New Shaft or New Cue, what to do?

14.1'er

14.1'er

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, here is my dilemma. I just can't decide between a new shaft, or a new cue.

I'm a 57 year old male, and have been out of the game for 15 years. I just recently got the bug, and getting back into it. Unfortunately, I sold all my cues when I have it up, stupid me. I just picked up a Players cue as I did not want to invest a great deal from the get go. After playing with it for a couple days, I have found it to have a immense amount of deflection compared to any cue i have shot with years back. Just got reference, I was a low A player, and the cues I shot with were Paul Mottey, and South West.

So my question is, do I put a OB shaft on the Players, or look for something different? So much has changed since I left the game, and I'm overwhelmed, but I do not want to invest in a high end cue at my age. I am interested in a couple cues in the classifieds, but still undecided.

Thanks in advance for any, and all help.

Regards,
Mike
 
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Plenty of good cuemakers build sneaky petes. You can get their experience and knowledge in an inexpensive cue. Find a cuemaker you like and order one, I highly doubt you would be disappointed. Then use the Players for a breaking cue.
 
If you have friends in your local pool room who have OB, Predator, or other brand shafts that fit your Player's cue, ask if you can give their shaft a try. If a particular brand feels great to you, buy one. It will take time to know if anything is your new "long term" player. If you don't find a great match, find something that does. These are decisions only you can make.
 
14.1'er said:
Ok, here is my dilemma. I just can't decide between a new shaft, or a new cue.

I'm a 57 year old male, and have been out of the game for 15 years. I just recently got the bug, and getting back into it. Unfortunately, I sold all my cues when I have it up, stupid me. I just picked up a Players cue as I did not want to invest a great deal from the get go. After playing with it for a couple days, I have found it to have a immense amount of deflection compared to any cue i have shot with years back. Just got reference, I was a low A player, and the cues I shot with were Paul Mottey, and South West.

So my question is, do I put a OB shaft on the Players, or look for something different? So much has changed since I left the game, and I'm overwhelmed, but I do not want to invest in a high end cue at my age. I am interested in a couple cues in the classifieds, but still undecided.

Thanks in advance for any, and all help.

Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...
$100ish = Schmelke Plain Jane, $200ish = McDermott, $300-$400 = J Pechauer.
All 3 of these will outshoot you at your very best, all have a good warranty.
Whichever you choose, get 2 STANDARD MAPLE SHAFTS.
Your players cue will be you breaker/spare, then buy a 2x3 JB case.
You is set to clean house, good luck!
 
My thoughts.

Shaft deflection is much debated and it seems like every one is saying theirs' is the best for low deflection. I doubt Efren worries about deflection, as he adjusts for it as many other world class players do and have always done.

A good player will shoot good pool with any reasonably good tip and shaft. The choice for a shaft is almost endless. I never warmed up to the Predator 314-2 or the OB Classic, but liked the Meucci Black Dot, go figure.

A few years ago I settled on Pat Diveney' s Lake Salvage shafts and about a year ago went to his Kiel Wood version of a low deflection shaft.

I am done with the shaft search and just need to practice more, which at 68 won't happen. I would try a Revo if some one gave me one, but would not expect any miracles.


Like most of us, eventually you will decide what is best for you. So if you can afford it, buy as many shafts and cues as you can until you find what you like!
 
if you played a Paul Mottey or South west cue
you played the very best

buy one of them,enjoy yourself and

when or if you decide to sell it
you will be able to get a tidy profit
 
Deano,

I thought about it, but just can't afford one right now. Any suggestions on a cue as you are the man?


deanoc said:
if you played a Paul Mottey or South west cue
you played the very best

buy one of them,enjoy yourself and

when or if you decide to sell it
you will be able to get a tidy profit
Click to expand...
 
Might also be prudent to mention, but before investing in a cue, you can research whichever cue(s) you are interested in online. There are a ton of resources out there. I know YouTube is great for videos that demonstrate deflection with various cues and shafts.

There also happens to be another forum here on AZB dedicated to cue and shaft reviews as well. Whatever you decide, it may be worth taking a look there as well.


https://forums.azbilliards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83
 
14.1'er said:
Ok, here is my dilemma. I just can't decide between a new shaft, or a new cue.

I'm a 57 year old male, and have been out of the game for 15 years. I just recently got the bug, and getting back into it. Unfortunately, I sold all my cues when I have it up, stupid me. I just picked up a Players cue as I did not want to invest a great deal from the get go. After playing with it for a couple days, I have found it to have a immense amount of deflection compared to any cue i have shot with years back. Just got reference, I was a low A player, and the cues I shot with were Paul Mottey, and South West.

So my question is, do I put a OB shaft on the Players, or look for something different? So much has changed since I left the game, and I'm overwhelmed, but I do not want to invest in a high end cue at my age. I am interested in a couple cues in the classifieds, but still undecided.

Thanks in advance for any, and all help.

Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...
What model Players Cue? Players have both regular and low (not ultra low) squirt (cueball deflection) shafts.

