When it comes to pool cues, we all know that traditional wood shafts are the norm not the exception. So when Cuetec came on the scene in 1989 and introduced a shaft that was coated with a layer of fiberglass and graphite, there was some serious skepticism around their innovation.
Fast forward to today and that same skepticism is still lingering. And although fiberglass and graphite cues have gained tremendous popularity, some people are still asking the same question now that they were 30 years ago: “Are Cuetec cues any good?”
The short answer is yes. Cuetec has been making high quality pool cues since 1989. The fact that they have hundreds of tournament wins and endorsements from top players like Shane Van Boening help to support their claim of being one of the best cue makers in the world. Cuetec is known for their innovative products and they continue to bring new technology to the billiard industry year after year.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Cuetec and the innovative products they make, keep reading to learn more. We’re going to take a closer look at Cuetec so you can decide if one of their cues is right for you.
History of Cuetec
Cuetec first launched their products in the year 1989. They came to market with 8 cues: 4 were fiberglass and 4 were graphite. Their humble product line actually evolved from a man named Jones Chang who worked in the tennis industry.
In 1987 Mr. Chang, who had previous experience coating tennis rackets with a layer of graphite, decided to try this technology on pool cues and provided some samples at the Billiard Expo that same year. The innovative technology behind the coating process along with the cue design is what ultimately led to Cuetec being born. Cuetec cues were originally distributed by the J-S Sales Co in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
By 1992 the Cuetec lineup had tripled to 24 cues. They also had 5 of the worlds best players endorsing their products. In 1995 they had added 2 more professionals to their Pro Staff.
With all the endorsement from the pros, excellent marketing, and a determination to produce top notch pool cues, the Cuetec brand exploded and was one of the best selling brands in the world. By the year 2000 they had over 50+ cues in their lineup and in 2006 Cuetec switched hands when Imperial International purchased J-S Sales.
In 2009 Shane Van Boening signed on with Cuetec. For those who are unfamiliar with Shane, he’s a multiple Player of the Year, World, and U.S. Champion. With Shane on board, Cuetec along with Imperial International introduced the R360: a state of the art all wood series of cues that has become the standard among professional cues. To this day Cuetec continues to offer high quality cues and products to customers worldwide.
What Makes Cuetec Cues Unique?
Cuetec is most known for their patented process which applies a layer of fiberglass or graphite over a Grade A Plus North American Maple shaft. This process ensures a straight shaft regardless of adverse conditions such as heat or humidity. They’re also extremely resistant to the overall wear and tear that all shafts are subject to.
This process also makes keeping your shaft in good playing condition easier than that of a plain wood shaft. Also, the Tru-Glide finish that Cuetec is famous for means their composite shafts won’t stick to your hand regardless of humidity or perspiration
Cuetec cues also come with an interchangeable weight system. Their 18oz models come with no weights inside. However, if you favor a heavier cue you can add weights up to 21oz. This makes for a highly custom cue that’s great for beginners and advanced players alike.
Cuetec also offers the Cuetec Smart Extension which works with any of their cues that are weight adjustable. To use the extension you simply unscrew the butt cap with the bumper, screw in the extension and you’re good to go. This extension gives you an added 6” of length on your cue which is perfect for making hard to reach shots without using a bride. The extension fits easily in most cases.
To learn more about the advanced technology that goes into Cuetec cues, keep reading to learn about the Cuetec Cynergy 15K. This is one of the most innovative shafts on the market today, backed by some of the industry most advanced technology.
What Does Cuetec Have to Offer?
Cuetec currently has for different lines of cues to choose from. They are:
- Recreational Cues
- Professional Cues
- R360 Cues
- Cynergy
Within these lines are multiple different series combining for a total of 60+ cues to choose from. Let’s take a look at each of these product lines so you can get a feel for which is right for you.
Recreational Cues
The Recreational line of cues is geared more towards new players who want a good cue at an affordable price. They offer 1 and 2-piece cues in this lineup as well as Sneaky Pete, break, and break/jump cues.
Recreational cues come standard with a 1” polycarbonate ferrule and a deluxe brown leather tip. The shafts are made from hand selected Grade A-Plus North American Maple which are then coated using Cuetec’s patented coating process. This process makes the shafts extremely ding, dent, and scratch resistant. It also makes them impervious to warping.
Within the Recreational Cue lineup are 4 series of cues to choose from. They include:
- One Piece Series
- Platinum Series
- Specialty Series
- Warrior Series
With 30+ cues in the Recreational lineup, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs as a player and your budget. All in all the Recreational lineup is a great option for beginner players looking for a good quality cue at an affordable price.
Professional Cues
Next on the list is the Professional line of cues. These cues are a step-up from the Recreational lineup and offer a little more in terms of features and style. They also have a 1” polycarbonate ferrule but instead of a deluxe brown leather tip, these come topped off with a Tiger Everest tip.
