Can someone advise generally on how the hit will be affected if changing from the shafts that were made by the custom cuemaker to an aftermarket shaft? Setting aside the facts about the LD impact, if possible, would I notice a difference in the solidity of the hit feel?
Question about shafts on custom cues
- Thread starter RichSchultz
- Start date
Would you notice a difference? Most likely.
What would that difference be? Virtually impossible to say.
If you say what maker and what aftermarket shaft, perhaps somebody that has experience with both of those could express their thoughts on their experience but it would be very subjective.
.
What would that difference be? Virtually impossible to say.
If you say what maker and what aftermarket shaft, perhaps somebody that has experience with both of those could express their thoughts on their experience but it would be very subjective.
.
I have a LD shaft that I play with from time to time. I have several custom cues that I am capable of switching it around to. I can definitely tell a difference in feel. Is it earth shattering? I don't think so. However, the balance and weight of the butt will change the feel of the same shaft.
Thanks Doc...now, it's kindof a hypothetical at this stage. I have a Sugartree and it hits like a dream! The only reason I would entertain an OB shaft (which I also have had on many cues) is because the tip diameter on the Sugartrees 13.1 and I used to use a 12.5.
Will it put fewer balls in if I happen to like how it feels?
Obviously functionality is job one. But personal subjective preferences can't just be totally dismissed, even when it comes to something like feel and hit.
.
Why not send the shafts to Eric & have him turn it down to 12.5?
I may do that with one of them....I just expect it to take a long time!
Joint fit, taper, shaft density, diameter... All would have an effect on the feel (hit).
IMO, it is mostly the taper of the shaft. Each or most cuemakers have their own unique taper, so each cuemakers cue "hits" differently.
Southwest cues have a taper that is very well liked, and I would suspect that it has been copied by many.
I like the taper that Rick Howard uses, and I have had him retaper cue shafts and had him build me shafts for old cues.
As others have mentioned above, tip, ferrel, density of wood, all contribute, but for me, taper is the most important aspect of how the cue plays.
Ken
Southwest cues have a taper that is very well liked, and I would suspect that it has been copied by many.
I like the taper that Rick Howard uses, and I have had him retaper cue shafts and had him build me shafts for old cues.
As others have mentioned above, tip, ferrel, density of wood, all contribute, but for me, taper is the most important aspect of how the cue plays.
Ken
Yes.
If you go the LD route, and want to preserve as much as possible of the original feel, buy a partial and have your cuemaker install the joint. I've had an Andy Gilbert cue I custom ordered new in 2009 and have not played with anything else since. I have many different shafts for it. The standard Gilbert shaft feels amazing. However, the 314-2 partial I sent him while he was building the cue doesn't feel a mile off, and it plays fantastic. An off the shelf 314-2 doesn't even come close in terms of feel (although the play is fine). Also, the balance is way better for me with the partial. However, this might not be the case for you. I use a mid extension and my cue balances the way I like with a lighter shaft. The off the shelf Predators (for 3/8-10) have a large amount of phenolic in the joint, and hence weigh quite a bit more. The Gilbert shaft, being solid maple, also weighs more. I probably wouldn't like the balance of the original with my extension.
Hope this helps,
KMRUNOUT
awesome info, as always!!
you'll notice that the butt is pretty much nothing more than a pretty face.
You may think so but I've discovered different over the last 35 years . The joint, and butt construction can play a big roll in the way a cue plays/feels/hits.
IMO the biggest contributions to the "hit" of a shaft are the quality and type of the shaft wood, ferrule size (if any), material, how it's installed, and the tip type. Relatively, the shaft taper will affect the hit (feel) but more the deflection and cue ball action. A great shaft paired with a well constructed butt is magic.
To the OP's question.. it depends on the maker. Some makers make great shafts others not so much.
Brilliant; thanks very much!
Find a shaft, original or otherwise, that you like the feel and sound of. Then learn to make it work for you.
Lou Figueroa
thanks Lou...Eric does make a mean cue and the shafts are pretty darned good!