Conical vs Pro tapers (Or OB-2 vs 314-2)

[mincho]

I've noticed my pocketing is considerably better with my OB-2 (which is really a combined conical/pro taper) than with my 314-2 or Z-2 for that matter. I read recently that shafts with conical tapers are more accurate, but people prefer the feel of pro tapers. I also seem to have more power with the OB-2.

What are your thoughts on these two different kinds of tapers?

(Note: I am using the same butt and have played for months with the 314-2 before switching to the OB-2)

 

[JoeyA]

I've noticed my pocketing is considerably better with my OB-2 (which is really a combined conical/pro taper) than with my 314-2 or Z-2 for that matter. I read recently that shafts with conical tapers are more accurate, but people prefer the feel of pro tapers. I also seem to have more power with the OB-2.

What are your thoughts on these two different kinds of tapers?

(Note: I am using the same butt and have played for months with the 314-2 before switching to the OB-2)

Many Asian players have reportedly said the same thing about conical tapers-----more power.

It didn't take me a long time to get over the unique looking ferrule of the OB2. I've tried the 314-2 and have a shaft but it just isn't a fair comparison in my opinion. As far as the feel of a straight taper and a conical taper, I don't notice it. I wear a glove and don't know if that has anything to do with that.

I like the conical taper better, but that's just me.

 

[Donovan_45]

This is good info. I use an ob1 and I have been thinking about an ob2 as either a backup or replacement. I continue to go back and forth trying to decide between another ob1 or an ob2. Sorry to highjack, but I am very interested in other peoples thoughts about pro vs conical and 11.75 vs 12.75.

Thanks

Corey

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I've noticed my pocketing is considerably better with my OB-2 (which is really a combined conical/pro taper) than with my 314-2 or Z-2 for that matter. I read recently that shafts with conical tapers are more accurate, but people prefer the feel of pro tapers. I also seem to have more power with the OB-2.

What are your thoughts on these two different kinds of tapers?

(Note: I am using the same butt and have played for months with the 314-2 before switching to the OB-2)

My thoughts are that it is strictly about comfort, which breeds confidence. There is nothing about a piece of wood that makes it "accurate". If your hand fits one or the other better, that may make *you* more accurate. Likewise the idea of "more power" is almost certainly a perceptual effect. If you strike the cueball in the same spot at the same speed, you will get the same result. Perhaps the OB-2 feels better to you, which thus gives you more confidence and a better ability to confidently go farther from the center of the cueball. *That*, and only that, will produce more cueball spin.

Personally, I prefer the pro taper. I like the feel better. I think to be honest that the only reason that the conical taper is pitched is so that the shaft can be made with a reasonably "normal" weight, while maintaining low end mass and a small tip diameter. If you had a pro taper on a Z shaft or an OB-2, it would simply have less wood, and hence less weight. This might complicate the issues of easily converting over from an original shaft, since it would throw off the balance noticeably. Also, reducing the weight of the cue overall may create a feeling of "less power" in the cue. Finally, there might be some durability issues using any sort of pro taper at 11.75mm. It might feel flimsy. I think the best application for the small diameter shaft is if you have particularly small hands. I simply don't see the need *for me* to have a tip so small. I think it is less forgiving, and I get more than enough action with a 12.75mm tip.

Edit: by the way, remember that when comparing a 314-2 to a Z shaft or OB-2, remember that this is *not* a good comparison of pro taper vs. conical taper. This is because you are comparing a significantly different diameter as well. A better comparison would be to compare a house cue to a 314-2. This would give you a similar *size* shaft, but typically house cues have a conical taper.

Hope this helps,

KMRUNOUT

 

[JoeyA]

My thoughts are that it is strictly about comfort, which breeds confidence. There is nothing about a piece of wood that makes it "accurate". If your hand fits one or the other better, that may make *you* more accurate. Likewise the idea of "more power" is almost certainly a perceptual effect. If you strike the cueball in the same spot at the same speed, you will get the same result. Perhaps the OB-2 feels better to you, which thus gives you more confidence and a better ability to confidently go farther from the center of the cueball. *That*, and only that, will produce more cueball spin.

