I was on the fence about LD shafts...until last night.

Sir Scratchalot

Sir Scratchalot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Getting shredded by a guy with a Jacoby Edge Hybrid on a beautiful Cory Barnhart cue offered a stout vote in favor of LD shafts. Now I know a good player can be just as formidable with almost any cue and shaft, but I've played this fellow before while he was using house wood and came out on top. Last night I couldn't even see the top. His shot making was good, of course, but it was his cue ball control that was really impressive. He was making that cue ball waltz; much more than he was able to with the house cue. It was beautiful to watch.

Now I just have to figure out what approach to make with LD shafts, and which brands, as I like to play with 3 different cues. I think I'm going to make a trial move first by buying a Players HXT shaft in 5/16x18 which will fit my secondary cues. If I feel LD is a good fit for me then I'll think about a Jacoby Edge or OB+ Pro for my primary.

By the way, I got to hit a few balls with his Barnhart. I can easily see why those cues command the respect and money they do. Coupled with that Jacoby shaft the balance and hit were superb and the Kamui clear medium he had on it was just awesome.
 
Players HXT isnt a bad shaft, it's pretty good really, but it's not all that LD. I have one, feels good, but doesn't match up to a Predator, OB, or Edge when it comes to LD. I'd say get one of those three if you want to try LD for real, they're all good.
 
I think a McD C-core would be a better intro into the LD realm than the Players.

I has a low mass front end with the 9 inches or so drilled out with a Carbon Fiber Tube inserted.

I am fairly sure that the Players is solid maple with just a light weight ferrule but there are two type so one might be more LD than than the other.

I have two(2) OB Pros & I love them.

Good Luck,
Rick
 
ENGLISH! said:
I think a McD C-core would be a better intro into the LD realm than the Players.

I has a low mass front end with the 9 inches or so drilled out with a Carbon Fiber Tube inserted.

I am fairly sure that the Players is solid maple with just a light weight ferrule but there are two type so one might be more LD than than the other.

I have two(2) OB Pros & I love them.

Good Luck,
Rick
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Thanks Rick, I hadn't considered the G-core shafts. They look intriguing and I like the price.
 
I honestly don't see how that was a cause for the change. If the guy is a non pro and plays like shit with a house cue I think that's reasonable. Is this his first cue? and there is also this thing called "confidence in the equipment" kind of what happens when a man puts on a suit.

I personally don't see this a being a viable reason that's all, it feels under researched and a bit emotional not all that factual.

I went to a LD for two reasons, one cause i wanted a real sneaky pete (so i got a predator black and had a collar put on to match the stick) so there are no marking on my custom sneaky pete, two was because I felt that based on my style and whatnot that an LD shaft may "work" for me but i learnt that i suck so not of that mattered. I have another custom stick with a maple and a laminated shaft and one has an ivory ferrel and it works fine. I would like to get another LD shaft for this stick but after spending 15 on it i'm in no rush to spend another like $300 > to have one made up.

good luck, i hope you find out early what works best for "you"
 
If you can find a jacoby hybrid that says second on it you can get one for much cheaper too. They may have a sugar mark or something but play just fine.
 
Sir Scratchalot said:
Thanks Rick, I hadn't considered the G-core shafts. They look intriguing and I like the price.
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I have the McD i2. It's a solid maple with the carbon fiber tube running the full length. It's a 12.75 mm but I think you can get different sizes from McD.

I picked this one up used in like new condition from here, for the price that the C-core sells new.

I like it & think that it 'feels' the most like a reg. maple & is very very close in LD properties to the OB Classic which I also have & like.

I got two of the 11.75 mm OB pros because I like the European/conical taper as that is what I learn with & played with for most of my time.

I started in the LD realm with a juiced/sanded down Predator 314 CAT shaft but it was too whippy for me but also has the least squirt I've ever seen.

On a full 9 ft. table shot with combination english it swerves back & crosses the line because of how little it squirts.

I think you will like the C-core if that is how you go.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick
 
Sounds like the old, now that I have my own cue, do you want to raise the bet and lock up 3 sets Hustle." :).... Johnnyt
 
Skip the G-Core and get a shaft that is 12.5 to 12.75 mm (unless it's the mezz wx900) CDX, SS360, Predator, OB, Mezz (I don't like the wx700) a few others play solid, it's just a matter of preference and sticking to what you play with. I don't recommend switching cues but if you do, shaft or deflection consistency is important IMO. But if you want to go with a lower ld shaft than the ones most pros play, get the mezz wx900. It's one of the best shafts you can buy and it's cheaper than a handful of the others out there. I say skip the G core because it's LD properties are that noticeable and it doesn't feel very good.
 
I have a G-Core McDermott and like it. I think the entire cue was on sale for around $215, a bargain. Recently put a 314-2 on my Schon and like it as well, but I'm still adjusting. Overcutting the shorter thin cuts and swerve is affecting the longer ones. Squirt was more of a friend than I thought. Just takes time and commitment with any cue or shaft.
 
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7forlife said:
I honestly don't see how that was a cause for the change. If the guy is a non pro and plays like shit with a house cue I think that's reasonable. Is this his first cue? and there is also this thing called "confidence in the equipment" kind of what happens when a man puts on a suit.

I personally don't see this a being a viable reason that's all, it feels under researched and a bit emotional not all that factual.

