58" or 59"???

What? Personally, I use a yardstick

Thanks, but I was referring to the methodology I stated in the earlier posts where I asked specifically from what point to what point should the measurement be taken, i.e., from the end of the ferrule (minus the tip) to the end of the butt (minus the bumper).
 
Thanks, but I was referring to the methodology I stated in the earlier posts where I asked specifically from what point to what point should the measurement be taken, i.e., from the end of the ferrule (minus the tip) to the end of the butt (minus the bumper).

That's how I do it....ed of ferrule to end of butt-plate...
...tip and ferrule are add-ons
 
If you're 6'3' I'm surprised you did not try a longer cue yet. Nobody can tell what feels the best for you. You and only you could find out.
For example I'm 6'5 and standard length cue feel fairly awkward and too short in my hands. After playing many many years with my 60' Prather cue I decided to build a 62' cue for myself and now I'm satisfied and have the cue that feels the best in my hands.
BTW it's the common theory the shorter the length the stiffer it is and it's right but don't forget about other important aspects the construction, the taper, materials used for building a cue and so on. My 62' cue is the stiffest cue I've ever had or tried. Believe me or not it is much stiffer than most of the standard length cues and my 31' shaft is much stiffer than most standard length shafts.
So you'd better try and decide yourself what feels the best for you.
Here is a thread about my cue and there are two short videos at the end with me testing the cue by making two standard big position drills. It may help you if you see how 62" cue looks in the hands of 6'5 man http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=463154&page=3 :wink:
 
If you're 6'3' I'm surprised you did not try a longer cue yet. Nobody can tell what feels the best for you. You and only you could find out.
For example I'm 6'5 and standard length cue feel fairly awkward and too short in my hands. After playing many many years with my 60' Prather cue I decided to build a 62' cue for myself and now I'm satisfied and have the cue that feels the best in my hands.
BTW it's the common theory the shorter the length the stiffer it is and it's right but don't forget about other important aspects the construction, the taper, materials used for building a cue and so on. My 62' cue is the stiffest cue I've ever had or tried. Believe me or not it is much stiffer than most of the standard length cues and my 31' shaft is much stiffer than most standard length shafts.
So you'd better try and decide yourself what feels the best for you.
Here is a thread about my cue and there are two short videos at the end with me testing the cue by making two standard big position drills. It may help you if you see how 62" cue looks in the hands of 6'5 man http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=463154&page=3 :wink:

Thanks Sergei, I checked out the links and the videos. Impressive drills you were running! I think I may get an extension first to try oiut the longer length cue.
Спасибо!
 
Thanks Sergei, I checked out the links and the videos. Impressive drills you were running! I think I may get an extension first to try oiut the longer length cue.
Спасибо!
You're welcome. To try how it feels with extension it's a good idea to begin with and quite easy and cheap. That's what I've tried first before starting to build a cue myself.I wish you to find what feels the best for you.
 
Only you will know if it works.... experiment. I’m using
a mid extension.
I have a 31” shaft I never enjoyed.
 
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Ok I'll try the extension first. Anyone know of a good brand or custom maker that has a 2" extension for a 5/16×14 joint?

Doea anyone make a 1" extension? Just curious because if I am going from a 58" cue to something longer I would like to go in small increments to test how the longer cue feels.
 
You're welcome. To try how it feels with extension it's a good idea to begin with and quite easy and cheap. That's what I've tried first before starting to build a cue myself.I wish you to find what feels the best for you.

Thanks. I sent you a pm too.
 
HI JF, I used to play with a 58" cue then went to a 59" cue split evenly. I took a lesson from Frank Stellman maker of Sailor Cues in Racine Wi. Sadly we lost him recently. He was an old school straight pool player, ran many 200+ games and competed against the likes of Mosconi and many others.

My lesson was at his shop in Racine, he watched me shoot for two hours without saying a word. Finally he announced that I'd play better with a 59" cue. Lessons over! Well I spoke to some high level players I knew about the lesson and all said if Frank said that you ought to listen. I did and was playing a ball or two better within a month.

I am 5'9" but have long arms measuring six feet finger tip to finger tip. I did shoot with a 58' cue afterwards and it felt short and awkward so I stuck with the 59" cue since that time. Probably 7 or 8 years now. I have a low end Jerry Olivier that I had Jacoby make me a custom 30" edge hybrid shaft for so it is 59" together. The balance is a little more forward due to the shaft length and I still play a little better with the 59" cue split evenly. The JO cue and shaft I use when I travel the other cue is too expensive for me to consider traveling with.

Hope this helps. Good Luck with whatever you choose!
 
Ok I'll try the extension first. Anyone know of a good brand or custom maker that has a 2" extension for a 5/16×14 joint?

Doea anyone make a 1" extension? Just curious because if I am going from a 58" cue to something longer I would like to go in small increments to test how the longer cue feels.

I bought a few extensions from “newsherriffintown”
 
HI JF, I used to play with a 58" cue then went to a 59" cue split evenly. I took a lesson from Frank Stellman maker of Sailor Cues in Racine Wi. Sadly we lost him recently. He was an old school straight pool player, ran many 200+ games and competed against the likes of Mosconi and many others.

