Same old boring cue stick buying tips topic

mfoolb

Registered
After reading a lot, really a lot, of threads about the same argument and having myself asked here for suggestions a couple of times I decided that the best way to understand the differences among all the possible cue sticks is to start buying the first one.

So I think Il'll go for a Predator SP4RW with 314-2 shaft, any good reason not buy it?

Anyone can suggest a better price/store quality value than this one:

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/predator/predator_sp4rw.htm

I'll need to have it shipped to Italy anything I need to take in consideration or does any of the european azers know a european store with same price (around ? 200)?

Of course I still take different suggestions.

Thanks a lot for the valuable quantity of info I found here.

Ciao.
 

NervousNovice

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
mfoolb said:
After reading a lot, really a lot, of threads about the same argument and having myself asked here for suggestions a couple of times I decided that the best way to understand the differences among all the possible cue sticks is to start buying the first one.

So I think Il'll go for a Predator SP4RW with 314-2 shaft, any good reason not buy it?

One good reason is, if you've never owned a cue, then you might want to start with a solid maple shaft instead of a high-tech low deflection shaft.

The more deflection you have, the more you can notice it, and the more you need to adjust. This extra deflection also means it's less forgiving for straight in shots when you hit off-center. All these are good for learning.

mfoolb said:
Anyone can suggest a better price/store quality value than this one:

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/predator/predator_sp4rw.htm

I'll need to have it shipped to Italy anything I need to take in consideration or does any of the european azers know a european store with same price (around ? 200)?

Of course I still take different suggestions.

Thanks a lot for the valuable quantity of info I found here.

Ciao.

Here are a few reputable online stores. Their prices are usually the same.
http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/
http://www.ozonebilliards.com/
http://www.platinumbilliards.com/
http://www.pooldawg.com/
http://www.seyberts.com/
 

Da Poet

Pool is Cool
Silver Member
mfoolb said:
After reading a lot, really a lot, of threads about the same argument and having myself asked here for suggestions a couple of times I decided that the best way to understand the differences among all the possible cue sticks is to start buying the first one.

So I think Il'll go for a Predator SP4RW with 314-2 shaft, any good reason not buy it?

Anyone can suggest a better price/store quality value than this one:

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/predator/predator_sp4rw.htm

I'll need to have it shipped to Italy anything I need to take in consideration or does any of the european azers know a european store with same price (around ? 200)?

Of course I still take different suggestions.

Thanks a lot for the valuable quantity of info I found here.

Ciao.

I've had my spwr4 with a 314-2 for a little over a year and a half and I am so happy with it, I just ordered an extra 314-2 shaft as a backup.

There are some great and less expensive solid maple shaft cues out there, but if you are a believer in the low deflection thing, there is not a better bang for the buck.

You can try to order the butt or shaft separately, but after the shipping charges, and the possibilty of an alignment problem, I don't think it's a better value.

Again, if you're looking for a state of the art low deflection cue, I haven't seen a better value in the last 1 1/2 years.

I would recommend contacting Predator for a dealer.

Good luck! :D
 

mfoolb

Registered
Sorry I should have explained better.

I used to play pool at a discrete level almost 20 years ago.

Three months ago I've bought a table for my home (Dynamics II 9ft + Simonis 860) and I started playing again with an entry-level Fury and a Classic Gladiator in the USD120 range.
 

Da Poet

Pool is Cool
Silver Member
NervousNovice said:
One good reason is, if you've never owned a cue, then you might want to start with a solid maple shaft instead of a high-tech low deflection shaft.

I respectfully disagree with this. Most of the folks who don't like the low deflection shafts don't like them because they are used to playing with solid maple shafts. This is completely understandable.

If this is your first good cue and can comfortably afford it, then starting out with a low deflection shaft is not only perfectly fine, it's far better than trying to switch later.
 

AZE

DeucesCracked Instructor
Silver Member
imo you can get butts of > or = quality for less $$.
In the butt all that really matters is the balance and feel. Go find one that feels good for you.

As far as the shaft... to me it really doesn't matter, you can get good with one and switch, if you're a decent player by then it shouldn't take you too long to adjust. I think people over hype this issue.
Yes the results you get with the 'low def. shafts' are different than the standard maple shafts for the most part, but it's not like it's some huge drastic change that a week of gambling with can't get you used to.
 
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BPG24

Banned
There is no legit reason not buy a Predator if that is what you want. many players love them and have for years. It is true that low deflection shafts make long straight in shots a touch tougher, but no game I play rewards you for being straight in anyway. The benefits that they bring far out way the small difference in long straight in shots. If you hit it good it WILL go in. lol

I do suggest that you buy one from an authorized dealer if you are choosing a 314-2 as your shaft. Just in case anything goes wrong with the ferule. A few have been recalled due to poor QC. Last I heard they have fixed the problem

Welcome back to pool!!!
 

mfoolb

Registered
Thanks a lot BGP24.. I think I'll go for the Predator as for the dealer I'd like to buy it overseas because of the dollar and the lower price. The best I can find here for that cue stick is € 350 vs € 200 in the states.

Ciao.
 

9 on the snap

Budweiser fears me
Silver Member
I was thinking about a predator sneaky four point wrapless with a wood to wood joint. This would be my backup. They are some nice looking cues, and I am a big fan of the 314 shaft.
 
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