I recently got off the phone with a representative at Predator cues in order to get the most valid information regarding our discussion here on the Revo shaft.
After a twenty minute conversation, here are the answers and information passed along....
In no particular order....
- Paul Costain has spent 12 years developing the shaft which is known as the Revo. Recently, many variations have been made and sent out to various players. This will explain Bob Jewitt having a 12.0mm revo.
- the rep could not answer completely if pros are getting the standard size 12.9mm or a modified diameter Revo shaft. He did know that a player like Jasmine O has made a full switch to the Revo while others like Darren Appleton has gone through different variations of the shaft in search of settling on it. To date he only uses it for one pocket and depending on the game, will switch back to his 314-2 shafts. Again he wasn't aware of Appleton's thoughts as to if it's the diameter or taper which he won't settle on.
- the rep swears he played a Z shaft for years and was a big fan of the Z3 so he was also disappointed when they announced the decision to kick out the Revo at 12.9mm. However he says it took him about a half a month to adjust and after he did he believes a smaller diameter would be too small. He explained about the 5% taper over the first 14" and the feel is perfect. I asked about the loss of real estate on the cue ball while sighting from an 11.75mm and adjusting up to a 12.9mm and he explained that you don't need it anymore because with the Revo you play closer to center, whereas before what you would play a full tip outside, you only need half a tip because of the difference in transfer of energy.
- Paul Costain is the mad scientist that has been working on this for more than a decade and the recently converted the research facility into the manufacturing facility in Boston for the Revo. It is a small operation and they only have the capabilities of making about 500 Revo shafts a quarter. So this explains the limitations in joint selection and sizes.
- They made the decision to put it out there this year to see how the world would embrace it but in a controlled way. They didn't want someone taking a Revo and playing with it on a Players cue butt, experiencing bad results and giving it a bad review. They also were more aware that further testing needed to be done on the various joint makes, and butts to see if the Revo could produce the same results as they did with the P3 butts.
- as it stands now on the production calendar, there are no plans for any other versions of Revo up through the fiscal year of 2017. He could not say for certain that the Revo won't be introduced in smaller diameters but testing is always on going with variations having been made (explaining Bob Jewett's 12.0mm)
Again, this was all gathered through a conversation with a sales representative and information about "getting used to it" or "making the switch takes 2 weeks" is purely speculative and could be the sales part of the salesman talking. Obviously, in the professional world, some players ( like Darren) have found it tough to make the full time transition. Some conclusions can be drawn from this.
Personally, in my opinion, from the information gathered, this is still a work in progress and predator decided to recoup some expenses by converting the research facility into a small manufacturing facility, deciding on one 12.9mm diameter and taking it to market in a limited run format (500 per quarter)
This was done to see not only what the market demands in terms of varying sizes, the professionals under the predator umbrella feedback, but also to make a little back on the years of research investment. IMO they have the capabilities of varying diameter sizes, but it's not worth it to make a made to order shaft. Even though the sales rep days a 12.0mm would be too small, Bob J indicates he wishes it was smaller, so again, it's all subjective on the 12.9mm.
My thoughts are, follow Darren and see what he settled on.
This is an ongoing project for Predator and nothing is set in stone. To me it's not about the money as it is the time in adjusting to equipment and possible change/loss of game (which is more valuable). As a player, you put in the hours on the table of work, and now you must put in hours to adjust to equipment. I am no Darren Appleton, and if he can't adjust with all the powers of predator at his disposal, how could my limited abilities cope when ordering a standard size from a dealer that can't be modified?
I finished the call with congratulating predator on working to bring technology to the forefront and advancing the game. Revo is surely different and will make them some money. But I'll closely watch Darren and stick with the maple wood for now.
