OB-1 finally responded to my email
- Thread starter BPG24
- Start date
So the real issue is with Predator's quality control
After reading this entire ridiculous thread, I had to ask myself why are you wanting an OB-1 if you don't like them, and why not go with the Predator Z-1 that you want OB-1 to emulate? So, I reread your posts again and see that the real issue is you want competition because of Predator's supposed quality control issues. If you don't like the way the current OB-1 reacts, I am sure they aren't the one's to make something to compete with the Z shaft. It would just get worse. I had an OB-1 and never really cared for the thud and softer hit myself. Now that I understand there's Balsa wood in the ferrule, I can see why it sounds like it does and wonder if that was planned to help make it float in case your game sinks to new lows playing with it..LOL..
Seriuosly, it seems to be a good shaft and I really didn't have any issues making balls with it, but as a long time 314-2 user, I think it would take me a while to feel 100% comfortable with it's sound and hit since I like that pall peen hammer hit myself. Other's don't.
My bottom line suggestion is talk with Predator. They have a phone number. If you can order directly from them, I am sure you can get them to promise they will back up any quality issues you have with a shaft they send to you. I am not really sure what those quality issue are, but I am sure you are. If that doesn't work... You could try getting someone to put a ferrule on a toothpick, because that is about what a 11.75mm shaft would feel like to me.
OB-1 is NOT Predator and likely never will be. Please try to understand that. Predator is Predator.
After reading this entire ridiculous thread, I had to ask myself why are you wanting an OB-1 if you don't like them, and why not go with the Predator Z-1 that you want OB-1 to emulate? So, I reread your posts again and see that the real issue is you want competition because of Predator's supposed quality control issues. If you don't like the way the current OB-1 reacts, I am sure they aren't the one's to make something to compete with the Z shaft. It would just get worse. I had an OB-1 and never really cared for the thud and softer hit myself. Now that I understand there's Balsa wood in the ferrule, I can see why it sounds like it does and wonder if that was planned to help make it float in case your game sinks to new lows playing with it..LOL..
Seriuosly, it seems to be a good shaft and I really didn't have any issues making balls with it, but as a long time 314-2 user, I think it would take me a while to feel 100% comfortable with it's sound and hit since I like that pall peen hammer hit myself. Other's don't.
My bottom line suggestion is talk with Predator. They have a phone number. If you can order directly from them, I am sure you can get them to promise they will back up any quality issues you have with a shaft they send to you. I am not really sure what those quality issue are, but I am sure you are. If that doesn't work... You could try getting someone to put a ferrule on a toothpick, because that is about what a 11.75mm shaft would feel like to me.
OB-1 is NOT Predator and likely never will be. Please try to understand that. Predator is Predator.
Last edited:
BPG24
Banned
txplshrk said:It's sad that someone your age can be so negative.........and have so much anger!
MMMMMMM maybe you should see somone about that!
You were negative towards me from jump. What is really sad is that you want to blame me for responding to you the same way you did to me. Please for the love of God, GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again, I will try to get back to the subject at hand. Hopefully the hater will allow this thread to move on
BPG24
Banned
our_auctionguy said:After reading this entire ridiculous thread, I had to ask myself why are you wanting an OB-1 if you don't like them, and why not go with the Predator Z-1 that you want OB-1 to emulate? So, I reread your posts again and see that the real issue is you want competition because of Predator's supposed quality control issues. If you don't like the way the current OB-1 reacts, I am sure they aren't the one's to make something to compete with the Z shaft. It would just get worse. I had an OB-1 and never really cared for the thud and softer hit myself. Now that I understand there's Balsa wood in the ferrule, I can see why it sounds like it does and wonder if that was planned to help make it float in case your game sinks to new lows playing with it..LOL..
It seems to be a good shaft and I really didn't have any issues making balls with it, but it as a long time 314-2 user, I think it would take me a while to feel 100% comfortable with it's sound and hit since I like that pall peen hammer hit myself. Other's don't.
My bottom line suggestion is talk with Predator. They have a phone number. If you can order directly from them, I am sure you can get them to promise they will back up any quality issues you have with a shaft they send to you. I am not really sure what those quality issue are, but I am sure you are. If that doesn't work... You could try getting someone to put a ferrule on a toothpick, because that is about what a 11.75mm shaft would feel like to me.
OB-1 is NOT Predator and likely never will be. Please try to understand that. Predator is Predator.
Thank you very much for your insight.
I understand what you mean about OB-1 not being predator. It is not my intention to suggest that they need to be like predator.
