Any Tall guys out there (>6'4")?

[Tall-Bob]

I have a question for you tall guys. Doesn't your back hurt from bending over on every shot? I am 5'7" and this is the first thing I have done where I actually feel being short and skinny is an advantage. I was just curious because every time I play a tall guy I can't help but think that he will need a good chiropractor sometime in the future.

I've been concerned but have never had any trouble. While there is a top player (normal height) from around here who quit pool due to a bad back. I think it's not the same as a golfer, for example, because we don't move our entire body while in that position, and our bridge hand helps support the weight.

But I must agree, IMO, a shorter player has many advantages that outweigh the "longer reach" advantage of a taller player. These mostly relate to stability at the table - keeping the body stable and shorter limbs means less "wobble" throughout the stroke movement.

Bob Keller

 

[stevekur1]

my back doesnt bother me from shooting multiple hours at a clip, but then again i dont have a standard stance either. i stand more squared to the shot rather than standing all in one line to the cue. i feel it helps my stability too. you can drive a truck into me and i wont move....

Steve

 

[Island Drive]

I have a question for you tall guys. Doesn't your back hurt from bending over on every shot? I am 5'7" and this is the first thing I have done where I actually feel being short and skinny is an advantage. I was just curious because every time I play a tall guy I can't help but think that he will need a good chiropractor sometime in the future.

Nope, do your road work and strengthen you stomach and trunk muscles and its' never a problem.

 

[JesPiddlin]

I am 6'-7"......

And I'm afraid to ask, but what would a custom built cue cost on the low end? Could a custom made butt be used with a Predator 314 shaft, or would an unequal length shaft and butt make the cue feel out of balance?

A 60 inch custom Crown Cue would cost $320 (at the very LEAST) and the balance and feel would be about the same as the shorter versions. Gene can also make them longer, but the usual request for a longer cue is 60 inches.

 

[IbeAnEngineer]

I am only 5'-7 but I had a team mate that was 6'-5 or so and played with a 60"+ cue. I would borrow it sometimes rather than using a bridge. His cue was made by Jim Buss and later on he had an OB shaft made for it.

 

[The Saw]

Are there any recommended cue makers on this board?

Try Dick Neighbors (rhncue). He makes cues in Cinci, Ohio and has a lot of experience making long cues. Bartram plays with his cues and Chris' cue is 60". One word of advice.... Get a standard 29" shaft and have the butt made longer. If you lengthen the shaft it plays alot different. I play with a 29" butt and a 30" shaft and it took a long time to get used to.

 

[JesPiddlin]

Try Dick Neighbors (rhncue). He makes cues in Cinci, Ohio and has a lot of experience making long cues. Bartram plays with his cues and Chris' cue is 60". One word of advice.... Get a standard 29" shaft and have the butt made longer. If you lengthen the shaft it plays alot different. I play with a 29" butt and a 30" shaft and it took a long time to get used to.

If a cue is made right, it balances better and plays more natural if you have both ends made the same size. Most of the longer Crown Cues are made to order and customers want both ends the same length, although I think there has been maybe one different length order in the past.

What matters most is if the customer gets a cue that is right for him/her... Not what is right for everyone else.

 

[dr9ball]

I play with 60 inch cues 30 in butt and 30 inch shafts. I don't use the LD shafts. My feeling is that I like the balance of the equal length butts and shafts. I'm only 6'3" though. There are several custom cuemakers that will make you a player or sneaky pete 60, 61, 62 inches long around $400-$500 and you might find a couple cheaper than that.

Check out the following as examples Mark Bear Custom Cues http://www.bearcues.com
Jacoby Custom Cues http://www.jacobycustomcues.com/. For a little more money but also a sweet hit, check out Jim Buss at http://www.jimbuss.com. I have hit with all three and they all play well and they are all great cuemakers to work with on a cue built for you.

I might also add Tom at Tripple Cross Cues and Gene at Crown Cues to that list. They will both do a longer cue I believe.

 

[JesPiddlin]

I play with 60 inch cues 30 in butt and 30 inch shafts. I don't use the LD shafts. My feeling is that I like the balance of the equal length butts and shafts. I'm only 6'3" though. There are several custom cuemakers that will make you a player or sneaky pete 60, 61, 62 inches long around $400-$500 and you might find a couple cheaper than that.

