drivermaker
Banned
OK boys...line up in single file to make your purchase.
I think most of you know from my past posts that I'm pretty much of a skeptic when it comes to new stuff coming down the pike. I have to rank at least in the top 3 of Predator haters here on AZ.
But Leonard Bludworth stated in a post a while back that McDermott really has a winner in the shaft, which coming from someone that's been making cues for so long and a traditionalist like him says a lot. Pigcarver used the shaft and had all good things to say about it, and now I do also. It has my 100% endorsement.
I got the #1, which is 13mm for a couple of reasons. First that's what I play with and like the most and I didn't want the #3 which has the tip size and taper of an European shaft or Z. I almost ordered the #2 but thought it might be too much like the Predator in a number of ways. But the final decision was made for me...in a 5/16x14 joint they only had it in the #1, 13mm, so that did it.
The shaft is lighter and comes in at 3.55 oz. or 101 grams. Most of my regular shafts come in between 4 oz. - 4.3 oz. I immediately thought this was going to be a problem before I even screwed it on. When I did screw it on various butts, (Schon, Helmstetter, Joss, Custom) the balance point came out about 1/2" more toward the rear than with their regular shafts and naturally, the weight of the cue came down .5 - .8 oz. less.
At this point I didn't even want to chalk it so I could send the shaft back and get my money returned.
The ferrule is a long ferrule...5/8" longer than a Predator and 1/8" longer than the others, but still not quite as long as a Meucci ferrule.
However, I bit the bullet to see what would happen and Bludworth was right, it's a real winner. It just feels really good for starters when you hit the ball. It comes with a laminated tip, (I don't know whose) but the shaft feels like a shaft is supposed to feel. It's fairly stiff but I was really impressed with the accuracy that I was getting on 4 1/2 - 5' power draw shots hit at warp speed, as well as the amount of draw. It didn't vibrate and had instantaneous recovery. Although it was very easy to draw, unlike a Predator it didn't seem to create too much side spin with english that I don't like and am not used to. Object balls reacted the way I expected them with throw.
If you get the #2 or #3, expect the weight to come in even slightly lighter, especially in the #3, although I really don't know why someone would want to shoot with it. But, McDermott did some good stuff with this shaft. BUY!!!
I think most of you know from my past posts that I'm pretty much of a skeptic when it comes to new stuff coming down the pike. I have to rank at least in the top 3 of Predator haters here on AZ.
But Leonard Bludworth stated in a post a while back that McDermott really has a winner in the shaft, which coming from someone that's been making cues for so long and a traditionalist like him says a lot. Pigcarver used the shaft and had all good things to say about it, and now I do also. It has my 100% endorsement.
I got the #1, which is 13mm for a couple of reasons. First that's what I play with and like the most and I didn't want the #3 which has the tip size and taper of an European shaft or Z. I almost ordered the #2 but thought it might be too much like the Predator in a number of ways. But the final decision was made for me...in a 5/16x14 joint they only had it in the #1, 13mm, so that did it.
The shaft is lighter and comes in at 3.55 oz. or 101 grams. Most of my regular shafts come in between 4 oz. - 4.3 oz. I immediately thought this was going to be a problem before I even screwed it on. When I did screw it on various butts, (Schon, Helmstetter, Joss, Custom) the balance point came out about 1/2" more toward the rear than with their regular shafts and naturally, the weight of the cue came down .5 - .8 oz. less.
At this point I didn't even want to chalk it so I could send the shaft back and get my money returned.
The ferrule is a long ferrule...5/8" longer than a Predator and 1/8" longer than the others, but still not quite as long as a Meucci ferrule.
However, I bit the bullet to see what would happen and Bludworth was right, it's a real winner. It just feels really good for starters when you hit the ball. It comes with a laminated tip, (I don't know whose) but the shaft feels like a shaft is supposed to feel. It's fairly stiff but I was really impressed with the accuracy that I was getting on 4 1/2 - 5' power draw shots hit at warp speed, as well as the amount of draw. It didn't vibrate and had instantaneous recovery. Although it was very easy to draw, unlike a Predator it didn't seem to create too much side spin with english that I don't like and am not used to. Object balls reacted the way I expected them with throw.
If you get the #2 or #3, expect the weight to come in even slightly lighter, especially in the #3, although I really don't know why someone would want to shoot with it. But, McDermott did some good stuff with this shaft. BUY!!!
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There isn't any facts that shows the pro's playing any better with a pred. The same will no doubt prevail with this shaft.