I am in search of a great low deflection shaft and I feel a company like OB-1 cues could possibly be the one who is capable of making it. I was in no way knocking them, but actually complimenting their way of doing things. I was simply asking them if they planned on making a much stiffer version of their shaft, because it is my opinion that the use better quality shaft wood and they seem to truly want to improve pool
Like I said before, if OB-1 doesn't make a shaft like this that is fine. I do believe someone in the industry with the knowledge and means needs to offer this type of shaft
Of last note.. I have found that the type and age of the shaft wood is a critical factor. I have noticed that shafts I have had that were made with very curly maple seem to be some of the best hitting shafts out there. I also have been told that shaft wood made from oldgrowth and old sunken lake wood make for very solid hiting shafts. Maybe. that is an option you can look at with a custom maker. I played with a 30+ year old curly maple Palmer that hit just like my curly maple. Really nice and not a lot of deflection.
BPG24
Banned
our_auctionguy said:
I agree with you here about the quality of the wood making a huge difference.
i used to be somewhat of a cue ho, trying tons of different custom and production cues and comparing them, then trading for something different.
I have done my share of testing the different shafts and still believe that one can be made from quality wood and still offer low deflection. Joey was saying that a new shaft maybe coming out soon and maybe that will be the answer to what I am looking for.
Hopefully whoever is capable is listening. I believe there is a market for a great low deflection shaft that isn't designed for the average banger
I know that OB has a standard shaft but I bought an MG Earl Strickland awhile ago that had an OB shaft on it that had a different taper. It was the first OB shaft I had ever seen so I didn't recognize it but a friend of mine plays with an OB and when I saw his it was noticeably different. It was real close to the dimensions of the Z shaft....so obviously they are doing something different.BPG24 said:I sent a few emails to OB-1 cues asking about a stiffer and possibly smaller diameter shaft. Similar to the Predator Z
They just responded, and here is what they said:
I am not at liberty to discuss what may be in the works at this time. I can tell you that a stiffer hit has been discussed in the past and may be a future project. Although for the time being we are growing at a pace that is taking all of our time.
Please believe that no questions or concerns fall on deaf ears around here. We know that we will never please everyone but we do hope to please the majority.
Thanks for your input.
I guess I will just have to let Masonh build me a custom low deflection shaft.
With JoeyinCali's approval of course
I read that one was even whippier.leehayes said:
BPG24
Banned
leehayes said:
Oh that was yours...
He told me about it. From the way he described it, that cue would fit him better than me I think. He did say it seriously juiced the ball.
....... Maybe 30% of the cues I have owned came from him. I would have to play with something before I considered buying it, unless I know 100% that I already like the way certain cues play.
I see plenty of opinions and theories but no proof. This is even easier to test than deflection but for some reason Predator doesn't have any results posted showing that there shafts actually produce more spin. Looks like that is a major marketing mistake if they do indeed produce more spin.
Take any cue you like and shoot with maximum english into the same spot on the rail a few times and note the maximum distance where the cueball returns to the opposite rail. Try to use a firm speed and level stroke to minimize swerve. You have to take into account the deflection of the shaft so that the ball is going straight into the rail. Repeat for each shaft and see if you can get any more spin with a predator or a house cue. I have not been able to observe any significant difference using this method. The test could be flawed but it is simple and makes sense to me.
Take any cue you like and shoot with maximum english into the same spot on the rail a few times and note the maximum distance where the cueball returns to the opposite rail. Try to use a firm speed and level stroke to minimize swerve. You have to take into account the deflection of the shaft so that the ball is going straight into the rail. Repeat for each shaft and see if you can get any more spin with a predator or a house cue. I have not been able to observe any significant difference using this method. The test could be flawed but it is simple and makes sense to me.
socks said:
I think drawing the ball would just be a much simpler test.ShaneT58 said:
BPG24
Banned
ShaneT58 said:
That's interesting. I will try that later today.
Are the results that you found different if you use less than extreme english?
Also what have you discovered about the amount of spin after contacting an object ball. That seems to be where I see the most difference.
Aiming is the main advantage in these shafts IMO. I know that is not what you are talking about, but that is the main reason I like them, not extra spin
I've played with 5 different types of laminated shafts/Meucci,Predator z, predator 314, fusion and OB-1. I currently play with a regular maple...what I've noticed is that the better stroke I have the better spin draw english I get...no matter what shaft I'm using. I still have have 3 of them and use them all now and then. Doesn't seem to have an effect as much as I feel from the different tips. Just something I've noticed...certainly not an accurate test or anything. Just seems that if you want better draw get a better stroke.JoeyInCali said:
Maybe you could order a 13mm shaft with no taper and then have someone else retaper it to a european taper starting at 12.2mm
