Pechauer's "Speed Joint"

K

kasparovII

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Those familiar with Pechauer cue technology ( I won a Custom Pechauer 314-2 hybrid cue) please chime in. As I played with this new cue I noticed that it was an excellent feeling cue (call it "the hit"...whatever)....better in fact than either my older 4K3 Predator or my STL9 Schon. Others, who have tried this "raffle won" stick, and already used to a Predator shaft and the usual premium butts (Scon, Joss, etc) or an all Predator design, were also pleasantly surprised at the excellent feel, feedback and solidity of this 2009 JP or "Pro" series Pechauer butt and a 314-2 shaft. Since their are such similarities in all premium butts of this ilk, there is only so much a designer can do to a butt (weighting, design criteria, etc.) to differentiate it that I keep coming back to the one unique aspect of this Pechauer/314 combo. It has to do with the Pechauer "Speed Joint". As stated, it is not mentioned at all on Pechauer's website, so we never get any info on the actual dimensions of this joint pin. It looks much like the typical 5/16X14 joints in so many other brands (Schon, Joss, Predator, etc), but the actual pin,which goes directly into the wood of the butt without any phenolic type of material, outside of the Pechauer done piloting of the shaft which accomodates the unique shoulder and thread design of their speed joint, and looks like it has a larger diameter pin than those others just mentioned. The Speed Joint, I might add, is very precise, much like a true resistence joint, where the closer one gets to totally tightening the joint the snugger the fit becomes.
I ask this merely out of curiosity because, for a production cue of this type I have noticed a definite increase in feel one usually equates to a radial pin or 3/8X10 type of joint. Something makes this cue seem to have a better "hit" than any cue with this type of joint configuration that I have played in the past. This cue will be my knock-around / travel stick. And if something happens to it, I'm out a whole $18.00 I spent in this 3 cue raffle! But inquiring minds want to know everything about this "sleeper".
Thanks in advance,
KII
 
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I am not a bit suprised you like the new cue.
Pechauer cues have always been very high quality cues.
I have owned a few of them before I started making cues, and was very satisfied with the way they looked and played.
For a production cue they are extremely well made and you would be hard pressed to find one flaw on any new Pechauer cue.

IMHO, I think they are overlooked, under rated, and are a great playing cue.

http://www.pechauer.com/article.php?article_id=5

Willee
 
Pechauer Build Quality

Thanks for the feedback and the link Willee. I can see that you directed me back to construction page on the Pechauer website. It's certainly becoming clearer as to why some cues seem to play better than others. The Pechauer approach to how the "pieces/parts" are built and fit together that can have a real influence on the solidity of hit. With this particular butt that I have it is simply jet black (no wrap) without any inlays, etc, to more readily demonstrate their precision tolerances. I did finally call the Pechauer site (on a Sunday!) and was lucky to have someone answer. In essence they told me exactly (almost paraphrasing you) what you said.....that because they make literally every component themselves, including the speed joint itself, it is expected that the cue should "feel" more like a one piece. The guy said, after my complimentary words on the build quality...especially as it relates to my prior standards in production cues, including my older Schon STL9, that it's "music to his ears" to hear about quality of the Pechauer hit for a change, instead of others, who normally laud the aesthetics and finish of their product.
He also briefly discussed their experience working with Predator (on some limited editions) that they insisted upon doing the shaft piloting themselves instead of just getting finished shafts accomodating their speed joint. He, in essence, said that inherent in the actual method by which the speed joint's pin is made that it will feel slightly different (and they believe more solid) than other company's which are simply marrying a finished shaft of a "performance" shaft provider directly as is Schon, for example, doing with the OB1 group. He also assured me that even though the cue that I won is a plain jane type, it is still built with all of the same tolerances that their, let's say, their Crown Jewel cues are. He said that the butt is essentially the 2009 Pro Series Pechauer that they are utilizing for their collaboration with Seybert's and their "Custom 314" line, which, he claims received a surprising amount of business from. This guy was especially accomodating and said, once again, that it's calls about their cues' performance characteristics that are enjoyed the most. He reminded me to register my cue for the lifetime warranty to ensure that this Pechauer product comes with. They consider this particular "segment within a segment" (pro series) should be considered a Pechauer product with Predator simply providing the unfinished shafts. He said that they took a lot of time when first working with Predator on the limited edition project to get the weighting/balance correct so as to make them as close to a Pechauer hit as they could while utilizing a laminated shaft. He was very convincing and encouraged me to think about ordering a Pechauer shaft as well, not only for a backup, but for what they feel is a shaft/butt combo that does deflect more, yet feels even better with their standard shafts. It's obvious that they take great pride in as it relates to the quality of the wood they choose, etc.. He said it will be like having two different cues to choose from or possibly change from time to time depending on the type of game I'm playing....all of which made sense...so I did order one of their JP shafts. Nice folks at Pechauer. This has been my first experience with a Pechauer product and while I initially had heard good things about their products, I never would have considered another steel jointed / laminated shafted production cue. As I said, this will be a knock-around travel cue (it's coming to Orange County just outside L.A., where I will do a bit of consulting work and spend the remainder of my time with a life-long pool buddy I've known since high school.
I'll leave you with this comment. I have been gaining a lot of respect for cuemakers as I have reintroduced myself to the game. As a group, I have found cuemakers to be some of the most helpful and honest people around. Obviously you fall within this category yourself, so thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with my technical questions. It's much appreciated.
Thanks, man.
KII
 
Pechauer makes fines cues.
The speed joint I think does not contribute to the feel you are feeling as much as the A-joint configuration and the taper.
My A-joint is pretty close to that. All wood but has different tenon.
Also they do mill their own wood so they can even hand select their own handle stock. A lot of people just use the cheapest maple or laminates for handles. They might be straight but if they are dull-sounding, you lose that feel.
Have fun in OC, KII. Or at Hardtimes and Hollywood Billiards.
 

