Carbon Fiber Shafts with Interchangeable Joints

edcoopdeville

edcoopdeville

Registered
My Longoni cue.png

So here's my situation,

I have the above pictured Longoni cue that I purchased over 21 years ago, and have recently decided to start playing with it again, so I want to put a carbon fiber shaft on it, but found out that not only is this cue model discontinued, but the joint pin may be discontinued as well (currently waiting to hear back from Longoni). Anyway, I found out that the McDermott "Defy" quick release carbon fiber shaft is a perfect fit for the cue, but someone here on AZBilliards said that the "Defy" shaft didn't play well. So I'm contemplating purchasing a Longoni Luna Nera shaft (if it'll fit my cue), but I also started doing some research on custom carbon fiber shafts, and found this YouTube video that compared the "Whyte Carbon" shafts to the "Bull Carbon" shaft that both come with interchangeable joints:


So I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with carbon fiber shafts with interchangeable joints, in addition to, any experience playing with both or either of these particular shafts?
 
T

TrxR

Well-known member
I like my Whyte Carbon. Haven't been playing with it that long. Maybe a year or so. I would go with the black not their white or wood grain.

Never tried a Longoni or Defy so can't compare.
 
M

Mensabum

Well-known member
edcoopdeville said:
View attachment 800503
So here's my situation,

I have the above pictured Longoni cue that I purchased over 21 years ago, and have recently decided to start playing with it again, so I want to put a carbon fiber shaft on it, but found out that not only is this cue model discontinued, but the joint pin may be discontinued as well (currently waiting to hear back from Longoni). Anyway, I found out that the McDermott "Defy" quick release carbon fiber shaft is a perfect fit for the cue, but someone here on AZBilliards said that the "Defy" shaft didn't play well. So I'm contemplating purchasing a Longoni Luna Nera shaft (if it'll fit my cue), but I also started doing some research on custom carbon fiber shafts, and found this YouTube video that compared the "Whyte Carbon" shafts to the "Bull Carbon" shaft that both come with interchangeable joints:


So I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with carbon fiber shafts with interchangeable joints, in addition to, any experience playing with both or either of these particular shafts?
Click to expand...
Fellow player has 'Defy' and loves it!! One of the smoothest CF on the market. Finish is awesome!!
 
iusedtoberich

iusedtoberich

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I’ve hit with several cf shafts. Imo, they are all excellent in feel, taper, and quality. I think the main difference will come down to how much they deflect the cb.
 
Cornerman

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Gold Member
Silver Member
edcoopdeville said:
View attachment 800503
So here's my situation,

I have the above pictured Longoni cue that I purchased over 21 years ago, and have recently decided to start playing with it again, so I want to put a carbon fiber shaft on it, but found out that not only is this cue model discontinued, but the joint pin may be discontinued as well (currently waiting to hear back from Longoni). Anyway, I found out that the McDermott "Defy" quick release carbon fiber shaft is a perfect fit for the cue, but someone here on AZBilliards said that the "Defy" shaft didn't play well. So I'm contemplating purchasing a Longoni Luna Nera shaft (if it'll fit my cue), but I also started doing some research on custom carbon fiber shafts, and found this YouTube video that compared the "Whyte Carbon" shafts to the "Bull Carbon" shaft that both come with interchangeable joints:


So I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with carbon fiber shafts with interchangeable joints, in addition to, any experience playing with both or either of these particular shafts?
Click to expand...
Both feel really good. The Bull Carbon is more to my liking because it has normal cueball deflection. Contrary to popular myth, carbon fiber shafts dont mean low deflection.

That said, Bull Carbon has worked on putting out an ultra low deflection shaft. I dont know if it’s on the market yet. Bull Carbon is the Koda company, who have an extremely long history in pool and billiards. Jim Lucas is the father-in-law, IIRC
 
j2pac

j2pac

Marital Slow Learner.
Staff member
Moderator
Gold Member
Silver Member
Mensabum said:
I'm not familiar w them. I noticed the OP had heard some negative things about them and wanted to let him know what my friend thought about them. He's gaga over it. 😂Lol.
Click to expand...
If I recall correctly, McDermott had a few issues with the coating, or lack thereof, on their initial Defy shafts. They corrected the issue on the later variants of the Defy shafts. I've heard/read pretty solid reviews on the later version of that shaft, as evidenced by your own anecdotal account.
😎👍
 
iusedtoberich

iusedtoberich

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just tried a Defy tonight, from a player I've known a few years who has been sponsored by them as a junior. He's 21 now. He just upgraded his shafts to the new Defy. He didn't like the coating on the prior version.

I liked it a lot. I hit a whole rack of balls, hard, and didn't miss one (7' Diamond). I've been playing since the late 90's with Predator shafts, so the deflection must be pretty similar.

