Predator 314 or Z?

R

Rob1251

New member
Hello forum.

My name is Rob and I just starting shooting pool for about 7 months or so. I currently use a Rage pool cue with a LePro tip that I got for a graduation present. The next cue I'm looking to purchase is a Lucasi L-p70 ($335). I've done my research and I am going to put a Kamui black soft tip. The only thing I am still uncertain is whether or not to purchase a Predator 314 or Z shaft. I have a pretty steady shot and decent ball control with a 12.75 mm tip right now. I'm not sure if dropping to the 11.75 of the Z will make my game worse or better. Any help guys?
 
The z shaft will definitely show any weak points in your stroke. Your game will likely take a noticeable downswing while you are adjusting to the precision needed and may not be fun for a while.

Try them both out before you buy if you can. If you can afford it you may consider buying both, using the 314 most of the time and working up to the z shaft.

IMO you'll also notice a few key differences. The 314 weighs more so you will notice a difference in forward weight between the two shafts. However the z shaft has a "stiffer" hit, which I'm assuming comes from the conical taper. If you're used to using a pro taper, the conical taper will also feel "weird" for a while.

The z shaft also has noticeably less deflection than the 314. At your level after playing only 7 months, if you do get both, you may have some issues switching between the two. You'll also need to figure out how much deflection you are comfortable with. I'm not sure how the current shaft you are playing with compares to any low deflection shafts.

My advice is either try both out as much as possible before buying, or just buy both and experiment. The resale is fairly high on both shafts and you won't lose much if you decide to sell one.
 
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I started a thread about shaft diameter differences. You can check it out here: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=310256

Also, if you're going for a Lucasi, you may also want to consider the Hybrid ones.
I don't know if you can get the one you mentioned with a Predator shaft only(You may have to get it with a Lucasi shaft). As for the Lucasi shafts, I really can't help you there, as I don't have much experience with those...
But to be honest, you really may not need more than the shaft that comes with it(In time, you can always upgrade to Predator). If you have the extra money however, you could buy a 314-2 or z-2 shaft, but that's +250$ and for that money combined with the cue you may as well get a Predator cue...
Don't rush about the decision, try as many cues and shafts as you can before buying.
 
vapoolplayer said:
The z shaft will definitely show any weak points in your stroke. Your game will likely take a noticeable downswing while you are adjusting to the precision needed and may not be fun for a while.

Try them both out before you buy if you can. If you can afford it you may consider buying both, using the 314 most of the time and working up to the z shaft.

IMO you'll also notice a few key differences. The 314 weighs more so you will notice a difference in forward weight between the two shafts. However the z shaft has a "stiffer" hit, which I'm assuming comes from the conical taper. If you're used to using a pro taper, the conical taper will also feel "weird" for a while.

The z shaft also has noticeably less deflection than the 314. At your level after playing only 7 months, if you do get both, you may have some issues switching between the two. You'll also need to figure out how much deflection you are comfortable with. I'm not sure how the current shaft you are playing with compares to any low deflection shafts.

My advice is either try both out as much as possible before buying, or just buy both and experiment. The resale is fairly high on both shafts and you won't lose much if you decide to sell one.
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Good advice. I prefer the Z myself.
 
metallicane said:
Good advice. I prefer the Z myself.
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I have both. I like the feel of the z shaft, but I'm still not as comfortable with it as I like. I'm working with it in practice and still haven't made up my mind if I'm going to go with it full time over my 314. I definitely prefer the extra forward weight of the 314, but I like the hit of the z shaft better. If I decide to switch fully to the z shaft, I may have some weight added to the forward end of the butt of my cut around the joint area.
 
Are you really comfortable shooting with a standard shaft? Do you make more shots with side spin than you miss? If you answered no to either question, then I might hold off on getting a 314 or Z2 right away.

I love my Z2 shaft, but I think every player should at least become proficient in using a standard maple shaft, and knowing the ins and outs of deflection and squirt. In a nutshell, a player should be able to play just as good with either type of shaft, provided they have enough practice time with each.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Are you really comfortable shooting with a standard shaft? Do you make more shots with side spin than you miss? If you answered no to either question, then I might hold off on getting a 314 or Z2 right away.

I love my Z2 shaft, but I think every player should at least become proficient in using a standard maple shaft, and knowing the ins and outs of deflection and squirt. In a nutshell, a player should be able to play just as good with either type of shaft, provided they have enough practice time with each.
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I started with a regular maple shaft and have experienced both, but I definitely disagree with this claim.

This would be like saying you should learn to use a musket before you learn to use a centerfire rifle.

Before you drive from Va to Florida in a straight line, you should drive to Texas first......

Also remember, even though a shaft is low deflection, they still have quite a bit of deflection and you still have to learn to compensate for this.

A low deflection shaft provides players with a more direct way to the object ball, and there is really no reason someone should have to learn how to shoot with what a lot feel is an out dated type of shaft first.
 
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I very much agree with vapoolplayer.

My question since you have only been playing for 7 months, would be what type of player do you intend to be, if you know?

By that I mean, do you intend to be a player that will be attempting to hit the center of the cue ball or do you intend to be a player that will be using english & deflection as a means for pocketing balls & getting postion.

If you intend to be a center CB guy, I would say go with the 314 or another 12.75 or 13 mm shaft.

If you are going to be an off center kind of guy, I'd say go with the smaller tipped conical tapper shafts like the Z.

If you don't know & are now playing more center CB than you are with english & deflection then I would start with the larger tip shafts & maybe later if you become more of an english/deflection player you can try switching to the smaller tip shaft.

Best of Luck with whatever you choose.

Best Regards,
 
Cripes! You got one guy telling you to buy 2 different shafts and then another dude asking you if you want to be a ceterball player or a offcenter player lol. To a beginner? I love AZ but the advice column gets ridiculous sometimes.
 
vapoolplayer said:
And this guy offering no opinion at all.
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Fine. Rob, at 7 months playing I don't think you even need a new cue. Efren Reyes, the greatest player ever, played some of the most amazing pool with a $15 cue. But now since you got it in your head you'll be wondering if you would be playing better if you had the premier hi-tech shaft. If you must, you will most likely be better of with the 314-2. At this point in your poolplaying, your stroke is not qute polished yet and the 11.75mm Z2 just requires more accuracy in cueing. Know though, neither cue is going to make you shoot better. That only comes with table time.

As for deciding on wether you want to be a centerball guy or the offcenterball kinda guy lol who even thinks that. "Oh ima hit this shot with inside coz i'm an offcenter player and that's how offcenter dudes roll." Play the game. Learn as much as you can. As your shot selection and patterns improve you will naturally favor some shots over others. We all pick shots we feel we have a better chance making that's why we usually go for the obvious pocket and not because we fall into a certain player category.
 
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Really depends on what you're comfortable with. If you're used to playing with a 13mm tip then you're gonna have to adjust to the Z.
 
VAPoolplayer is right on.
The majority of new players cannot handle the z shaft. I'd recommend starting out with the 314 and in a year or two buy the z shaft.
 
I made the switch from a 314 to a Z2 after about 8 months of play. Heard pretty much the same advice as above and was a bit concerned that it would be too much for me. I have never gone back to the 314. Aside from the lower deflection I really like the feel of the thinner shaft and for my eye, I like sighting down the skinner shaft. Good luck with your choice. Steve
 
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