Has anyone tried a 64"+ cue?

[BFrench501]

My curiosity at Earl Stricklands use of longer cues for years has had me thinking about trying a longer length cue but I was wondering what experiences you guys had before I try and think about getting one made.

Because I tend to hold my cue at the end of the butt like a snooker player would, I thought maybe having the extra length behind would mean I'd be able to cue more like a pool player should. But is this logic flawed in any way?

At present I use a 57.5" cue, if that helps any.

 

[thommy]

My thought is that it doesn't matter the amount of cue behind the bridge nearly as much as in front of the bridge.
Most times it wouldn't help. Sometimes it might if your stroke was good enough, like Earls

 

[Johnnyt]

Yes, I play with a 64" R-360 Cuetec and I've been playing with it before Earl went public with his. Johnnyt

 

[The Renfro]

I have toyed with playing with my extension at times and while it definitely changes the weight and balance I like it.... Now talking predator into a 64+" BK2 may be my biggest hurdle.......

 

[Scaramouche]

Snooker cues usually come with provision to attach a 6" mini butt or a longer extension. They are used to reach shots without using a lady's aid. They are not used in routine play.

Unlike American pool players, snooker players are not obsessed with the search for a magic cue.

 

[BFrench501]

I'm perfectly happy with my set up at the moment, but I tried an extension on my friends cue and the cue didnt feel right.

Its only since watching a Jimmy Reid DVD where he says you should hold the cue 6-8" past the balance point that got me thinking that maybe I hold my cue inefficiently.

 

[Johnnyt]

I'm perfectly happy with my set up at the moment, but I tried an extension on my friends cue and the cue didnt feel right.

Its only since watching a Jimmy Reid DVD where he says you should hold the cue 6-8" past the balance point that got me thinking that maybe I hold my cue inefficiently.

Put the tip of your cue 1" behind the CB and then put your other hand on the butt so your arm is as close to 90 degrees as is comforable. That's how I was taught. Weather I do it that way all the time...I don't know and don't care. Johnnyt

 

[Maniac]

Its only since watching a Jimmy Reid DVD where he says you should hold the cue 6-8" past the balance point that got me thinking that maybe I hold my cue inefficiently.

Jimmy Reid is only ONE man.

BFrench, FWIW, I currenty use a 60" cue. It fits me well. I am 6'1" tall and have a real long wingspan (or long arms ). The longest cue I have tried, not counting one with an extension on it, was 61". I just didn't need the extra inch. The 60" cue I use now keeps me from ever gripping my cue with a finger or two rolling over the end of the bumper.

My suggestion would be to start somewhere in the range of 60" and work your way up if you feel it necessary to have a cue longer than that. If you have a custom 64" cue built and you find it longer than you like, you may have a hard time selling it if you need to.

Maniac

 

[RShellhouse]

I play with a John Bender 62" split into 31" shaft and 31" butt..

Most cuemakers are not setup to do longer shafts and so want to make the shaft a normal 29" and the butt longer. John managed to do a split which I think makes the balance better..

I have not tried a 64" cue but then again I haven't really had the need to..

I have heard good stuff about Gullassey's long cues.


R

 

[twal]

Big 64"

Yes, I have or had a custom Schon 32" and 32" split.
It did end but being too long for me so I had an inch taken off from the shaft.

The obvious advantage is the reach. There is also the swing with the back hand. When you stroke you need to be straight and you will feel it if you start to get out of line. There is no second guessing with this long of a cue. Slight adjustments are very tough to make once you are down on a shot.

Think of it like driving down the road in a Honda Civic and then making a quick turn to the right or left.
Now imagine driving down the same road and full size truck extended cab and trying to make the same quick turn.
The bigger the truck (cue) the harder is it to make these small adjustments. Same thing with a big cue like this.

The disadvantage is on rail shots on shots or where you have to reach over a ball. It is much tougher with a loner cue. I ended up taking my Samsara tip off my break cue and put a water buffalo tip on it so I could hit these unique shots that come up from time to time.

Remember there is always a trade off with everything.
I know that many people here don't get the need for a longer cue. Many like to ridicule anyone in need of such equipment.

A for the industry, not a lot of cue makers will even attempt to make anything over a 30" butt not to mention a 31" shaft.

Another issue to think about with the longer shafts they just don't feel the same to me, especially the ld ones. The longer the butt = usually this means a heavier butt.
That puts more of premium on the shaft and how that feel translates to your stroke arm.

Hope this information helps someone.

 

[dr9ball]

Jimmy Reid is only ONE man.

BFrench, FWIW, I currenty use a 60" cue. It fits me well. I am 6'1" tall and have a real long wingspan (or long arms ). The longest cue I have tried, not counting one with an extension on it, was 61". I just didn't need the extra inch. The 60" cue I use now keeps me from ever gripping my cue with a finger or two rolling over the end of the bumper.

My suggestion would be to start somewhere in the range of 60" and work your way up if you feel it necessary to have a cue longer than that. If you have a custom 64" cue built and you find it longer than you like, you may have a hard time selling it if you need to.

Maniac

Almost all of my cues are 60 inches in a 30 in butt and 30 inch shafts. It's been that way now for almost 20 years.