I borrowed a reply from TellsItLikeItIs in the "worst hitting cue" thread and added some of my thoughts. In all it is just meant to offer some insight to those that would like to know one reason why a cue feels as it does. It by no means covers all aspects. Whats your thoughts on the subject?
I think cue makers themselves could go a long way in offering different shafts. While I'm sure some do, there is nothing in print with a definition of shaft specifications. Even that can be subjective I suppose but not as vague as the word HIT. That word is so negative compared to how it plays or feel. I get the feeling (not hard to do) buy reading how many HIT rather than stroke through, flowing motion, massage etc. I realize hit is just a short word that is suppose to convey such but it, in itself, is a violent word. May be why I see 90 percent of the pool population HIT, rather than stroke with a flowing motion.
Ok enough of that rant. There is one cuemaker however who does publish how a shaft plays/feels -- HITS. LOL
That cuemaker is Schuler. While I don't play with one of their cues or shafts it is a good way of determining what shaft could be right for you. If A super-pro shaft feels to soft (notice I said feels, not HIT) LOL, you have a choice of going to something a bit softer or stiffer.
If cue makers offered several shafts and a description of each shaft, I think it would serve to help people make better decisions on their cue/shaft purchase. As you noted, changes in tip, ferrule etc do affect how a cue plays/feels as well. I'm not real big on ferrules or joint construction but I do prefer a steel joint. My concern is the tip, shaft taper and diameter and length as well. You can have the perfect or near perfect shaft and change the feel by simply adding or taking away from the length.
I know there are companys like Pred, McDermott etc that offer different shafts but most are to my knowledge a "Boxed Unit". In other words one size fits all. You can have this shaft in a 12.75mm or you can have it in a 12.75mm!
Well what happened to the 12.5mm or the 13.25mm? What about the tip, ferrule and length? Why because their bottom line says we make more money from one size fits all. Let the customer take it wherever if they want and have it modified. Well I ain't seen anyone able to add wood recently. I know Pred thinks 12.75 is the best diameter for squirt issues. What if you buy into that but you'd rather play with a 13mm even if there was a tiny bit more squirt? Well your out of luck. 
Bottom line to me is, if cuemakers are true artists and they go through the effort to define options thats who would get my business. That is, if I didn't know the difference as many do not. I know what I like and if you newer or even many experienced players knew what you liked, shaft selection would become a much easier process. Well that is if cue makers offered or published such.
How many here have a Bazillion shafts, hoping this is the one? Know the specs, learn from the specs and make an informed decision. Then you choose from a list or tweak their specifactions as needed. For a reference here is Schuler's options, it helps give you an idea of how a particular shaft feels --not HITS. LOL I know, I know, even Schuler uses the word HIT.
Rod
Schuler Shaft Descriptions
Super X 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm A shaft specifically designed to be forgiving in play. Shaft is flexible, and yields a soft hit.
Hit classification: soft.
Super Pro 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm Gives a softer hit and maximum comfort through the fingers due to the insignificant growth of the shaft in a long stroking area. This shaft is more flexible than our Pro shafts, and produces a "softer" hit.
Hit classification: medium-soft.
Professional 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm Our original "Pro" taper. Designed along the lines of the early "masters" such as Herman Rambow, Harvey Martin and George Balabushka. Minor taper in the stroking area allows for comfort while still providing some "spine".
Hit classification: medium-firm.
Schuler Pro 28.5 in. x 12.8 mm Similar to the Professional™, but has increased diameter in the back half of the shaft. This combination forces the flex point further forward, giving a firmer hit. Very good for improving cue ball control.
Hit classification: firm.
Excelent 9 ball shaft on 9 foot tables.
American 28.0 in. x 12.5 mm Back half of shaft is similar to the European™, with the front half of the shaft similar to the Professional™. This configuration produces a firm shaft with exceptional characteristics for control games, such straight pool, one-pocket, and 9-ball.
Hit classification: very firm.
Excelent straight pool or all around shaft.
European 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Originally developed for Raymond Ceulemans; grows quickly from the ferrule, with even faster growth at the midsection of the shaft. Provides maximum "spine" while giving some relief for the fingers. Excellent control, power, consistency.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Yealds greater spin on the slower 3 cusion billiard tables.
Constant 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Tapers constantly (wedge shape) from the ferrule to the joint. Hit is similar to European.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Our most popular shaft for 3 cusion billiards.
Super Constant 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Elliptical arcs combine to produce this powerhouse.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Snooker/UK 28.0 in. x 10.0 mm Traditional taper and length used in snooker-playing countries around the world. Shaft gives a very firm to stiff hit.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Snooker/US 30.0 in. x 10.5 mm Popular American-style shaft similar to the Professional, but modified to provide greater reach for snooker table games such as golf and snooker.
Hit classification: medium-soft.
