I have 4 cues that are 61" long. 3 Diveney's and a Meucci sneaky. I'm 6' 3" fairly long armed and with my stroke they just fit me better then a 58' cue. With the radial pin I like it makes finding a quality case a pain, especially if you use joint protectors. I know Strickland uses a long cue and one of the commentators on the 2014 Mosconi Cup said SVB is using a cue about 6" longer then normal and weighing 22 ounces. So are many of you using longer cues? It makes no sense to me that a cue length of 57" or 58" is the best fit for every one.
Cue length, again
- Thread starter Ak Guy
- Start date
I agree with you. Almost all other sports have custom fit equipment, Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Hai Lai & even Baseball Bats are made to the Pro's liking & specs.
Why should a 5'2" height individual use the same length cue as an individual that is 6'6"?
I'm 5'9" & have experimented briefly with a cuetec jump break cue with the extension. I'm now seriously considering getting the Balance Rite joint type extension for my 'good' playing cue & will probably use the cutec as a break/jump cue with the extension on it for breaking.
If extra length is what Earl settled on & convinced Shane to with it, I'd think that there must be some merit to it.
Anyway, That's my 2 cents.
Best,
Rick
I use 60 inch cues and that is what Im most comfortable with. I have one that is 60.5 inches too. I gave all my 58 inch cues away.
Consider this. Years ago, players used a medium length Bridge (say 10-12 inches, sometimes less). Today, lots of players have a much longer bridge length.
It may not be for others, but I find a longer bridge is easier to aim with. Using a 3"' stick to aim with, is no where near as accurate as using a 12" stick to aim with, especially for long distances.
Maybe the longer bridge length, has an added plus in that it effects aiming on the positive side.
Is this the future ???
It may not be for others, but I find a longer bridge is easier to aim with. Using a 3"' stick to aim with, is no where near as accurate as using a 12" stick to aim with, especially for long distances.
Maybe the longer bridge length, has an added plus in that it effects aiming on the positive side.
Is this the future ???
Longer cues
I just can't use a 58 anymore. I've still got my Klapp 61 and currently using a Russel 59 inch with a 2 inch extension added. I should have a new Rick Howard 61 inch by the end of the month. I'm looking forward to it. I try to go back but can't get used to it. I wish more longer cues would come up for sale as I love to try different cues.
I just can't use a 58 anymore. I've still got my Klapp 61 and currently using a Russel 59 inch with a 2 inch extension added. I should have a new Rick Howard 61 inch by the end of the month. I'm looking forward to it. I try to go back but can't get used to it. I wish more longer cues would come up for sale as I love to try different cues.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more cues over the standard 58" in the next 10 years or so. Many players are now playing with tensions on their cue full time (SVB for one). I have yet to try it, but I think I would really like it. I often find myself wishng for another 4" or so and I absolutely never hold my cue in the middle of the wrap, not to mention towards th font. I'm always in the back third and often off onto the butt sleeve.
I think I'll try an extension at some point, adding 4-6" sounds ideal, not sure I'd find just 2" to be enough, but who knows...if I ever get my hands on a 60" cue I'd love to try it out.
I think I'll try an extension at some point, adding 4-6" sounds ideal, not sure I'd find just 2" to be enough, but who knows...if I ever get my hands on a 60" cue I'd love to try it out.
I'm not the tallest out there at 5' 9". But I like a 60" cue. I had my Gilbert's custom made at 60" one inch longer on the butt and one inch longer on the shafts.
Granted a 58" cue will work for me I kike 60 because I tend to have a longer stroke
Jim Baxter made me a 60" and I liked it so much I bought a 2.5" extension from azb member Newsheriffntwn for my main player. I play with wrapless cues because I hated "running out of wrap". I bet if you tried a shaft extension you would find you liked it
Ben
I can play with anything in between 58-60". 57" was just too short for a comfortable stroke, and over 60" it becomes difficult for me to cue the cue ball accurately, because the tip seems to raise up as I stroke forward and causes me to hit where I don't want to. I have also found that long straight in shots play a lot more easily for me with a 58" vs 60".
I'm 5'11" and use a Balance-Rite extension:
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/balance-rite-forward-weighted-pool-cue-extension/
It adds 3.75" to the cue. The length is easy to get used to and the extra length comes in handy really often - sometimes as much a once per rack. The extra weight takes some getting used to. That took a week or so.
But I also had trouble using the kind of extensions that you only add to the cue when needed for an occasional long reach shot. I always had trouble with the extra weight for just that one shot.
There are some additional benefits to this approach. For one, you don't have to pay for a custom cue length. Another is that you don't need a special case.
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/balance-rite-forward-weighted-pool-cue-extension/
It adds 3.75" to the cue. The length is easy to get used to and the extra length comes in handy really often - sometimes as much a once per rack. The extra weight takes some getting used to. That took a week or so.
But I also had trouble using the kind of extensions that you only add to the cue when needed for an occasional long reach shot. I always had trouble with the extra weight for just that one shot.
There are some additional benefits to this approach. For one, you don't have to pay for a custom cue length. Another is that you don't need a special case.
I have to credit Frank Stellman (Sailor Cues) with introducing me to the benefits of a longer cue. He watched me shoot for am hour one day without saying a word. Then he told me to get a 59"cue!
Here is a link to a story that Dennis Walsh posted some time ago about Frank. He is a living legend and I consider myself lucky to have spent some time with him.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=327562&highlight=Frank+Stellman
Here is a link to a story that Dennis Walsh posted some time ago about Frank. He is a living legend and I consider myself lucky to have spent some time with him.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=327562&highlight=Frank+Stellman
I highly recommend you watch Ronnie O'Sullivan for few hours, take note on placement of his butt hand and his bridge when he not obstructed by rail, or other balls.
Bottom line, you have to find that combination with your hands/stroke where it sends the cue 100% straight without steering. And if you cannot do it without steering, learn to factor steering in every shot you do.
IMO Earl, still trying to find the best way to shoot straight, sure he is better than many people. I could be wrong here, i think he is embarrassed to switch back to normal cues, eventually he will!! or playing without weight, or.....
I wish I can play a 60" cue. I tried a few, just couldn't get used to the balance. That cause I'm only 5"6. Here in Taiwan, we only play 58" and maybe 58.5"
X5 5 inch extension and Balance rite 3 3/4 work great for me....no more standard...
Where do you think is it possible to buy a 32" UNILOCK butt, preferably without wrap?
I play with a predator Ikon2 + 314.2 (30") cue with a balance rite extension but I think it is preferable to play with a one piece rather than 'butt pieces'.
Thanks!
Marc
I play with a predator Ikon2 + 314.2 (30") cue with a balance rite extension but I think it is preferable to play with a one piece rather than 'butt pieces'.
Thanks!
Marc
Here you go. Just call them and ask for the lengths you want.
I got a 32" shaft and 30" butt. Love it!
http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/schmelke-cues.html
I got a 32" shaft and 30" butt. Love it!
http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/schmelke-cues.html