30-inch, or 29-inch shaft?

JimmyWhite

JimmyWhite

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What is the difference in playability between a 30'' shaft and a 29'' one?

I am about to buy a predator cue and the shaft can be of either length. I am rather tall (like 6'3'' ~ 190cm) and I grip the butt of my current cue way back. (just behind the linen wrap) I believe that if I buy a 30-inch one it would be more comfortable for me. Does anyone have any personal experience regarding the predator shaft length and playability?
 
I am 6'2 and just this past year switched to 30' shafts and that extra inch helps a lot. More than I thought. In fact I just started using a 60' cue and it makes a world of difference.
 
I am 6"-2" and use a 59" cue. As far as length goes, you are on the right track. The 59" (combined length) of that cue will be much more comfortable for you. I am also 'long armed' so I could easily (and have) use a 60" cue. I do not like the feel of a 60" cue however, so I stated making my own.

I have found that even 1/2 inch longer shaft length makes a HUGE difference in the way a cue plays. The entire shaft taper must be re-engineered to deal with the added length. I am spending a great deal of time to get my 29-1/2" shafts to play like 28-1/2" shafts (a classic 57 inch cue). And let me tell you: it is not easy!

With a replacement shaft, I have to assume the joint and tip diameters are the same, so where is the added spine coming from? I deal with this problem... As you add 'spine' (more wood) how do you deal with the weight? (my preferred shaft is around 6 ounces right now) That weight greatly affects the balance point of the assembled cue too... It is a big puzzle for me, and the main reason (that and the fact I have no time to devote to cues at the moment) I have not sold a cue. I need to find that perfect taper that will give me exactly what I want the shaft, and more importantly, the assembled cue, the feel and playability I want it to have.

Sorry for the rant...

I have also seen inserts that extend the cue length by placing a piece between the butt and shaft. Due to the pin, this generally needs to be about 2 inches long minimum, and that would be too much for me personally... I have no idea how a cue with two joints close together would play either. I thought I'd mention that as an option I am aware of.
 
I vote for stiff extra lenght- not the z

I have a joss cue from Danny Janes made in 1983. Its extra length equal parts. I think the cues balance forward better,letting the cue follow more true to your natural stroke length. Steve(the Miz) always had extra lenght cues always - if not just for the reach factor. I do know of 1 ex-Pro who didn't like the pred extra length- it was too wippy- which I found funny since he was team member for Bob MUcci in the 90's playing in the Camel Tour stuff. I'd have an instructor show you on the cue where the optimal place to hold the cue is. Its going to be just off the wrap because (of your wing span -arms length).
 
Cue Guru said:
I am 6"-2" and use a 59" cue. As far as length goes, you are on the right track. The 59" (combined length) of that cue will be much more comfortable for you. I am also 'long armed' so I could easily (and have) use a 60" cue. I do not like the feel of a 60" cue however, so I stated making my own.

I have found that even 1/2 inch longer shaft length makes a HUGE difference in the way a cue plays. The entire shaft taper must be re-engineered to deal with the added length. I am spending a great deal of time to get my 29-1/2" shafts to play like 28-1/2" shafts (a classic 57 inch cue). And let me tell you: it is not easy!

With a replacement shaft, I have to assume the joint and tip diameters are the same, so where is the added spine coming from? I deal with this problem... As you add 'spine' (more wood) how do you deal with the weight? (my preferred shaft is around 6 ounces right now) That weight greatly affects the balance point of the assembled cue too... It is a big puzzle for me, and the main reason (that and the fact I have no time to devote to cues at the moment) I have not sold a cue. I need to find that perfect taper that will give me exactly what I want the shaft, and more importantly, the assembled cue, the feel and playability I want it to have.

Sorry for the rant...

I have also seen inserts that extend the cue length by placing a piece between the butt and shaft. Due to the pin, this generally needs to be about 2 inches long minimum, and that would be too much for me personally... I have no idea how a cue with two joints close together would play either. I thought I'd mention that as an option I am aware of.
Click to expand...

The "rant" was pretty informant actually :thumbup:

Thanks for the replies so far. I thought that things would be more simple (more length=more comfort) but maybe the playability is affected as well.

Would love to hear more thoughts though.
 