Custom shaft taper - your design .. Call for quote
TellsItLikeItIs said:
I think cue makers themselves could go a long way in offering different shafts. While I'm sure some do, there is nothing in print with a definition of shaft specifications. Even that can be subjective I suppose but not as vague as the word HIT. That word is so negative compared to how it plays or feel. I get the feeling (not hard to do) buy reading how many HIT rather than stroke through, flowing motion, massage etc. I realize hit is just a short word that is suppose to convey such but it, in itself, is a violent word. May be why I see 90 percent of the pool population HIT, rather than stroke with a flowing motion.
Ok enough of that rant. There is one cuemaker however who does publish how a shaft plays/feels -- HITS. LOL
That cuemaker is Schuler. While I don't play with one of their cues or shafts it is a good way of determining what shaft could be right for you. If A super-pro shaft feels to soft (notice I said feels, not HIT) LOL, you have a choice of going to something a bit softer or stiffer.
If cue makers offered several shafts and a description of each shaft, I think it would serve to help people make better decisions on their cue/shaft purchase. As you noted, changes in tip, ferrule etc do affect how a cue plays/feels as well. I'm not real big on ferrules or joint construction but I do prefer a steel joint. My concern is the tip, shaft taper and diameter and length as well. You can have the perfect or near perfect shaft and change the feel by simply adding or taking away from the length.
I know there are companys like Pred, McDermott etc that offer different shafts but most are to my knowledge a "Boxed Unit". In other words one size fits all. You can have this shaft in a 12.75mm or you can have it in a 12.75mm!
Well what happened to the 12.5mm or the 13.25mm? What about the tip, ferrule and length? Why because their bottom line says we make more money from one size fits all. Let the customer take it wherever if they want and have it modified. Well I ain't seen anyone able to add wood recently. I know Pred thinks 12.75 is the best diameter for squirt issues. What if you buy into that but you'd rather play with a 13mm even if there was a tiny bit more squirt? Well your out of luck. Bottom line to me is, if cuemakers are true artists and they go through the effort to define options thats who would get my business. That is, if I didn't know the difference as many do not. I know what I like and if you newer or even many experienced players knew what you liked, shaft selection would become a much easier process. Well that is if cue makers offered or published such.
How many here have a Bazillion shafts, hoping this is the one? Know the specs, learn from the specs and make an informed decision. Then you choose from a list or tweak their specifactions as needed. For a reference here is Schuler's options, it helps give you an idea of how a particular shaft feels --not HITS. LOL I know, I know, even Schuler uses the word HIT.
Rod
Schuler Shaft Descriptions
Super X 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm A shaft specifically designed to be forgiving in play. Shaft is flexible, and yields a soft hit.
Hit classification: soft.
Super Pro 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm Gives a softer hit and maximum comfort through the fingers due to the insignificant growth of the shaft in a long stroking area. This shaft is more flexible than our Pro shafts, and produces a "softer" hit.
Hit classification: medium-soft.
Professional 29.0 in. x 13.0 mm Our original "Pro" taper. Designed along the lines of the early "masters" such as Herman Rambow, Harvey Martin and George Balabushka. Minor taper in the stroking area allows for comfort while still providing some "spine".
Hit classification: medium-firm.
Schuler Pro 28.5 in. x 12.8 mm Similar to the Professional™, but has increased diameter in the back half of the shaft. This combination forces the flex point further forward, giving a firmer hit. Very good for improving cue ball control.
Hit classification: firm.
Excelent 9 ball shaft on 9 foot tables.
American 28.0 in. x 12.5 mm Back half of shaft is similar to the European™, with the front half of the shaft similar to the Professional™. This configuration produces a firm shaft with exceptional characteristics for control games, such straight pool, one-pocket, and 9-ball.
Hit classification: very firm.
Excelent straight pool or all around shaft.
European 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Originally developed for Raymond Ceulemans; grows quickly from the ferrule, with even faster growth at the midsection of the shaft. Provides maximum "spine" while giving some relief for the fingers. Excellent control, power, consistency.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Yealds greater spin on the slower 3 cusion billiard tables.
Constant 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Tapers constantly (wedge shape) from the ferrule to the joint. Hit is similar to European.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Our most popular shaft for 3 cusion billiards.
Super Constant 27.5 in. x 12.0 mm Elliptical arcs combine to produce this powerhouse.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Snooker/UK 28.0 in. x 10.0 mm Traditional taper and length used in snooker-playing countries around the world. Shaft gives a very firm to stiff hit.
Hit classification: stiff/very stiff.
Snooker/US 30.0 in. x 10.5 mm Popular American-style shaft similar to the Professional, but modified to provide greater reach for snooker table games such as golf and snooker.
Hit classification: medium-soft.
Custom shaft taper - your design .. Call for quote