Check out the following as examples Mark Bear Custom Cues http://www.bearcues.com
Jacoby Custom Cues http://www.jacobycustomcues.com/. For a little more money but also a sweet hit, check out Jim Buss at http://www.jimbuss.com. I have hit with all three and they all play well and they are all great cuemakers to work with on a cue built for you.

I might also add Tom at Tripple Cross Cues and Gene at Crown Cues to that list. They will both do a longer cue I believe.

I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten us, already.

Yes, I know Gene has done a few 60" or more cues and I have a good feeling Tom at Triple Cross will make them, too.

 

[mamono]

I have a question for you tall guys. Doesn't your back hurt from bending over on every shot? I am 5'7" and this is the first thing I have done where I actually feel being short and skinny is an advantage. I was just curious because every time I play a tall guy I can't help but think that he will need a good chiropractor sometime in the future.

I may not be the tallest here, but I picked up some habits from people that I shoot with that are taller than me. I bend my knees more than my back and arch my back a little when going down to line up my shot. This allows me to keep my back straight and put more weight on my thighs than on my back. Something I learned from watching the taller players.

 

[markpatrick]

I have three 60.5 inch ques

I am only 5'-7 but I had a team mate that was 6'-5 or so and played with a 60"+ cue. I would borrow it sometimes rather than using a bridge. His cue was made by Jim Buss and later on he had an OB shaft made for it.

My brother and I made the first one back in 1995 and I have played with it for 15 years. I am 6 foot 6 inches. I also made a longer shaft for my Huebler Break que, making it 60 inches.

I have another one made in 95 and a third one made in 08.

They all hit great, when I play with my 58 inch Joss I have to grip the butt cap to shoot.

My brother can make you a longer custom que. He is based at Shooters in Olathe.

 

[mr_griff]

6'5" and am in the same boat

I posted the last thread on this subject. I decided to get a 30" shaft for my predator. I toyed with a custom, but I needed a break cue and a case so I felt like a shaft was a compomise over dropping 400-600 on a custom. I feel your pain on losing accuracy by reaching for the ball. My suggestions would be this:

- Get a 30" shaft for your cue. Tremendous difference for me. My back hand is on the back edge of the wrap, as opposed to being behind it while still being in a good position to make a stroke.

- If you like your cue, try the extension option.

- If you feel like you want to keep your equipment the same, or the 30" shaft isn't enough, try bending your bridge hand's elbow and bring that hand closer to your back hand. You'll be able to put your grip hand on the wrap where it belongs (even before I got the 30" shaft I decided the cue seemed to stay so much straighter because the balance point was closer to my grip).

- Buy a Schmelke. The one I tried a long time ago, was a stock cue. Don't do that. They offer their M-series cue for less than that Elite cue, but you can customize it. Here is a good hypothetical build.

Schmelke M020 Bocote
- Cue Length 61"=30" Butt & 31" Shaft
- Extra Shaft No Extra Shaft
- Joint Style Joint #4 Wood to Wood (Standard)
- PERFORMANCE SHAFTS No Extra Shaft
- Shaft Diameter 12.5mm
- Shaft Taper Pro Taper 10-12" (Standard)
- Shaft Type Laminated (Stiff Less Deflection) 13mm
- Tip Type Schmelke Standard (Soft)
- Weight 20OZ.
- Wrap No Wrap

Grand total $130. You can actually get it for 110 if you get the standard shaft (but +20 is a nice lower deflection option) . You can't build a cue to you spec's for anything close to that. They don't make a butt bigger than 30", but you could go up to 62" if you want. If I were to do it, Id pony up for the uniloc joint($45) so I could play a 60" with a 30" ld shaft, or 61" at full length. The point wouldnt be to buy the last cue you ever need, but to somewhat cheaply find what you want in a cue and see if you can improve your game by getting something the right size. Get a custom after you know what you want.

 

[markpatrick]

Wow 130 that is a great deal

I posted the last thread on this subject. I decided to get a 30" shaft for my predator. I toyed with a custom, but I needed a break cue and a case so I felt like a shaft was a compomise over dropping 400-600 on a custom. I feel your pain on losing accuracy by reaching for the ball. My suggestions would be this:

- Get a 30" shaft for your cue. Tremendous difference for me. My back hand is on the back edge of the wrap, as opposed to being behind it while still being in a good position to make a stroke.

- If you like your cue, try the extension option.

- If you feel like you want to keep your equipment the same, or the 30" shaft isn't enough, try bending your bridge hand's elbow and bring that hand closer to your back hand. You'll be able to put your grip hand on the wrap where it belongs (even before I got the 30" shaft I decided the cue seemed to stay so much straighter because the balance point was closer to my grip).

