Give me the real story on having two shafts for a cue

billiardthought

billiardthought

Anti-intellectualism
Silver Member
What are the benefits of having multiple shafts for a cue (in this case a custom cue)? I am not talking about low deflection, or having a handful of -different- shafts for a cue. I mean 2 standard maple shafts. All the time you see a nice cue being sold with 2+ shafts from the cue maker. Why are cues made with more than one shaft?

I find myself really liking my newest cue from Diveney with his lake wood shaft. Should I go ahead and get him to make another matching shaft now that I have decided to make this cue my player?
 
From personal experience I can tell you it is really nice to have a spare identical shaft for when your tip pops off during a tournament.:angry:
 
From the "for sale" listings, it seems like buyers like to have at least one unplayed shaft for a custom cue. I'm not certain that's the motivation since I'm neither a buyer or seller of custom cues...but that seems like the pattern.
 
fastone371 said:
From personal experience I can tell you it is really nice to have a spare identical shaft for when your tip pops off during a tournament.:angry:
Click to expand...

Besides this I think it adds more value to the cue over and above the cost of the extra shaft.
 
I think in the old days tips wore out faster, glue didn't hold as well.
A second shaft was good insurance
 
billiardthought said:
What are the benefits of having multiple shafts for a cue (in this case a custom cue)? I am not talking about low deflection, or having a handful of -different- shafts for a cue. I mean 2 standard maple shafts. All the time you see a nice cue being sold with 2+ shafts from the cue maker. Why are cues made with more than one shaft?

I find myself really liking my newest cue from Diveney with his lake wood shaft. Should I go ahead and get him to make another matching shaft now that I have decided to make this cue my player?
Click to expand...

I would. it's like insurance. Since you plan on keeping the cue long term, it's nice to have a spare as back up, for tournaments or in case the original warps. You may even find you prefer one shaft over the other. It's not as much of an expense as a full cue, so it's not a major financial decision.
 
If you are in a tournament or playing for cash and your playing shaft has a issue, it's a good idea to have another shaft or you may be playing off the wall. Simple as that.
 
Most people covered the basics for this necessity... tip popping off during an event, if you have one shaft modified to a smaller or longer taper, etc Its just a nice thing to have in case someone offers you an insane amount of cash for it IF you have an extra shaft for it because they want to put their own stink on it.

Lesh
 
:frown:


On the low end production cues...one shaft is always good and the other not so good.

So it's a good way to get rid of shafts that aren't perfect.


And always, you will like one shaft better than the other.


:thumbup:



.
 
Common wisdom is don't leave home without a second shaft. Personally, I've never needed one nor see anyone else need one.
If I was going out of town, I'd take one. Can't hurt, takes up little room and weighs 4 oz.

near home, see no need, personally.
 
Actually saw this come into play at league this week, though the guy in question didn't have a second shaft. Anyway, he had his playing cue tip pop off over the weekend and hadn't been able to get a new one installed yet so he had to play with a house cue for our league match. Guessing he wished he had a second shaft at that point.

I have a total of 4 shafts for my playing cue...standard maple at 12mm, 12.25mm, and 12.75mm. Also have an OB Classic+ that fits on it. Always carry two (right now the 12mm maple and the OB as a backup, but that might switch to the recently turned down 12.25mm maple) because even though the second shaft won't be an exact match it'll at least be a lot closer than trying to play off the wall.

Honestly, I don't think I'd buy a cue with only one shaft these days, at least not a high end cue. I've seen a couple posted for sale and I think having only one shaft hurts the selling price more than the cost of the shaft. For me I figure in the cost of buying the cue and sending it off for a new shaft as well as the inconvenience and time without the cue while having it done.
 
It's like having a spare tire, hopefully you won't need it but stuff happens. Really helps to resale it also if you have a mint shaft.
 
I've always ordered my custom cues with two shafts and, of the two, I've always thought one played better than the other. The one that didn't play as well for me always stayed in the case, because I have never popped a tip off my cue while playing and needed to use it. The only time my tips have ever came off is when I was replacing them.
 
Several reasons:

1) To have a spare tip, have an identical shaft.

2) Different games or table sizes, etc. You might have a shaft for 9 ball that is different from your one pocket shaft for example.

3) Different "moods". I have been shooting with a 31 inch shaft on a 29 butt lately. I like it a lot. But sometimes I switch back to a 29 shaft more or less based on how I am feeling. The mood just strikes me.



FYI- I prefer to have at least 2 shafts for all of my "good" cues and/or any cue I might prefer to shoot with. If I only have one shaft I am less likely to rely on that cue on any regular basis.

My primary player right now is a 1981 Huebler. I have 2 31 inch shafts and 1 29 for it. All original Huebler shafts.

I even carry two shafts for my break cue.

.
 
If I'm carrying a 1x2, I'll bring one standard shaft and a smaller diameter OB shaft. One for pool, one for snooker. If using my 2x4, I'll carry those and a break cue with a break shaft and a spare playing shaft if I want to lend the breaker to a friend.

I have two production cues with one shaft apiece. That setup is fine for everyday use. I even have a cool 1x1 case that came with one of the cues. My carom cue has maybe 7 shafts, but I only carry two or three in the case. I really need to pare it down...



Short answer, it's become a trend with custom cues, and can come it handy with tip failures, but it's not completely necessary. Depending on where you play and how seriously you play, you may want to adjust your setup accordingly.
 
1) extra shaft in case a tip flies off; you have a blow out in your tip; or it got mushy; continue to miscue, whatever.

2) you have a bad temper and break your shaft, whether accidental or because of an outrage. You see many people slap their shaft on the table after a miss, if you hit it just right it could break.

3) to have a different "feel" w/each shaft (even if slightly) so you can decide which shaft plays best in certain conditions (i.e. new cloth, new balls, dry conditions vs. old cloth, old balls, wet conditions).

4) or just to change things up if you're not playing your best (could be in the middle of a set).
 
12squared said:
1) extra shaft in case a tip flies off; you have a blow out in your tip; or it got mushy; continue to miscue, whatever.

2) you have a bad temper and break your shaft, whether accidental or because of an outrage. You see many people slap their shaft on the table after a miss, if you hit it just right it could break.

3) to have a different "feel" w/each shaft (even if slightly) so you can decide which shaft plays best in certain conditions (i.e. new cloth, new balls, dry conditions vs. old cloth, old balls, wet conditions).

4) or just to change things up if you're not playing your best (could be in the middle of a set).
Click to expand...
Supporting evidence for #2.....
...go to 2:28 on this video..
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=...74k1EitNWffSIeR7Q&sig2=d5RYf9wPDl5vgSjWZZXAbg

..sometimes the shaft just deserves it.....:angry:
 
What do I know. I got 6 shafts for my cue (had more but gave them back in trade...failed experiments)

4 - First Gen Preds (not all play the same)
2 - Ash Snooker Shafts (1-9.75mm & 1-10.25mm)

Other failed experiments:
1- McD I3 - Not as LD as advertised and didn't like long taper
1- OB1 Original (Too soft hitting...gave back to my cue maker)
1- Pred Z (First Gen...didn't like it. Retapered for snooker (10mm) and still don't like it)
1- Ash 12.5MM shaft. No action. Gave back to maker for future considerations.

When I get given a new tip to try I will through it on one of the Preds I don't use much. If I really like it I will change the rest out as they need it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top