McDermott Cues - Why do you like or dislike?

I have started playing again after a hiatus of almost 40 years with a really old cue that I used in the good old days.

I am looking to getting a new cue to play with and I am interested in purchasing a McDermott Bridgeport C cue stick, mainly because I like the way it looks.

I have read quite a few posts on the forum and would be interested in what each of you like or dislike about McDermott cues. I know that a person's opinion is subjective but I would like to get a better idea of what is really important in your evaluation of the McDermott product line.

By the way, when I bought my cue so many years ago there was no talk of tip hardness/type or shaft types. It was just 'Did you like the feel?' Now there are so many things to consider that I feel like my head will explode.

Thanks for any feedback.

Stephen

[txplshrk]

Well I have been shooting with McDermott most of my time playing pool, so I would say I am biased, and I like them. I think the cue your looking at is a beautiful cue, and I think you would like it very much.

McDermott uses triangle tips on their cues from the factory, however Seybert's can replace them with the tips that they carry. Me personally I like the sniper tip, because it is a little harder, and doesn't mushroom, and I have only had to shape it once when I got it. It holds chalk very well, although I chalk before every stroke anyway. A lot of people in here like the Moori, and the Tailsman tips. I guess you just have to shoot with them and find out what you like. I am not liking the moori tips too much, but we shall see. The triangle tip that comes with McDermott isn't bad, and you will probably actually like it to start out with. They are a medium type of tip, and hit really nice. They are just cheap and don't last that long. Again it is all whatever you like.

The joint on that cue is a quick realese steel joint. Some people like it and some don't. The wood to wood joint of McDermott has a different feel. So again I think it is more about what you like as far as feel. If someone in your area has a McDermott with this joint I would recommend shooting with it to see if you like the feel.

McDermott shafts typically have a little more flex than some of the other manufactures, and now days that is a good thing cause everyone is looking for less deflection. McDermott is middle of the road when it comes to this, but it is the reason I liked McDermott. I could cut almost anything into the pocket I wanted. If you get back into it and want a shaft that has even less deflection, well now you can buy that to put on whatever cue you already have.

The predator shafts are supposed to have the least amount of deflection, then the OB-1 shafts are supposed to be next, followed closely by the new McDermott intimidator shafts. I personally just bought a new McDermott I-2 shaft, and I love it so far. It does have less deflection, and it feels just like my regular McDermott shaft in my hands. It does shoot a little different, so it doesn't feel the same in that respect. I think it will be easy to transistion over to it though. Here is a web site with the break down of cues by deflection. http://www.platinumbilliards.com/rating_deflect.php

McDermotts also have a good warranty, although I haven't had to use it yet (I think that is a good sign). If you buy from Seybert's they will honor McDermott's warranty. There was a guy in here that got a bad cue from McDermott, and Seybert's handled it right away (I think that is another good sign).

Anyway if you have any questions or if I confused the hell out of you, then give me a hollar. I will help you out anyway I can.

Thanks for the info. One of the problems that I have in selecting a cue is that I can't seem to find anyone with a McDermott cue to try out.

There are so many options that it is bewildering. Everything seems to be that way nowadays.

You referred to the stainless steel joint and the wood to wood joint. In checking the McDermott website the specs on the Bridgeport C says that it has a Quick Release Stainless Steel joint. How does one get a wood to wood joint? Again, the options are bewildering.

Stephen