My lesson was at his shop in Racine, he watched me shoot for two hours without saying a word. Finally he announced that I'd play better with a 59" cue. Lessons over! Well I spoke to some high level players I knew about the lesson and all said if Frank said that you ought to listen. I did and was playing a ball or two better within a month.

I am 5'9" but have long arms measuring six feet finger tip to finger tip. I did shoot with a 58' cue afterwards and it felt short and awkward so I stuck with the 59" cue since that time. Probably 7 or 8 years now. I have a low end Jerry Olivier that I had Jacoby make me a custom 30" edge hybrid shaft for so it is 59" together. The balance is a little more forward due to the shaft length and I still play a little better with the 59" cue split evenly. The JO cue and shaft I use when I travel the other cue is too expensive for me to consider traveling with.

Hope this helps. Good Luck with whatever you choose!

Hi and thanks for the detailed comments! I am probably going with a 59"
 
Do you routinely "run out of stick"? That is, do you frequently find yourself gripping all the way back off the wrap at the bumper? If not, there is nothing wrong with the length of your present stick. Also, there is nothing wrong with gripping the very end of the cue on slight stretch shots. Most wraps are pretty useless.

Without knowing your typical bridge length, it's really hard to recommend a stick length change. If you have developed good feel for speed and spin, that will likely change if you add significant length and some weight.
 
Do you routinely "run out of stick"? That is, do you frequently find yourself gripping all the way back off the wrap at the bumper? If not, there is nothing wrong with the length of your present stick. Also, there is nothing wrong with gripping the very end of the cue on slight stretch shots. Most wraps are pretty useless.

Without knowing your typical bridge length, it's really hard to recommend a stick length change. If you have developed good feel for speed and spin, that will likely change if you add significant length and some weight.

Hi Bob, I have a pretty long bridge usually a full 12" back from the cue ball. I typically don't run out of stick in the manner you described but primarily because I have trained myself not to grab the cue behind the wrap.
And you are correct because after developing a good feel for speed and spin I am worried about a large increase in cue length. That's why I am thinking 59" will still give me that little bit of extra length and not affect my game too badly.
I'm also going to get an extender and try out a 2" and maybe 4" for a bit.
 
I took about 10 Josswest cues, same sst joints & same tips, Precision mediums.
A 58" played better than the 59", than a 57" played better than the 58", than a 58" played better then a 57", on & on.
Shaft diameter and ferrules had more to do with it than the length.
I heard Buddy Hall said if he would have switched to a 60" when he was younger his game would have been a ball better.
Some cuemakers have standardized on 59", some 58.5, and some made the transition from 57" to 58", but they made cues all over the board.

In my opinion if you are going to a 59" why not just go 60"...or 58"
 
Trying to get some opinions on the differences between 58" and 59" cue play and action. Other than the obvious replies of: "the 58" is shorter than the 59", some constructive thoughts would be appreciate LoL.

I'm getting a new cue made and have mostly played with a standard 58" for years now. I'm 6' 3" and my arms and not freakishly long but proportioned to my height. I do have wide shoulders and have noticed that I do grip the 58" cue pretty far back on the wrap.

Also, curious to know exactly how the measurement should be taken to determine the cue length. I have been measuring my cues from the end of the ferrule (without the tip), and to the end of the butt (without the bumper). Does that sound like the right way to measure?

Thanks!

There is a significant difference in play. I've played with a Rambow cue with 5 original shafts which are 28" from shat collar to front ferrule edge or many years, which results in a total length of approximately 57" (excluding tip). Since I play in 9' games almost exclusively, wanted to experiment with 30" shafts.

To that end, I purchased a custom Schmelke (4 prong with Titleist styled veneers, flat faced composite joint and a Hoppe ring - a great cue, though lacking the balance and hit of the Rambow) and have begun experimenting with 30" shafts, giving this cue a total reach of 60"+.

While I greatly appreciate the extra 2" is to work with, the differences are significant, to say the least. When comparing a stock 30" maple shaft to that of a low deflection shaft, I noticed significant differences in deflection and squirt, so much so, that from now on, when I use a 30: shaft, it will only use a low deflection shaft.

I'm presently concentrating on practice with a 30" Predator 314-2, and intend to add other low lower range of diameters (11.50mm to 12.50mm) deflection shafts in the 29"-30" range to improve results. Katana, Jacoby Edge, and Z-3 are on the short list. Hope this is helpful.
 
I think Billy (JW) originally made his cues 57", I could be wrong, I also believe
he plays or played with 57".If I order a cue I always get 57" unless it is a
production cue that comes 58". I would get 561/2 but am afraid it would be
hard to sell once it starts missing and I have to sell it It just feels better to me.
I have mentioned this to Dean many times but he is a hard head and selfish
so he keeps ordering what he likes.
jack
 
All good points. After careful consideration I decided to stick to the 58" length and buy a 2" extender to try it out. Thanks for all the comments and information guys.
 
I don’t know where you are but if you’re around central Missouri I’ve got a 59” and several 60” cues you can try.
 
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