first generation Ob vs. OB+ shafts

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subjectposit

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I was wondering if anybody could tell me whether there is much difference in terms of deflection between the first generation OB shafts and the OB+ shafts. I just want to know if the upgrade is worth the money. I'm currently playing with a 314-2 that has been turned down to somewhere between 12-12.5 mm. It deflects very little from my end.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Is there something wrong with the shaft?
If yes: upgrade is worth it.
If No: upgrade is not worth it.
Especially not if you're used to your 1st gen shaft.
Yes, they claim there's a difference in the deflection but what does it matter?
You're always going to have to compensate for it anyway.
Many people are playing solid maple shafts and are running out one rack after another.
It's all a matter of what you're used to.
 
It's a bit more complicated than that. I am looking to buy a new shaft for another cue I have. Like I said, I'm currently playing with a 314-2 that has been turned down some, so presumably the deflection is slightly lower on it than on a standard 12.75 (although I don't know because I have never shot with one). I would like to move up to a 12.75 but preserve as best as possible the ld characteristics I have become accustomed to. I just want to know if I decided to go with the first generation OB-1 which is significantly cheaper than the newer generation + shafts, whether or not it reduces deflection enough to justify the price.

Thanks for your reply!
 
I moved from OB pro to OB pro+ about 6 months ago. I like the looks of the new one a lot more - it looks more like a solid maple shaft whereas the original looked more like a pieced-together shaft. OB says the new one has about 10% lighter end and so it should have a bit lower squirt. I haven't noticed a squirt difference, but I haven't tried to formally test it, and I doubt someone could really notice a 10% difference just from playing with it.
 
I like the OB+ better. Kept going back and forth. Not sure if that is because I went from the small white ferrule (OB pro) to the laminated maple ferrule (OB2+), but whatever the reason, it's a keeper.

I will have a few used OB shafts up for sale cheap, if some folks want to give it a whirl.
 
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Out of curiosity what made you settle on the wood ferrule vs. the white one?
Just curious.
I have a guy on my team who loves the wood ferrules.
Me, I don't like LDs so I'm not one to judge. But I am curious.

Thanks
 
I use the OB pro + and I like it. I agree with BRussell comment above. I suggest trying it out before you buy, if you can.

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk
 
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I own both a Classic and Classic + and can't tell a difference except visually. With that said, I switched to the 314/3 a few months ago and again, can't tell a difference at all.
 
I have an new OB2+, and a older OB Pro Classic, both 11.75mm. New version looks nicer, but I can't tell a difference in how they play. Both very good. Of course the OB2+ has the wood ferrule and a softer hit.
If buying one, I'd suggest getting the new version, for looks if nothing else. Eliminate all the laminations.
 
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9Ballr said:
Out of curiosity what made you settle on the wood ferrule vs. the white one?
Just curious.
I have a guy on my team who loves the wood ferrules.
Me, I don't like LDs so I'm not one to judge. But I am curious.

Thanks
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The wood ferrule has a softer hit......thought since I use a very soft tip, I'd try this out as well.. so far, so good.
 
The OB original shafts have a softer hit. The plus shafts have a much crisper, firmer hit. They are night and day different.
 
Ob shafts

I have a 1st gen. OB Classic Pro shaft and an OB1+ and a OB+Pro.

I don't really feel any difference between the 1st gen. OB and the + generation (comparing my two Pro shafts). The new shafts look nicer (as noted above), but I can't say they play noticeably better.

The big difference in OB shafts is between the ones with the wood ferrules vs. the ones with the plastic ferrules. The wood ferrule shafts (the OB 1 and OB 2) have a softer, quieter hit. The plastic ferrule shafts are stiffer and have a crisper hit. (This is true for both the first generation and the + generation.) Comparing my Ob1+ to either of my Pro shafts, the difference is real and very noticeable. But comparing my two Pro shafts, there is not much of a difference.

Originally, OB offered only the OB1 and OB2, both of which had wooden ferrules and soft hits. Later they added the Classic and the Pro, which had plastic ferrules and firmer hits. All of these were first generations shafts. The Plus shafts are the only second generation shafts. But the rule is the same for both generations: wood ferrules soft hit, plastic ferrules harder hit.

So the big decision you need to make is which kind of hit you prefer.

If it were me, switching to OB for the first time, I would go ahead and buy the cheaper first gen. But I think that whichever way you go you will be happy with your OB shaft (at least I am).
 
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subjectposit said:
Do you mean you can't tell the difference between the OB classic/+ and the 314-3 or the latter and the 314-2?
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I can't tell the difference between the shafts I own, Classic / + and 314/3. I've never shot with a 314/2.

The only physical differences between all three are the smoothness of the wood and obviously the look. The Classic and the 314/3 are pretty much identical in smoothness and the Classic + is easily the smoothest and best feeling in the hands.

Another thing you might consider is the construction of each. The Classic has a ferrule with a carbon fiber pad between it and the tip. The Classic + has a ferrule with the carbon fiber pad integrated into it. You said your current shaft is turned down so this bit of information might be useful. The Classic shaft is going to be easier for a repairman to service if you have future ferrule issues arise.
 
subjectposit said:
Do you mean you can't tell the difference between the OB classic/+ and the 314-3 or the latter and the 314-2?
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I dont know about the other guy , but, i have always played with a 314-2 (for several years) and bought a new OB classic+ at the billiards expo. i figured i would give OB a try since the two 314-2 that i have are down to a 12.6 mm due to cleaning and the ferrules are getting thin. i shot good with it on the diamond bar table and it played good but when i got home and played on my Diamond pro/am 9'table and had longer shots( i know, dont leave longer shots,lol) , i could notice a huge difference. i used clear circle rings and set up the same shots and shot them with the 3124-2 and the ob classic + and on certain shots the deflection was way more with the OB and i would rattle the ball. Im sure with more practice with the OB i would get used it but, im going to sell it and get a 314-3
 
subjectposit said:
I was wondering if anybody could tell me whether there is much difference in terms of deflection between the first generation OB shafts and the OB+ shafts. ...
Click to expand...

When the Plus shafts were introduced, I believe OB reported that the tip end mass had been reduced (compared with the originals) by about 13%. That should result in a reduction in squirt (cue-ball deflection). But I don't recall OB publishing any numbers regarding the reduction in squirt.
 
subjectposit said:
It's a bit more complicated than that. I am looking to buy a new shaft for another cue I have. Like I said, I'm currently playing with a 314-2 that has been turned down some, so presumably the deflection is slightly lower on it than on a standard 12.75 (although I don't know because I have never shot with one). I would like to move up to a 12.75 but preserve as best as possible the ld characteristics I have become accustomed to. I just want to know if I decided to go with the first generation OB-1 which is significantly cheaper than the newer generation + shafts, whether or not it reduces deflection enough to justify the price.

Thanks for your reply!
Click to expand...

Personally if deflection is your concern, I definitely think the + shafts, and in particular the larger diameter ones like the OB1+ and OBClassic +, there is a very noticeable difference in LD characteristics. The + are more ld. On the smaller diameter shafts the difference is smaller, but still there's a difference. I would personally go with the + without hesitation. They hit better too in my opinion.

FWIW...

KMRUNOUT
 
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