Cues are expensive...

[sonnic]

I have a $200 Viking cue and I Think i know the difference between the $200-400 cue and that is almost purely design. My cue is almost fully flat black with a little marble at the butt. and a $400 cue would have a design closer to the shaft. But how do you get better quality and what is it that would be better to make a stick $750+. Is it possible to get a high quality cue with some design for under 200-300 bucks?

[dhammis]

Viking makes quite a few cues under $300 that are attractive. I have a modified VM25 that looks stunning that only cost me $280.

--Damon

[sanj]

try a lot of cues ,it is only worth spending the extra if you can notice a difference.

[Lou]

In the production cue category, you can an fairly ornate cue for under $300. Viking comes to mind. In the custom category, $300 is what so-called intermediate cuemakers charge for a basic cue without points or inlays.

[Neil Fujiwara]

A lot of people make cars also, what makes one car more expensive than the other?

They are all made of metal and plastic and get you around, why pay more?

[shark]

Basically, a cue is a cue and what is important is (my opinion) tip, shaft and the weight. Other than that is simply an add-on... If you are looking for a well designed cue which are cheap... I'm sure you'll find one here in the Philippines but I will have to suggest that you replace the shaft.

[Jules]

yes the shaft you have to replace if bought in the Phils....warps easily etc. etc.....but the design is pretty good, very cheap, mother of pearl etc, snake skin wrap or whatever.
I have a Phil cue and the hit is awesome, great balance, but the shaft is warped but the it looks great, Python skin handle, mother of pearl, ebony etc. But hey you get wut you pay for, it was cheap but shoots great. More than wut i bargained for.

[Kokopuffs]

Get the butt (no pun, please) that's attractive to you. As to shafts, I'd strongly recommend one made by either Predator or the other from a custom maker like Rick Phillippi in Maryland. That's my preference. I really like his shafts with 13mm diameter and an ivory ferrule. The hit is solid but soft and cueball placement is utterly phenomenal. His shafts elevated my playing to a new level.