Can cues change over time

[Cue Alchemist]

I would like to get your Opinion on wheather cues can change over time,

I have had mine since 2006 and though i had two other cues in that time, I kept going back to this one,So recently
noticed a change in the shaft, after 5 years the shaft has now got a tone of its own,It feels different to how it was playing,like the wood had settled down,plays even better!
I even Had another cue built which was delivered back in march,but I can't seem to put this one down!!!!

so my question is this: do you think some cues get better longer you use them?

 

[The Renfro]

I have seen lots of cues change over time.... Never have I seen one improve tho... Usually the change comes from the breaking down of the spine of the shaft...

 

[qbilder]

I know some folks who would swear by it. They know cues change over time & you can't change their minds. In reality, there are some changes that can occur. It's subtle & takes time. The wood gets drier & drier over time, losing it's elasticity while gaining stiffness & hardness. Like I said, it's subtle. But it's real and some folks are in tune with their cue enough to notice. Other things like adhesives & such, i'm not sure about but wouldn't be surprised if they get harder over time as well. The older, drier & harder the cue gets, the better the feedback gets, and the livelier the spin gets due to increased flex memory. It's all very subtle & slow but actually does happen. It's also one reason not many newer builders can build cues that play as alive & vibrant as older cue makers who have had wood around for many years. Not only do the older builders have more experience, they also have more suitable wood. There are methods to remove the moisture from the wood beyond what is normally sold to cue makers, but I don't know of any cue wood suppliers that go that extra mile. Musical instrument shops do it regularly & routinely.

 

[mattb]

Like a fine wine

Yes they can get better over time! I have a few shafts that are 30 years old and play better all the time.

I believe the woods can finally settle down over time and quit expanding and contracting as much as a greener wood does. Don't believe me? Play with a good quality cue from years ago. There is a reason why people still play with original Szambotis.

 

[Cue Alchemist]

I know some folks who would swear by it. They know cues change over time & you can't change their minds. In reality, there are some changes that can occur. It's subtle & takes time. The wood gets drier & drier over time, losing it's elasticity while gaining stiffness & hardness. Like I said, it's subtle. But it's real and some folks are in tune with their cue enough to notice. Other things like adhesives & such, i'm not sure about but wouldn't be surprised if they get harder over time as well. The older, drier & harder the cue gets, the better the feedback gets, and the livelier the spin gets due to increased flex memory. It's all very subtle & slow but actually does happen. It's also one reason not many newer builders can build cues that play as alive & vibrant as older cue makers who have had wood around for many years. Not only do the older builders have more experience, they also have more suitable wood. There are methods to remove the moisture from the wood beyond what is normally sold to cue makers, but I don't know of any cue wood suppliers that go that extra mile. Musical instrument shops do it regularly & routinely.

Thanks for the info,Thats bang on.It is a very subtle change,I played almost non stop in the last 3 months! Even been playing snooker with this cue.So like you say, you have to play long enough to feel it.

 

[roberthans]

wood

Some luthiers feel that repeated vibration over time can cause changes to wood on a molecular level. The vibration and stress on a cue is different than a violin for example, but may have a cumulative affect over time. There are also theories about the movement of water out of wood that require time as opposed to just heat or conventional methods of drying. All could add up to small but perceptible changes in the properties of a cue.

 

[Predjo]

Yes they can get better over time! I have a few shafts that are 30 years old and play better all the time.

Would be interesting to know if they are still as straight ass they were 20 or 30 years ago due to the wood that is settling down. Any experiences?

 

[8ballEinstein]

Some luthiers feel that repeated vibration over time can cause changes to wood on a molecular level. The vibration and stress on a cue is different than a violin for example, but may have a cumulative affect over time. There are also theories about the movement of water out of wood that require time as opposed to just heat or conventional methods of drying. All could add up to small but perceptible changes in the properties of a cue.

This is the best explanation I've read on the subject. Just like the tone of a Stadivarius getting better over time, the properties of cue stick wood can bring out subtle but perceptible changes. It seems as if the wood tailors it molecular structure to accept the vibrations going through it. But this is just theory on my part.

 

[kybill9]

only if you expose them to heat, cold, water, dirt, etc. It's WOOD.

 

[NewStroke]

They do age over time like a cheese. As youngling, a shaft is very clean and rigid, but at the cellular level spores are growing into new life giving the cue a less rigid feel. The properties that change are based on the wood being used. Maple, the wood becomes less rigid, cocobolo, the cue becomes more chocolatly. This is why you can't use a rubber tree to make a cue, within 5 years the cue will be all limp and stuff.