Can the "hit" of a cue change?

twilight

twilight

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Over the last 3 weeks I've noticed the hit of my cue sounding and feeling different. First I want to say I've been playing with only one cue for the last 4 months. I have not shaped or scuffed the tip since November. The cue shaft hasn't been cleaned with anything. It only gets burnished with leather for about 10-20 seconds at the end of the night. It hasn't been sanded and is still at the original diameter ( I have a caliper). So here goes.

For months I've been playing with my custom which has the sweetest hit of any cue I've ever played with. 2 weeks ago when I played it didn't hit the same. I thought it was just me. Next time I played it didn't have the original hit either. Earlier this week, the hit was back, THANK GOD! Tonight, it was gone again. :( I don't know if it's me, but not only does it feel different, but the sound is different. I let my GF hit a few shots with it and she noticed that the sound is different too.

Again, I haven't changed anything with the cue in months, the only thing I do is a quick leather burnish, and a barely damp cloth for the forearm and butt sleeve. Could the weather; humidity, temperature or something else affect the hit of this cue? Is it just me? Has anyone else experienced a change in hit of their cue?
 
twilight said:
Over the last 3 weeks I've noticed the hit of my cue sounding and feeling different. First I want to say I've been playing with only one cue for the last 4 months. I have not shaped or scuffed the tip since November. The cue shaft hasn't been cleaned with anything. It only gets burnished with leather for about 10-20 seconds at the end of the night. It hasn't been sanded and is still at the original diameter ( I have a caliper). So here goes.

For months I've been playing with my custom which has the sweetest hit of any cue I've ever played with. 2 weeks ago when I played it didn't hit the same. I thought it was just me. Next time I played it didn't have the original hit either. Earlier this week, the hit was back, THANK GOD! Tonight, it was gone again. :( I don't know if it's me, but not only does it feel different, but the sound is different. I let my GF hit a few shots with it and she noticed that the sound is different too.

Again, I haven't changed anything with the cue in months, the only thing I do is a quick leather burnish, and a barely damp cloth for the forearm and butt sleeve. Could the weather; humidity, temperature or something else affect the hit of this cue? Is it just me? Has anyone else experienced a change in hit of their cue?
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First of all what type of cue do you have?

Thanks Craig
 
19 oz (exactly)
58"
13mm shaft (actually 13.15)
Ivory ferrules w/ Pad
Moori Medium
5/16x14 stainless steel piloted joint with tight interference fit
BEM forearm
4 veneer 4 ebony points
black textured wrap
black buttsleeve
Ivory Hoppe Ring


Yeah, I do have Ivory ferrules. Could that really be it? I mean I never leave the cue in the car. Don't need to, my pool hall is 2 streetlights away, I can drive there in less than 3 minutes.
 
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if you mean the exact same balls, no. The tray of balls correspond to certain tables. It's not likely I'll play on the same table every time. However if you mean brand and type, yes they are the same brand on all the tables
 
Do a cue rattle test.
Take the rubber bumper out and it's screw if any.
Hold the bottom of the handle loosely with your thumb and index finger LOOSELY.
Bounce the middle of the forearm on the bone/heel of your other palm.
Listen if there is a rattle.
 
I'd guess it's got something to do with the ivory ferrule. what's your location?
 
check the tightness of the shaft. it sounds like a problem i had months ago. i found out the shaft was not fully tightened to the butt. shafts can loosen up very quickly if they're not fully tightened down, especially with a piloted joint, and there will be no visual difference you would notice. this can drasticaly affect the hit. i found out i wasn't "sinching" it down enough. make sure your shaft is on tight. for the last 1/4 turn really sinch it down.
 
If at anytime you left your cue with a friend while playing and went to the restroom could it have fallen and they didn't tell you causing internal damage ? this will be interesting to find out the cause..
 
weather,,,,humidity. if the hit fluctuates as you say, then those are the only factors i know of where change and affects the cue.
 
