Whats in the butt?

NCSLIM1

NCSLIM1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey Guys and Gals,

I'm new to the forum but would like to say that yall have a great thing going here. I've enjoyed searching and reading everyones insite. The amount of knowledge and info on the site awesome. Thats why I bring this question to all of you.

I've picked up pool again about 8 months ago after laying off for about 7 years. Ive really caught the bug again and trying my best to get my game back up to where I want it to be. Ive always had manufactured cues such as cuetec but have recently become interested in the predator shafts. Ive read alot of good things about them on here and elsewhere and think I would like to invest in one. I just dont have the cashflow right now to spring for a custom cue with the predator shaft although that is my goal for the not so distant future. Would it be worth it to put a pred. shaft on a cuetec butt? Would it affect the play of the shaft at all or is the butt just where you get to go hog wild on inlays and ivory? Does the joints make a difference in the play of a cue or is it just personal preference? Thanks in advance for any insite on this subject and keep up the great work here.
 
My understanding is that the predator shaft will improve about any cues play. I bought one several years ago and still use my standard joss shaft, go figure. Many people swear by them, but i think it all comes down to personal preferance.
 
I've played with a Predator shaft on an old Meucci for a year now.
I have some much nicer cues that I also like to play with, but when it comes time for me to play serious, I play with the Predator shaft. I have a lot of confidence in my game playing with it.
 
Construction of the butt has alot to do with the feel , balance and playbility of the cue. It's much more than an inlay holder. :) However , the shaft will have more effect on the feel and playability of the cue than the butt all things being equal.

Performance . . . now that's where the the debates fly. The marketing world would like you to be believe that by simply lowering deflection you have a 'high performance' shaft. I would tell you the only difference between a high deflection shaft and a low deflection shaft is the amount of deflection. :) A high performance shaft should be made of quality material , be very laterally consistant , balance correctly with the butt and at least have a quality ferrule and tip.

Deflection has to be adjusted for with any shaft.

Enought ranting. ;D

I said that to say this , I'd try one and see if you play better with it. If so then buy it , it will do fine on your cuetec. If not then don't think it's something you have to have to be a better player. You make yourself a better player not your wallet. ;)
 
RRfireblade said:
Construction of the butt has alot to do with the feel , balance and playbility of the cue. It's much more than an inlay holder. :) However , the shaft will have more effect on the feel and playability of the cue than the butt all things being equal.

Performance . . . now that's where the the debates fly. The marketing world would like you to be believe that by simply lowering deflection you have a 'high performance' shaft. I would tell you the only difference between a high deflection shaft and a low deflection shaft is the amount of deflection. :) A high performance shaft should be made of quality material , be very laterally consistant , balance correctly with the butt and at least have a quality ferrule and tip.

Deflection has to be adjusted for with any shaft.

Enought ranting. ;D

I said that to say this , I'd try one and see if you play better with it. If so then buy it , it will do fine on your cuetec. If not then don't think it's something you have to have to be a better player. You make yourself a better player not your wallet. ;)
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So in your opinion do you think that pradator shafts arent made of quality materails and its just the consruction of the shaft that makes it low deflection? I also agree that the cue dosent make the player but I played with a pred. shaft from a guy on my leugue team and was pretty impressed with the play. BIG difference between the pred and my cuetec shaft thus the reason for my initial question. Thanks for the input.
 
NCSLIM1 said:
So in your opinion do you think that pradator shafts arent made of quality materails and its just the consruction of the shaft that makes it low deflection? I also agree that the cue dosent make the player but I played with a pred. shaft from a guy on my leugue team and was pretty impressed with the play. BIG difference between the pred and my cuetec shaft thus the reason for my initial question. Thanks for the input.
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The Predator shaft is made of quality materials, and has lower deflection than standard shafts. There's nothing magic about it, and it's not "higher quality" than any well-made shaft; it's just a good shaft with low deflection.

The butt construction makes very little difference in the performance of the cue. It obviously makes a difference in the weight of the cue, and also the balance point. Also the wrap, or lack thereof, makes a difference, and can be an actual performance issue if you have an extra-loose grip or sweaty hands.

The cheapest way to obtain a very nice cue, in my opinion, is a cheap butt with a weight and balance point you like, and an aftermarket shaft.

-Andrew
 
sly_shooter said:
when it comes time for me to play serious, I play with the Predator shaft. I have a lot of confidence in my game playing with it.
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I have a couple of nice custom cues, but my favorite playing cue is a Runde S/P cue with a predator shaft. I play better and I have more confidence using my Predator shaft no matter what cue I use.

James
 
NCSLIM1 said:
So in your opinion do you think that pradator shafts arent made of quality materails and its just the consruction of the shaft that makes it low deflection? I also agree that the cue dosent make the player but I played with a pred. shaft from a guy on my leugue team and was pretty impressed with the play. BIG difference between the pred and my cuetec shaft thus the reason for my initial question. Thanks for the input.
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IMO , they are built from substandard materials. They do what they are intended to do but of all the laminated shafts available , I would put Predator near the bottom of the list of quality. Poor quality shaft wood , cheap plastic ferrules , even plastic in the joints . . . there are many other US made shafts that perform as well and are better built.

Again , IMO. :)
 
I've tried predator shafts and was not impressed, to say the least. All four shafts for my current playing cue play better, so did a Meucci black dot. Try playing with one for several hours before you invest money in one.
I'm open to trying a low deflection shaft again but not in the near future and I certainly would not bother putting one on any custom cue I've owned.
 
I've played and broken Predator shafts. Not because of my play, but their progressively worse workmanship. Go with and OB shaft, I have never had a problem. Also it's made in the US and the customer service is top notch. You won't regret it.
 
Is the deflection comprable between the OB and the predator. From what I've looked at online the predator seems more popular. Plus I dont have acsess to a OB to practice with to get a feel for.
 
NCSLIM1 said:
Is the deflection comprable between the OB and the predator. From what I've looked at online the predator seems more popular. Plus I dont have acsess to a OB to practice with to get a feel for.
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Very comparable although I think OB is much better.
 
Predator is more 'popular'. They are mass produced chinese import product with far more advertising budget and the resources to sponser any player that will pin a patch on their sleeve. ;) And they do. OB is a small family company and can't compete in that regard. They do their best to compete by building a better product. :)
 
NewStroke said:
Very comparable although I think OB is much better.
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There is a HUGE difference in the feel of the OB compared to the Predator.

OB shafts are much more quieter with a softer feeling hit. Predators are loud compared to the OBs and the vibration is very much more noticable to me anyways. They have a clunky feeling but they get the job done. The OB has slightly less deflection, or at least it did at one point in time.

I have both and like the OB the best.

And one big factor: the Predator has much more cracked ferrels etc. from what I have read here on AZ.
 
SCCues said:
I have a couple of nice custom cues, but my favorite playing cue is a Runde S/P cue with a predator shaft. I play better and I have more confidence using my Predator shaft no matter what cue I use.

James
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I'm thinking about buying a Predator shaft for my Runde, might
pay off in the long run since I will save some wear and tear
on my original shafts. But, I have 3 cues with radial pins, so I will probably
just buy a radial pin shaft instead.
 
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