I get where you're going but people like new shit and adjusting to a new cue doesn't take that long. Not a big issue for most players. I was at a tourn. yrs ago and not-to-be-named player snapped his cue mid-event. He borrowed a cue that was totally unlike his and played(and won) like nothing ever happened.
New Cue Syndrome -- Real or Imagined
- Thread starter lfigueroa
- Start date
Yep, people like new shit, and nearly all of them equate a perceived increase in performance to such a move. However actual reality of what's going on is bland so they rather justify a purchase then admit it.
The last notable event I won (years ago now) was with a heavily modified wx900 that was handed to me minutes before the tourney began. A complete unknown in my hands yet I played like a champ on that day. Why..? Well I've explained it already. Maybe if my cue guy wasn't such a great dude and instead I paid a pant ton for the work, I'd be claiming I finally found a piece of equipment that perfectly matched what I needed to bring the best out of my game. "What an investment..!" Truth is, I played conservatively because I didn't know how it was going to react.
It seems everyone likes to preach keeping the game simple. Unless that process is subconsciously done after buying a new cue...lol
Doesn't matter what game players are looking for "the one." I have known some to find that cue / shaft combo that seems to never miss. I say let everyone try and find that best fit.
I spend countless hours on the range trying head & shaft combinations to dial in my golf bag.
If only pool was the same way.
I spend countless hours on the range trying head & shaft combinations to dial in my golf bag.
If only pool was the same way.
As everyone else has said, NCS exists, Except with carbon fiber shafts. They can really mess your head sometimes, for old timers who have played with wood for so long. BTW who is Gail?
Its real but there is no reason to think that a change in equipment cant fit a player worse or better. I just made a change in cue by the same maker. I wanted a different joint material for a different hit and I think I have found it. I might not be playing loads better but I do like the hit better and have noticed some differences with shots.
New Cue-itis usually causes the symptom of motivation to get on the table more.
I keep my customs put away for safety and only play with a couple Cuetecs these days.
When I grab my secondary cue it feels fantastic and I think I should switch it in as my main player.
Then I take the player out of the case and everything feels equally good. The subtle differences make me think it's the cue but it is not.
I keep my customs put away for safety and only play with a couple Cuetecs these days.
When I grab my secondary cue it feels fantastic and I think I should switch it in as my main player.
Then I take the player out of the case and everything feels equally good. The subtle differences make me think it's the cue but it is not.
Shelby full splice : -)
I believe the cue came up for sale in the Spring here and I dithered and it got bought. Then it came up for sale again later in the year and I jumped on it. Funny thing is that I was exclusively playing with one of the shafts and was loving it. Then I took out the other shaft and hated it — totally changed everything. So I get home, whip out the scale, and the original shaft comes in at exactly 4oz. The other shaft comes in at 3.4oz.
Mr. Williams has most graciously agreed to make me another shaft that will come in as close to 4oz as he can make it. BTW, he also made me some pretty sporty JPs.
Lou Figueroa
Attachments
Well, another critical component at issue here is that unless you try a wide variety of cues you’ll never know what the right one for you is.
Kinda like (dare I say it….) choosing a woman to spend the rest of your life with.
Lou Figueroa
go ahead
“Me too” me to death
Personally I think it’s important to avoid making broad generalizations.
Maybe you like nice shit and need to justify your purchases but some, perhaps most of us, are not wired thataway.
Lou Figueroa
too much experience
and money to need to do that
lol... No I get it.
My stance is that (dare I say) generally speaking. Chasing a "right cue" is a massive waste of time and resources. Much like a woman. You can grow to love them despite the possible short comings.
I have found the forever woman, the forever cue is a work in progress.
I think you are onto something here. I have been practicing with a new cue and a new shaft (CF) and I had some great sessions with it and one abysmal. I realized I tried to go into automode and started disregarding the feel elements and fine little signals from the cue. I was able to return to the new cue mindset by paying more attention to small details. Even though you want to go into automode to catch that mysterious flow, paying attention to small signals the cue is sending you will most likely pay dividens in the long run as well.
A new cue...equals...Higher sense of consciousness. End of story.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I kind of lucked out. Pat Diveney's shop is about an hour away. My wife and I wanted to check out some custom cues from a local cuesmith. At the time I was used to my McDermott and had played with it for decades. The second I picked up one of Pat's cues I fell in love. He really knows how to make a cue almost feel like it has disappeared in your hand, it's like it just levitates. The balance point is exactly perfect for me and it has a little thinner butt diameter than some fat cues. First try and it was perfect for me.
I ended up giving my wife my first Diveney because she just loved the cue. I bought another a few years ago and it felt just as good as the first one. I'm sure he could make a cue to any specs but I enjoy the specs he's came up with.
Rusty in Montana
Well-known member
I also was a hardcore McDermott cue guy I loved that cue and I could literally drag the cue ball around the table as if it were on a string .
Well fecal matter happened so it's in retirement for a extended stay , and along comes a Mike Gulyassy cue and I remembered the conversation I had with Earl Strickland about pool cues among other things and jumped at the opportunity to own one .
Yes there was a learning curve which continues but I'm glad that I've got it to play with as it has brought my game up to another level which people I'm playing against are telling me this even .
Lou , that's a darn nice cue you have in the picture , I'm sure it's a total joy to play with !
Well fecal matter happened so it's in retirement for a extended stay , and along comes a Mike Gulyassy cue and I remembered the conversation I had with Earl Strickland about pool cues among other things and jumped at the opportunity to own one .
Yes there was a learning curve which continues but I'm glad that I've got it to play with as it has brought my game up to another level which people I'm playing against are telling me this even .
Lou , that's a darn nice cue you have in the picture , I'm sure it's a total joy to play with !
Rusty, for years I too was a McDermott cue guy.
In fact, somewhere in the closet I have one made for me by Jim himself. I’ll see if I can dig it out and post a picture tomorrow. I might also have a photo of me using it during my ill fated trick shot session with Lisa.
The Shelby is the nuts.
Lou Figueroa
Whew!! What a beauty!!
