How many cues have you made where you experimented with different materials?
Aluminum radial pin?
- Thread starter CeaseLess
- Start date
I had a cue with a 3/8x10 stainless pin. I had the pin switched to a G10 pin of the same thread type. Call me crazy, but the cue had an entirely different "feel" and acoustic signature, when I got it back.
Granted, I was trying to lighten the cue, and shift the balance point. I was not expecting the change in the hit/sound of the cue, but it was noticeable in a positive way. I'm not saying that it was solely due to the pin, but I can't discredit that the pin material may have been a factor.
It should because you knocked a good ounce.I had a cue with a 3/8x10 stainless pin. I had the pin switched to a G10 pin of the same thread type. Call me crazy, but the cue had an entirely different "feel" and acoustic signature, when I got it back.
Granted, I was trying to lighten the cue, and shift the balance point. I was not expecting the change in the hit/sound of the cue, but it was noticeable. I'm not saying that it was solely due to the pin, but I can't discredit that the pin material may have been a factor.
But, aluminum and G10 might have 2 tenths of an oz difference
CeaseLess
Active member
Yup, I'm the OP, I also changed the pin to lower the weight and move the balance point but was also wondering about the hit. I had the exact same experience. The hit and sound were a bit softer and more "natural." I was also pleasantly surprised.I had a cue with a 3/8x10 stainless pin. I had the pin switched to a G10 pin of the same thread type. Call me crazy, but the cue had an entirely different "feel" and acoustic signature, when I got it back.
Granted, I was trying to lighten the cue, and shift the balance point. I was not expecting the change in the hit/sound of the cue, but it was noticeable in a positive way. I'm not saying that it was solely due to the pin, but I can't discredit that the pin material may have been a factor.
I can't swear that the pin made the difference, but...different materials could certainly transfer sound, and vibration differently than others, in my opinion. Some guys actually tap their shaft blanks looking for a certain tap tone. Maybe it's voodoo nonsense, maybe not...I honestly don't know. I can only speak from my own experience, so take it for what it's worth.
Wow LOL. You may have made a thousand more cues than me but you should to experiment more with different materials to see the difference. And if you cannot tell the difference then you probably have way more to learn than you’re willing to admit… about cue making and playing. When you think you know it all your done growing. I said in one of my post on this thread that it would be an interesting experiment to see the difference. I also said I bet money that there would be a difference with materials that have a Rockwell hardness between 70-110. A saxophone plays different with a subtle change in the plating material used on the brass that you or me could not tell... to a professional jazz player, you bet he could tell the difference. Save yourself from this conversation before you expose yourself more than you already have. Every saxophone manufacturer would like you to believe everyone can make a Selmer. I’m smart enough to know it ain’t true. And not dumb enough to think I can.
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Ok, in short you haven't proven different SS grade or Rockwell hardness makes a difference.
You're actually comparing musical instruments and bowling ball to a cues hit and feel dependent on the SS material's grade.
When Efren won the world 9-ball in 1999, he alternated a cheap $20 Jessie cue with a low grade 3/8 16 hardware store joint screw and a Judd cue with a 5/16 14 flat face with brass insert.
Same cues he used when we went to the old Hard Times , La Habra a few months back.
I only use the best joint screws made by one maker.who holds +-.001.
I have them in brass, titanium, G10 , SS ( and drilled SS ) .
G10 vs brass and SS is going to feel different because you are taking out some 1 oz in the middle of the cue.I can't swear that the pin made the difference, but...different materials could certainly transfer sound, and vibration differently than others, in my opinion. Some guys actually tap their shaft blanks looking for a certain tap tone. Maybe it's voodoo nonsense, maybe not...I honestly don't know. I can only speak from my own experience, so take it for what it's worth.
The G10 also allows for a lot more flex than SS. SS does not flex at all.
You can actually see how much flex is on G10 jointed cue by tapping the side.
