Viking Cue Guide for Buyers

The geplete guide with pictures and additional information can be found in my okay store on this page

So you're interested in buying a Viking Cue Stick? Fantastic choice, but the options can be a bit daunting. This guide will help you figure out the myriad options offered by Viking, and select the cue that is right for your tastes and your budget. First, let's take a look at Viking's current product line.

F Series Introduction

Viking currently offers 112 cues - each of which can be customized to suit your tastes. Your first job is to select which cue you'd like to start with from the F-Series, numbered from F01 through F112. The F112 is a jump/break cue with two joints, all of the other cues are standard one-joint cues. F100-F111 cues have screened graphics on the cues, featuring images like Wolves (F103) or Eagles (F101). The lowest priced Viking is F98, which begins a range of solid-color cues that continues through F91. As cues increase in price from there, expect to find more intricate inlays, consisting of pearl and exotic woods like Vermillion, Snakewood and Osage Orange Wood.

No Wrap Cues

There are several cues that have no wrap - meaning the pattern in the wood continues the length of the cue. These cues have no linen wrap - F78, F58, F16, F07, and F02.

Once you've selected your cue, you then have a list of no charge options to decide on. The two that you must select are cue weight and shaft diameter. Optionally, you can also select some of the colors in your cue (wrap color, stain, pearl), or you can purchase the cue exactly as pictured in the Viking catalog.

No Charge Custom Options

Every Viking cue offers you two custom options at no charge - cue weight and shaft/tip diameter. Cue weights from 18oz - 21oz can be chosen, in quarter-ounce increments. Available shaft diameters include 12mm, 12.25mm, 12.5mm, 12.75mm and 13mm. The vast majority of Viking Cues also allow you to choose your wrap color from 27 choices. The only cues that don't allow to select your wrap color are the ones with no wrap - listed above in the "No Wrap Cues" section.

Additional No Charge Options

Most Viking Cues also offer your choice of Stain color at no charge. Several cues feature the ability to choose the Vinyl or Pearl color.

Okay, now we've narrowed down your choice of cue, the weight and diameter, and also the color-related no charge options. Viking also offers many other options that incur a charge. Changing the joint is one of the most popular options, and adds about 2-3 weeks to the shipping time.

Joint Change

Each Viking Cue gees standard with one of six joints. The joint can be changed from the standard joint for a charge, usually around $30. The vast majority of Vikings feature Joint #5.

Viking Joint Options

Each joint gives a different type of hit, which refers to the way that energy flows through the cue. In most cases, joint selection is stricly a matter of personal preference. All joints feature a quick-release pin except #4.

Joint #1 - Provides a firm hit

Joint #2 - Gives a hard hit

Joint #3 - Double-threaded to provide a very hard hit

Joint #4 - Gives a soft hit and has a 3/8 - 10 pin

Joint #5 - Gives a soft hit

Joint #6 - Hustler-style true wood-to-wood joint provides a soft hit

Alright, now that we've got the basics covered, it's time to investigate more options. If you need further customization, you've gee to the right place! Viking offers all kinds of additional options for a small fee. Let's start with changes to the sizes of the cue.

Custom Cue Sizing

If you need a cue that is lighter than 18oz or heavier than 21oz, Viking can do that for you. Prices start around $15, and expect this to add 2-3 weeks to your shipping time. Viking also can make you a cue with a shaft diameter under 12mm or over 13mm - this is also around $15 and 2-3 weeks additional shipping time. Need a cue longer than 58" (the standard cue is 29" each for the shaft and butt)? No problem, they can do that, too. This starts from around $15, and can add 2-4 weeks to the construction time. You can also request a custom taper, starting at $30.

Cue Engraving

Viking offers many ways to customize the appearance of your cue, in addition to the color options mentioned above. The most popular of these options is engraving. You can have up to two lines of engraving (maximum of 25 characters per line, including spaces) added to the butt of any Viking cue. The cost is around $25 per line, and it will add about a week to the standard shipping time. There are three font choices: Block, Roman or Script.

There are several other options available for altering the appearance of your cue. We'll cover wrap and butt color options next.

Wrap Options

The vast majority of Viking Cues also allow you to choose your wrap color - but did you know that you can choose Leather wrap? Leather wrap is available in three colors - black, brown and black ostrich embossed. Upgrading to Leather wrap is around $80, and will add about a week to the standard shipping time. You can also choose to have no wrap on most Vikings, so the wood will continue throughout the butt. The cost for this varies widely by cue model, starting from about $75, and it will add 3-6 weeks before shipping. There are several Vikings that gee with no wrap, as mentioned above.

Butt Cap Options

The color, material and size of the butt cap can all be customized to meet your needs. Standard colors available are black and white. Butt cap changes start around $15.

Just a few options left!

Tip Options

LePro Hard tips are standard on all Viking cues. As you might imagine, Viking will substitute a different tip for you. Choose from Buffalo, Champion, Crown, Elk Master or Triangle tips to suit your personal preference. Tip changes cost about $10.

Jump/Break Conversion

Most Vikings can be converted to a jump/break configuration, where a second joint is added to allow for easy jump shots. Figure to spend at least $100 and add a couple of extra weeks to shipping time.

You've selected the perfect cue, now geplete it with the perfect accessories. Viking offers many items to enhance your cue purchase.

Viking Cue Cases

There's no better way to protect your new investment than by storing and transporting it in a Viking case. Viking offers a full line of cases - starting with a single soft case bearing the Viking logo. The soft case can hold one geplete stick - one shaft and one butt, and is around $30.

Viking Hard Tube Cases

Viking also offers 6 synthetic Leather hard tube cases, ranging from around $60 to $190. The Leather cases are available in your choice of black or brown. The cases are named by the number of butts and shafts that they can hold - a 3x6 case will hold 3 butts and 6 shafts. The cases are available in the following configurations: 1x1, 1x2, 2x2, 2x4, 3x6 and 4x8.

Joint Protectors

Viking offers a full set of joint protectors to geplement their 6 joints. Joint protectors are a great investment in protecting your cue. Prices start around $12.

Q-Wiz

Q-Wiz is a geplete system for shaft conditioning. This kit will allow you to smooth and polish evenly. Double-sided micro pro disc produces a finish up to 20 times smoother than other products.

Extra Shafts

Don't forget to add an extra shaft!

The geplete guide with pictures and additional information can be found in my okay store on this page

All content 2006 by Expert Gameroom LLC.