Looking to experiment, extensions, LD, etc

A

azbluemach1

Member
Ive been around the game on and off since the late 80s.

Last experiment was 3-4 years ago, predator SP with a 30' Z2 shaft. Didn't love or hate it, but sold it to fund a custom cue that never happened as I quit the game (again).

Just getting back into it and using a 2001 BCM SP. Like the cue well enough, but I am forced to exclusively use FHE with this cue, BHE just doesn't work at all for me with it. Im also about 6'2, and find my hand at the buttcap most of the time. To complicate things, Brian used a funky pin back then so I don't really have any aftermarket shaft options available. I do have a D Series McDermott on its way to the refurb shop, so maybe some options for that when I get it back?

Looking to try a longer cue or just use an extension. Would prefer something that might work better with BHE, but all of the fuss about longer cues/extensions is news to me.

So, to experiment on the cheap I am thinking:

Cuetec R360 with their extension, but this screws into the butt of the cue. Good enough for SVB though, right?

Some predator (probably road line) with a smart-balance or similar extension that mounts between the butt and the shaft.

Any opinions on adding length to the middle of the cue vs the butt? Other thoughts? Im really just looking to try some different approaches before having a custom made, so not looking to go broke experimenting.
 
I'm 6' 2" as well, and was always playing off the butt end of the cue. During Lessons, Lee Brett took one look at me and said I need a longer cue. My arms just didn't fit the standard length and it showed.

I now play with a Balance Right extension between the shaft and butt, and it's worked wonders. It's not as costly as getting all new custom length cues just make sure you get the right pin for your cue. They are made in all the different connectors and carried by all the dealers, ozone, pooldawg, Nielsen, etc.
 
I'm 6'5 and haven't seen where another 2" matters to me. But my hand doesn't grip the cue, just a cradle with my thumb keeping it steady about mid wrap. I've seen shorter players holding the buttcap and too many others with death grips. If you want a longer cue, I can definitely assist you but it's up to you.
 
I'm 6' and I use a 60 inch cue.
I can only imagine if I was two inches taller that even the 60 would be pushing it.
I don't know whoever it was that came up with 58" being the standard but it's definitely not a cue length that just works for everyone under the sun.
I see people who are 5 1/2 feet up to well over 6 feet all playing with the same size cue.

This is one more item on my list of pool myths.
First one being that LD's are good.
But that's another thread.
 
9Ballr said:
I don't know whoever it was that came up with 58" being the standard but it's definitely not a cue length that just works for everyone under the sun.
I see people who are 5 1/2 feet up to well over 6 feet all playing with the same size cue.
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Basketball goals have been 10' back since players were 6' tall.. Then comes the 7'9" players and the goal is still 10'. You could just as easily only play on a 6'5" table. I understand being more comfortable, but there's a limit.
 
I have always felt cramped on a 58" cue. I currently play with a 60" cue (30/30), plus a balanceright extension, 19 oz cue plus the extension, ob1 shaft. It feels and plays great.
 

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I'm 6'3". I played with a 58" cue for over a decade. I would grip the cue at the very end, sometimes the cue would fall out of my hand during a stroke.

I then started getting 30" predator shafts (they are a standard order item, something like $30 extra). That was way, way, way better.

Then I got a 30" butt to go along with the 30" predator shafts. 60" cue is absolutely perfect for me:)

Just for giggles, I bought a cue about 65" long. I didn't feel it offered any additional advantage over the 60" cue.
 
I'm about 5'7", and I find my grip hand at the end of my 58" cue often also. I tried a balance rite and it worked well, but added too much weight for my liking. I have shot with a 60" cue and it feels perfect.
 
azbluemach1 said:
Any thoughts on bhe with longer cues?
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It shouldn't matter at all. The pivot is determined by the shaft and is measured from the tip end of the cue.

If you like using BHE, you will probably be better off with a high deflection shaft, and not a low deflection (squirt) shaft, because the pivot point is closer to your bridge hand on the high deflection shafts.

That said, I am not speaking from experience, as I am a feel player, with no english application system except my memory. So someone else may offer you a better perspective on your question:)
 
azbluemach1 said:
... Just getting back into it and using a 2001 BCM SP. Like the cue well enough, but I am forced to exclusively use FHE with this cue, BHE just doesn't work at all for me with it. Im also about 6'2, and find my hand at the buttcap most of the time. To complicate things, Brian used a funky pin back then so I don't really have any aftermarket shaft options available. ...
Click to expand...

A couple misconceptions here.

1. Where your back hand is on the cue should have no bearing on the use of back-hand english, as iusedtoberich said in post #12. However, to use BHE effectively, you need to know where the natural pivot point is for your shaft. If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest you read this section from Dr. Dave's website: http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/English.html#BHE

2. The pin Bryan was using at that time was an undersized 3/8 x 11. The major diameter was .360" instead of a full 3/8" and the minor diameter was also a bit smaller than normal. The effect of this is:
  • - Shafts from other makers that were made for a full 3/8 x 11 pin will fit on Bryan's smaller-diamerter pin, but
  • - Bryan's shafts will not fit on full-sized 3/8" pins on other makers' butts.
But the good news in this for you, is that you can buy an aftermarket 3/8 x 11 shaft and it will work with Bryan's butt. The fit will be a bit loose as you are screwing on the shaft, but that has little importance once the shaft is snugged down to the butt.

Bryan quit using that pin 6 or 7 years ago; he switched to a modified (flat-bottomed) 3/8 x 10 pin. Another alternative for you is to have Bryan (or someone else) change your cue's pin to whatever else you would like, and have the shaft(s) refitted to the new pin. Bryan did that on one of my cues, and it came out just fine.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
 
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