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My one off Pechauer with their speed joint is the only semi-custom/production cue that I have ever regretted selling.
I would buy it back if I could find it.
 
Peachauer builds 'em well, they hit well, have very high quality materials, excellent warranty and made in the USA. The only kink in their armor is that due to being a "production" cue, They have a low resale value. For those that simply enjoy playing and owning a well made cue, Pechauers are great. Think of these cues as an expense rather than an investment. Buy it, use and enjoy it. Your not going to make any money from selling it. But if serves you well over the years, maybe that's more important. Something to think about

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Joey,
Thanks for the heads up on places to play in OC....I'll look for Hard Times. What'sthe location, if you don't mind?
 
Hey TT, good advice. This cue cost me $18.00 (3 $6 tickets) so anything is a plus....especially since the cue has been such a pleasant surprise.
 
JoeyInCal, I forgot to thank you for the A joint opinion. Obviously I'm no cue maker, but I love the technology in everything from cues to golf clubs. But I can see what you mean re: the A joint as it relates to the solid feel. Makes sense.
BTW, I'm still in a state of depression about moving back to Cleveland after 3 years in Irvine. Just loved the place and everything about it....including the friendly outgoing and together folks.
KII
 
Pechauer pics

Sorry TT, but my digital camera was also a casualty when my car was broken into recently. But in the pics of this model on both Pechauer's website and Seybert's site the butt shows up with no detail what-so-ever...just a black blob that looks like someone digitally erased it. The only things that aren't black would be the joint sleeve (SS) and two silver rings above and below the sleeve....and the silver Pechauer signature(very small). But I can say that I've had a couple of cues that were primarily black (not ebony but painted maple) and they were nothing like this. This finish looks like it's an inch thick....just beautiful...every bit as good as my Schon STL9 finish, maybe better and easily better than the 4K3 and two older Meuccis I've owned.As I was discussing the cue with the folks at Pechauer I mentioned how nice the finish was and they said that the paint they use is a special type of European pigment used on expensive furniture and one of the reasons it looks so "deep" was that this pigment is more "monochromatic" in nature, meaning that it has less of the typical "rainbow effect" (subtle colors that show up bright conditions), especially in black cues. He told me to put the butt under sunlight and I'd know what he meant. Sure enough, I put the butt under direct sunlight and the deep finish remained as black as it is in the pool room. They also promote the 8 coats and hand sanding and polishing after each application...probably not unique, but it certainly makes for an incredibly good finish. Lastly, this "plainest jane" doesn't have a wrap. After several years of playing with a linen wrap, I'd forgotten how much better I like a wrapless butt. It allows me to keep my grip very light while still feeling that I have enough control of the butt to properly stroke the ball. With a linen wrap I would occasionally tighten my grip just enough to take a little action off the CB and while not killing the shot, taking enough off the stroke to screw up my position. These are all little things, but you know how it is.....they're nice to have working for you. BTW, I think I may have mentioned to you that I ordered a Pechauer shaft just for kicks.The 314 is really a nice combination with this butt....accurate and very little squirt. This cue makes dropping balls a snap. A very easy player is the best way I can describe it.My plans are to pick up a Sly and a Josey this year. Given leadtimes and build times, Iwill be using this for a while. It willbe interesting to see how my game reacts to more deflection when they arrive.Bearing in mind that I've been playing the last several years with low deflection shafts (314/OB1) it will have been a while since I have played with a conventional shaft.
 
I think that the fact that all the parts of a Pechauer cue are threaded gives the cue it's solid feel.

I really like the way they play and feel.
 
Pechauer Cues

I'm with ya skor. One of the ways (Pechauer's own words) to "test" the build quality and how it may relate to "hit" is to screw in the shaft and start to tap the cue with your finger about 3-5 inches above the joint on the shaft. If you get a good, uninterrupted resonance (vibes/sound) up and down the cue, all the way to the butt plate, it will illustrate that when connected the shaft/butt reacts just as a good one piece does and this resonance testing is just another way to check it. Mine ceratinly "passed" this test. I've been fortunate enough to have won the Pechauer instead of the Lucasi or the other cue, each which would have already been sold, I'm sure, even though I needed a good knock-around player. This cue qualifies for an "elite"position in that arena of good utility-type daily players. I usually do not feel qualified to recommend a cue unless I have personally played it and I haven't really had a lot of cues, considering the years that I have played (an Adams, 2 Meuccis in the pre-"dot" shaft era an Predator and a Schon), but I would not hesitate to recommend a Pechauer product based on this brief experience with the Pro Series Pechauer butt / 314-2 shaft combination.
 
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