Bumperless Cues?

SCCues

SCCues

< Searing Twins
Silver Member
I've always liked my cue to have a rubber bumper and lately i've been seeing a lot of bumperless cues. I'm not sure what the advantage is to not having a bumper, if there is one, and i'm hoping to hear some opinions on why someone would want a bumperless cue. Is it the look of not having a bumper or does it change the feel of the hit since there isn't a rubber bumper absorbing some of the shock on bumperless cues?

I like the added protection for the butt cap, by having a rubber bumper, if my cue touches the floor which will happen if you play long enough.

James
 
SCCues said:
I've always liked my cue to have a rubber bumper and lately i've been seeing a lot of bumperless cues. I'm not sure what the advantage is to not having a bumper, if there is one, and i'm hoping to hear some opinions on why someone would want a bumperless cue. Is it the look of not having a bumper or does it change the feel of the hit since there isn't a rubber bumper absorbing some of the shock on bumperless cues?

I like the added protection for the butt cap, by having a rubber bumper, if my cue touches the floor which will happen if you play long enough.

James
Click to expand...

I heard some say it adds feel to the hit of the cue without the bumper. Im now sure if that is true. I personally like the actual look and functionality of the bumper protection. I would feel like im destroying my butt cap with out the bumper. To each its own i guess. I can say i have seen a few hoppe style without bumpers that were super nice looking.

FC
 
I heard the same. I have an -R- cue without a bumper and it has a little more of a "ping" than my cues with a bumper. The test would have to be hitting with a bumperless cue and then adding a bumper. That way the hit could be compared. I'm not adding a bumper to my -R - Hoppe though!
 
I've been playing with a Webb bumperless Titlist conversion for about a year. It could be purely psychological that I feel the cue gives me more feedback. I understand that the lack of rubber bumper as a vibration dampener could cause the difference in the feel.

Honestly, I do relish the attention that the lack of a bumper creates (usually women). I get asked quite often about it. Moreso than those who recognize it as a Titlist.
 
It is just a look prefrence.

i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
 
I had a hoppe made last year that could go bumper-less with a shiny very highly polished stainless bolt on the end or with a nicely fitting bumper screwed into the center of that bolt. Nice to have options!

It looks great with or without the bumper. I have played it with and without the bumper in and I only noticed a slight difference between the two. There is a very slightly higher amount of feedback when using it without the bumper and it is slightly sharper in tone as well as slightly louder when hitting the cue ball. I found the feedback to be great with the bumper in so I use it that way. I only take the bumper out to show off the looks but functionally it's great with the bumper in and that butt cap is nicely protected from concrete floors.

If you're having one built ask about having both options.
 
SLIM said:
i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
Click to expand...

I agree. The difference can be so slight, if you don't know what you're looking for on that one tested cue that it's almost unnoticeable.

You would have to test on the SAME cue with and without a bumper. Probably would help to do the test with recording devices for sound comparison and to be able to switch the bumper quickly for the feel comparison.
 
SLIM said:
i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
Click to expand...
I think I could do it, Slim.
But only with my own cues.
I had a snooker cue and a 'Hoppe' pool cue that didn't come with bumpers.
I glued a round piece of rubber on them, just like a tip.
Whenever they fell off, I would notice immediately....
...it felt like driving a car with no muffler.
 
Many snooker cues do not have a bumper because they accept a jointed mini butt and extension.
Just the thing for those new Diamond 10 ft. tables :D
 
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I really like the look of bumperless cues, but I also have to be honest with myself about owning one. I know that eventually I am going to bounce it off the floor and bust the butt cap.
 
I agree with Slim. I'd bet if I took 10 identical production cues (to guarantee the same make/build) and removed the bumper out of one (or, conversely, left only 1 bumper in and took the rest out).... I HIGHLY doubt anyone could guess which twin has the Toni. ;)
 
Cue Bunpers

There is a product called Limb-saver? (spelling?) they make a special bumper that cuts down on the vibration that happens when you hit the cue ball. I think that the bumpers make a little diff in the hit, on certian shot with lots of english..,
 
SLIM said:
i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
Click to expand...

Since you mentioned it, why don't you step up and do a blind test and let us know the results!!

I would love to know :)
 
Kinda blind test?

I use the Limb-saver on my break cue (SledgeHammer) and it seems to make a difference. It does not seem to make as much difference on my break cue with the hard leather tip, but both of my cues with philolic tips react better.

I think its worth a try.
 
I have a couple cues that are bumperless. With one of them I have another weight bolt that is tapped for a screw in rubber bumper; the hit and sound is night and day.
 
It's an easy test. Just take the bumper out of your own cue & hit a few balls with it. I'd be very surprised if you don't notice a difference between bumper & no bumper. I wouldn't say either way is better than the other, but there's an obvious, immediately apparent difference. Just try it. Anybody who says there's no difference is just arguing for argument sake, or they haven't tried it themselves. There's nothing to argue about. Take your bumper off & hit a few balls. It takes a short moment & then you can put the bumper back, but you'll have first hand knowledge & won't have to decide on who to believe on an online forum.
 
I have a Carolina Custom bumperless. It hits with a very noticable ping and a very crisp hit. You can feel everything you are doing with that cue. It plays very well, especially if you are a medium to soft stroker. It's not meant for a power stroker.

On a whim, I took the cue to a local cue maker and had the screw in the bottom tapped for a screw in bumper. I can honestly tell you, when I play with the bumper in... it plays COMPLETELY different. The sound is different and the feedback is also a little different. It really does act like a shock absorber.

Personally, I like having a bumper.

r,

Greg
 
Bumper?

SLIM said:
i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
Click to expand...

It is absolutely NOT a 'looks' thing. I could care less what my cue looks like, but you don't want to bet that I wouldn't know if the bumper in my South West was in or out from sound and feel alone. Sounds like a bunch of other guys feel that way, too.
 
SLIM said:
i would challange anyone in a blind test to identify a bumperless cue by the hit alone.

SLIM
Click to expand...

Wouldn't ever work. If you took 1 cue, had it hit blindfolded, then took off/added a bumper, and hit again, it may work. But handing someone 2 completely different cues and telling them to tell which one has a bumper would be ridiculous.
 
I've hit a bumper-less Herceck, and a Herceck with a bumper, and the feel is completely different.
 
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