The shafts are also hand selected Grade A-Plus North American Maple and are coated with fiberglass or graphite just like the Recreational Cues. However, in the Professional lineup this process is taken one step further by applying their Tru-Glide finish. This finish addresses the issue that most people have with composite cues and that’s stickiness caused by humidity or perspiration. These shafts come available in 12mm and 13mm and have a 15 ½” Super Slim Taper (SST) which is the longest pro taper on any production cue.
Like the Recreational line of cues, the Professional lineup has multiple series. They include:
- Denali
- Gen Tek
- Graphite
- Natural
- Prestige
- Starlight
There are 22 cues total in the Professional lineup, each boasting its own unique style and playability. If you’ve been playing pool for a while and are looking to upgrade from your first cue, the Professional lineup may be worth looking into. With a few features and improvements over the Recreational line of cues, and without a huge jump in price, the cues in the Professional lineup offer excellent playability at a budget friendly price.
R360 Cues
The cues within the R360 lineup are some of the best “bang for your buck” cues on the market. But don’t let their affordable price tag fool you. They offer exceptional playability along with features found on cues that can easily cost 2 to 3 times as much. These cues are for players looking to take their game to the next level without breaking the bank to do so.
One thing to know about the R360 cues is that the shafts are not coated in fiberglass or graphite like the Recreational and Professional cues are. The shaft is created with a composite core and then overlapped by computer cut Grade A-Plus North American Maple, and then turned down to playing specs. The composite core runs almost the entire length of the shaft and ensures greater stability and warp resistance.This also helps ensure greater cue ball accuracy and control.
The shafts also feature a 15 ½” Super Slim Taper (SST) and come topped off with a ⅝” high quality ABS ferrule which provides exceptional energy transfer down the entire length of the shaft. Couple that with a 10 layer laminated Tiger Everest tip and you have a shaft that virtually eliminates deflection while offering superior accuracy and cue ball control.
Within the R360 lineup there are two series to choose from. They are:
- Edge
- Inlay
There are 6 cues total to choose from along with the option to buy 8 different shafts separately if you already have a butt that you prefer.
The R360 line of cues is definitely worth looking into if you’re serious about your pool game. This is the line of cues that Shane Van Boening uses most often and for good reason. Definitely check out the R360 if you want a high quality, feature rich cue that offers excellent playability and performance.
Cynergy Cues
Last but not least is the Cynergy lineup. This is Cuetecs “top-of-the-line” cue and for more reasons than one.
The Cynergy 15K is a carbon fiber cue that boasts an ultra high density polyurethane foam core. This proprietary foam core means added shaft stability that provides a sound, feel, and feedback thats similar to that of wooden shafts that we’re all used to. The foam core stops about 5” from the tip of the shaft which reduces end mass. And for all of you who are familiar with low-deflection shafts, you know less end mass is a good thing.
Like the other Cuetec cues, the shaft has a 15 ½” Super Slim Taper (SST) which means a more level, precise stroke for all players regardless of stroke length. The ferrule is super short (¼”) and lightweight which helps with reduced end mass and the tip is a 12.5mm Tiger Sniper. These 10 layers tips are cured for over a year and go through a vacuum lamination process which removes any air that could be trapped between the 10 layers.
One thing to keep in mind about the Cynergy shaft is that is must never be sanded. This will damage the finish, weaken the shafts carbon fiber filaments, and could be dangerous to your body. Not to mention that sanding of any kind will void the warranty.
If you find yourself needing to clean the shaft you simply use Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean cloth to do so. Also, in the event you need to replace the ferrule, it must be done by an authorized Cuetec Cynergy repair center. Failing to do so will void the warranty as well.
And because carbon fiber shafts cant tolerate much later pressure, attempting to flex or bend them in any way is a BIG no-no! This could result in snapping the shaft is too much pressure is applied.
All in all, the Cuetec Cynergy 15k is a super high-tech cue that offers the traditional sound, feel, and feedback of a wood cue with all the benefits that modern technology has to offer. The best thing is that they are relatively cheap when compared to other brands that offer similar features or playability. The most expensive cue in the Cynergy lineup is roughly $630. Not too bad considering some cues go for thousands of dollars and up.
Recommended Cues
For anyone looking for a great playing cue at a great price, I would highly recommend the Cuetec Prestige Series. This cue is a great budget friendly option for anyone looking to buy their first cue or upgrade from their existing one. It has many awesome features that will definitely help improve your game and comes in 4 different colors to fit any style.
Some of its best features include:
- Veltex Grip
- Adjustable Weight Bolt System (18oz-21oz)
- 15 1/2″ Super Slim Taper (S.S.T.)
- Polycarbonate Ferrule
- Tiger Everest Multi-Layer Tip
This is a great cue at an awesome price. I was amazed to see how affordable a cue of this caliber is on Amazon. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a serious upgrade in gear.
In Conclusion
With over 60 cues in the Cuetec family to choose from, there’s pretty much a cue for everybody. From beginners to advanced players alike, Cuetec offers great products at affordable prices. I hope this article has helped shed some light on some the feature rich products that Cuetec has to offer as well as answer the age old question of, “Are Cuetec cues any good?” Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