- Buy a Schmelke. The one I tried a long time ago, was a stock cue. Don't do that. They offer their M-series cue for less than that Elite cue, but you can customize it. Here is a good hypothetical build.

Schmelke M020 Bocote
- Cue Length 61"=30" Butt & 31" Shaft
- Extra Shaft No Extra Shaft
- Joint Style Joint #4 Wood to Wood (Standard)
- PERFORMANCE SHAFTS No Extra Shaft
- Shaft Diameter 12.5mm
- Shaft Taper Pro Taper 10-12" (Standard)
- Shaft Type Laminated (Stiff Less Deflection) 13mm
- Tip Type Schmelke Standard (Soft)
- Weight 20OZ.
- Wrap No Wrap

Grand total $130. You can actually get it for 110 if you get the standard shaft (but +20 is a nice lower deflection option) . You can't build a cue to you spec's for anything close to that. They don't make a butt bigger than 30", but you could go up to 62" if you want. If I were to do it, Id pony up for the uniloc joint($45) so I could play a 60" with a 30" ld shaft, or 61" at full length. The point wouldnt be to buy the last cue you ever need, but to somewhat cheaply find what you want in a cue and see if you can improve your game by getting something the right size. Get a custom after you know what you want.

130 is a great deal. I pay more than that for a long shaft.

 

[rjtcobra]

I've been concerned but have never had any trouble. While there is a top player (normal height) from around here who quit pool due to a bad back. I think it's not the same as a golfer, for example, because we don't move our entire body while in that position, and our bridge hand helps support the weight.

But I must agree, IMO, a shorter player has many advantages that outweigh the "longer reach" advantage of a taller player. These mostly relate to stability at the table - keeping the body stable and shorter limbs means less "wobble" throughout the stroke movement.

Bob Keller

Believe me, same goes for golf.....

 

[rjtcobra]

I have a question for you tall guys. Doesn't your back hurt from bending over on every shot? I am 5'7" and this is the first thing I have done where I actually feel being short and skinny is an advantage. I was just curious because every time I play a tall guy I can't help but think that he will need a good chiropractor sometime in the future.

I bend my knees alot.....

 

[mr_griff]

Schmelke

130 is a great deal. I pay more than that for a long shaft.

Can't agree more. I dont know why I havent bought one yet. I went on a little spending spree. $200 on a case (Sterling 3x5, $200 on a J/B (poison w/ samsara tip), and $200 on a OB-2. I think a Schmelke will be my next purchase, just not for a few more months.

As far as the bad back stuff, I can say pool doesnt even compare to golf. I never have hurt my back playing pool, and the only time my back is too screwed up to play pool, is when Ive hurt it doing something else. Golf...ugh. I only play a few times a year these days (used to play 20-50 times a year). I got used to swinging too hard and can't see to "quiet down" my upper body and hit it consistent. Ive got a golf tourney fund raiser coming up and Im going to work on a few thing just to stop from having a sore back after 9 holes.

 

[Island Drive]

But I must agree, IMO, a shorter player has many advantages that outweigh the "longer reach" advantage of a taller player. These mostly relate to stability at the table - keeping the body stable and shorter limbs means less "wobble" throughout the stroke movement.

Bob Keller

In 9-ball your incorrrect, I've had a huge advantage over the years playing shorter players at this particular game. I can reach shots, play in closer shape and can roll out to a place my opponent has to use a bridge. All other games I agree.

 

[mr5994]

Thanks for all the replies.

For now, I will purchase either an elite of schmelke 60"+ cue and shoot with it for a while. If I decide that a longer cue is what I need, then I will pay for a custom cue.

 

[mr_griff]

Thanks for all the replies.

For now, I will purchase either an elite of schmelke 60"+ cue and shoot with it for a while. If I decide that a longer cue is what I need, then I will pay for a custom cue.

Follow up with me and let me know how it works for you. Especially if you get the schmelke. Again, not to be a used car salesman, but I'd go Schmelke since you can get the shaft diameter, taper, joint, etc the way you want them. A shaft diameter thats too big and conical screws me up worse that a crappy house cue. Either way I look forward to hearing how it works for you.

 

[bapage]

I am 6'3" and I shoot with a 59' cue.. but you might read this thread. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=96974 seems like a real solid cue, and I am sure you could get them to use any wood combination's they sell.