I have a small collection of cues, some might say big, depends on who you ask... (see the tread "how many cues is too much")
I stopped playing pool about 16 years ago, back then, things were easy, all I had to do is get a 314 shaft for every joint I have and all my cues will play the same (at least very similar). Some I liked better then others as players but they all got some table time.
Fast forward 15 years and I'm back... I could have been just happy and satisfied using what I have, but I've woken up to a world of CF shafts, extensions and other accessories... My curiosity got the best of me and I started to do some shopping.... Ended up with a bunch of new CF shafts and a new cue.
Rotating between cues and shafts I've gotten to be uncomfortable with all the equipment I have. None felt just right.
Every time my game was off, I took out the backup 314 shaft and replaced the CF shaft and it felt better.
I still think the CF is the future and the problem is with me, not sticking to one shaft and one cue and getting it down.
My curiosity also led me to the Predator Centro shaft, I got one of those a few weeks ago.
I've been playing with it and been comparing it to the 314 and SMO shafts and I really like it.
The issue with the Centro shaft is that it comes only in Uni-Loc or Radial, most of my collection are either Piloted 5/16x14 SS, or 3/8x10 (standard and modified). I only have a break cue with a Uni-Loc joint, I do have 3 cues with Radial but 2 are slightly warped so basically only my JFlowers is a "working cue" with a radial joint.
I have a few issues with the JFlowers that I own, first, it's a good cue! well build, good hit and to me it also looks good. My issues with it are:
1. It's a bit butt heavy and I prefer a forward balanced cue. (Not all JFlowers cues are like that, I've tested a few that are more forward balanced), The Centro shaft is a bit heavier than the SMO and it does move the balance point a bit more forward and it does feel better.
2. The leather grip, I have a bunch of cues with different types of leather grips, I just don't like it... it's OK for a short session or a session with friends, but for a serious play and long hours play, I just don't like how it feels in my hands.
3. Not a big issue but, it's 19oz and I do prefer something a little bit lighter, usually if the cue is more front balanced, I can deal better with heavier cues.
So for a while now, I've been toying with the idea of getting a new cue, if to be more precise - a new cue butt as I have enough shafts... (or do I?)
After going back and forth with my collection and shooting with different combos, I realized that I have a few specs that the butt needs to have that I don't have a combination for it out of my collection:
1. With any shaft, the cue has to weigh under 19oz, 18.5 will be perfect but anything between 18 to 18.75 will do
2. The cue with any shaft should be forward balanced, at least 19 inches from the bumper
3. The butt has to be wrapless, I like Irish linen as well but nobody seems to use it anymore or the quality is not great on those that do.
4. It should have a radial pin - to fit the Centro and future Predator shafts (that are easier to find in Uni-Loc or Radial)
5. Should have an extension
6. I prefer production cue, it's just my experience with some custom cues in my collection that they just don't hold well over the years, I prefer a production that won't cost too much and I can easily replace and I don't have to wait moths to be build.
7. Should cost around $1000 or under if possible.
Searching the web for such a cue (butt) led me to the Universal NA 02 cue.
The basic price is $661 for the butt only, and really that's all I needed BUT I ended up getting it with the Nova 12.4mm CF shaft, my thought were that if I don't like it, it'll be easier to sell with a shaft and a CF shaft is more popular... so $1010 for the cue.
Before buying it, I emailed Fullcan and asked them about the cue weight and if I can get it in 18.5oz as weight options are not not listed. They emailed back that the cue base is around 18oz and I can change that with their weight bolts system, so I've ordered that as well, add $40.
And the 8 inches extension is $95
Total $1145
Today the cue arrived, just in time for league night.
Out of the box (and a nice box it is) the cue is 18.5oz and balance point is around 19.5 inches from the bumper, felt really good in the hand, like and old friend (I have a similar cue, custom made). The Nova shaft weigh exactly like the Predator Centro, so swapping between them feels just the same. Could have saved $40 on that weight bolts box... no biggie
The handle is a nice maple, is it curly or tiger? no idea...
The forearm and butt end are black, could be ebony, not an expert, under a strong light I do see some grain and color streaks.
