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McDermott Pool Cues
The McDermott Pool Cues category covers every complete cue McDermott builds that we carry: 86 products, 50 in stock, spanning seven distinct series from the maple-shafted GS-Series up to the carbon-fiber Vanquish and the limited 50th Anniversary run. Prices run from about $60 up to about $2,450, with a median around $526.50. Below, each series is broken out with the shaft technology it runs standard, the joint and shaft specs across the category, and what McDermott's own warranty terms and community sentiment actually say about these cues.
Every item is brand new and 100% genuine, backed by its full manufacturer warranty. Free shipping on orders over $98 (contiguous US) and 30-day returns. Every spec on this page is checked against the manufacturer's published data by our Wilmington, NC store team.
4.9/5 average from 664 customer reviews across McDermott Pool Cues.
Read the McDermott Pool Cues guide
About McDermott Pool Cues
About McDermott pool cues
Every complete McDermott cue we carry is built with the company's signature three-piece butt construction, a design that published retail listings credit with helping McDermott cues hold their balance and stay stable over years of play. The forearms and butt sleeves McDermott uses range from birdseye maple in a range of stained finishes to solid bocote and East Indian rosewood, joined with brass, pearl or Recon inlay rings depending on the model, and each cue passes through the same 150-plus-step build process McDermott uses across its whole lineup. McDermott also lets buyers personalize a cue at no extra charge: weight, shaft size, wrap material and stain are all listed as interchangeable options, so a stock model can be tuned closer to a specific player's preference before it ships. Every McDermott cue we carry, being built in the company's own American factory, is covered by McDermott's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and warpage.
The visual side of a McDermott, the inlay pattern, forearm wood and wrap material, is where the model tiers mostly differ from each other; the shaft technology inside is what differs the cue's price band. Both are covered under the personalization program above, which is part of why McDermott's own materials describe the brand as built for buyers who want to spec a cue rather than settle for a fixed configuration.
Shaft technology behind the McDermott cue lineup
G-Core
Most of the McDermott cues in this category run on the G-Core shaft: a maple shaft with a triple-layer carbon-fiber core through the first 7 inches, the zone that absorbs cue-ball impact. McDermott says the core adds 65% more stability and tightens radial consistency versus a plain wood shaft, while a carbon-fiber ferrule core (CT Technology) stiffens the ferrule joint itself.
Intimidator i-Shaft
Step up from G-Core and you get McDermott's Intimidator i-Shaft, carbon fiber for the shaft's full length rather than just the tip section, built with the company's ICE (Intimidator Carbon Energy) layup and a Tenon Tip Technology ferrule. McDermott calls it the most radially consistent shaft it produces, and the 12.75mm i-2 comes standard on McDermott's higher-tier cues rather than its entry lines.
Defy and All-Maple
At the two ends of the range sit Defy, a true carbon-fiber shaft with SmacWrap vibration dampening and no wood core at all, and the Classic All-Maple shaft, plain AAA hard rock maple with no carbon fiber, standard on the entry GS-Series. Between deflection-minded carbon builds and a traditional wood taper, the shaft you pick changes the feel of the hit more than almost any other spec on the cue.
The McDermott pool cue lineup
McDermott G-Series Cues
The G-Series is McDermott's largest line in our catalog at 53 products, running the G-Core shaft standard and covering a wide inlay and finish range. McDermott positions G-Core-equipped G-Series cues as a mid-to-upper tier in its own lineup, though our catalog also carries some older G-Series cues built on the discontinued i-Shaft that price higher.
McDermott GS-Series Cues
The GS-Series is McDermott's entry point, 5 cues in our catalog built on the Classic All-Maple shaft rather than a carbon-core shaft, aimed at players who want McDermott's build quality without paying for shaft technology they may not need yet.
McDermott Select Cues
The Select Series, 4 cues here, comes standard with a Defy, i-Pro Slim or i-3 performance shaft and is offered in 16 total colors according to McDermott, putting performance-shaft technology under a lower price point than the flagship carbon lines.
McDermott Sneaky Pete Cues
The Sneaky Pete line, 7 cues, all priced at $468, wraps McDermott's performance construction in a plainer, one-piece-look finish. Published retail listings show the same 7 named color variants and the same $468 price point that we carry.
