Cue advice, low deflection or standard recommended ?

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Chaspool2017

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Hello everyone:
I am getting back into pool after 24 yrs away from the game. I have a mint cond. Meucci MO-6 from 1977 or so that bought new. What are thoughts about buying a Sweet Spot 360 low deflection shaft for my Meucci. Would it make more sense to buy a new cue with low deflection shaft ? Should I switch over to this new technology ? I just bought a really nice playing Bud Diehl cue that has standard maple shaft. Lastly, does this newer technology really improve ones game ? Thanks !
 
Use whatever shaft you want into whatever butt you want.

As for if you will improve because of the shaft i have to say no. You just have to see what works best for you. Do you find it easier to aim with a LD shaft? If yes, then the LD shaft will help you and you will improve, if not it will destroy you, vise versa.
 
since most prob don't know how you played or what your current knowledge or ability is it's probably hard to say, I will say this though.
A LD shaft with shorten he learning curve if your intension is to really get back into the game, meaning practicing and stuff but if you are just looking to get back into it so as to play with some friends here and there maybe bang a few balls solo along the way then pic a shaft that you want/like or don't you will eventually get a feel for it and will just play like normal totally unaware of the deflection or not.
 
Chaspool2017 said:
Hello everyone:
I am getting back into pool after 24 yrs away from the game. I have a mint cond. Meucci MO-6 from 1977 or so that bought new. What are thoughts about buying a Sweet Spot 360 low deflection shaft for my Meucci. Would it make more sense to buy a new cue with low deflection shaft ? Should I switch over to this new technology ? I just bought a really nice playing Bud Diehl cue that has standard maple shaft. Lastly, does this newer technology really improve ones game ? Thanks !
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You're gonna have to determine that yourself. Find some players that have LD's and try them.Hit a variety of spin shots and just compare them. Asking that question here can open a Pandora's box that you really don't want. BTW, the SS360 is a hell of a shaft. Not as low def. as some but it has a solid-maple feel to it.
 
Definitely helps to try them out and see what works for you best.

I do believe LD does what it says it does and I played them for a while. I found 12.75-13mm shafts had too much deflection for me but LD shafts had too little (I'd miss some touchy little spin shots because I expected there to be a little more deflection than there was). I settled on a 12mm standard maple shaft myself because the amount of deflection I get just seems to match what I naturally expect it be. So it just fits my eye and perception of how a shaft should play. Took me a while to get there but glad I finally found what suits me.
 
You have a mint MO?


Do you realize that is already a "LD" shaft? It's not huge LD but it is lower deflection than for example a heavy ivory ferrule of that era.

Old technology, but the lighter ferrule is LD".


LD can be "solid wood" it need not be laminated. Those are two different subjects that overlap.


Why not use your old cue?


To improve your game the number one thing you can do, by far, is practice.





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Thanks for all the comments. I would consider my level as Intermediate but do want to play couple times a week, maybe local 9 ball tournaments some day. :)
 
Chaspool2017 said:
Hello everyone:
I am getting back into pool after 24 yrs away from the game. I have a mint cond. Meucci MO-6 from 1977 or so that bought new. What are thoughts about buying a Sweet Spot 360 low deflection shaft for my Meucci. Would it make more sense to buy a new cue with low deflection shaft ? Should I switch over to this new technology ? I just bought a really nice playing Bud Diehl cue that has standard maple shaft. Lastly, does this newer technology really improve ones game ? Thanks !
Click to expand...


It changes the game but I'd say it depends on what you are used to. I use the standard maple shaft but for a new player it wouldn't hurt to try a low deflection shaft.

For me the key is to find a cue and shaft you like and stay with it regardless of what it is.
 
Chaspool2017 said:
Thanks for all the comments. I would consider my level as Intermediate but do want to play couple times a week, maybe local 9 ball tournaments some day. :)
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How often do you use side spin on shots? Do you ever use maximum side spin? (That would be shooting straight up the middle of the table to the center of the end cushion, coming off to the left or right and hitting about a diamond on the other side of the side pocket.) If not that much side, about how much do you use? How much do you hope to use as your game progresses?
 
