Rank the best production cues

[Fenris]

Okay. I've read a few threads now where people new to pool or those getting back into it after a long hiatus have asked which cue they should get. I myself have had this question, being somewhat of a beginner, but I answered it through thorough research on forums like this one. For those people who either do not have the time/patience to do the research, or who may not be the most computer/internet literate, I want to see what the veterans here, as well as any beginners who may know more than they let on, rank as the best production cues. This may help those asking the eternal question in selecting their first "serious" cue by putting multiple opinions in one thread. I know that when I was doing my research, if I had found a few threads that did this, it would have made my life easier. So....

I want you to rank, in your honest and humble opinions, the top five PRODUCTION cues on the market, as of JAN 9, 2007. For each selection, give a brief reason why you rank it as such. Please keep the list to production cues only, as custom cues are a whole other ball game. For the purposes of this thread, Jacoby cues can be considered production cues, although I personally feel that they stretch across both categories, custom and production.

To start off, I'll list my top five, even though I am only an "advanced" beginner. Mostly due to research, for what it's worth:

1. Schon - much talked about "Schon hit"; great craftsmanship; limited and special editions add to collectability (if you're into that); low-end Schons play just as great as high-end; a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for.

2. Jacoby - custom class craftsmanship; wide selection of great designs; low-end cues play the same as high-end cues (AFAIK); can get a great cue at a great price.

3. Predator - 314 and/or Z shafts included; P2 and C4 technology; limited and special editions; somewhat bland designs (except for limited and special editions); a bit expensive; technological innovation.

4. Joss - great craftsmanship; excellent prices for great playing cues; wide selection of designs.

(TIE)
5. Mezz - great craftsmanship; somewhat limited selection of designs; Japanese-made; a bit expensive.

5. Pechauer - great crafstmanship; wide selection of designs; plays good from what I hear.


There you have it. My top five production cues based on my research. I admit that I have not had the chance of hitting with any of the cues listed, although I will be getting my Predator 5K2 in about a week. If any veterans of this board see any glaring errors or omissions for any of the cues I listed, please chime in.

Remember that these are our OPINIONS. Keep disagreements civil, and I hope that maybe this will help some people out with their cue purchases.

I now yield the floor to the experts....

[willy147]

:roll: I think Schon & jacoby is not a production cue

[skor]

From the your list only Predator is a "production" cues..... all the rest started as custom cue makers that over time started to produce cues in higher volumes...

It is almost imposible to creat such a list since there are many factors that could change it, when you ask to rank cue then you should give a category such as "best performance" or "best bang for the money" or "best looking cue...." etc.
It is also very hard to assemble such a list since in the last few years we got so many new brands that it's hard to keep track of all of them and over the years the quality of production cues is leveling up, the cheap cues are getting better and the top cues are getting cheaper (and not just in price....) in order to keep up with the competition.

I would say that all in all Predator is the best production cue since it combine performance, technology and looks and although lately thers is some competition such as the Tiger cues and the Universal (Smart) cues, they are still a bit new in the market and Predator has proven it's self over the last 10 years.

Other production cues that are worth mentioning are Viking, Falcon, McDermott, Bear and even Lucasi and all the brands that come from the Adam cue company such as Adams and Helmstetter.

If you would narrow your request with a price range or another category then perhapse I would be able to assemble such a list....

[sky..]

I noticed that "schon hit' was mentioned again, and although a bit off topic, I'd like to ask about it. Is it a specific hit that you only get with a schon cue+shaft? or is it possible to get that "schon hit" with any shaft as long as the cue is a schon?

[Fenris]

Hmmm...never really thought about some of your points Skor. I guess I consider Schon, Jacoby, Joss, and Pechauer to be production cues in that they deal in fairly high volume, at least for custom shops. But, you're right. They are custom makers, evolved. :)

As for categories, I guess I'll go with just two: Best Performance and Best Bang for the Buck, as you suggested. Best looking is a bit too subjective, so I'll leave that out. And I guess I won't restrict it to production cues, but since I believe that Schon, Jacoby, Joss, and Pechauer, despite being custom, should be considered production only because they have "spec designs" that they can "churn out" in larger quantities than a custom only maker. Jacoby has their B, C, and D series of cues. Joss has the yearly series. Schon has the STL and CX series. Pechauer has the JP and Pro series. You get the idea. So I guess it's up to you if you want to include or exclude these makers.

Anyway, let's make it TOP THREE in BEST PERFORMANCE and BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

Sorry for my lack of knowledge regarding who are custom makers and who are true production shops. Just wanted to see what everyone's opinions were....

[skor]

Best performance - Predator
Best bang for the buck - any butt with a Predator shaft.... but if it has to be a whole cue from one manufacturer then it'll be a Predator Sneaky Pete