When I got the Mezz ZZSP the first thing that came to mind was that it felt short. Pretty much the same length as my other cues though. So I went with a 30" shaft. The experiment is still ongoing. But so far I'm allot more comfortable with it.
 
A couple years ago I had the pleasure of spending an entire day with Frank Stellman, he is the gentleman who made Sailor Cues. In his day he was one of the top straight pool players around and he still has a shop in Racine Wi. During the day with him he watched me play on his table for nearly an hour before saying I should shoot with a 59" cue. I am not tall about 5' 9" and my arm span is about 6' give or take. I did not question his reasoning for the cue length but it has been on my mind since. I currently use a standard 58" cue and last week one of the top players in my area let me try his 59" cue and it felt great. BTW he is no taller than me so I do not think height is the only determining factor to consider. In the past I took lessons from RandyG and Scott Lee and both focused a lot on my follow through. Perhaps the longer shaft creates a longer follow through and that may have been why Frank mentioned the longer cue for me.
 
I have about a dozen cues that are 59" in length. The big difference I find is I am not holding the end of the butt so much when playing certain shots. I am having a cue maker make me a 30" butt to try with a 29" shaft. The cost of buying 30" shafts over a 29" shaft is outrageous. Mitch
 
This one shoots real, real nice. Like hi´s 58 cues but longer. This one is not my shooter but it´s in my collection and for sale locally. I have played and sold several of his longer cues and they play and feel very, very good. He is a genius when it comes to balance and taper a cue out so it feels perfect.

http://www.queperfect.biz/EW0564.htm

Chrippa
 
Lazerrus said:
I am 6'2 and just this past year switched to 30' shafts and that extra inch helps a lot. More than I thought. In fact I just started using a 60' cue and it makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...

Thanks for commenting Laz!! Being 6'2" , I put in an order for a 60" just out of curiosity. A 58incher has always worked just fine, but I was curious myself if the 60" wouldn't feel more natural while in the hands...:thumbup:
 
Shaft differences

This is why I decided to have a custom 30" butt made to go with a 29" shaft = 59"
Plus I have the other 30" shaft to make it 60" in case I want to try that out.

In my opinion of you are going to go with 30" shaft you need to get a stiffer one than you think. If you are looking at the 314-2 at 30" I think that might be a bit whippy.

If you want to stick at 12.75mm then I would suggest you try the OB Classic or Pro (11.75mm). As for low deflection - I think these are of the stiffest shafts out there.

Otherwise if you want to stick with Predator, I would recommend the Fat shaft. If 13.25mm is too big you can always have it turned down to 13.mm.

Hope this helps.
 
now throw in bank shaft.

I have been advised to measure 6 inches from the collars- and its better to start the taper there (minimum ) Someone I know was repeating what he learned from Mr Gilbert. I need another shaft from Andy best way to test the waters. Because I like the Derby City stuff 455 players in the bank tournament.
 
HollyWood said:
I have been advised to measure 6 inches from the collars- and its better to start the taper there (minimum ) Someone I know was repeating what he learned from Mr Gilbert. I need another shaft from Andy best way to test the waters. Because I like the Derby City stuff 455 players in the bank tournament.
Click to expand...
AGREE.
The first 6 inches of the shaft from the collar should match the butt's taper ( at least 3" imo ).
IMHO, shafts should not have a straight portion except the ferrule.
I like progressive/compound taper in 6 inch increments myself.
First 6 from the tip slight taper, doubles up the next next , doubles up the next 6 and so on.
 
I have played with 29" predators, and now 30" predators. I notice no differences whatsoever between them, except my grip hand doesn't fall off the cue anymore (I'm tall as well).

I don't understand why so many people make a big deal that the extra inch is going to affect playabilty. Thats the first thing you hear when someone asks about getting a long cue or shaft. So what if it might be more flexible. What about when the norm was 13mm, now its more like 12.5. You don't hear people saying dont get a 12.5mm shaft because its more flexible than a 13mm. So why do people say the same thing about a longer shaft?

Get what fits YOU the best. If you are tall, a longer cue will be the best for YOU.
 
I've been told length should be equally split between the shaft and butt (29.5" shaft 29.5" butt for a 59" cue) or it changes the dynamic of the cue too much. Is it always preferable to split equally, or is it OK to stick a 30" shaft on (I said "ON" poolplayer2093) a 29" butt?
 
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