as for the leather wrap... I had my first leather wrap on a Viking cue about 4 years ago or so. I fell in love with it. When Chris made the cue I have now, I opted for leather there as well. I do not think you will have any problems with it at all. Leather is quite durable, just ask ThePoolHustler. He worked with automotive leather for 5.5 years.. ( ;) PoolHustler )

Anyway, get your McDermott. It will serve ya well, and akuna matata about the leather wrap.. Leather > Linen...

[DZ314]

A custom is no better than a production, yet leather is better than linen? I think that the difference there is subjective as well, don't you think? :wink:
Also, I did add "IMO" which means that it is how I feel and not to be taken as a fact.

[spartan]

lizard wraps rock. i like them over linen or leather so IMo you are both wrong. :lol: j/k

[audiopro]

A custom is no better than a production, yet leather is better than linen? I think that the difference there is subjective as well, don't you think? :wink:
Also, I did add "IMO" which means that it is how I feel and not to be taken as a fact.

Yes the wrap is subjective. However, the wrap is specifically one of the things the original poster asked about. I gave info based on my experience with leather wraps.

So can you give me some reason why it would be better to get a custom over a production McDermott, even if the person likes the look and feel already of the McDermott? What can you say to back up a claim that there is a better option based on the known data? Do you think your DZ or any other custom is going to give him some edge in a game? Do you think he is just thinking wrong that he likes the looks of the McDermott, and that he would much rather prefer the look of something else?? I mean come on?? Sup yo!? 8)

In my opinion leather is a better wrap. It is more durable, again ask ThePoolHustler, he worked with automotive leather for 5.5 years.. lol.. :twisted: . Easier to clean than linen. Feels great, etc.. Some of that is opinion which is subjective, some of those are facts.. However I do not think you have anything that makes a custom play better than the McDermott..

[DZ314]

I stated that as my opinion, this is not a debate this is an open discussion where opinions do not require facts to back them up as in a debate. This is about personal preference, we all know that. I just gave my opinion and you attacked me about it for some reason. I never slammed McDermotts, I never called them garbage, I never said that a custom cue is the only choice. I merely said that for that price there are better options in my opinion. I also said that as long as he is happy that is what matters. :wink:

[audiopro]

Settle down Beavis... :roll:

I am not attacking you... And you hardly need to tell me this is an open forum where opinions will be stated.. I am only questioning what drives this opinion you have that there are better options. What makes these options better?

[LWW]

Can't we all just get along?

LWW

[DZ314]

I am not upset lol. It's personal prefernence, I am done. :lol:

[audiopro]

I'm only asking what makes that your preference Cory. I am not asking to be combative, as you have obviously taken.. I'm just curious what drives this opinion?? 8)

[skor]

Settle down Beavis... :roll:

He said fire hehe hehe hehe

when it comes to the butt, there is no much difference, a $2000 butt may warp with time as well and a $20 butt may stay straight for life, it's more luck then anything else, it's up to the pieces of wood used and it's impossible to tell for a 100% when you pick up the raw wood, how it's going to act over time.
Custom made cues have higher artistic and collectible value.
The only part that may cause a change in performance is the shaft (and tip but you can put the same tip on any shaft), I don't like how the McDermott shaft play, I like the Viking better, I like the Schon even more and I like Predator 314 shaft even better then the rest, the difference between a mass production cue and a custom made cue is that you can fit a shaft that will play like you like it in terms of flexibility, taper, lenght, type of ferrule etc. this is the only reason why a custom cue may be better then a mass production cue for the individual, for some the shaft that comes on McDermott cues plays the best, if he likes it then he should get it.

