GBL Cues
Craftsmanship. Quality. Performance.
Discover the GBL collection, from the Classic range through to the premium Special and Vanquish models, the extra-strong XS shafts and the exceptional Valkyrie Pro Shaft range.
Choose from a collection developed around carefully selected timber, shaft grades and craftsmanship.
Craftsmanship and Quality
The craftsmanship and timbers used for our cues are comparable to, and often better than, those of some of the best cue makers in the world today.
GBL cues are made to our own specifications and designs. Years of experience and customer feedback have helped us develop a collection offering a wide choice of playing characteristics, shaft grades, splice designs and exotic woods.
When you order from our shop stock, your cue can be with you in days rather than months or years. Numbers are strictly limited due to the time-intensive methods of manufacture.
Explore the GBL Cue Ranges
Each range has its own characteristics, from the accessible Classic range to the highest-grade Valkyrie Pro Shaft cues.
Classic
Standard Range
Hand-spliced ebony butts with individual brown figuring and reliable ash or maple shafts. A quality playing cue offering good value.
Special
Premium Range
Higher-grade, darker ebony and premium shafts selected for strength, stiffness and attractive forward-facing grain.
Vanquish
Ultimate Range
Our most popular GBL range, using the highest-grade ebony and carefully selected Ultimate-grade shafts.
Special FS
Premium Full Shaft
Special-grade construction using a full-length shaft.
Vanquish FS
Ultimate Full Shaft
Ultimate-grade timber selection with traditional full-shaft construction.
Special XS
Extra Strong Premium
Special shafts deliberately selected for exceptional strength and density.
Vanquish XS
Extra Strong Ultimate
Vanquish-grade cues with the additional selection process for XS shaft strength and density.
Valkyrie
Pro Shaft Range
Our highest level of shaft selection, with exceptional timber standards and a focus on feel, response and consistency.
Limited Edition FS
Ultimate Full Shaft
A limited-edition full-shaft range.
Classic Range – Standard Construction
Classic cues feature hand-spliced ebony butts, with each piece of ebony displaying some brown figuring, giving every cue individual character.
The shafts offer reliable strength and density suitable for good playability. Visual grain patterns can vary and are not prioritised in this range. Classic cues are ideal for players who prefer some shaft flex, typically medium to medium-firm in strength.
Plain ebony, ¾ jointed, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
| Classic Options | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Front Splice Design | From £30 |
| 4 Splice Design | From £80 |
| 1 Piece | + £25 |
| Maple Shaft | + £20 |
| Titanium Ferrule | + £40 |
Special Range – Premium Construction
The Special range uses higher-grade hand-spliced ebony, usually with an almost completely black appearance.
Special shafts are premium grade, generally stronger and stiffer than the Classic range, with attractive visual grain featuring forward-facing arrows or chevrons. Shaft strength is typically medium-firm to stiff.
Plain ebony, ¾ jointed or 1 piece, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
| Special Options | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Front Splice Design | From £45 |
| 4 Splice Design | From £140 |
| 12 Splice Design | From £250 |
| Maple Shaft | + £20 |
| Century Titanium Ferrule | + £40 |
Vanquish Range – Ultimate Construction
Vanquish cues use the highest-grade hand-spliced ebony, typically entirely black with minimal lighter brown markings.
The Ultimate-grade shafts are carefully selected for strength, density and the right balance of flex and spring. Visual grain is excellent, with well-formed arrows and chevrons.
This is the most popular GBL range and is used by a number of professional players.
Plain ebony, ¾ jointed or 1 piece, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
| Vanquish Options | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Front Splice Design | From £45 |
| 4 Splice Design | From £140 |
| 12 Splice Design | From £250 |
| Maple Shaft | + £20 |
| Century Titanium Ferrule | + £40 |
Full Shaft Cues – FS
Most one-piece cues today are constructed with a shorter shaft, which is extended to full length after adding weight, using an ash or maple dowel before the ebony is spliced on.
The advantage of a shorter shaft is the ease of safely adding and securing centralised weight, allowing for forward-weighted cues.
Attempting the same with a full shaft is riskier, as drilling a long distance can be problematic. Most makers insert weight 6–10 inches up the butt, often resulting in a lower balance point, although balance remains a matter of personal preference.
While there is ongoing debate about the advantages, most players who opt for FS cues value the fact that the cue has not been cut and extended.
Special FS
Premium full-shaft option
Additional cost over the corresponding Special specification: £130.
Vanquish FS
Ultimate full-shaft option
Additional cost over the corresponding Vanquish specification: £200.
Plain ebony, 1 piece FS, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
| Vanquish FS Options | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Front Splice Design | From £45 |
| 4 Splice Design | From £140 |
| 12 Splice Design | From £250 |
| Maple Shaft | + £20 |
| Century Titanium Ferrule | + £40 |
XS Cues – Extra Strong Shafts
XS shafts are meticulously selected for maximum strength and density. Each finished cue undergoes a personal inspection to ensure the shaft meets the XS criteria before the badge is fitted.
