Are low deflection shafts really a good thing?

bankshot76

bankshot76

I got a skinny shaft!
Silver Member
I bought a Predator Z about a year ago, and I can honestly say my game has definitely improved. But, my question is what have I sacrificed by using this shaft. I found it much easier to pocket balls and put that extra spin on the ball. But, when I've gone to a conventional cue I literally can't hardly make a ball. So have I really helped myself in going with this product? Has anybody else experience the same. Also, I can't hardly convince myself to buy another cue unless it has the same joint that my shaft will work on. Or have I just become a LOW DEFLECTION JUNKIE!
 
I did the same thing. My game improved to a point then kind of leveled off. I then went back to a maple shaft and couldnt play at all. It took me about a month of playing at home to get to where i can play again.

Now I play better than I ever did with a pred. I am now trying out diffrent shafts for my Jacoby. As in taper/weight/tip size I am experimenting.

Good luck and good shooting
 
also by the way if the one you are using is a uni lock........get rid of it you will get a much better hit from a solid joint IMHO
 
uni-loc

cowboyup200560 said:
also by the way if the one you are using is a uni lock........get rid of it you will get a much better hit from a solid joint IMHO
Click to expand...

I had a uni-loc cue a couple of years ago a hit with a radial pin cue and was amazed at the difference. When I went back to the uni-loc it felt like the cb was bouncing off the tip rather than me actually hitting it. Radial pin in difinitely the way to go in my opinion.
 
bankshot76 said:
I bought a Predator Z about a year ago, and I can honestly say my game has definitely improved. But, my question is what have I sacrificed by using this shaft. I found it much easier to pocket balls and put that extra spin on the ball. But, when I've gone to a conventional cue I literally can't hardly make a ball. So have I really helped myself in going with this product? Has anybody else experience the same. Also, I can't hardly convince myself to buy another cue unless it has the same joint that my shaft will work on. Or have I just become a LOW DEFLECTION JUNKIE!
Click to expand...

I experienced the EXACT same thing. I got a pred about 5 years ago, improved my game slightly but it became a crutch and masked my horrible stroke. I was unable to make a ball with a standard shaft.

2 years ago I decided to give up the predator and focus on my fundamentals/ stroke. It took about 8 months to get things back to the level I was at with a predator. I have since passed the plateau and still improving.

My vote is, give up the predator and focus on your stroke.
 
For some reason I seem to play better with a reg shaft that a predator Z2. I bought a Z2 about a year ago and went back to a regular shaft in May and have improved quite a bit since then.
 
Twice the thread, twice the post:

In my opinion, it's all in your head, as much of this game is.

Recently I had to retire my OB-1 due to some ferrule damage and had to go back to my stock shaft. Right away I was missing cuts and banks and kicking poorly. And right away I wanted to blame the cue so bad, but after a week or so of (intense) practice, things started falling back in to place. Not much choice with the LD shaft down, so f-it. Just shoot.

I always like to think of the "he could beat you with a broomstick" idea. Why couldn't I beat him? And if I need to adjust to something new, just try not to cue too far from center left or right, right?

But I will say that LD shafts are purchased confidence. Nothin wrong with that, but the greatest know and can adjust. If that means a different shot choice rather than pocketing, f-it too. Just shoot.
 
Impact,

First, remember that the ferrule on your OB-1 is guaranteed for life! If you have had a problem, call us! 877-399-9901.

I have to agree with you that confidence is a huge factor in how well anyone plays pool. Knowledge is also a big part.

I have seen many players who purchased our OB-1 cue shaft and really didn't know anything about deflection or squirt. They struggle for a little bit, and then their game comes to life. The funny thing is that, once they have gotten used to it, they can then go back and forth much easier than the initial switch was. This is because of knowledge and confidence. They are just better players.

When we built the OB-1 we didn't want to just make a low deflection cue shaft. We wanted to excell in the other areas too. That's why we spent so much time developing the solid hit with control and spin.

But I have to say, when it is all said and done. The Low Deflection shafts just flat have fewer things that you have to compensate for, and fewer comensations means fewer errors and more pocketed balls. I have to quote Jim Mcdermott, owner of Magoo's and the Billiard Palace in Tulsa. "I hate these OB-1 shafts. Used to be only me and Junior Brown could use inside english! Now everybody can." Jim has been an OB-1 user for quite a while now, and made this comment last year to Don Owen, my business partner.

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
bankshot76 said:
I had a uni-loc cue a couple of years ago a hit with a radial pin cue and was amazed at the difference. When I went back to the uni-loc it felt like the cb was bouncing off the tip rather than me actually hitting it. Radial pin in difinitely the way to go in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Great description...exactly why I don't use uniloc or steel joints.

I used laminated shafts for about 4 years. Swore by them. Then started buying customs with well made shafts. Seems I can't go back to the Laminated.....and I can pocket balls quite well with the regular shafts...even with spin.
 
bankshot76 said:
I bought a Predator Z about a year ago, and I can honestly say my game has definitely improved. But, my question is what have I sacrificed by using this shaft. I found it much easier to pocket balls and put that extra spin on the ball. But, when I've gone to a conventional cue I literally can't hardly make a ball. So have I really helped myself in going with this product? Has anybody else experience the same. Also, I can't hardly convince myself to buy another cue unless it has the same joint that my shaft will work on. Or have I just become a LOW DEFLECTION JUNKIE!
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that low deflection shafts are a good thing. I've been using an OB-1 since 2006. For the first year I played strictly using the OB-1 and I too noticed that I was having a hard time using a standard shaft. I started focusing on improving my stroke and I also pulled out my old Fury DL-4 and started playing and practicing with it more. I eventually "learned" what it took to use each cue. But the main point is to learn to use your own stroke! I know a great player that plays in my league and every week he uses a bar cue from off the wall and still shoots amazing shots and position.