The taper was nice. I do think the Predator Revo is smoother, but the Defy was fine. It did have a shiny finished area about 5" long near the joint, like the old school wood shafts. The CF in this area was a different weave pattern. The rest felt like the bare CF.

All that said, if I were the OP, I might try the Longoni CF shaft. I bet they would make it fit your joint, since they made the butt, even if the joint is now discontinued. Did you see the Neils F. video a week ago how they make it?
 
edcoopdeville

edcoopdeville

Registered
Well I contacted Longoni and asked if their Luna Nera shaft would fit my over 20 year old Longoni cue, and here's their reply?
Longoni Response.png



So it appears that the only Longoni shafts that will fit my cue are their S20 and S30 canadian maple shafts, and I really would prefer to put a C/F shaft on this cue. So I wonder the "Whyte Carbon" shafts and the "Bull Carbon" shaft that both come with interchangeable joints, would have a joint that would fit this/my 20 year old Longoni cue?

Also, in regards to the Defy shaft, on another post someone said:

"I tried a Defy, did not like it. Had a very dead noodle hit to it compared to the other CFs, did not like it."

And like member "j2pac" said here:

"If I recall correctly, McDermott had a few issues with the coating, or lack thereof, on their initial Defy shafts."

So assuming these comments are based on the original version of the Defy C/F shaft (and not the new Gen2 version mentioned here), and if I were to purchase a Defy shaft, how would I be able to tell if I'm purchasing the newer version shaft and not the original version? Are they labeled differently?
 
Black-Balled

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
edcoopdeville said:
Well I contacted Longoni and asked if their Luna Nera shaft would fit my over 20 year old Longoni cue, and here's their reply?
View attachment 801173


So it appears that the only Longoni shafts that will fit my cue are their S20 and S30 canadian maple shafts, and I really would prefer to put a C/F shaft on this cue. So I wonder the "Whyte Carbon" shafts and the "Bull Carbon" shaft that both come with interchangeable joints, would have a joint that would fit this/my 20 year old Longoni cue?

Also, in regards to the Defy shaft, on another post someone said:

"I tried a Defy, did not like it. Had a very dead noodle hit to it compared to the other CFs, did not like it."

And like member "j2pac" said here:

"If I recall correctly, McDermott had a few issues with the coating, or lack thereof, on their initial Defy shafts."

So assuming these comments are based on the original version of the Defy C/F shaft (and not the new Gen2 version mentioned here), and if I were to purchase a Defy shaft, how would I be able to tell if I'm purchasing the newer version shaft and not the original version? Are they labeled differently?
Click to expand...
You have two threads going on this ...

And you should really play with some and see what you find 'right' for you. People liked the original defy and people liked the new one too.

I'd suggest not bargain shopping this one. Buy from a reputable retailer that has a clear return policy or better, a demo to offer.

And for just a little more, you could prob get a whole new cue...food for thought.
 
iusedtoberich

iusedtoberich

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The shaft I played with a few posts up was actually the quick release joint. I had never before seen a McDermott with anything other than a 3/8-10 thread. I'm actually quite surprised the Defy shaft fits on the Longoni. Anyway, looks like you lucked out.

Call JoeRackEm on the phone and ask them about the shaft coating to make sure you are getting a new one. I think they also do not charge tax if you order on the phone (unless you live in their state).
 
edcoopdeville

edcoopdeville

Registered
Good point, and I notice some websites are selling the Defy C/F shaft about $40-$50 cheaper than it's listed on the McDermott website, so I may just pay the extra money and buy it directly from McDermott to make sure I get the latest and greatest version?

www.mcdermottcue.com

Defy | The Most Advanced Carbon Fiber Shaft Ever

Defy gives you the unparalleled accuracy and control that you expect from carbon fiber, but uses state-of-the-art technologies to shatter its limitations.
www.mcdermottcue.com www.mcdermottcue.com

Also, I created this thread/post to initially only discuss "Carbon Fiber Shafts with Interchangeable Joints", but by me referencing my Longoni cue, my two post unintentionally overlapped regarding the information discussed. Sorry everyone.
 
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edcoopdeville

edcoopdeville

Registered
iusedtoberich said:
The shaft I played with a few posts up was actually the quick release joint. I had never before seen a McDermott with anything other than a 3/8-10 thread. I'm actually quite surprised the Defy shaft fits on the Longoni. Anyway, looks like you lucked out.

Call JoeRackEm on the phone and ask them about the shaft coating to make sure you are getting a new one. I think they also do not charge tax if you order on the phone (unless you live in their state).
Click to expand...
Do you have a number for JoeRackEm? And I'm wondering if this is the same JoeRackEm that I've purchased many things from (over the years) via eBay?
 
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