Shafts that do not meet the XS standard become standard Special or Vanquish cues. The Green XS badge confirms the cue's additional strength and density.
Some players may find super-stiff shafts lacking in feel and shot feedback. Very strong shafts are not always the most reactive. For players who prefer a very rigid cue, XS cues are designed to meet that requirement. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.
Special XS – £400 starting price
Plain ebony, 1 piece XS, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
- Front splice: from £45
- 4 splice: from £140
- 12 splice: from £250
- Maple shaft: + £20
- Century titanium ferrule: + £40
Vanquish XS – £675 starting price
Plain ebony, 1 piece XS, ash shaft and brass ferrule.
- Front splice: from £45
- 4 splice: from £140
- 12 splice: from £250
- Maple shaft: + £50
- Century titanium ferrule: + £40
Introducing the Valkyrie Cue Range
The Valkyrie range represents the absolute peak of our cue-making expertise. While the Vanquish series has already earned its place as a benchmark for quality, Valkyrie pushes beyond those limits through an uncompromising approach to wood selection and performance refinement.
What Sets Valkyrie Apart?
Every Valkyrie shaft begins with carefully selected timber. Only exceptional cuts with excellent grain alignment and minimal knots or blemishes make it into this range.
A level of precision and refinement intended for players who demand consistency and reliability in every shot.
Each shaft is chosen for strength and density, with a controlled spring intended to enhance natural reaction, feel and playability.
The first production batch underwent extensive performance testing, with particular attention to touch, accuracy and responsiveness.
Valkyrie Price Structure
| Valkyrie Cue Design | Price From |
|---|---|
| Plain Ebony | £960.00 |
| Front Splice Design | £1,025.00 |
| 4 Splice Design | £1,140.00 |
| 12 Splice Design | £1,310.00 |
Maple shaft: + £50.00
Century Titanium Ferrule: + £40.00
As the elite refinement of the Vanquish lineage, Valkyrie shares the same heritage but applies stricter material standards and a heightened focus on performance.
GBL Chinese 8 Ball Cues
Chinese 8-ball combines elements of American 8-ball, snooker and English 8-ball pool. It is played on a 9-foot pool table with 2¼-inch American-style balls, but with tighter pocket openings similar to those on snooker tables.
This combination creates a unique and challenging game that has attracted top players from various cue sports and has rapidly gained popularity, especially in China and now in the UK.
GBL C8B Cue Specifications
- Tip size: Approximately 10.5mm to 11mm, providing a balance of control and power.
- Titanium ferrules: All GBL C8B cues are fitted with titanium ferrules as standard.
- Shaft: Special (Premium Grade) or Vanquish (Ultimate Grade), selected for the strength required to handle heavier balls.
Chinese 8 Ball Prices
| Range | Ash Shaft | Maple Shaft |
|---|---|---|
| Special – Premium | £390.00 | £410.00 |
| Vanquish – Ultimate | £615.00 | £635.00 |
Our GBL C8B cues have been developed in collaboration with professional players and cue makers. Professional snooker players Gary Wilson, Elliot Slessor and David Lilley have used our GBL C8B cues.
How Good Are GBL Cues?
Our experience has enabled us to select craftsmen capable of making GBL cues to exacting specifications. Because of the time and care involved, only a limited number are made each year.
We receive approximately five deliveries a year. This means there is often an excellent selection of cues in stock, allowing customers to visit, compare and try before they buy.
GBL cues are made to our exact specifications and designs. With so many combinations of splices, exotic woods and veneers, some cues may be one of only a few made in a particular wood combination and design.
Timber is carefully selected for quality. Shafts are checked for straightness of grain, seasoned and dried at different stages of the process, and tapered in stages to allow natural stresses in the wood to settle.
Splices are carefully formed and even. Cues are naturally weighted where possible, balanced and finished with a blend of oils to give a smooth finish.
Key Features of GBL Cues
Professional Players and GBL Cues
GBL cues have been used by a number of players on the professional tour. One notable example is four-time World Snooker Champion John Higgins, who visited Green Baize when looking for a suitable new cue.
Raymond Cohen of Exquisite Cues Scotland described how he recommended John Higgins visit Green Baize because of the selection of cues available and the opportunity to find a shaft matching his specific requirements.
Credit was given to Stu Green for taking the time to find a suitable cue and understand the player's preferences.
Written by Raymond Cohen – Exquisite Cues Scotland.
GBL cues have also been purchased by world champions across snooker, pool and professional billiards, including:
- John Higgins – four-time World Snooker Champion
- Alex Higgins – two-time World Snooker Champion
- Chris Melling – two-time World Pool Champion
- Mike Russell – thirteen-time World Professional Billiards Champion
- Peter Gilchrist – five-time World Professional Billiards Champion
- Kyren Wilson – World Snooker Champion
Find Your GBL Cue
Explore the GBL collection available from Green Baize. With a range of models, shaft grades, splice designs and playing characteristics, there is plenty to consider.
Visit our online store to see the current selection of GBL cues.
Explore GBL Cues in StoreFor advice or help choosing a cue, call Green Baize on 01642 760888.