Adjusting to a new shaft
- Thread starter BRussell
- Start date
"I'll take 'Play Pool With It' for $200, Alex."
Sarcasm greatly appreciated, and encouraged!
I can offer no substitutes for just playing and getting the feel of the cue/new shaft, but it speeds the process for me if I start out with center ball hits and gradually work toward applying varying amounts of spin to re-learn how the cue ball reacts.
Good luck!
I can offer no substitutes for just playing and getting the feel of the cue/new shaft, but it speeds the process for me if I start out with center ball hits and gradually work toward applying varying amounts of spin to re-learn how the cue ball reacts.
Good luck!
LD switch
After a long layoff (15-18 years) I started playing again this year. Reading all the forums on what LD shafts bring to the game and what LD shafts are available, I settled on OB classic.
Now with 4 months in playing exclusively with the LD shafts, I am fully accustomed to it. I can't go back to the pure maples.
My best advice to you is, you'll have to reinvent your game. You'll realize that there are certain shots you'll expect deflection to kick in. Sub-consciously, you'll account for the deflect but then miss the shots bc the LD perform differently. You'll have to practice your basic shots, just to get used to the difference. If you're serious about adopting the LD shaft, don't try to play with them at a high level. You'll only get frustrated. Start from the beginning and give it some time.
Loving the OB classic. Good luck!
After a long layoff (15-18 years) I started playing again this year. Reading all the forums on what LD shafts bring to the game and what LD shafts are available, I settled on OB classic.
Now with 4 months in playing exclusively with the LD shafts, I am fully accustomed to it. I can't go back to the pure maples.
My best advice to you is, you'll have to reinvent your game. You'll realize that there are certain shots you'll expect deflection to kick in. Sub-consciously, you'll account for the deflect but then miss the shots bc the LD perform differently. You'll have to practice your basic shots, just to get used to the difference. If you're serious about adopting the LD shaft, don't try to play with them at a high level. You'll only get frustrated. Start from the beginning and give it some time.
Loving the OB classic. Good luck!
Wow, laying down a zinger at only 7 posts. How strong is that?
The only shots you should have trouble with would be those with a lot of spin on them. I found outside draw to be the worst, always causing me to over cut. I just had to go out and play to get used to it. There was no shortcut.
.
Yeah, he got me good! At least we can all but guarantee he isn't Poolkiller. Gotta love one-liners vs manifestos.
I am in the same situation, except mine comes after a 25 year layoff. I was considering buying a new cue to get re inspired, but after some research I bought an OB LD shaft, 11.75mm tip, for my old Huebler. Going from a 13mm tip to 11.75 took a few hits to adapt to, but I am really liking the amount of spin I can get with it! As far as the LD factor, it has been so long since I played regularly that I can use THAT excuse for missing shots, instead of readjusting for the shaft. At least for a little while...:grin-square:
Hah! no I haven't posted here before. Thanks for the responses and suggestions.
Bridge length is the main key to making the adjustment if you use any tip of pivot when using english.... If you are more of a feel player then aim your shots center ball and then parallel into your english and see where you are...
The OB Classic Pro does have some deflection so it should be easier to adjust than if you had purchased the OB2....
I would also tell you that hitting up thru the ball on some shots helps but the upstroke is seldom taught... it means finishing with your hand lower at the end up the stroke than where you start,,, With any speed you will get deflection with no swerve so you can aim shots with the LD shaft like you may have been aiming with a standard shaft where there was swerve but not enough to neutralize the squirt....
Chris
Takes me a few hours to figure out if I can adapt to a new shaft, 4 at the most. If after 4 hours I cant get the hang of it-forget it there are other shafts in the world.
If I know I can adjust to it i'd say i need 20 to 30 hours of practice alone and cheap action to get comfortable. After 100 hours I own the shaft and am good with it for a long time, after a long time the taper will change with wear9I dont use sandpaper of any thing abrasive) after a couple years a shaft can wear down(if its softer wood). I dont use "manufactured" LD shafts im old school.
If I know I can adjust to it i'd say i need 20 to 30 hours of practice alone and cheap action to get comfortable. After 100 hours I own the shaft and am good with it for a long time, after a long time the taper will change with wear9I dont use sandpaper of any thing abrasive) after a couple years a shaft can wear down(if its softer wood). I dont use "manufactured" LD shafts im old school.
OB says the OB-1 and Classic are "low deflection" and the OB-2 and Classic Pro are "ultra low deflection."