P.S. I still love my OB-1 because I have learned that it takes me less effort to accomplish the same shots.
 
Hype

hhmmmm what did mosconi use to make the highest run EVER.(solid maple)

I think the proof is in the pudding I don't see anyone shooting tons better.

Pro's aren't stringing noticabilty anymore racks than before

The High run hasn't been challenged with low deflection

I gave them a try and am going back to solid maple.

I already compensate for cloth, unlevel tables, humidity, room distractions, spin I think I can handle a little "squirt" also.

Till someone shows me otherwise like 530 or 540

All I see is marketing HYPE

NO SCHOOL LIKE THE OLD SCHOOL



This is my opinion and not the point of view of AZ Billiards
reuse of this post without the written consent of the NFL or Sponge Bob
is strickly forbidden
 
Rak9up said:
hhmmmm what did mosconi use to make the highest run EVER.(solid maple)

I think the proof is in the pudding I don't see anyone shooting tons better.

Pro's aren't stringing noticabilty anymore racks than before

The High run hasn't been challenged with low deflection

I gave them a try and am going back to solid maple.

I already compensate for cloth, unlevel tables, humidity, room distractions, spin I think I can handle a little "squirt" also.

Till someone shows me otherwise like 530 or 540

All I see is marketing HYPE

NO SCHOOL LIKE THE OLD SCHOOL



This is my opinion and not the point of view of AZ Billiards
reuse of this post without the written consent of the NFL or Sponge Bob
is strickly forbidden
Click to expand...

Good point!
 
And if you can't be ..... with the one you love......then love the one you're with....................:)

td
 
Rak9up said:
hhmmmm what did mosconi use to make the highest run EVER.(solid maple)

I think the proof is in the pudding I don't see anyone shooting tons better.

Pro's aren't stringing noticabilty anymore racks than before

The High run hasn't been challenged with low deflection

I gave them a try and am going back to solid maple.

I already compensate for cloth, unlevel tables, humidity, room distractions, spin I think I can handle a little "squirt" also.

Till someone shows me otherwise like 530 or 540

All I see is marketing HYPE

NO SCHOOL LIKE THE OLD SCHOOL



This is my opinion and not the point of view of AZ Billiards
reuse of this post without the written consent of the NFL or Sponge Bob
is strickly forbidden
Click to expand...


What does solid maple have to do with the question that was asked?

Nothing at all.... I have 2 solid maple shafts on order that are very low deflection.

he asked about low deflection, and if you think it's all hype than you have alot to learn



edit:

by the way. just so you know... Mosconi never ran a 500 on a 9' Pro Cut Diamond
 
BPG24 said:
edit:

by the way. just so you know... Mosconi never ran a 500 on a 9' Pro Cut Diamond
Click to expand...

Just to add:

The record was set on a 4 foot x 8 foot Brunswick pool table with 4 3/4 inch pockets at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio. However, today's standard for tables is much more difficult to play on than Mosconi's table, as today's standard tables are 9 foot x 4 1/2 foot with 4 1/2 inch pockets.

IMO, the runs by Schmidt, Hohmann, Engert, etc... are more impressive.
 
BPG24 said:
What does solid maple have to do with the question that was asked?

Nothing at all.... I have 2 solid maple shafts on order that are very low deflection.

he asked about low deflection, and if you think it's all hype than you have alot to learn



edit:

by the way. just so you know... Mosconi never ran a 500 on a 9' Pro Cut Diamond
Click to expand...

Slow down here...I think the jist of the question was regarding laminated shafts just using the term low deflection. I too play with maple low deflection shafts and know there is a difference.
But the topic was directed at low deflection speaking of z shafts.
 
Koop said:
Just to add:

The record was set on a 4 foot x 8 foot Brunswick pool table with 4 3/4 inch pockets at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio. However, today's standard for tables is much more difficult to play on than Mosconi's table, as today's standard tables are 9 foot x 4 1/2 foot with 4 1/2 inch pockets.

IMO, the runs by Schmidt, Hohmann, Engert, etc... are more impressive.
Click to expand...
I will also say that you may want to factor in the quality of the cues the guys are using now, compared to Mosconi's cues. Mosconi was the "beat you with a broom handle" player, so I can cut him some slack with regard to table conditions. Back to the point of this thread. I always liked the line in the movie Bull Durham. " If he thinks he's pitching better because he's wearing women's underwear, then, he's pitching better because he's wearing womens underwear." Technology does have it's place, but it will never replace skill, and practice. Anyone who says otherwise, is doing so because they're paid to. Most of it, is in your head. Iron out your stroke, and practice, practice, practice.
 
j2pac said:
I will also say that you may want to factor in the quality of the cues the guys are using now, compared to Mosconi's cues. Mosconi was the "beat you with a broom handle" player, so I can cut him some slack with regard to table conditions. Back to the point of this thread. I always liked the line in the movie Bull Durham. " If he thinks he's pitching better because he's wearing women's underwear, then, he's pitching better because he's wearing womens underwear." Technology does have it's place, but it will never replace skill, and practice. Anyone who says otherwise, is doing so because they're paid to. Most of it, is in your head. Iron out your stroke, and practice, practice, practice.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but didn't Mosconi play with a Rambow? Either way, point taken.

Thanks,
Koop
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top