New cues vs older?

B

bobbydee

Active member
So I have an older Falcon cue that I've played with for years. I've had it since probably late 90s. Last year I started playing more after a 20 some year hiatus. I decided I wanted a cue with a non wood shaft just for something that wouldn't dent or scratch easily. I briefly looked for carbon fiber shafts for the Falcon but decided on a Cuetec Avid. I like the CueTec but recently have been going back to my Falcon and sort of questioning if I should of just bought a different shaft for it. The reason is the CueTec butt just feels plasticy for lack of a better description and the Falcon butt feels more solid. I was talking to a Pro at the Soaring Eagles Masters last month and she said I'd of probably been happier with a CF shaft on the Falcon too.

Is this common with today's cues? Both the Falcon and CueTec I consider lower end for their era. Probably close to the same price given inflation and what not.
 
Your Falcon cue is certainly a classic. Which Avid did you get? I have one with points (not real) and a linen wrap as a cue to take when I travel. I agree the butt does not feel as solid as the older cues. But I wouldn't say it feels plasticy, it feels like a decent piece of wood, just not as solid as older cues. I wonder if it's the plastic insert at the top of the joint. This is to prevent air or moisture getting into the cue.
 
ky4some said:
Your Falcon cue is certainly a classic. Which Avid did you get? I have one with points (not real) and a linen wrap as a cue to take when I travel. I agree the butt does not feel as solid as the older cues. But I wouldn't say it feels plasticy, it feels like a decent piece of wood, just not as solid as older cues. I wonder if it's the plastic insert at the top of the joint. This is to prevent air or moisture getting into the cue.
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Thanks! It's the Avid wrapped Florian Kohler model.
 
I assume the joint pins are different between the Cuetec and Falcon, no? If not, just put the Cuetec shaft on the Falcon and take it for a spin to see how you like it. If they are different you could sent the Cuetec shaft out to have it changed to whatever pin the Falcon uses. Then you could use either the maple or carbon fiber shaft on it. The downside is then you'd have a Cuetec butt with no shaft for it. Or you could also have the joint pin changed on the Falcon to match the Cuetec shaft, assuming it's not proprietary. But I'd avoid messing with the Falcon butt since you already prefer it to the Cuetec.

If you go the modification route, I can't recommend Proficient Billiards highly enough. They do some pretty amazing cue work.
 
Jimmy_Betmore said:
I assume the joint pins are different between the Cuetec and Falcon, no? If not, just put the Cuetec shaft on the Falcon and take it for a spin to see how you like it. If they are different you could sent the Cuetec shaft out to have it changed to whatever pin the Falcon uses. Then you could use either the maple or carbon fiber shaft on it. The downside is then you'd have a Cuetec butt with no shaft for it. Or you could also have the joint pin changed on the Falcon to match the Cuetec shaft, assuming it's not proprietary. But I'd avoid messing with the Falcon butt since you already prefer it to the Cuetec.

If you go the modification route, I can't recommend Proficient Billiards highly enough. They do some pretty amazing cue work.
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Thanks!
 
Old cues that remained straight usually means they remain straight unless severly abused. I prefer wood over the composite cues, and will pick up an old cue when i see them on the second hand market. I normally do a cue project or two a year, with different makers.

Nothing wrong with CF or the avids a have played with both. I just prefer wood, and if i going to do something for my personal enjoyment, i will use what i enjoy most ;)

Both builds have their pros and cons, and it really just comes down to preference. You will get your fanatics on both sides, but at the end of day play with what you enjoy most.
 
First it was old glue is not as good as new glue... (Still waiting for someone then to tell me how come people are STILL converting old cues). Then deflection, and that has now been going on 30 years. Equipment is preferential, the confidence you get from a cue cannot be measured. If you like P-shafts, CF shafts, wood shafts, whatever...
As far as cues like Balabushka and Szamboti not translating to todays game... horsesh*t. I play with a Szamboti all the time when I play. The people that started this crap either push newer equipment or cannot afford the classics. I can't afford a 71 Hemi Cuda but I am not dumb enough to say something negative about the car or that my Lexus would beat it.
This will always be my take on cues... play with what feels good to you and let the haters rack....
JV
 
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