[DZ314]

Because with a custom you can decide on all of the details and options on the cue rather than a few things such as with a McDermott. On a custom you can specify everything; the wood used, how many points (if any), what kind of points, stain, wrap type and color, taper, ringwork, inlays, ferrule, tip, length, and on and on.... This way you get something that was made personally for you, and to me, that adds an extra level of pride of ownership and uniqueness. Does all of that make the cue more playable or any better? Not necessarily. :)

[audiopro]

Because with a custom you can decide on all of the details and options on the cue rather than a few things such as with a McDermott. On a custom you can specify everything; the wood used, how many points (if any), what kind of points, stain, wrap type and color, taper, ringwork, inlays, ferrule, tip, length, and on and on.... This way you get something that was made personally for you, and to me, that adds an extra level of pride of ownership and uniqueness. Does all of that make the cue more playable or any better? Not necessarily. :)

Word!

That's all I was looking for Cory.. :wink:

btw, DVR's rule!! I've recorded about 5 hours of Beavis n Butthead.. Got about 10 hours of Billiards, and a few good movies..

[skor]

upload the billiard stuff 8)

pleeeeease

[audiopro]

That will take some working... I dont have any input card on my PC anymore to go from my DVR to the PC... I'll see if I can get a hold of something..

[dags_lax]

IN MY OPINION linen is the best wrap. But I like to base my opinion on facts. And it is a fact that linen absorbs moisture from the hands and gives a more consistent feel regardless of temperature or humidity. That can't be said for leather, lizzard or no wrap cues.

That is that is the reason they started putting linen on cues in the first place. That doesn't mean that the a linen cue plays any better, it doesn't. And if a player prefers something else that is fine. After all I like leather seats in my vehicles. Even if they feel hotter in the summer and colder in the winter.

[STR8T_Shot]

Thanks for the go ahead on the wrap ;)

btw, played in a tournament last night with my friend's McDermott and got 2nd. Possible that i would have gotten first but the guy I was playing had to go so we just played one game instead of 3. Ah well.

I wouldn't mind a custom cue at all, problem is I don't know enough about my game/the game to know what to get. That's why i want a decent production cue to play with consistently and find what i like/don't like about it so i would better know what to ask for in a custom cue. I played pool almost everyday from 96-2000 but after that 3-4 games every 6 months. I'm just getting back into my game after about a month and a half of playing. My g/f bought a stick off of some guy (a 90 dollar Scorpion) and i've played with that a bit but i just want to get one for comparisons sake. When i used to play I played with Meucci, McDermott, and a Cutec. So those are what i know of, of those 3, i loved the McD. I've played with a Shmelke (sp?) out here and hated it. I shot with a predator once out here so that didn't give me much time for comparison.

Either way, thanks for the responses guys. Hopefully this will be a good first cue for me (i don't count the Scorpion :lol: ). And I'll go with the wrap it comes with thanks audiopro.

Jeff

[DZ314]

I told ya linen was teh rox0r! :lol:

[STR8T_Shot]

I told ya linen was teh rox0r! :lol:

Ok, so the count is

1 = Linen
1= Leather
1= lizard

What exactly is a "lizard embossed leather wrap"? That's what McDermott's site says this stick has...

:edit: is it lizard? or is it cowhide done like lizard??

[skor]

lizard embossed means that it was processed to look like lizard leather but it's not, it's probably a cow hide.

I like leather and lizard as well, I don't like the regular linen wrap that much but I do like the double pressed linen that comes on the Predator cues especially after a while when it gets a bit more smoth

[DZ314]

dags_lax is a vote for linen as well as myself, so that makes two. :wink:

[STR8T_Shot]

I've never shot with leather, i'm partial to the cosmetic aspect of it, but not if it's going to hinder my game. If it's going to get all sweaty and slick then i'd trade it for linen. Perhaps i'll just get the leather and if i don't like it switch over to linen :?

[spartan]

lizard is great for sweaty hands. if your hands sweat but you like the feel of leather have a boars hide put on.

[DZ314]

lizard is great for sweaty hands. if your hands sweat but you like the feel of leather have a boars hide put on.

Or linen lol. :lol:

[audiopro]

Real leather is porous, so it breathes.. The better quality the leather, the better it breathes. This is one of the big differences between cheap vinyl, and leather. That's why on cheap vinyl seats in your car, you sweat more than you would in a car with real leather seats. Same with a couch, and the same with a leather wrap.

