GBL Cues – Quality & Performance

 

GBL Cues are designed with a focus on quality, consistency and performance, offering players a range of cues to suit different playing styles and budgets.

From traditional snooker cues to specialist and bespoke designs, GBL combines carefully selected materials with experienced cue-making techniques to produce cues designed for serious players.

 

GBL offers a wide selection of cues designed to suit different players, preferences and budgets. From the Classic range through to specialist and limited models, each range has its own characteristics and specifications.

 

The GBL Classic is designed as an accessible entry point into the GBL range, offering the quality and characteristics associated with GBL cues at a more approachable price point.

It is a traditional English snooker cue designed to provide a dependable and consistent playing experience, making it suitable for players looking to move into a quality handmade-style cue.

KEY FEATURES

• Hand-spliced ebony butt
• Individual brown figuring gives each cue its own character
• Ash shafts selected for good strength and density
• Medium to medium-firm shaft strength
• Some natural flex for players who prefer a more responsive feel
• Available with different splice, shaft and ferrule options
• Starting from £250

CLASSIC RANGE — FROM £250

Plain Ebony, ¾ Jointed, Ash Shaft, Brass Ferrule — £250
Front Splice Design — from +£30
4 Splice Design — from +£80
1 Piece — +£25
Maple Shaft — +£20
Titanium Ferrule — +£40

The GBL Special range moves into the premium category, with higher-grade ebony butts and carefully selected shafts offering increased strength, stiffness and visual appeal.

Special shafts are generally stronger and stiffer than those found in the Classic range, with attractive natural grain patterns that can include distinctive arrows and chevrons.

KEY FEATURES

• Higher-grade hand-spliced ebony butt
• Ebony is usually almost completely black
• Premium-grade ash shafts
• Generally stronger and stiffer than the Classic range
• Attractive shaft grain with forward-facing arrows or chevrons
• Shaft strength typically ranges from medium-firm to stiff
• Designed for players who value both performance and visual appeal

SPECIAL RANGE — FROM £350

Plain Ebony, ¾ Jointed & 1pc, Ash Shaft, Brass Ferrule — £350
Front Splice Design — from +£45
4 Splice Design — from +£140
12 Splice Design — from +£250
Maple Shaft — +£20
Century Titanium Ferrule — +£40

The GBL Vanquish is the ultimate range, using the highest-grade ebony and carefully selected shafts for players looking for exceptional performance, feel and visual quality.

Vanquish shafts are selected for strength, density, flex and spring, with excellent natural grain and well-formed arrows and chevrons. The range is particularly popular with professional players.

KEY FEATURES

• Highest-grade hand-spliced ebony
• Typically very dark or entirely black ebony
• Ultimate-grade shafts
• Carefully selected for strength and density
• Medium-firm to stiff shaft options
• Excellent natural grain
• Well-formed arrows and chevrons
• Popular with professional players

VANQUISH RANGE — FROM £575

Plain Ebony, ¾ Jointed & 1pc, Ash Shaft, Brass Ferrule — £575
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 use a traditional construction where the shaft runs through the full length of the cue before the ebony is spliced on.

Most modern one-piece cues use a shorter shaft that is extended after weight is added. Players choosing a Full Shaft cue often prefer the traditional construction and the reassurance that the shaft has not been cut and extended.

Balance remains a matter of personal preference, and the choice between standard and Full Shaft construction ultimately comes down to what feels right for the individual player.

FS OPTIONS

• Special FS — +£130
• Vanquish FS — +£200

VANQUISH FS RANGE — FROM £775

Plain Ebony, 1pc FS, Ash, Brass Ferrule — £775
Front Splice Design — from +£45
4 Splice Design — from +£140
12 Splice Design — from +£250
Maple Shaft — +£20
Century Titanium Ferrule — +£40

XS shafts are specially selected for maximum strength and density. Each finished cue is personally inspected to ensure the shaft meets the XS criteria before the XS badge is fitted.

Shafts that do not meet the XS standard are used as standard Special or Vanquish cues.

The XS designation is designed for players who specifically prefer a very strong and rigid shaft. However, shaft stiffness is a matter of personal preference, and a super-stiff shaft may not suit every player.

XS OPTIONS

• Special XS — +£50
• Vanquish XS — +£100

SPECIAL XS — FROM £400

Plain Ebony, 1pc XS, Ash, Brass Ferrule — £400
Front Splice Design — from +£45
4 Splice Design — from +£140
12 Splice Design — from +£250
Maple Shaft — +£20
Century Titanium Ferrule — +£40

VANQUISH XS — FROM £675

Plain Ebony, 1pc XS, Ash, Brass Ferrule — £675
Front Splice Design — from +£45
4 Splice Design — from +£140
12 Splice Design — from +£250
Maple Shaft — +£50
Century Titanium Ferrule — +£40

The Valkyrie range represents the highest level of refinement within the GBL range, with an uncompromising focus on wood selection, shaft quality and playing performance.

WHAT SETS VALKYRIE APART?

Exceptional Wood Selection

Valkyrie shafts are selected from the highest-grade timber available, with particular attention given to grain alignment and natural characteristics.

Pro Shaft Standard

The Valkyrie uses a Pro Shaft standard aimed at players looking for exceptional consistency and reliability.

Strength, Density & Natural Response

Each shaft is selected for its strength and density while retaining the natural spring and response required for a highly playable cue.

