How do we think a modern CF break shaft would perform on an old brass jointed Adam cue?

Sir Scratchalot

Sir Scratchalot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a carbon fiber break cue with a Kamui Sai tip and it does ok. Lately, however, I've been experimenting with an Adam cue I've had for 40+ years as a break cue and I'm enjoying the results. It has a brass joint and is still solid as a tank, so I've no fears of damaging it. I bought a cheap maple shaft off of eBay for this test and the results are actually quite promising. It hits old school solid, gives great cue ball control and I am less concerned about miscues. I have been working on my technique though, so miscues are very uncommon. I may end up choosing it over my dedicated break cue.

My question is - would mating a modern tech break shaft to this old school butt bring a little something extra, or pleasingly different, to the party or would it too closely mimic what I'm already getting from my modern break cue? Keep in mind that I would try to avoid a basic phenolic tip. I think as is I have a pretty good tool for breaking, but sometimes blending old & new produces good, fun results.
 
straightline said:
No mystery here - more break efficient interface with vintage handle.
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I recently tried two very modern shafts, Kielwood hybrid & carbon fiber, on a 21yr old Steve Kornele (think Verl Horn) custom and neither impressed me there, though both shafts proved excellent on newer handles. So, no automatic guarantee that a more break efficient interface will work on my vintage handle, though I am quite curious. I was hoping someone had some direct experience with this.
 
Sir Scratchalot said:
I recently tried two very modern shafts, Kielwood hybrid & carbon fiber, on a 21yr old Steve Kornele (think Verl Horn) custom and neither impressed me there, though both shafts proved excellent on newer handles. So, no automatic guarantee that a more break efficient interface will work on my vintage handle, though I am quite curious. I was hoping someone had some direct experience with this.
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You do see 'em in play. Some are liking it. To me, adjustments in stroke can put anything in the ball park. Liking the difference, well, that's you. What you probably won't see is a Gus shaft on a Predator butt. :p
 
What is the weight of your cue butt? How much does the carbon fiber shaft weigh? Presume your cue has the notoriously durable 5/16x14 piloted steel joint. Your cue happens to be of the era when Adam cues commanded respect for its precise milling, excellent fit and balance.the durability of your cue joint is not is any doubt and quite the opposite, seems ideal for what you want to do. Your question about what the marriage of a CF shaft with excellent tip would be like coupled to a vintage Adam cue butt seems unanswerable other than by conjecture. How fast is the cue ball speed on your break shot? On average, best speed, and how fast with the CF shaft w/ Adam butt? Tight rack or template? Condition of the cloth? Do you like the feel of your current break cue? Satisfied with the results?

If you already have a CF shaft the fits your Adam cue butt, don’t be afraid of hurting your cue joint, cue butt in any way or your CF shaft for doing what it is supposed to do with any cue butt it attaches to correctly? Just make sure the fit is snug and tight before using it. And don’t forget to chalk and then come back to tell us that you wish you tried this a long time ago.
 
I have zero experience with CF shafts.

I predict it would play exactly how that shaft plays.

My Scruggs shafts and Stroud shafts play the same on a Chinese made cue, or Dufferin cues, as they do on any of my Joss cues. The hit might feel slightly different, but the shafts play identical.
 
Could perform like a beast or be a dud. Will be anywhere in-between.

This is a good question and glad its asked. The idea of slapping a carbon shaft and thinking it plays well is not a good approach. For justifying the cost then by all means think it will hit great or its the best hitting cue ever.

Don't forget about fit and finish. I see too many of these "plug and play" cues have that lip because the shaft is bigger in diameter or vice versa.
 
garczar said:
Yep. these questions kill me. all the butt is is a shaft holder. you can't 'hurt' the joint by breaking with it unless its a complete pos which doesn't sound like it in this case.
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I expressed no concern about damaging my joint. Quite the opposite as I clearly stated the joint is brass and the cue is built like a tank. As for what I did intend with my post, I feel like it's one of those things I should have just kept to myself. It seems like a natural question to me, but I can sense a few cocked eyebrows or "huh's?" bouncing around. It wouldn't be the first time that things that bounce around in MY head cause such reactions. 😅
 
Shouldn't be an issue if it's a quality shaft. I've been playing with an Adam cue with a LD wood (original OB-1 ... on my third) for over 15 years. Works perfect for me, but obviously I'm super used to it.
 
Chopdoc said:
I have zero experience with CF shafts.

I predict it would play exactly how that shaft plays.

My Scruggs shafts and Stroud shafts play the same on a Chinese made cue, or Dufferin cues, as they do on any of my Joss cues. The hit might feel slightly different, but the shafts play identical.
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Those are the shit!!👊🏻
 
Sir Scratchalot said:
I expressed no concern about damaging my joint. Quite the opposite as I clearly stated the joint is brass and the cue is built like a tank. As for what I did intend with my post, I feel like it's one of those things I should have just kept to myself. It seems like a natural question to me, but I can sense a few cocked eyebrows or "huh's?" bouncing around. It wouldn't be the first time that things that bounce around in MY head cause such reactions. 😅
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You’re not alone - lots of players think the butt plays a much bigger role than it does.

pj
chgo
 
You have professional cue makers making the perfect butt and shaft combo with perfect fit and finish.

Then you have us buying the latest greatest technology and slapping it on a butt and thinking its the best shooting cue in the world. It can happen but by coincidence.
 
Texas Carom Club said:
We don’t think it would need to be discussed at length
We would just do it and find out
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With a good carbon fiber break shaft being a minimum of $200, some opinions or experience before the purchase could be helpful. However, I have ordered a maple break shaft with a Bulletproof tip installed for under $100. I feel this is going to be quite satisfactory.
 
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