Hard Butt Plate vs Rubber Bumper

[shankster8]

This may sound foolish to some, but it is something I intend to do. I like the sound that some crisp-hitting cues make - kind of a "tink" sound. My cue makes this sound, and I want to amplify it, since I am hard of hearing, and can't stand hearing aids. To me, the snap the cue/tip makes on certain hits is a type of feedback telling me all is well with equipment and stroke - but mostly I just like the sound.

I believe one way to accomplish this would be to eliminate the rubber bumper at the end of the butt and replace it with a wafer of hard plastic, phenolic, or perhaps metal which would transmit the sound traveling down the cue rather than absorb it. I hope that some of you cue makers, or other AZB'rs, might have done something like this before, or be able to offer me advise.

 

[conetip]

The easy test is just take the bumpber off the back. Then see if you notice any difference.
I doubt that you will. But never know for sure untill you try it.
To me it makes no difference, if it is rubber wood or brass.Just with brass the balance will change a little. On my cue anyway.
Neil

 

[cueman]

You might take a small piece of aluminum or phenolic and machine it out with a counter sink to create a V-convex shape so the end works like the end of a horn to amplify the sound. But many cues make the noise at the tip and to make it louder at the tip will definitely change the hit.

 

[RRfireblade]

FWIW ,

I have a few cues with Ivory as butt plates instead of bumpers , I've never noticed a difference in the sound.

 

[spliced]

I removed the rubber bumper on my cue as it felt and sounded a bit dull. Without the bumper it now has the crisp hit and tone I was looking for. All my cues will be bumperless. Feels more natural without the rubber absorbing the feedback IMO. I like it much better.

 

[shankster8]

I removed the rubber bumper on my cue as it felt and sounded a bit dull. Without the bumper it now has the crisp hit and tone I was looking for. All my cues will be bumperless. Feels more natural without the rubber absorbing the feedback IMO. I like it much better.

I agree, the sound is noticeably louder with the rubber bumper removed. Did you put a plastic disc, or anything, over the end of the butt?

 

[Sheldon]

This is why I have always wondered about those silly rubber shock absorber things that were a fad for a while.... I can't imagine why someone would want to deaden or quiet the hit of their cue.
The sound and feedback are critical cues for the subconscious to use.