Delema on Best cue...

[sonnic]

I Just got a new table at home and now Im setting my sights on a new cue. I only can spend between 300-500 bucks but id like to get a High Quality cue, like a predator P2 or a Schon. I use to have a Viking VM34 with a 314 Predator shaft (Which I loved). But Someone stole my cue a few months ago so now Im looking to replace it.

I am a Predator man for sure but I also love Schon. I do realize though that for my price range my design choices are seriously limited, which is ok cause my main priority is to get the highest quality cue not the best looking.

I realize I can buy a Black, Gray, or Blue P2 for close to 500 but then I wonder if the 314-2 upgrade is worth it or not???? Also I have thought about switching to the Z shaft as well. To put it plainly I am confused as ever on which shaft to get....

Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sonnic

[audiopro]

Get a Schon with a 314 shaft, problem solved... 8)

[skor]

Get a Schon with a 314 shaft, problem solved... 8)

Can't go wrong with that combination....

I took a few shots with the 314², it was only a few shots so I can't tell you for sure what I think of it but I can tell you that it felt a bit more stiff the the old 314 and I didn't feel that it reduced deflection more then the old 314, I'm sure it does but I'm no robot so I couldn't tell.... not from just a few shots

[Neil Fujiwara]

Very true, what I noticed more was the spin rate. It seemed that the shaft generated more spin and since spin is directly related to deflection then it "must" have less deflection.

[katokahn99]

I use a McDermott EH1 with a 314 shaft. Plays like a champ!
I think you can pick up a VERY good cue that you will be happy with if you go with Shon, McD, Viking, or Predator that will keep you within your price-range.
As for which is best...highly subjective. If you can try them out (friend, trade show, some proshops have tryout cues) before you buy, you'll see what I mean.
Happy cue shopping!!!

[sonnic]

thanks everyone for all the good advice. I think im going to go with Schon and play at least for now with the schon shaft and maybe down the line buy a 314 or Z.

I Love predator but they are just so expensive...

I noticed recently that the STL 1 is almost identical to the curly maple P2, identical except for the price.... the P2 goes for a touch under $791 the Schon $446. I was very surprised to see the Schon was almost half the price!!! That was the point which made up my mind i was going with Schon. And Schon is argueable better or equal quality anyway, so it seems like a no brainer.

Now its just a question of STL # 1,2,3,7, or 8. Ive always liked #8 8)

[skor]

the STL-1 and the curly maple P2 may look the same but they are not the same :!:
The P2 butt construction is a 10 piece pie construction, just like the Predator shafts... producing such construction is expensive becuase of the wood waste, that is why the P2 cost a lot.
Schon cues are constructed in the traditional way, the only difference is the handle part which is not a solid hardwood, it is flat laminated (like the black dot shaft....)
Regardless of the difference construction, In MY Opinion the Schon feels better and I like the hit better, and with a predator shat on it, it's almost perfection....

I have the STL-3 with gray stain, I really like it.... my favorite STL is STL-9, I will definitely put my hands on it one day...... 8O

[cpilegis]

Ive got a few schons I use with predator shafts
Also a falcon butt with stack wrap I use sometimes
All are 5/16 x 14


Also a joss and jacoby in there

[sonnic]

I hate that i can almost never see pic's. I always get a little red X instead.

[PoolDad]

Nice cues cpilegis. I owned a Schon back in 2000 but could never get used to it so I switched to a Predator.

[cpilegis]

Here is a new cue I just got

G]
Built in under a month- 52 inlays ivory and silver-leather wrap- 4 veneer-
cocobolo and ebony-I like the traditional look

[cpilegis]

[cpilegis]

[cpilegis]

more pics