But, G10 is basically net zero weight.
So, if someone uses it on a maple front cue and has that cue at 19 oz or +, he probably added weight under the screw.
The cue we changed the pin on, was a solid Brazilian Rosewood front. I was there when he set the original pin, and there when it was swapped. The change in sound/feel was noticeable, and it could certainly have been for the reasons you've alluded to.
And yes, I was stupid for letting that cue go. I tried to get it back years later...No dice.
And you think you are proving your point? Hey if you pick up a broomstick and like the hit you like the hit. What are you even saying. We’ve all played with more than one cue that we’ve liked. The magical ingredients when making a cue that hits the way you like is sometimes black magic because there are SO many variables. And if your heartburn is because you think I’m questioning the quality of the materials that you use YOU are mistaken. I was only pointing out that there are different Grades of stainless steel. I’m a machinist… I know what that means. Don’t confuse grades with quality. If you were a machinist you’d know that. You ever heard of the saying “Sometimes you dont know what you don’t know”
You were arguing different.grades of SS changes the hit and that the pros can tell the difference.
Meanwhile, you haven't made one cue to prove that.
It's already been proven People can't tell the difference between a 3/8 or 5/16 ss.
I had a BRW with G10 one time too.The cue we changed the pin on, was a solid Brazilian Rosewood front. I was there when he set the original pin, and there when it was swapped. The change in sound/feel was noticeable, and it could certainly have been for the reasons you've alluded to.
And yes, I was stupid for letting that cue go. I tried to get it back years later...No dice.
Purpleheart underwrap.
My cue had a gorgeous curly maple handle. Still kicking myself over that one.
CeaseLess
Active member
I also wondered if it was just voodoo, but after trying two different pins on the exact same cue no one can convince me that material doesn't make a slight difference. The difference can't only be from removing an ounce in the middle, it most definitely feels like a vibrational difference, in a positive way for me too.I can't swear that the pin made the difference, but...different materials could certainly transfer sound, and vibration differently than others, in my opinion. Some guys actually tap their shaft blanks looking for a certain tap tone. Maybe it's voodoo nonsense, maybe not...I honestly don't know. I can only speak from my own experience, so take it for what it's worth.
CeaseLess
Active member
I can already imagine it, seems like a beauty, I love BRW
Look this is my last post about this because I've allowed myself to get drug into the mud. I totally believe the hardness of a joint pin would change the hit. And I 100% believe you can’t tell the difference between a 3/8th of a 5/16” SS. And I 100% believe some people think YOU JoeInCal are the very best cue maker. And for those that think you are… I know for them, they are 100% right. Hell if I tried one of your cues I might think you are the very best! But I know one thing Joey, the best rarely think they know it all. And I truly believe you indicating that you use only the best of materials that you think I was questioning the quality when I said grades of Stainless. We can agree to disagree.
Coos Cues
Coos Cues
To think the grade of stainless matters in the hit is just silly. Oddly pro players seem way less "discerning" than your average league player who thinks equipment is going to fix them. For every pro player who buys a custom cue there are ten thousand league players who do. These are who matters, not the pros.
Coos Cues
Coos Cues
What is your fargo?
I like this Thread.
Thank you ALL!
The difference in opinions is truly a beautiful thing!
Thank you ALL!
The difference in opinions is truly a beautiful thing!
As others have said, changing the weight (at least an ounce difference) and the balance (very slightly) is pretty noticeable. Aluminum and G10 are very close to the same weight.I had a cue with a 3/8x10 stainless pin. I had the pin switched to a G10 pin of the same thread type. Call me crazy, but the cue had an entirely different "feel" and acoustic signature, when I got it back.
Granted, I was trying to lighten the cue, and shift the balance point. I was not expecting the change in the hit/sound of the cue, but it was noticeable in a positive way. I'm not saying that it was solely due to the pin, but I can't discredit that the pin material may have been a factor.