Another beginner who needs help:)

T

tonythetiger583

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi, this is my first post.

I just started my first league in October and previous experience was just playing casually.

What I need help on, is that I've bought a Dufferin cue as a starter. I didn't know what I wanted in a cue, so I just bought something cheap to start with. Now, I want to upgrade the shaft. I'm currently trying to decide between the OB Classic, and OB classic pro. My major concern is that since I bought a cheap cue, that the fitting might be somehow wrong.

This is a model very similar to the one I purchased (only difference is mine has a neoprene wrap):

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/dufferin/dufferin_d-202.htm

The link to the cue I got is here:

http://www.palason.ca/main+en+002+D...ed.html?SECID=33&CATID=128&SCATID=32&PID=9602

And finally the shaft I want to purchase from the site is here:

http://www.billiards.com/pool-cue-accessories/ob-cues-pro-performance-shaft

So what I need help with is:

1. Based on the picture of my cue's threading, is it in fact 15/16 by 18?
2. Are there any possible issues that I'm missing with wanting to putting an OB shaft on my cue?
3. Has anyone used billiards.com, how was their experience and if it's okay for me to order a shaft from that site?
4. I'm leaning towards either a Moori medium, or a Sniper medium hard tip (because that's what the site offers), and a comparison of the pros and cons and people's opinions on the performance of each in relation to a Kamui Black medium. I would also be interested in knowing how all three of those brands compare to the stock Elkmaster by Tweeten I'm using atm.


I understand that everyone's experience will be different, but I can't exactly go try any of these things firsthand because the closest pool store in my area doesn't have a large selection. Also since I'm new, I haven't really settled into a comfort zone, and I'd rather choose quality over personal undeveloped preference.

Please and Thanks:)
 
My advice is to turn your Dufferin into a break cue and buy the complete OB Cue if you think that is the one for you. Hopefully there is a dealer in the area that will let you try hitting with it before you spend the money.
 
My advice would be to tinker around with the Dufferin to kind of figure out what you want before you invest in a more expensive cue. I've had and shot with cues way cheaper than Dufferin that hit real good so I know the Dufferin is a pretty solid cue.

Change the tip up once or twice...hard to medium, etc. until you find out what each will do. Put in a weight bolt or take one out to get the weight to your liking...if that Dufferin will allow that. Sand the taper to your liking if it isn't just right.

Once you know what you want then you will have a better idea of the next cue to buy.
 
Wags is right just get a full OB cue. The standard tip is an Everest and not an Elkmaster as you stated. No need to change the tip yet. I just finished beating the 9ball ghost 2 sets with the Everest tip on my cue so my point is they will do for now. Good luck.
 
Duffurin was the first cue I bought..used it for eight years or so..
that was late 80's..I gave it to a friend an he left in his car..wrecked
the cue..wished he'd treated it better..like some one else already said..
play with it until you figure out what your looking for.. hit
a few balls with other sticks..some times you have to hit a few for
an hour to know you like it or not..if you can hit with as many cues as
possible..it'll save you money an frustration..or not.
 
It ain't the arrow, it's the archer.
Spend your money on a video camera so you can see yourself shoot.
Find a coach to get you started right.
Spend time on drills, and reviewing instructional material in books and on the web.

I have cues of various values.
My guests get the expensive ones.
I use a Dufferin. :D
 
First-Welcome to the mad world of billiards...and league play...LOL.

When I first started, I bought the cheap, no name,house 2pc for $35 and joined the APA. I played very well at the skill level at that time and was awarded that session. Played several sessions and upped my rating, all with that cheap cue. A time came when I sold that cue and upgraded (feeling I deserved it). So playing with a starter isn't all that bad. I probably could have kept playing with it. (the thinking is that you probably could have given that very cue to someone like Efren Reyes, and he'd still beat you with it--its the shooter more that the cue).