The are nice inlayed rings at all positions, including one in the middle of the handle, making the cue looks plain yet luxurious.
White butt cup and there is a white ring under the joint collar, this construction makes it look when a shaft is attached as if the shaft has a matching ring, nice touch in CF days that the shafts comes without matching collars.
Radial black metal pin, looks anodized. I was sure from the pictures on the web that it's a black G10 pin, Cognoscenti style but it's metal.
Put it in my case and off to the pool hall.
I had an hour of practice before league started.
I first tested it with the Nova CF shaft.
Not a lot of info on this shaft on-line. I saw a mentioned that is has a dampened hit that feels a bit soft.
I don't know if it's the tip but it does feel a bit more soft compared to my other CF shafts but very responsive. I really liked how it felt, I started by just hitting center ball at different speeds just to feel it.
Then I've setup some shot that I usually setup when I start to practice my stroke and test deflection.
It is a very low deflection shaft, I still need to test it more as it could be my stroke at the beginning of the session but it felt that it deflects more than the Centro and the SMO (that are very similar in terms of deflection). I then played the ghost a bit to test it in real life situations. It really played nice and I liked it's feedback, I actually didn't planed on playing with it that long but it felt good. As I did feel that it gives more deflection than the Centro and I didn't want to start leaning it during league, I then switched to the Centro.
The Centro feels stiffer and more solid, could also be a difference in the tips. One the Universal butt, the Centro feels more solid than on the Jflowers.
I really liked how it plays and felt.
Ended up having a really good league session, played very well, better than I have in the last few months, I was just more comfortable with this cue than with the rest of my options from my collection.
I wasn't planing writing anything yet and planed to give it a few more sessions before I write anything but it played so well that I had to...
really happy with this purchase, I think the journey to find my players set is over.
My initials plans was to get a 12.4mm Revo, I have a 12.9mm that I seemed to outgrew a bit, but for now, after getting this cue with the Nova shaft, the Centro shaft and also got a new case... (don't ask...) I think I'm done shopping for a while.
Tomorrow I'll have another session with a friend, I'll try to go through it only with the Nova shaft and maybe I'll have more thoughts about it.
I stopped playing pool about 16 years ago, back then, things were easy, all I had to do is get a 314 shaft for every joint I have and all my cues will play the same (at least very similar). Some I liked better then others as players but they all got some table time.
Fast forward 15 years and I'm back... I could have been just happy and satisfied using what I have, but I've woken up to a world of CF shafts, extensions and other accessories... My curiosity got the best of me and I started to do some shopping.... Ended up with a bunch of new CF shafts and a new cue.
Rotating between cues and shafts I've gotten to be uncomfortable with all the equipment I have. None felt just right.
Every time my game was off, I took out the backup 314 shaft and replaced the CF shaft and it felt better.
I still think the CF is the future and the problem is with me, not sticking to one shaft and one cue and getting it down.
My curiosity also led me to the Predator Centro shaft, I got one of those a few weeks ago.
I've been playing with it and been comparing it to the 314 and SMO shafts and I really like it.
The issue with the Centro shaft is that it comes only in Uni-Loc or Radial, most of my collection are either Piloted 5/16x14 SS, or 3/8x10 (standard and modified). I only have a break cue with a Uni-Loc joint, I do have 3 cues with Radial but 2 are slightly warped so basically only my JFlowers is a "working cue" with a radial joint.
I have a few issues with the JFlowers that I own, first, it's a good cue! well build, good hit and to me it also looks good. My issues with it are:
1. It's a bit butt heavy and I prefer a forward balanced cue. (Not all JFlowers cues are like that, I've tested a few that are more forward balanced), The Centro shaft is a bit heavier than the SMO and it does move the balance point a bit more forward and it does feel better.
2. The leather grip, I have a bunch of cues with different types of leather grips, I just don't like it... it's OK for a short session or a session with friends, but for a serious play and long hours play, I just don't like how it feels in my hands.
3. Not a big issue but, it's 19oz and I do prefer something a little bit lighter, usually if the cue is more front balanced, I can deal better with heavier cues.
So for a while now, I've been toying with the idea of getting a new cue, if to be more precise - a new cue butt as I have enough shafts... (or do I?)
