oscargrouch
Active member
Looking for opinions on the different Predator butt constructions - C4+ vs regular maple core (true splices) vs 30 piece. Are there real differences?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Predator Fanboys
- Thread starter oscargrouch
- Start date
I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. lol I liked the sp2 and road line line of cues for a long time (same cue essentially ) I think the p3 has a different hit then anything else. Something about how it’s balanced the long straight shots feel effortless.
i dont know what your talking about either
of all the predator cues ives used i preferred the weight balance and feel of the 9k butt far and above all others
it just felt perfect in my hand
of all the predator cues ives used i preferred the weight balance and feel of the 9k butt far and above all others
it just felt perfect in my hand
Paul_#_
Well-known member
Below are Predator's description of butt construction using C4+ (4-piece core), C10+ (10-piece core), and P3 (30-piece core):
The 9K uses C4+ construction.
The SP2 uses 4-piece hard maple construction.
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I owned a 9k and a K-Series Classic which covers two of those construction methods. Didn't notice any difference between them with the same shaft. Both good, both came dead straight and stayed that way.
Haven't owned a P3 myself but have shot with one a few times, that one does feel a little different maybe, wouldn't necessarily say better or worse though.
Haven't owned a P3 myself but have shot with one a few times, that one does feel a little different maybe, wouldn't necessarily say better or worse though.
Might be a difference in the stiffness of the hit, but you’ll have to hit with all of them with the same shaft snd tip to see if there is a difference in the hit that might put one over the other for your personal preference.
Balance point may also vary so you’ll need to find the right combination that works for you in terms of weight, balance and hit.
Another thing to consider is butt thickness. In the specs you will find that different cues from different lines have different thickness so this also something to try and see what you like best.
But if to be completely honest, just pick the cue that looks best for you and just get used to everything else
Balance point may also vary so you’ll need to find the right combination that works for you in terms of weight, balance and hit.
Another thing to consider is butt thickness. In the specs you will find that different cues from different lines have different thickness so this also something to try and see what you like best.
But if to be completely honest, just pick the cue that looks best for you and just get used to everything else
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
"Predator fanboys" are the wurst.
Amen.
Predator FAN BOY! Here I am.
- I think C4+ and 4-Piece construction feel exactly the same. I don't know why they call them by different names....
- I hit an old maple 2004 Roadline with steel joint and it felt a fraction of a thousandth softer than the C4+ 2025 9k that I hit.
- The C4+ hits a little Softer than the P3 30-piece. I don't think that one in in my head. I definitely think the P3 hits slightly stiffer/harder.
You will get use to a Roadline splice... And if you stick with maple splices non of this will effect your game. The problem only sets in if you decide you want a fancy cue above the $1k mark. At that point you will have to think about C4+ C10 and 30-Piece. Why? because Predator doesn't make a FANCY Roadline. They are all cheap. So just don't try to treat yourself to an overpriced cue. That's how the headache sets in.
But you really can't go wrong with a C+. They make cheap and expensive ones for when you want to piss your wife off. There are also no cheap or expensive 30-Piece cues. Your just stuck with the same old P3 in a different color and they all cost the same amount. Would be nice to buy a FANCY P3 with some inlays, but they don't exist. Wish I had just bought C+ from the start because I like 30-piece the best and don't know how to kick it out of the bag now.
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Function over form for me
They are the same as the road line correct? I was always lead to believe they were the same cue just with a different look.
I've played a bunch of predator butts and shafts since the late 90's. I haven't noticed much difference in any of them. YMMV.
Same for me, its why I play Becue cues, sort of like an M16, not the prettiest weapon but man does it hit good.......
No reason to chase the latest "technology" if you love what you have, I played like straight garbage last night and lost evey match, I didn't follow my whole shot routine like I should've, I thought this shot is easy too many times and the team we played is full of players who take the game seriously and have been doing so for decades.....my guess is it wasn't the cue
Paul_#_
Well-known member
OP OscarGrouch asked for differences in Predator's butts. There pro
bably aren't that many differences or, certainly not compared to something like comparing to a one-wood Schmelke butt.
Predator's butts have a core with four and at most thirty pieces of wood versus Schmelke's one.
Predator's notes there is no weight bolt connecting the forearm to the handle. Presumably, the cored butts are butt length less that occupied by weight bolt, joint and ring. Schmelke also has one long length of wood.
