LD shafts
I fully agree with this. Every shaft will have some degree of deflection that you will need to get adjust. I believe the laminated construction prevalent in 'lower deflection' shafts is one approach to achieving tighter shaft to shaft consistency.
I have been involved in making a few Non laminated LD shafts,
I have no idea how they stack up against Predator or OB shafts.
They seem to play pretty good but I know that the end mass of the cue is not as lite as the most of the other LD shaft makers .
I have had horrible luck with Laminated LD shafts holding together.
Being a back woods country boy with a few lathes, I am able to make my own cues and shafts.
I have one non laminated LD shaft that I play with.
I use solid maple shafts 99% of the time, and just started using a non laminated LD shaft in the last 2 weeks.
It seems ok or even pretty good but I don't know if I like it better then my solid maple shafts.
Its different and maybe as good, but I don't know if I would say it plays any better.
I have spoken with Bob Danielson , he make s Laminated LD shafts and he said he has had only one shaft come back in twenty years.
If I was going to be buying a Laminated LD shaft I would have to talk to Bob D
I like the fact he hasn't had allot of shafts that havent fallen apart.