Only thoughts I have is play like ya normally do and if your committed 100% to Every shot, the slight changes will be noticeable, adjust accordingl. Table and room conditions (humidity/dirt/worn cloth etc.) always warrant changing your approach/or walking up to the shot a little more left or a little more right, I would think the LD shafts would also warrant this thinking. Different strokes so to speak, but I talked with Nick Varner a couple weeks back while he was here doing a show with Thorston Hollman. We go waaaaay back, to the midwest finals at IU in 1968 and have played a few times over the years, and Nicky will always give me the info I need. I asked em about the LD shafts and if he plays with one, NOPE. We talked about it a bit, and I felt the same way, but was nice to hear it from him to confirm my thoughts. I'm by NO means knocking the equipment as the only time I tried a LD shaft was the first yr Predator came out with the 314???? and did demos at the BCA Nationals at the Rivera yrs ago.
Last edited:
Don't flip flop
Best advice is commit to it and don't look back. This means that early on in the next month or 2, you're inevitably going to end up in a money game or other important time where you want to pull out your maple shaft and say F IT. don't do it. I'd suggest giving the maple shaft to a good buddy, and instruct him NOT TO GIVE IT BACK FOR 2 months!!! Under any circumstances. This will force the fastest smoothest transition into the LD WORLD...
WELCOME, my friend, I could never play with a maple shaft again. The other cool thing about adjusting to LD is that you'll be able to pick up any cue, put an OB on it, and play pool. You'll never have to adjust to another shaft again. Only downside is you're married to OB :grin-square:
For me, I'm married to Predator. That, and Moori Med tips
I have 5 or 6 custom cues, I have a Predator 314 shaft for every cue. I can pick up any one of them any night and play. I like that.
Best advice is commit to it and don't look back. This means that early on in the next month or 2, you're inevitably going to end up in a money game or other important time where you want to pull out your maple shaft and say F IT. don't do it. I'd suggest giving the maple shaft to a good buddy, and instruct him NOT TO GIVE IT BACK FOR 2 months!!! Under any circumstances. This will force the fastest smoothest transition into the LD WORLD...
WELCOME, my friend, I could never play with a maple shaft again. The other cool thing about adjusting to LD is that you'll be able to pick up any cue, put an OB on it, and play pool. You'll never have to adjust to another shaft again. Only downside is you're married to OB :grin-square:
For me, I'm married to Predator. That, and Moori Med tips
I have 5 or 6 custom cues, I have a Predator 314 shaft for every cue. I can pick up any one of them any night and play. I like that.
For the record, I did the opposite. I pretty much started out playing with a LD shaft. Then I got my Bobby Hunter, and decided that with it being such a nice cue, I should give the cuemakers shafts a try. I haven't looked back. After fully adjusting, I feel like I can do a lot more with the cue ball and I have a lot more options at the table. It just feels better to me. Good luck with whatever you do, and hit them straight.
production ld shafts
It is my understanding that all production Laminated LD shafts are made with a lower grade maple.
I do not know this for a fact, but I have heard that OB has started to use better grade now.
From my understanding one azer, royce is the owner or part owner in OB shafts.
He might be able to shed some light on this topic.
To the Op,
I could never get use to the sound of most Laminated LD or LD shafts.
They sound different and some sound like the tip or the ferrule is broke or has came loose, but it does pull my focus to the shaft instead of my game or my next shot.
After the last laminated LD shaft that I shot with for 1 year I switch back to solid maple and it was like a cool glass of water.
I like solid maple shafts and the sound they make.
I have 3 solid maple shafts fitted for my maim player, with 3 different tips plus I have at other shafts that can be screwed on.
Becuase they all have different tips on, it makes it kinda wild at times with draw follow and english.
but I can adjust to the tip in a few hours..
MMike
It is my understanding that all production Laminated LD shafts are made with a lower grade maple.
I do not know this for a fact, but I have heard that OB has started to use better grade now.
From my understanding one azer, royce is the owner or part owner in OB shafts.
He might be able to shed some light on this topic.
To the Op,
I could never get use to the sound of most Laminated LD or LD shafts.
They sound different and some sound like the tip or the ferrule is broke or has came loose, but it does pull my focus to the shaft instead of my game or my next shot.
After the last laminated LD shaft that I shot with for 1 year I switch back to solid maple and it was like a cool glass of water.
I like solid maple shafts and the sound they make.
I have 3 solid maple shafts fitted for my maim player, with 3 different tips plus I have at other shafts that can be screwed on.
Becuase they all have different tips on, it makes it kinda wild at times with draw follow and english.
but I can adjust to the tip in a few hours..
MMike
I find most LD shafts more linear than conventional counterparts. Small amounts of spin require no adjustments but from there it's a linear line as you go further out and/or harder. No shaft is without squirt and thus your adjustment is a function or where you started from.
Good luck on your journey.
Nick
Good luck on your journey.
Nick