Considering a John Parris Stirling

[jamesg19851]

I've been considering getting a shorter cue for a while as my current cue is 57" and as I'm short, 5ft4, there's too much cue hanging out the back. Also I'd just like a new cue anyway, as although my budget Peradon is nice and has a nice ash shaft for the money, I'd like a new cue, to see what a really nice hand spliced cue is like to play with. I rang John Parris today and he said he had a John Parris Stirling in for around £470 I think. It's a lot of money but it's a lovely looking cue, and it's hard to find shorter cues that you can try. The main problem is that I live south of Birmingham so, it will be a 6 hour round trip for me! My other option is to travel up to the Greenbaize snooker shop. They were great on the phone, really friendly, and said they didn't have any shorter cues in stock, but they would be able to have a 57" cue shortened. Option three is B and W billiards which is close to me. They have a cue craft cue which is 55.5" which sounds promising, apart from it's very light and they would have to add some weight.

My heart says make the long trip to London, to be honest I'd love a John Parris cue, and the Stirling model looks lovely. It's a lot of money, value for money I'm sure, I guess if I'm not happy with it I can sell it on, worst case scenario.

Sorry for the long post, just not sure what to do, any thoughts?

[jrc750]

Parris cues are a safe buy that you can sell on if needed, BUT not if shortened, you would be wiser to go see Stu, I think he has over 700 cues in stock at the moment, bound to find one that plays nice for you, 2 tables to try them out on as well ☺

[jamesg19851]

It's a Parris cue that's in the shop. I think it must have originally been made to 56", rather than being shortened. I spoke to Stu and he said that while they didn't have any shorter cues, they could have a 57" cue shortened for me.

[Byrom]

Well I agree with JRC750 when it comes to sell on value but there is a cheap parris classic on e-bay I found for you close to the spec you are after - looks ok

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/John-Parri...item210262b5fe

[perpetualboredom]

Definitely buy 2nd hand for shorter cues - they're usually available a lot cheaper if under 56".

[jamesg19851]

Well I agree with JRC750 when it comes to sell on value but there is a cheap parris classic on e-bay I found for you close to the spec you are after - looks ok

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/John-Parri...item210262b5fe

Thanks, I saw that but I think it might be a bit heavy at 18.6 Oz and I'd prefer 56" to 55". The advantage of buying from John Parris's shop is that i will be able to try the cue. The problem is the journey down which be a 6 hour round trip from Worcestershire. Maybe it might be best to have the cue delivered, try it, then if it isn't ok hopefully I'd be able to sell it at not too great a loss. Also John Parris has a 2 week return policy.

[lesedwards]

Funny you talk about a shorter cue, I just had the same conversation with TD the other day. He suggested with my crooked arm and very compact style that I try a cue that is a few inches shorter. On a normal shot I have about 8" of but hanging out and I find the cue, butt heavy. So I tend to have my cue arm way back of parallel which gives me a short back swing. Talked to Stu yesterday and I am sending back the first 3/4 I bought off Stu last year. I bought it used off him because it was 56". Going to take it down to 53".