Predator's C10+ ten-piece and P3's 30-piece cores also use phenolic to encase parts. The C10+ uni-loc pin is encased in a phenolic core and this phenolic addition “also replaces other wooden components of the backside for greater stability and lifetime concentricity”. P3 promises “revolutionary stiffness and feel”; Predator boldly abandons wooden joint facing, bumper, and weight-bolt threads, replacing them with phenolic. Schmelke? I don't know if there is phenolic, but, if so, a lot less.
Predator has a wood core and a wood sleeve around it versus Schmelke's no sleeve.
Predator's engineering is wonderful with its P3 having first 10 pieces of maple in the core, that's encased in 10 pieces of ash, and that is encased with 10 pieces of maple to make its 30 pieces of wood.
Consistency? Predator has very little variation due to differences in wood versus a skillful effort by Schmelke to minimize variation in final product. I think Predator's extensive development effort is mostly to produce efficienctly a uniform and durable product.
Here are some comments about Predator butts from https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/p3-vs-c4-butt-technology.555376/
Predator's butts have a core with four and at most thirty pieces of wood versus Schmelke's one.
Predator's notes there is no weight bolt connecting the forearm to the handle. Presumably, the cored butts are butt length less that occupied by weight bolt, joint and ring. Schmelke also has one long length of wood.
Predator's C10+ ten-piece and P3's 30-piece cores also use phenolic to encase parts. The C10+ uni-loc pin is encased in a phenolic core and this phenolic addition “also replaces other wooden components of the backside for greater stability and lifetime concentricity”. P3 promises “revolutionary stiffness and feel”; Predator boldly abandons wooden joint facing, bumper, and weight-bolt threads, replacing them with phenolic. Schmelke? I don't know if there is phenolic, but, if so, a lot less.
Predator has a wood core and a wood sleeve around it versus Schmelke's no sleeve.
Predator's engineering is wonderful with its P3 having first 10 pieces of maple in the core, that's encased in 10 pieces of ash, and that is encased with 10 pieces of maple to make its 30 pieces of wood.
Consistency? Predator has very little variation due to differences in wood versus a skillful effort by Schmelke to minimize variation in final product. I think Predator's extensive development effort is mostly to produce efficienctly a uniform and durable product.
Here are some comments about Predator butts from https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/p3-vs-c4-butt-technology.555376/
So I purchased a predator sp2 zebrawood with Revo, hoping it would be my "forever cue." (We've all said that before). However, the feedback from the c4 butt is WAAAAAY different than anything I've ever felt. It's not bad, just very different. Certain hits make a *thud* or hollow sound. I have used the Revo on a true splice cue and it was significantly different. I could definitely understand why someone would like that type and that amount of feedback. I just can't get use to it.
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It would be hard to blame the cue when you are holding a Becue in your hand... People look for reasons to lose. I'm happy you are happy with your cue and have one less scapegoat. Some people don't have that.
There is a love hate relationship with Predator like no other brand. I use to believe it was some kind of market manipulation that got me to drink the juice. But I think differently now.
These days I think for myself and others, it is about value proposition. When you are staring down 20 difference pool cue brands each with dozens of models, what really sets them apart? Which one to buy? Which ecosystem to vest into? $500-$1000 dollars is a lot to spend on a cheap cue. It doesn't sound cheap at all to me... So what the hell am I getting for this money? A lot of product pages look like Viking. Basically just say something like:
"The Element Series - EARTH – the steadfast soul of existence, grounding all life with wisdom and strength. Feel it beneath your feet—solid, enduring, alive. It cradles forests, mountains, and valleys with timeless grace, sculpting the landscapes that hold our stories. From fertile soil that gives rise to harvests, to stone monuments shaped by time and will, Earth anchors us in a rhythm older than memory. Dig deep into its layers, and you’ll uncover the silent power of creation—the keeper of secrets, the bearer of beginnings." - Viking Product Page.
Not to mention that the website looks like its from the 90's. A lot of brands follow suit. What the hell is this?Predator is one of the only brands I see actually detailing the pool cues with diagrams, schematics, blue prints, and explaining all the construction that you can't see from the surface. Especially when it comes to the butt. On other brands it can be difficult to even know what kind of inlays there are or if its just a graphic. I do see some other brands catching up though, like McDermott. I think others will eventually realize they can't just say things like "This cue is a breath of fresh air" and slap a $1500 price tag on it.
i don't think it plays different than my old lucasi - 314 combo. as long as you like the grip and weight the butt won't make any difference. i don't even think the joint material matters much, if at all.
g0ds gReeN
Active member
314 is such a nice shaft it might as well be a mystery box, it pairs with anything... even another 314.
sudocrushms
Well-known member
One of the creative lunatics here with too much time needs to create a double Uni-Loc male pin so we can find out.