McDermott Stinger Cues
The Stinger line, 7 products, is built specifically for jump and break shots around McDermott's patented tenon tip/ferrule design, where a phenolic tip's stem drives impact energy directly into the shaft's center.
McDermott Vanquish Cues
The Vanquish line, 2 cues, is McDermott's only fully carbon-fiber cue line, pairing a carbon-fiber butt with a Defy shaft and McDermott's Variable Balance Point weight system.
McDermott 50th Anniversary Cues
The 50th Anniversary Series, 4 cues here, is a limited commemorative run, each design a tribute to a specific classic McDermott model and individually numbered to an edition of 50 per model, with a Certificate of Authenticity and matching case included.
Joint, shaft and compatibility in this category
Of the 86 McDermott pool cues in this category, 78 use the 3/8x10 joint and 8 use the proprietary McDermott Quick Release joint. On shaft diameter, 69 ship at 13.00mm, 7 at 12.75mm, 4 at 13.25mm (mostly Stinger break and jump models), 2 at 11.75mm, 2 at 12.50mm and 1 at 12.00mm. By construction, 82 use a classic wood shaft (maple, G-Core or i-Pro) against 4 on carbon fiber (Defy or Vanquish). Wraps split 50 linen wrap, 20 wrapless, 8 leather wrap, 6 reptile skin and 1 sport wrap. If you own a McDermott already and just need a replacement or upgrade shaft rather than a full cue, our shafts category carries the same G-Core, i-Shaft and Defy options separately.
Who these cues suit
The spread of what we stock, from about $60 up to about $2,450 with a median around $526.50, covers a genuine range of budgets rather than a single tier. A GS-Series cue on the Classic All-Maple shaft is the lower-cost route into a McDermott, since published retail listings specifically flag hard-rock-maple shafts as the option most commonly found on entry-level GS models while other McDermott lines step up into performance shafts. A player who already knows they want a carbon-core hit has the G-Series and its G-Core shaft as the volume option, illustrated by flagship models like the G302 and G904 in our catalog, while a player chasing the tightest possible radial consistency is better served by the Select Series' Defy, i-Pro Slim or i-3 shaft options. McDermott's no-charge personalization program, covering weight, shaft size, wrap and stain, means the exact spec on any of these lines can usually be adjusted at order time rather than accepted as-is. Players buying specifically for jump or break shots, rather than an all-around playing cue, are the exception to that budget-by-shaft logic: the Stinger line's patented tenon tip/ferrule design is built for impact transfer rather than everyday shot-making, so it is priced and chosen on a different basis than the playing-cue lines above. The 50th Anniversary Series stands apart from that budget logic entirely: at $1,495 to $2,450, it is priced as a limited collectible tied to a numbered edition rather than a shaft-technology tier, so it draws a different kind of buyer than the rest of the category. The Sneaky Pete line simplifies the choice further still: all 7 color variants share the same $468 price and the same wood shaft and joint spec, so the only real decision left is finish.
Warranty and what to know before you buy
Every complete cue in this category, being American-made, qualifies for McDermott's Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects and warpage, which stays in force for as long as the original purchaser owns the cue. The warpage portion only applies to cues built since 2004, so it will not cover an older secondhand McDermott, and the warranty is voided if a shaft gets turned down below 11.75mm, worth knowing if you plan to have a shaft customized after purchase. McDermott also backs American-made cues with a free Lifetime Maintenance Plan, a standing multi-point inspection, though you pay return shipping (a flat $25 domestically via insured UPS Ground) and a handful of models, the Stinger among them, are excluded from the plan's butt-refinishing service. McDermott's warranty terms also specify that the original sale must trace back to an authorized retailer, so it is worth keeping your receipt and cue documentation on hand if you ever need to file a claim. Because the Stinger line is one of the five models on McDermott's butt-refinishing exclusion list, that particular service does not extend to Stinger cues even though the rest of the Lifetime Maintenance Plan does.