Personally, I prefer the pro taper. I like the feel better. I think to be honest that the only reason that the conical taper is pitched is so that the shaft can be made with a reasonably "normal" weight, while maintaining low end mass and a small tip diameter. If you had a pro taper on a Z shaft or an OB-2, it would simply have less wood, and hence less weight. This might complicate the issues of easily converting over from an original shaft, since it would throw off the balance noticeably. Also, reducing the weight of the cue overall may create a feeling of "less power" in the cue. Finally, there might be some durability issues using any sort of pro taper at 11.75mm. It might feel flimsy. I think the best application for the small diameter shaft is if you have particularly small hands. I simply don't see the need *for me* to have a tip so small. I think it is less forgiving, and I get more than enough action with a 12.75mm tip.

Edit: by the way, remember that when comparing a 314-2 to a Z shaft or OB-2, remember that this is *not* a good comparison of pro taper vs. conical taper. This is because you are comparing a significantly different diameter as well. A better comparison would be to compare a house cue to a 314-2. This would give you a similar *size* shaft, but typically house cues have a conical taper.

Hope this helps,

KMRUNOUT

I like the points you brought up and the way you think. I have to imagine that you play rather well.

I have rather large hands. There not small, that's for sure. But I don't find either a 12.75mm pro taper shaft or an 11.75 mm conical taper shaft to feel more comfortable than the other.

I've never understood how some people are so much more comfortable with a pro taper than a conical taper or vice versa. I think the majority of American pool players are more comfortable with the pro taper but I don't think that's what the most accurate potters in the world use.

If you made an 11.75mm shaft using a pro taper, not only would you have less weight but you would have a mighty flimsy shaft.

One of my practice partners swears by a 13 -13.25mm CONICAL taper shaft. I don't get it but he says he plays better with the larger diameter conical taper and plays VERY well at times. I tease him when he misses a shot using spin and just say "Blame it on the telephone pole" and he just shouts back, telling me to keep using that "toothpick".

 

[dr9ball]

Personally after years of playing with different tip diameters, I have settled on 12mm and a compound taper.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I like the points you brought up and the way you think. I have to imagine that you play rather well.

I have rather large hands. There not small, that's for sure. But I don't find either a 12.75mm pro taper shaft or an 11.75 mm conical taper shaft to feel more comfortable than the other.

I've never understood how some people are so much more comfortable with a pro taper than a conical taper or vice versa. I think the majority of American pool players are more comfortable with the pro taper but I don't think that's what the most accurate potters in the world use.

If you made an 11.75mm shaft using a pro taper, not only would you have less weight but you would have a mighty flimsy shaft.

One of my practice partners swears by a 13 -13.25mm CONICAL taper shaft. I don't get it but he says he plays better with the larger diameter conical taper and plays VERY well at times. I tease him when he misses a shot using spin and just say "Blame it on the telephone pole" and he just shouts back, telling me to keep using that "toothpick".

Thanks for the kind words. I would say I'm a strong B player, when I'm playing regularly maybe a low A, for whatever that is worth.

I really only prefer the pro taper to an aggressive conical taper, like you might find on some house cues. My good friend shoots with a Z2 shaft, and while I'm not crazy about the small tip, I must say that the taper is not at all uncomfortable. I guess the Z2 shaft is a fairly gradual "cone", so to speak.

And yeah, you got my point exactly about the pro taper on a small shaft...I doubt anyone would care for that type of feel. However, now that I think about it, there is a guy who plays near me who is a very strong player...he uses a standard maple shaft that must be under 11mm, with what appears to be a pro taper...I feel like its going to snap every time he stroked the ball above rolling speed. Works for him though...

By the way, I am just north of 6'2", and my hands are pretty big with average or slim fingers...I think that is why I favor the larger diameter.

KMRUNOUT