[LWW]

Maybe we should ask Erik which breathes better, after all he did work with leather for 5 and a half years.

LWW

[DZ314]

All wraps eventually need to be replaced and re-wrapped so go with what feel you like best! :twisted:

[LWW]

Here here.

LWW

[STR8T_Shot]

All wraps eventually need to be replaced and re-wrapped so go with what feel you like best! :twisted:

I wish i could actually get to feel the difference...but again, with being overseas right now, it's a little hard. Everyone here in the middle east has linen. I think i'm go with the leather, if i don't like it, when i get back stateside i'll just get it replaced...thanks guys! :wink:

[DZ314]

Sounds like a plan dude, I hope you like the leather! :D

[Dex_Octane]

I think Leather is great. You will love the leather. As far as the other talking about customs. Well I have played with a bunch of customs and my Mcdermott with standard joint with stainless steel collar and leather wrap with the I2 Shaft is better than any of the customs I have played with. Also you cant beat the warrentee of a Mcdermott Cue.

[ThePoolHustler]

I've never shot with leather, i'm partial to the cosmetic aspect of it, but not if it's going to hinder my game. If it's going to get all sweaty and slick then i'd trade it for linen. Perhaps i'll just get the leather and if i don't like it switch over to linen :?

Leather absorbs moisture very well. I worked with leather for 5.5 years (here we go again). My hands were always extremely dry. However, I like the linen wraps better. I have an all black Irish linen wrap on my Viking cue.

[ThePoolHustler]

Real leather is porous, so it breathes.. The better quality the leather, the better it breathes. This is one of the big differences between cheap vinyl, and leather. That's why on cheap vinyl seats in your car, you sweat more than you would in a car with real leather seats. Same with a couch, and the same with a leather wrap.

This is true. Leather is very absorbent. However, there is a lot of vinyl used in leather interiors. I worked with automotive leather for 5.5 years. I got to see a lot of very expensive cars with leather seats...and vinyl. Therefore, I wouldn't simply consider vinyl as a cheap product...maybe in price...but not in quality.

[ThePoolHustler]

Maybe we should ask Erik which breathes better, after all he did work with leather for 5 and a half years.

LWW

That's right! I sure did. lmao

Leather definitely absorbs moisture very well. I never felt a breath come off the hides though. I think the cows were dead. lol

[ThePoolHustler]

lizard is great for sweaty hands. if your hands sweat but you like the feel of leather have a boars hide put on.

Or linen lol. :lol:

Yeah...linen rox!!!!

[LWW]

I've never shot with a leather wrap cue. I really can't see any benefit or detraction to a linen wrap unless your hands sweat a lot.

A linen wrap gets dirty. A no wrap gets dents/dings/scratches.

LWW

[ThePoolHustler]

I've never shot with a leather wrap cue. I really can't see any benefit or detraction to a linen wrap unless your hands sweat a lot.

A linen wrap gets dirty. A no wrap gets dents/dings/scratches.

LWW

Leather wraps will get dirty too. hehehe

I wish I could have my entire butt wrapped to prevent dents, dings, and scratches. I don't want to see any of the wood. lol

[ThePoolHustler]

Someone needs to come up with a product to put over your butt while you play to help prevent damage to it. It could be sort of like an iSkin...

http://www.iskin.com/

...and it could be clear and thin, but protective. I have an iSkin for my iPod Mini. It's pretty cool.

Can someone invent this for me?

8) 8) 8) 8)

[Buckeye]

...and it could be clear and thin, but protective.

I'll let this one go.... :twisted:

[LWW]

Me too. But I knew what he meant...I hope.

LWW

[Buckeye]

I knew what he meant too, but it took some restraint to not have fun with it.... :D

[ThePoolHustler]

...and it could be clear and thin, but protective.

I'll let this one go.... :twisted:

LMAO

[ThePoolHustler]

I am glad that you guys enjoyed my comment, but I didn't even realize what I had said. Too funny!!!!

8) 8) 8) 8)