Chaspool2017 said:
My goal is to be able to run a 9 ball rack on consistent basis if layout is doable. I do like to use english on the cue ball. :)
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Try different shafts with a series of shots that use lots of side spin.

I've watched players at tournaments at a "low deflection" vendor booth. When they try the shafts they hardly ever spin the ball. Lots of center shots. Not a clue about what they're looking at. And then they pay $200 for the shaft.

Understand it before you invest any money.
 
If you were using a Meucci & used to it, it's going to be a huge difference if you switch to a LD shaft. Use what you're used to, imo.
 
gregnice37 said:
If you were using a Meucci & used to it, it's going to be a huge difference if you switch to a LD shaft. Use what you're used to, imo.
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I think that's usually good advice, but the OP has not played for 24 years and maybe he's not used to anything any more.

An exception to going with what you're used to is if you want to make a major change to your game because you seem unable to make progress. Then drastic measures may be required, but they're usually not easy to choose.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I think that's usually good advice, but the OP has not played for 24 years and maybe he's not used to anything any more.

An exception to going with what you're used to is if you want to make a major change to your game because you seem unable to make progress. Then drastic measures may be required, but they're usually not easy to choose.
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This is an excellent excellent point. I played almost my entire life with a Meucci until I bought a new cue along with an OB shaft from a friend 3 or 4 years ago. Even though I was used to the Meucci using side spin was difficult and my game was stuck in a big plateau. Changing equipment changed a lot for me in a positive way.
 
Dangit boy, don't waste money on all the hype. Play with that Originals just like it is and have fun,damn all the new gimmicktry !!!
 
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It's about getting used to your gear and staying with the same shaft. I have tried using the maple shafts that come with the custom cues I've been buying. They feel amazing and all but there is an adjustment that I need to make after using a z shaft for the last two years. My Auto aiming is definitely based on my LD shafts. I can make the switch to maple shafts and be totally happy but I will need to retrain my brain. Every custom cue I have purchased I also have a LD shaft that fits. I will most likely stay with LD. But like I said it's a decision I need to make and stick with it when I do. If I bounce back and forth I am only making it harder for myself to progress. Good luck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Tapatalk
 
When I switched to LD shafts many years ago (14 or 15) I did so ONLY because I had a cue at the time whose shaft taper sucked. A buddy had a 314 shaft, and I tried it and loved the way it felt and played. I also realized, hey if something goes wrong I can easily replace this and adjust to something else without much worry.

You can adjust to the aim, feel, play of ANY shaft after some time. They all (even LDs) play a little bit different (although the LDs will be much, much closer and a quick adjustment). I just think, most importantly, that you like the way the shaft FEELS. If it feels good, then you can work out the aiming kinks through good practice/competition.

Take the shaft you have.

Does the taper feel good in your hands using various bridges?

Does the cue's balance feel good?

If yes to both, proceed to the next test.

Hit a few shots with just center ball. (try all kinds of various angles and distances) Does the cue feel good?

Now practice some draw shots (again, various distances, angles, etc). Do you like how it performs?

So on, and so forth.

I DO recommend LD shafts, ONLY because once you're used to one, if something happens you can easily replace it and not have to figure out a new cue.

With that being said, if you have an old maple shaft, that is dead straight, and plays great, and tapered to your liking, and you have the deflection figured out....they are HARD to beat.

Good luck!
 
Obviously there is something to LD shafts. As a gimmick they would have faded away.

I remember a "then and now / what's changed" interview with a well know pro who said LD shafts made his life harder. Used to be he had a big advantage making balls and also spinning around the table.
 
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Chaspool2017 said:
Hello everyone:
I am getting back into pool after 24 yrs away from the game. I have a mint cond. Meucci MO-6 from 1977 or so that bought new. What are thoughts about buying a Sweet Spot 360 low deflection shaft for my Meucci. Would it make more sense to buy a new cue with low deflection shaft ? Should I switch over to this new technology ? I just bought a really nice playing Bud Diehl cue that has standard maple shaft. Lastly, does this newer technology really improve ones game ? Thanks !
Click to expand...

You do t need to buy a new cue not a new shaft to play at a high level. If you want a new shaft or new cue try a few out to see what you like. Proper practice will build your stroke, buying a new cue/ shaft not so much.
 
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