I always screw it tight. So I'm positive it's not that. I actually thought it was for a while. Did it fall? No never, it doesn't have a scratch on it and I take it to the restroom with me. It never leaves my sight. I should say that it doesn't buzz or rattle, it just felt different. Kinda like going from the pingy hit of a runde era schon to a a Mcdermott hit. A bit softer.

The cue I have is a scruggs, last time I hit with it, it felt like my gilbert. Softer, not that hard piloted steel I'm used to. The ODDEST thing was the wonderful scruggs hit did come back earlier this week, but it was gone again tonight :(
 
twilight said:
Over the last 3 weeks ...
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Pardon me for only quoating you slightly Twilight, but, you've obviously have stroked with a Skruggs, and I'm a little befuddled.

You hit the nail on the head. The sound of your cue is telling you what you're doing wrong of your stroke. Most people who have had the priveledge of holding a Skruggs in their hands, and stroked a few shots, will tell you the same thing.

Stroke is Key. Period.
 
Ronoh said:
Pardon me for only quoating you slightly Twilight, but, you've obviously have stroked with a Skruggs, and I'm a little befuddled.

You hit the nail on the head. The sound of your cue is telling you what you're doing wrong of your stroke. Most people who have had the priveledge of holding a Skruggs in their hands, and stroked a few shots, will tell you the same thing.

Stroke is Key. Period.
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hhhmmm ... I never thought of it that way. It's got me thinking now. However it's not like a few shots, it's all night. Could I play for months one way and feel a sweet hit, then for a couple weeks never have that same hit? Only to have the hit back one night, then gone again?
 
twilight said:
hhhmmm ... I never thought of it that way. It's got me thinking now. However it's not like a few shots, it's all night. Could I play for months one way and feel a sweet hit, then for a couple weeks never have that same hit? Only to have the hit back one night, then gone again?
Click to expand...

First, check and see if it is one of the shafts. Test hit balls with both shafts, hit with one and then the other to see if there is any difference. Some times a tip can be bad only in a small spot so make sure you hit with all sides of the tips. The problem could be a de-laminated area since you are using layered tips, or there could be a section of the tip that is slightly loose from the ferrule.

Then check that each shaft is un-damaged, hold them lightly by the joint collar and tap the tip / ferrule end on the pool table letting them bounce lightly. Listen for any flat sound, if both shafts have tight ferrules and no un-seen cracks there should be a high pitched almost musical sound when they make contact with the table.

Next repeat the same procedure with the cues butt. Lightly hold the butt by the butt cap and lightly tap the joint on the pool table. Again there should be no flat / dull sound only a high pitched sound if the joint collar is tight and the there are no cracks in the forearm or any looseness at the joints where they attach to the under wrap.

Another thing, check your weight bolt, insure that it is tight, and that the bumper is tightly attached to it, if there is a connection screw.

Hope this helps!!!
 
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Ronoh said:
Pardon me for only quoating you slightly Twilight, but, you've obviously have stroked with a Skruggs, and I'm a little befuddled.

You hit the nail on the head. The sound of your cue is telling you what you're doing wrong of your stroke. Most people who have had the priveledge of holding a Skruggs in their hands, and stroked a few shots, will tell you the same thing.

Stroke is Key. Period.
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what exactly do you mean by stroke is he hitting harder or softer or off center would do that ?
 
twilight said:
hhhmmm ... I never thought of it that way. It's got me thinking now. However it's not like a few shots, it's all night. Could I play for months one way and feel a sweet hit, then for a couple weeks never have that same hit? Only to have the hit back one night, then gone again?
Click to expand...

i wouldn't think this is the problem. maybe it's just you. maybe when you're playing the way you think you should, the way the cue is "feeling" isn't as distracting to you and when your not you're subconscious "feels" for answers. it can happen.
 
!!!!!!1

I agree with Skins sounds like you are coming in an out of stroke. If you don't practice the way you play this will happen often.
Pinocchio
 
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