Custom Cue

[Brahani]

Here are my specifications:
19.5 oz (changeable weight increments of .25)
standard lenght
314^2 or Z^2 shaft
black
wood to wood joint (mcdermott preferably or any soft feel)
Can this be done? Please advise

[skor]

here you go
http://www.seyberts.com/pool_cues/cue-model_number-C157.htm

just add a predator shaft....

from your specs, you really don't need custom cue

[poohkiller]

Nice find! :o)

[Brahani]

skor I need a wrap man! by the way this forum is mad helpful!

[poohkiller]

Lol, then go for this one:

http://www.seyberts.com/pool_cues/cue-model_number-M33C.htm ,

or these ones: http://www.seyberts.com/pool_cues/cue-model_number-M33D.htm
http://www.seyberts.com/pool_cues/cue-model_number-M63A.htm
http://www.seyberts.com/pool_cues/cue-model_number-M201.htm (this one has got a pretty nice leather wrap too)

[Brahani]

poohkiller,
From what I understand, mcdermott offers wood to wood joints and predator offers steel. If I combine mcdermott butt with a predator shaft, what kinda joint will it be??

[poohkiller]

It is the butt that defines the type of the joint used - always.

Of course, you can get a Predator shaft for your w2w McDermott! I've hit with a McDermott with a 314(1) and... all I can say that it was as good as my 5k2 if not better (and that's something!!!)!

Btw, the original owner of that cue has won (if I'm not mistaken) 3 champion titles (I believe European Junior and his Junior World Champ. too - but MAYBE he got that title with a Bear... Anyways, that cue was more than 10 years old for sure but it was probably the sickest cue I've ever hit with... I don't know what's wrong with that cue it was just too sick! :twisted:

[skor]

All of the McDermott cues from the links above come with a 3/8 X 10 pin with a phenolic joint sleeve on the butt end and the shaft end, you still get a wood to wood contact surface between the butt and the shaft, the phenolic sleeves are there to give protection to wood, of course that it give the cue a harder hit a bit but it's much softer then a cue with a metal sleeve on the butt end.

the new predator shafts have a full phenolic surface of the shaft end unlike the older shafts that had only a sleeve, this actually gives a very nice and solid hit, I really like the new shafts compared to the old one (this is just one reason)

Here is how the predator joint looks on the shaft that fits the McDermott cues from the above links





Here is a picture of the McDermott shaft (this is an I2 shaft but the joint is the same for all McDermott cues)



As you can see, the wooden surface is not that big so the difference will not be that big when it comes to the hardness of the hit

[Brahani]

guys thanks a lot for your help! I am going to go ahead and place the order for the M33C. I have a few more questions please:
when I go to select the weight, it doesnt give me an option to chose the changeble weight thingy...is that standard with all mcdermott cues? If not how can I add that on my order? my standard shaft will be 12.5 with triangle tip.

the extra shaft option is a bit confusing. Obviously I would want to get the shaft that says custom fitted/matched right? There isnt much difference between the Z^2 and 314^2 right? I think I will go with Z2 with moori medium.

I do want the joint protectors but what other necessary accessories should I get to maintain my cue?

Thanks a lot!!

[skor]

When you take a piece of wood it hard to tell what would be the finish cue weight (remember that every piece of wood has a different weight to begin with), you can approximate the weight and once the cue is almost done the it's adjusted with a bolt, the bolt is also used to give the desired balance.
Since the balance point is more important, then the weight is never accurate, a 19oz cue can be 19.2 or 18.9....

NOTE: Some cue makers (custom makers) will get to the desired weight and balance without using bolts, just by selecting the right pieces of woods and inlay materials.

Most of the cue makers made it possible to make the weight and balance of the cue changeable by removing or replacing the weight bolt which is basically a large screw at the butt end of the cue.
It's very important that you understand that there no guaranties to the ability to change the weight of the cue up or down. what you could do is ask seyberts to go through their stock and find you a cue in your desired weight that has a medium size bolt so you would be able to adjust it up and down by replacing the bolt or removing it. mind that light cues in the 18oz area usually have no weight bolts so you won't be able to reduce the weight but you would be able to add a bolt and make it heavier.

It's also important that you should know that balance is more important then weight.

To change the weight of a McDermott cue you'll need to remove the butt cap (they have a special tool for it but I believe that any set of pliers will do) and then you'll be able to reach the bolt.

12.5 is not the standard shaft diameter (which is 13mm) to get a 12.5mm shaft, you'll need to add $35

There is a difference between the Z² and the 314² shafts, the diameter is different, the taper is different and the performance is different.... choose what you like best.
The "custom fitted/matched" means that the shaft will be customized to have the same ring as the original shaft has that matches the ring bellow the joint sleeve on the butt, the shaft will also be custome to fit perfectly on the butt diameter wize. If these things are not that important to you then you could just get the "black collar" option and save some money....