Freddie <~~~ likes the Players HXT
 
14.1'er said:
Deano,

I thought about it, but just can't afford one right now. Any suggestions on a cue as you are the man?
Click to expand...

Then...what is your budget for a new cue? That and what diameter tip do you seek? There are lots of cues that have good playability (many with their own proprietary LD shafts) for $400 or less. Cuetec, McDermott, Schmelke, Lucasi, etc. At one time, even Players put out a LD shaft, but I do not know if they still do.

I get your dilemma, we've all been there before. I hope you find what you're looking for. If it were me, I'd probably just go to some billiard retailers and try out as many cues/shafts as I could. Or find a retailer that has something like a 30-day return policy.

Good luck in your search.

Maniac
 
Cornerman said:
What model Players Cue? Players have both regular and low (not ultra low) squirt (cueball deflection) shafts.

Freddie <~~~ likes the Players HXT
Click to expand...


I have an HXT shaft. It is certainly not a top-tier LD shaft IMO, but decent results for the $$$. It is certainly a viable option for the OP.

Maniac
 
Poodle of Doom said:
Might also be prudent to mention, but before investing in a cue, you can research whichever cue(s) you are interested in online. There are a ton of resources out there. I know YouTube is great for videos that demonstrate deflection with various cues and shafts.

There also happens to be another forum here on AZB dedicated to cue and shaft reviews as well. Whatever you decide, it may be worth taking a look there as well.


https://forums.azbilliards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83
Click to expand...

Good ideas here.

Maniac
 
Also
If you really like the butt of the cue you have, then a shaft is a better place to spend the money...
(More bang for the buck)
 
My budget at the moment is $400-$500 I like a top size of 12.75-12.50

Maniac said:
Then...what is your budget for a new cue? That and what diameter tip do you seek? There are lots of cues that have good playability (many with their own proprietary LD shafts) for $400 or less. Cuetec, McDermott, Schmelke, Lucasi, etc. At one time, even Players put out a LD shaft, but I do not know if they still do.

I get your dilemma, we've all been there before. I hope you find what you're looking for. If it were me, I'd probably just go to some billiard retailers and try out as many cues/shafts as I could. Or find a retailer that has something like a 30-day return policy.

Good luck in your search.

Maniac
Click to expand...
 
14.1'er said:
My budget at the moment is $400-$500 I like a top size of 12.75-12.50
Click to expand...

Then you've got a plethora of choices, new cue or high-end LD shaft. Shop around. And once again...good luck. I hope you get it right on your first try.

Maniac
 
Maniac said:
Then...what is your budget for a new cue? That and what diameter tip do you seek? There are lots of cues that have good playability (many with their own proprietary LD shafts) for $400 or less. Cuetec, McDermott, Schmelke, Lucasi, etc. At one time, even Players put out a LD shaft, but I do not know if they still do.

I get your dilemma, we've all been there before. I hope you find what you're looking for. If it were me, I'd probably just go to some billiard retailers and try out as many cues/shafts as I could. Or find a retailer that has something like a 30-day return policy.

Good luck in your search.

Maniac
Click to expand...

Along these line, I looked into the Lucasi Hybrid cues. The videos I watched online showed decent results in terms of deflection.

https://www.pooldawg.com/brand/luca...fsrc=1&context=deal_title&dir=asc&order=price

Also, some of the Predator cues fall in that price range. I've shot with both the vantage and 314 shaft. I prefer the 314 over the others, as I recall. I've mainly shot with them to try them out before making a purchase.

https://www.pooldawg.com/brand/predator/pool-cues?dir=asc&order=price

On that same note, Poison billiards is a subsidiary of Predator. Their shafts are made with the same general technology. I absolutely, and thoroughly, enjoy shooting with my poison cue. They come in just under budget for you as well, which squeaks in a little wiggle room for shipping costs if that wasn't already factored into your price range.

https://www.pooldawg.com/brand/poison-pool-cues/pool-cues?dir=asc&order=price

All of the links I provided were for Pool Dawg. They're decent about their customer service. They also have a 60 day hassle free money back guarantee. The only exclusion would be customizations.

All of the cues I mentioned here you can find tons of information on. Hope this helps.
 
14.1'er said:
Ok, here is my dilemma. I just can't decide between a new shaft, or a new cue.

I'm a 57 year old male, and have been out of the game for 15 years. I just recently got the bug, and getting back into it. Unfortunately, I sold all my cues when I have it up, stupid me. I just picked up a Players cue as I did not want to invest a great deal from the get go. After playing with it for a couple days, I have found it to have a immense amount of deflection compared to any cue i have shot with years back. Just got reference, I was a low A player, and the cues I shot with were Paul Mottey, and South West.

So my question is, do I put a OB shaft on the Players, or look for something different? So much has changed since I left the game, and I'm overwhelmed, but I do not want to invest in a high end cue at my age. I am interested in a couple cues in the classifieds, but still undecided.

Thanks in advance for any, and all help.

Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...

i havent read any other replies but my 2 cents is get an ob shaft and you can always buy another cue
hopefully with the same joint type so you can use the ob shaft on the new cue
 
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