What players say about McDermott pool cues
Opinion on McDermott cues splits along a fairly consistent line in cue-collector circles. A long AZBilliards thread titled "Why so much hate for McDermott cues?" argues that McDermott's wide retail footprint, showing up in mall stores and big-box sporting goods sections as well as specialty shops, has made some players discount the brand regardless of how the cues actually play, with posters in that thread noting that decades-old McDermotts are often still straight and still hit well. On the G-Series specifically, the sentiment is more one-sided: posters on a separate AZBilliards thread describe the G-Core shaft as roughly as much cue for the money as a buyer is likely to find anywhere, and note that McDermott has sold thousands of cues built around it.
For the full McDermott story, including the company's other product categories, see the McDermott brand page, or browse the wider pool cues category to compare against other makers.
McDermott Pool Cues Specs at a Glance
- Joint Type: 3/8X10, McDermott Quick Release
- Shaft Size: 13.00mm, 13.25mm, 12.75mm, 12.50mm
- Wrap Options: Linen Wrap, Wrapless, Reptile Skin, Sport Wrap
- Shaft Material: Classic Wood, Carbon Fiber
- Colors: Tan, Black, Brown, Blue
What McDermott is known for
McDermott is one of the largest American cue makers still building two-piece cues domestically, founded in 1975 and still family-run. The company built its reputation on volume-scale precision: PoolDawg, an authorized McDermott dealer, says each cue passes through roughly 150 manufacturing steps, with three-piece butt construction meant to hold straightness over years of play and inlays milled to within .001 inch before being hand-glued in place. McDermott cues ship standard with the company's G-Core low-deflection shaft, cut from cured, repeatedly-turned North American hard rock maple, with the higher-performance Intimidator i-Shaft available as an upgrade on many models. The lineup runs from inexpensive break/jump sticks to five-figure commemorative pieces, which is why McDermott shows up equally in bar leagues, home game rooms, and serious tournament bags.
We currently stock 66 McDermott items, from $67 to $2,450.
| Line | Typical price | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Stinger | $67 – $150 | McDermott's dedicated break and jump cues, built for the one shot where you don't want to risk your good cue |
| Select | $150 – $300 | McDermott's lowest-priced two-piece cues, aimed at players buying their first real stick |
| GS-Series | $300 – $500 | A simplified version of the G-Series with the same G-Core shaft but lighter inlay work |
| Sneaky Pete | $450 – $550 | A two-piece cue built with a wood-to-wood joint so it looks like a plain one-piece bar cue |
| G-Series | $500 – $900 | The core McDermott lineup: G-Core shaft standard, hand-glued inlays, three-piece butt construction |
| Vanquish | $900 – $1,600 | McDermott's higher-performance tier, built around its top-end shaft options |
| 50th Anniversary | $1,600 – $2,450 | A limited run of commemorative cues marking McDermott's 50 years in business |
The McDermott lineup
McDermott G-Series Cues $401–$1,197
The McDermott G-Series is the brand's largest cue line and the one built standard around McDermott's G-Core shaft, a maple shaft with a triple-layer carbon-fiber core through the first 7 inches. We carry 53…
McDermott Stinger Cues $67–$639
Stinger is McDermott's dedicated jump and break line, built around a patented tip design engineered to transfer maximum impact energy into the cue ball rather than a standard playing hit. We carry 7 Stinger…
McDermott Sneaky Pete Cues $468
McDermott's Sneaky Pete line trades the brand's inlay work and bold colors for a plain, traditional-look build, seven named finishes at a single price point. We carry all 7 Sneaky Pete cues, all 7…
McDermott GS-Series Cues $329–$365
The GS-Series is McDermott's entry point into the brand: 5 cues, all built on the company's Classic All-Maple shaft rather than a carbon-core or carbon-fiber shaft. We carry all 5 GS models, 2 currently…
McDermott Select Cues $648–$900
McDermott's Select Series pairs one of the brand's performance shafts, Defy, i-Pro Slim or i-3, standard with a cue priced below where those shafts usually show up in the wider McDermott catalog. We carry…
McDermott 50th Anniversary Cues $1,495–$2,450
McDermott's 50th Anniversary Series is a limited commemorative run of 13 cue designs, each one a tribute to a specific classic McDermott model from the company's history, individually numbered to an edition of only…
McDermott Vanquish Cues $733–$878
Vanquish is McDermott's fully carbon-fiber cue line, built with a carbon-fiber butt and a Defy carbon-fiber shaft rather than the wood-and-maple construction used across the rest of the McDermott catalog. We carry both Vanquish…
What joint does McDermott use, and which shafts fit?