After going back and forth with my collection and shooting with different combos, I realized that I have a few specs that the butt needs to have that I don't have a combination for it out of my collection:
1. With any shaft, the cue has to weigh under 19oz, 18.5 will be perfect but anything between 18 to 18.75 will do
2. The cue with any shaft should be forward balanced, at least 19 inches from the bumper
3. The butt has to be wrapless, I like Irish linen as well but nobody seems to use it anymore or the quality is not great on those that do.
4. It should have a radial pin - to fit the Centro and future Predator shafts (that are easier to find in Uni-Loc or Radial)
5. Should have an extension
6. I prefer production cue, it's just my experience with some custom cues in my collection that they just don't hold well over the years, I prefer a production that won't cost too much and I can easily replace and I don't have to wait moths to be build.
7. Should cost around $1000 or under if possible.
Searching the web for such a cue (butt) led me to the Universal NA 02 cue.
The basic price is $661 for the butt only, and really that's all I needed BUT I ended up getting it with the Nova 12.4mm CF shaft, my thought were that if I don't like it, it'll be easier to sell with a shaft and a CF shaft is more popular... so $1010 for the cue.
Before buying it, I emailed Fullcan and asked them about the cue weight and if I can get it in 18.5oz as weight options are not not listed. They emailed back that the cue base is around 18oz and I can change that with their weight bolts system, so I've ordered that as well, add $40.
And the 8 inches extension is $95
Total $1145
Today the cue arrived, just in time for league night.
Out of the box (and a nice box it is) the cue is 18.5oz and balance point is around 19.5 inches from the bumper, felt really good in the hand, like and old friend (I have a similar cue, custom made). The Nova shaft weigh exactly like the Predator Centro, so swapping between them feels just the same. Could have saved $40 on that weight bolts box... no biggie
The handle is a nice maple, is it curly or tiger? no idea...
The forearm and butt end are black, could be ebony, not an expert, under a strong light I do see some grain and color streaks.
The are nice inlayed rings at all positions, including one in the middle of the handle, making the cue looks plain yet luxurious.
White butt cup and there is a white ring under the joint collar, this construction makes it look when a shaft is attached as if the shaft has a matching ring, nice touch in CF days that the shafts comes without matching collars.
Radial black metal pin, looks anodized. I was sure from the pictures on the web that it's a black G10 pin, Cognoscenti style but it's metal.
Put it in my case and off to the pool hall.
I had an hour of practice before league started.
I first tested it with the Nova CF shaft.
Not a lot of info on this shaft on-line. I saw a mentioned that is has a dampened hit that feels a bit soft.
I don't know if it's the tip but it does feel a bit more soft compared to my other CF shafts but very responsive. I really liked how it felt, I started by just hitting center ball at different speeds just to feel it.
Then I've setup some shot that I usually setup when I start to practice my stroke and test deflection.
It is a very low deflection shaft, I still need to test it more as it could be my stroke at the beginning of the session but it felt that it deflects more than the Centro and the SMO (that are very similar in terms of deflection). I then played the ghost a bit to test it in real life situations. It really played nice and I liked it's feedback, I actually didn't planed on playing with it that long but it felt good. As I did feel that it gives more deflection than the Centro and I didn't want to start leaning it during league, I then switched to the Centro.
The Centro feels stiffer and more solid, could also be a difference in the tips. One the Universal butt, the Centro feels more solid than on the Jflowers.
I really liked how it plays and felt.
Ended up having a really good league session, played very well, better than I have in the last few months, I was just more comfortable with this cue than with the rest of my options from my collection.
I wasn't planing writing anything yet and planed to give it a few more sessions before I write anything but it played so well that I had to...
really happy with this purchase, I think the journey to find my players set is over.
My initials plans was to get a 12.4mm Revo, I have a 12.9mm that I seemed to outgrew a bit, but for now, after getting this cue with the Nova shaft, the Centro shaft and also got a new case... (don't ask...) I think I'm done shopping for a while.
Tomorrow I'll have another session with a friend, I'll try to go through it only with the Nova shaft and maybe I'll have more thoughts about it.
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