Recent content by Fvalstounge

First lesson I ever took, the guy absolutely insisted I change to a closed bridge. I wish I hadn't listened, because my open bridge was fine and I find myself reverting back after decades. My tip... embrace your own "best" stroke. One can improve without compromising what feels natural.

Just my own two cents here... Unlike most (or all) others posting on this topic, I've actually visited Springfield Cues, met Doug and learned a lot about him, his passion and the hard work he's put into this. Isolated complaints from years ago don't carry much weight, IMO. Every business has...

I don't know much about OCD and there is a wide spectrum of players, from the very casual to the very serious. From my experience, one MUST be a perfectionist at the very least, to have the drive and discipline to get really good. Of course, there is also the issue of natural talent (of which I...

It is much harder for me to segment the drawback into fractions though. As soon as I do, it feels too mechanical and disrupts the timing and transition to forward motion.

I've spent years trying to improve my bank shots with what I always called "off-table visualization" or "Siamese tables". Others call it a "mirror" technique. Over time, I've found I can hit most shots (particularly the harder ones) more often than those who are otherwise my peers. I truly...

Using draw length to control distance was a bit hard for me to get the hang of. One thing that has really helped is to think of it like the plunger on a pinball table. This not only helped "feel" and visualize the effect, but also slowed down my backstroke a bit and helped me with a smoother...

I submitted a repair request on 2/16. Meucci eventually said to send 'em in, and cues were received on 3/17. Still waiting to get them back. Honestly, I don't know that they can reprint those logos, but it will be quite the wait. 🤷‍♂️

The only cue that could "retire" my main squeeze is a David Howard model 4 (the OG "Giant Killer" cue). Maybe I'll get one someday. Congrats on the new cue!

I first started playing pool at age 14, when I finally walked away from the Galaga and Dig-Dug video games and tried my hand on a coin-op table in the arcade. The very first thing I learned about pool is that it's a lot more fun when you make the balls. Thus, here I am, 4 decades later, still...

I would say they should invest in someone to handle customer relations and marketing who would know better than to phrase it that way. On one hand, they should stand behind their work for a reasonable period. On the other hand, I also understand that the more complex the design and variety of...

All of the above just reinforces why I only deal with the Meucci Originals, from 1975-1989. During this golden era, Meucci's reputation and dominance were built on solid production lines and brilliant marketing. On the production side, the earliest lines were made when Bob's constant presence...

Congrats! Until the crown is passed along, it's yours to wear. About 25 years ago, I got a little hat pin for being the King in our VNEA league. Nice little keepsake.

Absolutely, they improved. It was still a transition period when they launched MO and took time before phasing out the overlays. I'm no expert on everything Meucci, and my only focus is 1975-1989. I don't think you'll find examples beyond the mid-late '80's, but can't say so definitively.

I do not. I spoke erroneously and stand corrected. Wrong. Inaccurate. False. Error. Thirty lashes and no grog tonight. They did continue with some of these overlay designs into the MO series, and just a few other examples I've found. I do know that the '84 Gambler was inlayed, and the...

I don't suppose one is a DH-4?