Of you questions, I use a moori hard. Layered tips seem to keep their shape better and longer (esp. the hard ones). I don't like the softer ones as they deaden my feel for speed of the shot. There are lots of layered tips out there, try them all if you have the money/time/etc. I do the work myself and just pay for the tips when I first started deciding. But I'll never go back to singles. I have an OB1 shaft on my player (Falcon) cue. It feels better than the original, but it wasn't necessary. I just hated the original shaft. As for where to buy them, I've done most of my purchases with Billiardwarehouse, cheapcues, pooldawg, seyberts. They are all good places to buy and any issues/questions were handled in a timely manner by all in my experience. Choosing an upgrade on your cue to a custom model will be more issue later. You'll have to judge by reputation. Visit your local pool halls when the "players" come out and see if they'll let you look or take a few shots with theirs. Most players I know will enjoy telling you about why they chose their current players.

Hope this helps.
 
1. My best guess is yes, you have a 5/16 x 18
(not 15/16's of an inch, that would be one fat screw lol).

The reason I'm pretty sure is, I found this cue, the D-212, and it looks just like the one you
linked to on the palason website. Graphic is a little different maybe? Tell me if this is your cue:
http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/dufferin/dufferin_d-212.htm

If so, then yes, 5/16 x 18 twist.
I had the same fear when I bought my first OB shaft, asked around and googled to find my joint type,
and it was fine, it fit perfectly.

2. You'll get different answers but I firmly believe this: you're making a good decision going to a low deflection shaft.
I'm hoping nobody on here talks you out of it. I wish I had started earlier with one.

So now you're wondering "will my cue play funny being half-dufferin and half-OB?" ...probably not.
I use an old Brunswick butt with an OB shaft (OB2 before, OB classic now) and it plays just fine.

Pool players are very superstitious about little things like weight and balance and "hit" and tip hardness.
But if you blindfolded them, they couldn't tell the difference between this tip and that tip, or an OB shaft
with this butt vs. an OB shaft with that butt. As many are fond of saying, it's the indian, not the arrow.

The cue will feel different no matter what. The different shaft means some shots need to be aimed a little differently
when using sidespin. You'll have to get used to that and it can take a few weeks.
But don't get all superstitious thinking "jeez am I missing balls because I went with just the shaft, instead of buying
the whole OB cue?" ...I promise you, that's not the reason for your misses. The butt hardly has any effect
on how it plays, 99% of the way the cue plays is in the shaft.

3. Haven't used them. Never heard anything bad about them. I've ordered from ozonebilliards and pooldawg
with good results. OB also has 2 reps on this website, including one of the founders of the company.
So if you get unlucky and get the wrong joint or something, try talking to them.
I bet they take care of you. I'd try Shane Sinnott first:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/member.php?u=1782

4. Truly I think this is one of those things people overrate. You will hardly be able to tell the difference.
They've done tests and hardness doesn't affect the shot very much in terms of deflection or amount of spin or draw.
A harder tip might keep a little bit more speed on the cue ball. I've used the default everest tip and it was fine.
0% of my misses were ever because of my tip choice.
Read this: http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/cue_tip.html#hardness
 
I was talking about this with my friend at his house while we were shooting. He literally picked up a mop (his table is in his garage) and unscrewed it from the head and he said to me "here, try using this mop handle to shoot with!" The funny thing is that I made balls! With a mop handle... WTH? Then he said the words so many have repeated here "It's the indian, not the arrow."

That's when I "got it." I have a $300.00 cue, it's not fancy, it's not going to turn any heads. Nobody really cares. It's MY cue and I like it. Find a cue and use it. Worry about fundamentals/drills/form etc more than worrying about your cue.
 
If you order from Seyberts just send them an email with your cue model and ask them for the right OB shaft to fit it. They are the "gear pros" so use their knowledge. I've found them to be very helpful.

I assume the other online stores are helpful too, but my only experience is with Seyberts.
 
CreeDo said:
[
2. You'll get different answers but I firmly believe this: you're making a good decision going to a low deflection shaft.
I'm hoping nobody on here talks you out of it. I wish I had started earlier with one.
Click to expand...

So just thought Id let everyone now that Ive officially ordered the Classic Pro shaft (debated all morning between the pro and euro taper and finally decided on the conical.)

The sneaky pete does look absolutely gorgeous, but I think just the shaft will get me through college. Ive looked up a place to get my cue tips changed but plan to stick with the Everest tip. I will however, be starting a cue tip swear jar so that I can try a Kamui Black medium down the line.

Thanks for all the advice and stuff about indians and arrows and broomsticks.
 
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