Let me start by saying this cue made me fall in love with pool all over again. The first thing you'll notice is how surprisingly lightweight yet sturdy it feels - that perfect balance between control and power.

The fiberglass-graphite composite construction is no joke. Unlike warped bar cues I've suffered with, this stays straight as an arrow even after months of weekly games in my humid basement. The matte finish gives it a sleek, professional look that turns heads at the bar.

Where this cue really shines is the grip. That Veltex micro-fiber surface? Absolute magic. Your hand glides smoothly during delicate shots but locks in when you need power. I especially appreciate the gradual texture change from shaft to butt - it's like the cue intuitively knows where your bridge hand should be.

The 12.7mm leather tip holds chalk beautifully and gives excellent English control. Though fair warning - one reviewer mentioned tip detachment during hard breaks, so maybe go easy on those powerful smashes unless you're handy with glue.

At 19oz (my preferred weight), it's perfectly balanced for both finesse shots and moderate breaks. The stainless steel joint connects solidly with satisfying precision - no wobble whatsoever during play.

My only real complaint? No joint protectors included. For a cue this nice, that's a surprising oversight considering how easily those threads could get damaged in transit.

After testing multiple price-point cues, here's my verdict: For under $100, you're getting performance that rivals cues twice its price. Whether you're a returning player like that 71-year-old reviewer or just tired of warped bar sticks destroying your game, this GSE cue delivers where it counts.