Can anyone furnish a detailed history of Predator cues, - where they were made from inception to today?
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
I'll be trying a 314/2 on my next cue just so I can say I've tried it.
They've got a facility of some sort in northern Florida just around the corner from me.
I emailed 'em three, count 'em three times, with a few simple pre purchase questions, and they never even had the courtesy to respond; no acknowledgement whatsoever.
Apparently, they're only interested in moving product. They would be well served to study the Zippo model. My wedding day Zippo has been back to Bradford three times in its 40 years, and never one cent for repairs.
I don't expect anything like a lifetime warranty from Predator, but they should at least have the social grace to give me a simple reply.
I've had every flavor of predator shaft made and commonly available, starting with the version with the 1" long ferrule and I believe no 314 marking on the shaft. All the way up to the latest imported z2 and 314-2. I've been satisfied with all of them, and haven't noticed any decrease in quality.
:scratchhead:Donny brings up a good point. Do we know who makes the butts?
I'll be trying to locate one of the new Roadline series. I see some sites offer an upgrade to a leather wrap.
Does anyone know if this "leather" wrap is actually truly leather, or is it whatever Pred calls their faux leather-like wrap??? :shrug:
:scratchhead:
As far as I know...your butt and shaft will come from China. Around 4-5 years ago a new factory was built in China to make Predator Cues.
To know more, you can call Predator 1-888-314-4111 in Jacksonville Florida. It's an old number but might be still good.
Or call the biggest Predator dealers or suppliers---J&J America is the supplier and try Joe Nielson is a dealer at 1-217-585-1660 for your best deal...besides me.
Lots of Predators were made with the 5/16-14 thread at Falcon Cues in Canada.
I don't know any real history though...I just sell them.
Predator started in Michigan...Allan McCarty and Steve Titus.....Great until they left Michigan, mass producton killed the quality. After 2001 there quality really went in the crapper........my opinion.
1994 - Predator came out with the 314 shaft, first editions had varying splices and 1" ferrules.
1996 - The 1996 line of cues came out, model numbers 314-1 to 314-6
1998 - The 1998 series came out, model numbers 98-1 to 98-6
1999 - The 1999 series of cues were released, model number 99-1 to 99-6
2000 - The P2 line of cues came out, all P2 butts made in Jacksonville FL
2000 - The 2K line was released, from 2K1 to 2K6, made by Falcon cues
2001 - Predator BK1 was released
2002 - The 3K line was released, switched to UniLoc for pin, also made by Falcon cues.
2003 - Z shaft released, shaft with smaller ferrule and conical taper. The ferrule material was same as 314 shaft, very soft and susceptible to melting when burnishing.
2005 - BK2 was released, moved to phenolic tip.
2006 - Moved factories overseas.
2006 - 314-2 and Z-2 released, shorter ferrules, initially made of Titan, ferrule adhesion issues were noticed on the batches within first year.
2006 - 5K series released, uses 'C4' technology.
2007 - New line of Red veneered SP released.
2007 - BLAK cues came out, also utilizes C4 technology.
2007 - Predator Air released, first Jump cue.
2008 - P3 was released.
2008 - IKON line released, succeeds 5K line, continues with C4
2009 - BLAK 2 cue line released.
2009 - The Quiet Roller rolls into town.
2010 - IKON 2 released?
2011 - New line of 6 pt sneaky petes
Theres been so many different line of cues released in the last 5 years, i lost track....
Thanks much! This is just what I wanted! I've owned about eight Preds and one of every shaft made before China. Wish I still had them all (I still have five 314 shafts and one pre-laminate no logo). My favorite Pred green veneer SPW.
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
the SEs were designed and made by the maker, but selected and approved by Predator. SE have manufacturers like Mezz, Jacoby, Samsara, Pechauer, Longoni.