Performance Tested

The first production batch has undergone extensive performance testing, with an emphasis on feel, accuracy and responsiveness.

VALKYRIE RANGE — FROM £960

Plain Ebony — from £960
Front Splice Design — from £1,025
4 Splice Design — from £1,140
12 Splice Design — from £1,310
Maple Shaft — +£50
Century Titanium Ferrule — +£40

The Limited Edition FS range represents the highest end of the GBL Full Shaft range, combining the traditional Full Shaft construction with premium materials and carefully selected specifications.

LIMITED EDITION RANGE

£1,300 – £1,500

Chinese 8-ball combines elements of American 8-ball, snooker and English 8-ball pool. Played on a 9-foot table with 2¼-inch American-style balls and tighter pockets, it presents a unique challenge requiring a combination of control and power.

GBL C8B RANGE

SPECIAL — PREMIUM RANGE

• Ash — £390
• Maple — £410

VANQUISH — ULTIMATE RANGE

• Ash — £615
• Maple — £635

PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS & SPECIFICATIONS

We have collaborated with top professionals and cue makers to develop specifications suited to the demands of Chinese 8 Ball. Our GBL C8B range features carefully selected components designed to provide the strength, control and performance required for this style of play.

TIP SIZE
Our C8B cues are fitted with tips ranging from approximately 10.5mm to 11mm, providing a balance between control, power and cue-ball response.

TITANIUM FERRULES
All GBL C8B cues are fitted with titanium ferrules as standard. The titanium construction is designed to help minimise deflection while supporting spin and overall cue-ball control.

SHAFT
We use only Special (Premium Grade) or Vanquish (Ultimate Grade) shafts for our C8B cues, providing the strength and performance characteristics required for the heavier balls used in Chinese 8 Ball.

USED BY PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS
GBL C8B cues are currently used by professional snooker players Gary Wilson, Elliot Slessor and David Lilley, reflecting the performance and quality of the range.

Our focus on carefully selected shafts, ferrules and specifications ensures that every GBL C8B cue is built to deliver a strong, consistent and responsive playing experience.

HOW GOOD ARE GBL CUES?

GBL cues are designed with a strong focus on quality, consistency and playability. Each range is developed to offer different levels of specification, allowing players to choose a cue that suits their playing style, preferences and budget.

QUALITY & CONSISTENCY

Carefully selected timbers are used throughout the GBL range, with particular attention given to shaft strength, density, straightness and overall characteristics. The ebony used in the Special and Vanquish ranges is selected to provide the quality and appearance expected from higher-grade cues.

The construction, tapering and finishing of each cue are carefully considered to help achieve the desired balance, feel and playing characteristics.

A CUE FOR DIFFERENT PLAYERS

One of the strengths of the GBL range is the choice available. From the Classic range through to Special, Vanquish, Valkyrie and the more specialist FS and XS options, players can select different levels of shaft specification, wood quality, splice design and ferrule options.

This allows players to choose a cue based not only on appearance, but also on the characteristics that matter most to their game.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

GBL cues are available to view and try in our showroom, subject to availability. We believe that being able to handle and play with a cue is one of the best ways to understand its weight, balance, feel and response before making a decision.

 

There are a lot players on the main tour who use GBL cues.

• One of the most notable was 4 x world champion John Higgins who looked for the help of Green Baize when trying to find a suitable new cue.

Written by Raymond Cohen – Exquisite Cues Scotland - John Higgins Cue Update!

As I’ve been getting asked lots about John Higgins and if he has a new cue? Well the answer is Yes. After many alterations to his now old cue Exquisite no 388 John felt like he went too far with alterations and wanted a fresh start, however I never had any suitable shafts to suit John as it’s a very specific grain pattern/flex/ash colour and density of shaft he likes, also most importantly it has to play well and not easy to find.

As I found it very difficult to find another shaft even close to Exquisite 388 I advised John it might be a good idea to try Stu Green at Green Baize Cues as he has so many cues therefore more chance of finding one. That’s exactly what he did, and was lucky enough to find a great cue to his taste.

Credit must go to Stu Green as he had to search long and hard to find a suitable cue for John and fully understands exactly what he’s after.

I’d recommend anyone to visit Green Baize if you want to try out some nice cues, Stu is a top bloke to deal with.

I altered Johns new cue to make it more to his exact spec, which included four lower Cocobolo splices and slight adjustment to weight, also changing base joint to my one to fit his current extensions.

John also was kind enough to give me back Exquisite 388 to keep which has had a great run in Johns career.

Thanks to Raymond Cohen for his kind words, and much appreciated.

John Higgins was back using a GBL Vanquish cue, which he managed to make his mile stone 1000th Century break with after his Ton Praram cue was damaged in transit coming back from Saudi Arabia.

We wish John all the best for coming events, currently using a China made cue from his new Sponsors.

Currently there are 2 players in the top 16 world snooker rankings using GBL Vanquish Cues - 2024 World Champion Kyren Wilson & 3x ranking event winner Gary Wilson.

World Champions who have bought GBL cues over the years.

• 4 x World Snooker Champion John Higgins

• 2 x World Snooker Champion Alex Higgins

• 2 x World Pool Champion Chris Melling

• 13 x World Professional Billiards Champion Mike Russell

• 5 x World Professional Billiards Champion Peter Gilchrist

• 1 x World Snooker Champion Kyren Wilson