About 95% of the McDermott cues we stock use the 3/8X10 joint. The joint is what decides shaft fitment — thread and face both have to match, so a shaft cut for a different pin will not thread on no matter how good it is.
Shafts that fit most McDermott cues
Everything with a 3/8X10 joint · Joint & pin identifier · Shaft fit finder
McDermott technology, in plain English
- G-Core Shaft
- McDermott's standard low-deflection shaft, made from cured North American hard rock maple turned 11 times for stability, fitted to almost every current McDermott cue.
- Intimidator i-Shaft
- A higher-performance shaft upgrade offered on select models for players who want less cue ball deflection than the standard G-Core shaft.
- Three-Piece Butt Construction
- The butt is built in three glued sections rather than one, which McDermott uses to help the cue hold its straightness over years of play.
What players say about McDermott
Consistently praised for
- Players describe the hit as consistent from the first day out of the box through years of league play.
- The inlay and ring work is often called out as sharper and more precise than other cues in the same price range.
- Owners like that a mid-tier McDermott can be dropped into a shaft upgrade later instead of buying a whole new cue.
- The lifetime warranty against warping gives buyers confidence in a cue that will see daily bar-table use.
- Longtime McDermott owners often stick with the brand across multiple cues rather than switching brands.
Common criticisms
- Entry-level Select and GS-Series cues use simpler forearms and less inlay work, so they can look plain next to McDermott's own G-Series and up.
- Because McDermott sells at high volume, resale value on common models tends to run well below MSRP.
- Older, pre-G-Core McDermott shafts have a reputation for more deflection than today's performance shafts, which can confuse buyers shopping used cues.
- Players chasing the lowest possible deflection numbers often find even the upgraded i-Shaft heavier-feeling than dedicated low-deflection carbon-shaft brands.
Also worth a look at this price
If you like where McDermott sits on price but want to compare before you commit, these land in the same range:
- Meucci — another American two-piece maker with a softer, wood-to-wood hit
- Predator — carbon-fiber low-deflection shafts if deflection is the main priority
Brand Compatibility
The joint is what decides whether a shaft fits, and every cue in McDermott Pool Cues uses the 3/8X10 pin. That is the same 3/8X10 pin used across Elite and Stealth, so shafts move between them — always confirm the exact pin before buying.
Browse McDermott Pool Cues
Brands in McDermott Pool Cues
Shaft Type in McDermott Pool Cues
Guides & buying advice
- Pool Cue Purchasing Guide
- McDermott Pool Cues in 2026: What $468 to $2,450 Actually Buys You
- Carbon Fiber Shaft Shootout 2026: Fury vs Quarter King vs McDermott Defy vs Tiger Fortis Pro
- McDermott Open 2026 at Yale Billiards: What Matchroom’s Connecticut Stop Says About Buying a McDermott Cue
- Best McDermott Pool Cues Under $500 in 2026: GS Series, G Series, and the Sweet Spot for League Players
Frequently asked questions about McDermott Pool Cues
What is the price range for McDermott pool cues at Quarter King?
The 86 McDermott pool cues we carry price from about $60 up to about $2,450, with a median around $526.50, spanning the entry GS-Series up through the limited 50th Anniversary series.
What series of McDermott cues are there?
We carry seven McDermott series: G-Series, GS-Series, Select, Sneaky Pete, Stinger, Vanquish and the 50th Anniversary Series, each built around a different standard shaft or design concept.
What shaft comes standard on a McDermott G-Series cue?
The G-Series ships standard with McDermott's G-Core shaft, a maple shaft with a triple-layer carbon-fiber core through the first 7 inches that McDermott says increases stability by 65%.
Is a McDermott pool cue covered by a lifetime warranty?
Yes. McDermott's Lifetime Warranty covers manufacturing defects and warpage for the original purchaser, though warpage coverage only applies to cues built since 2004.
Are McDermott GS-Series cues a good entry-level option?
Yes. Published retail listings note hard-rock-maple shafts are most common on entry-level McDermott GS models, and McDermott confirms the Classic All-Maple shaft is standard on GS cues at a lower price than carbon-core lines.
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