If you don't have any accessories to maintain your cue the you should consider to get the Ultimate Cue Kit (http://www.seyberts.com/cue_accessories/kits/popupimages/ultimate.htm)

[poohkiller]

guys thanks a lot for your help! I am going to go ahead and place the order for the M33C. I have a few more questions please:
when I go to select the weight, it doesnt give me an option to chose the changeble weight thingy...is that standard with all mcdermott cues? If not how can I add that on my order? my standard shaft will be 12.5 with triangle tip.

the extra shaft option is a bit confusing. Obviously I would want to get the shaft that says custom fitted/matched right? There isnt much difference between the Z^2 and 314^2 right? I think I will go with Z2 with moori medium.

I do want the joint protectors but what other necessary accessories should I get to maintain my cue?

Thanks a lot!!

To me it shows the 'changable weight thingy' :-D I'd try again if I were you - or if it still doesn't work I'd go for another web browser (Mozilla Firefox is good enough). The weight is not standard on any McD. cues.

Like skor said, there IS a huge difference in between the 314² and the Z² - much bigger than the price gap is. If you haven't played with any of them I'd surely go for a 314².

Skor was also absolutely right that balance is much important than weight is. I'd rather play with a 0.5 oz. heavier/lighter cue to get a better balance.

I don't know if I get the picture... Would you like to have a 12.5 mm McD. shaft and a mated/matched Predator? If this is the case than I'd go for the mate/match (spend the money on that option) and leave the stock shaft alone at 13 mm.

In case of McDermotts (in my opinion) it is highly recommended to mate and match a new shaft - even if it is an Intimidator. I've played with a Massey Mystic with an I2 shaft and the I2 shaft did not mated the butt at all... BTW, that is another reason why I sold my McD. - because I couldn't mate and match a shaft for it here, in Hungary.

By the way, I saw that 'Twilight' McDermott in person and it really does look great.

[Brahani]

so how do I make sure I get the right balance? I have read both of your replies and as far as my stock shaft...I will leave that at 13. I think I am going to go with a 19oz...do they do a good job with balancing?

As far as my extra shaft...the reason I wanted to go with the Z2 is because of the 11.75 shaft. my game is so much better when I have a smaller tip...and its top of the line as far deflection. I have taken the 314^2 into consideration and I have a choice of turning it down to a 12.5...I wish I could just lay out all sizes next to each other and pick the one I like the best...its hard to judge online...and I dont know anyone that uses them.

you guys are awesome! thanks!

[skor]

Most cue makers give the same balance point to their cues.
Most mass production cues have a balance point of 18 inches from the butt end and I believe that it's the same with McDermott but I don't know for sure, I myself prefer the balance point to be at 18.5 inches from the butt end (you'll be amazed how 0.5 inch makes a difference).
The "right" balance for you is something that you'll have to figure out for your self over time and lots of experimenting with different cues with different balance points.

If you like a smaller diameter at the tip then go for the Z shaft.

[poohkiller]

Going with a 19 oz. cue first is the best choice, in my opinion. I have had all my cues at 19 oz. so that I could compare the hits of them and I could make sure that weight does not make much (almost any) difference.

As far as I remember my McDermott has had a nice balance to me - it could have been a bit more forward, but all that is just my preference and that shouldn't make much difference when you purchase your cue.

A nice McD. butt with a matching Z2 shaft - now that is a great way to go!

[Brahani]

I have used different cues in the past and I have come to like the ones with the balance point more forward...which cue brands have that?
I am getting close to my perfect cue :)

[skor]

Both my Schon and my McDaniel have a balance point of 18.5 inches (which I like a lot) and that's their default balance point without "playing" with the weight bolts (the McDaniel has no bolt and the Schon bolt is glued and can not be removed without sending it to schon)

[dags_lax]

Some generalities:

Look for cues with a dense wood in the forearm and a less dense wood in the butt sleeve, handles are usually maple under the wrap. Look for a cue with a German Silver joint (like Schon) which has a higher specific gravity than stainless steel. No weight bolt.

Many custom cue makers weight a cue with a weight bolt between the forearm and the handle which, compared to the adjustable weight bolt in the butt, moves the balance point forward.

[poohkiller]

Thanks dags, I saved all the info I found on the linked thread - I found that very useful.

Pooh

[Brahani]

well the Schon looks out of my budget. Do all mcdermots have the same balance point? I used to have a scorpion back in the day and I liked the balance point on that but would have prefered more forward.

I dont know where I can find cues with a denser wood on the forearm than the sleeve. Can I adjust the balance point on the mcdermott? If not what other cue brands have that?

Thanks!

[skor]

You are very limited when buying a production cue. maybe KJ can do some custom work on the McDermott, like taking a heavier cue and then remove the bolt and then core it out a bit, that will give a forward balance but you will lose the option of changing the weight and you have to tell them the exact balance point and it will cost you some extra $$$
Call Seyberts and ask for your options, they'll be able to help you better then anyone can.