I went to a LD for two reasons, one cause i wanted a real sneaky pete (so i got a predator black and had a collar put on to match the stick) so there are no marking on my custom sneaky pete, two was because I felt that based on my style and whatnot that an LD shaft may "work" for me but i learnt that i suck so not of that mattered. I have another custom stick with a maple and a laminated shaft and one has an ivory ferrel and it works fine. I would like to get another LD shaft for this stick but after spending 15 on it i'm in no rush to spend another like $300 > to have one made up.

good luck, i hope you find out early what works best for "you"
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Oh, it definitely was a bit of an emotional reaction. What I observed him doing with that shaft made me say "wow"...it inspired me. I've done a fair share of research on LD shafts, but was still teetering on the edge of a decision. This provided the nudge that made up my mind.
 
billiardthought said:
Have you heard of Efren Reyes? You'll be looking for a cheap cue before you know it if you are inspired to buy products that easily.
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While I did use the word "inspired" in a post, the purpose of my original post was simply to share an experience that helped influence a decision I was wrestling with. to participate in this nice little community. I didn't think it would make me look easy or naive. :)

I've been playing pool for a while now. So, if I were so easily inspired I would surely have indulged in all the latest trends by now...cues, shafts, tips, etc. Instead, I have an 18yr old case with an antique production cue that I've had for over 33yrs, a custom cue I've had for about 12yrs and a cheap (uh oh...looky there) Players SP that I just recently bought. I still just play with Triangle, water buffalo or LePro tips.

If I hadn't already been considering getting an LD shaft, last night's experience would've just resulted in a "Man, this guy's good!" comment.
 
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Sir Scratchalot said:
Thanks Rick, I hadn't considered the G-core shafts. They look intriguing and I like the price.
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I wouldn't call the G-Core low deflection. It is WAY more deflection than Predator or OB. The hit isn't too bad. A little weird feeling. I think the lowest deflection players shaft will be substantially lower than the G-Core. If you are looking for maximum low deflection, for 12.75mm try Predator 314-2 or OB Classic Plus or OB1 Plus. Jacoby Edge has a great feel, but a bit more deflection than the other 2 brands. I would also take a look at the Meucci Pro, which plays surprisingly well, fairly low deflection (not quite Predator or OB but not far off. Certainly on par with the Jacoby. Interesting feel too. I really liked it.) Also I wonder how the new Bob Danielson SS360-2 is. The first gen had a fantastic feel, seemed to spin the cue ball so effortlessly, but was more deflection than Predator and OB. Still, if you haven't played LD yet, then I suppose you are in a position to get something that has awesome feel, without necessarily being the very lowest deflection.

Given that, front runners for me would be Meucci Pro, OB Classic Plus, Jacoby, or BD SS360.

If you want 11.75mm, you can basically insert the corresponding models for the various brands.

Hope this helps!

KMRUNOUT
 
Sir Scratchalot, you've seen the light. Congratulations :)
You can read tons about shafts here, esp. LD and reviews.
I won't go into details - it's really all about what you would like to spend and what you would like to do.

A lot of people say nice things about Tiger X LD (not the Pro X which is 11,75mm and also not the Tiger X, which is not LD) and its very good feedback qualities - I assume that's something you would be interested in due to your "history".
It's also readily available and has a lot of joint options.

Cheers,
M
 
Sir Scratchalot said:
Getting shredded by a guy with a Jacoby Edge Hybrid on a beautiful Cory Barnhart cue offered a stout vote in favor of LD shafts. Now I know a good player can be just as formidable with almost any cue and shaft, but I've played this fellow before while he was using house wood and came out on top. Last night I couldn't even see the top. His shot making was good, of course, but it was his cue ball control that was really impressive. He was making that cue ball waltz; much more than he was able to with the house cue. It was beautiful to watch.

Now I just have to figure out what approach to make with LD shafts, and which brands, as I like to play with 3 different cues. I think I'm going to make a trial move first by buying a Players HXT shaft in 5/16x18 which will fit my secondary cues. If I feel LD is a good fit for me then I'll think about a Jacoby Edge or OB+ Pro for my primary.

By the way, I got to hit a few balls with his Barnhart. I can easily see why those cues command the respect and money they do. Coupled with that Jacoby shaft the balance and hit were superb and the Kamui clear medium he had on it was just awesome.
Click to expand...

Your playing partner had a good night. Nothing more nothing less. You think that if you get his equipment you will play like him? It doesn't work that way. The pool life is just a test. Find the stick that works for you and stay with it. Consistency in this game is everything, most especially PSR.
 
philly said:
Your playing partner had a good night. Nothing more nothing less. You think that if you get his equipment you will play like him? It doesn't work that way. The pool life is just a test. Find the stick that works for you and stay with it. Consistency in this game is everything, most especially PSR.
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I'm not trying to play like him and I've no interest in dropping over $2k to have his equipment. I'm simply trying to play better. Playing with him showed me that an LD shaft just might help facilitate that. Nothing more, nothing less.

Surely this falls under your recommendation of finding the right stick, correct?
 
Take 200$ for a Tiger X LD and be done with it already - you wanted advice :wink:

philly said:
Find the stick that works for you and stay with it. Consistency in this game is everything, most especially PSR.
Click to expand...

This is so not true.
You can upgrade your equipment and better equipment (as in, more consistent equipment, and LD shafts provide a more consistent hitting) will allow you to be more consistent in turn - as long as you are a good enough player.

Also preferences can change, so you should try out new things and adapt.

Outcome is ability x equipment.

Your playing will improve with an LD shaft after your getting-to-know period.
Fullstop.
 
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