Predator Shaft Question

[silver2k]

I plan on getting a predator shaft for my cue.

I have already decided this after playing with a friends shaft. I did not seem to need to get too adjusted to it, I wasn't missing balls like crazy. I also kind of liked the feel.

My question is this. Should I get the 314 or the Z. If I get the 314 I am going to get it turned down to 12.3mm. The cost will be about the same after they are each fitted to my cue(actually the Z will be $15 cheaper.)

I am a C+/B player, but I play on very slow tables(I have played on simonis only a handful of times, yes I love it, but nobody around here has it, so I have to deal.) I am talking SLOW cloth usually. I need to put a lot of spin on the ball to get leave. I don't think the size of the shaft will bother me much because I use a closed bridge and have smaller hands, so it actually might help. Will the Z shaft be able to put more spin on the ball than the turned down 314? or does it only have less deflection?

Please don't say predator sucks or go with this, I am just looking for an opinion on which one. I have already shot with the turned down 314 and I actually liked it.

Thanks!

 

[drivermaker]

I plan on getting a predator shaft for my cue.

I have already decided this after playing with a friends shaft. I did not seem to need to get too adjusted to it, I wasn't missing balls like crazy. I also kind of liked the feel.

My question is this. Should I get the 314 or the Z. If I get the 314 I am going to get it turned down to 12.3mm. The cost will be about the same after they are each fitted to my cue(actually the Z will be $15 cheaper.)

Please don't say predator sucks or go with this, I am just looking for an opinion on which one. I have already shot with the turned down 314 and I actually liked it.

Thanks!

You may have to repost this question over at RSB. ALL of the Ph.D.'s (4 or 5) use them and the rest of the science freaks know everything there is to know about Predators. You might get lucky here, but I'll include myself in a group of plain old dumb asses that are too set in our old fashioned cue ideas and only know how to play by feel. Amazingly, some of us can actually run a whole bunch of balls and racks when we get lucky with those relics. Until you figure it out and get the right answer, try moving the tip of your cue just a tad more to the right or left and strike it somewhat harder, see if that works. I probably need to get with the times but that always worked for me.

 

[Troy]

I plan on getting a predator shaft for my cue.

My question is this. Should I get the 314 or the Z.
Thanks!

My information is that the "Z" shaft only comes with a Uni-Loc®.

Troy

 

[THE SILENCER]

funny, funny, funny answer drivemaker! right on the money! what he is saying is simply this. predator shafts are pure bullshit! if you must spend $200 on a shaft, but be warned, your falling into the trap. spend $100 on a Mali or capone shaft, and be done with it. AMEN.

 

[Purdman]

Silver2K

That's just Bernards humble opinion.
It's like this, I don't like Predator shafts, period! Some of my best friends who are very good players love them. I would answer your question, but I really don't know anything about the Z shaft.
Don P.

 

[silver2k]

My information is that the "Z" shaft only comes with a Uni-Loc®.

Troy

The guy at Seyberts can change out the joints for you.


I played with the predator shaft, and I really liked it. Hype or not, I thought it way better than the super cheap 4 rings of growth shaft that came with my jacoby.

 

[silver2k]

funny, funny, funny answer drivemaker! right on the money! what he is saying is simply this. predator shafts are pure bullshit! if you must spend $200 on a shaft, but be warned, your falling into the trap. spend $100 on a Mali or capone shaft, and be done with it. AMEN.

Could someone link me to a place that offers these shafts?

I would need these custom fit for my cue...I don't want another cue.

 

[Michael Webb]

If I had to choose between the Z shaft and the 314. I would go with the 314. Reason is I think it's easier to adjust to and the 12.3 mm will work out fine. I play with my regular shaft, ivory ferrule of coarse and enjoy driving some of my friends crazy by shooting one shot with mine and the next shot with their predator.
Who can figure.

 

[Cardinal_Syn]

For me it's not the point that i have to adjust to a smaller diameter shaft....i just can't shoot with em snooker shaft close bridge. So if you like the consistent feel of a pro taper then go with that. I use both close and open so a Euro taper does not suit me.

 

[silver2k]

For me it's not the point that i have to adjust to a smaller diameter shaft....i just can't shoot with em snooker shaft close bridge. So if you like the consistent feel of a pro taper then go with that. I use both close and open so a Euro taper does not suit me.

very good point...i use a closed bridge almost all of the time, except for when i play snooker

 

[drivermaker]

The guy at Seyberts can change out the joints for you.


I played with the predator shaft, and I really liked it. Hype or not, I thought it way better than the super cheap 4 rings of growth shaft that came with my jacoby.

Oh my Gawd....why didn't you say that about your junky Jacoby right from the start, now I understand why you want to change. What I don't understand is the fact that you're going to spend a fortune on a Predator shaft itself and have it turned down (more money) but also spend an additional sum on a joint change (more money). But hey, when those alien spores get inhaled and take over our thinking until turned into a bull in a china closet with deaf ears, there's nothing that can be done. Did you ever consider the possible trade-off that might occur concerning accuracy due to increased spin which can be unwanted at times? As a C+ player, I can guarantee that you're not striking the CB at exactly the spot you're aiming for on each shot, it's off the mark more times than you're aware of. And if you do get to play occasionally on Simonis and being used to striking the ball so hard, heaven help you. Whether you're on slow cloth or lightening fast cloth, if you want to improve, you MUST be more aware of CB speed and especially planning for and achieving your angles on 2-3 shots in advance. Try playing a half dozen games of 9ball, and see if you can focus entirely on achieving angles. It ain't easy, so it needs full attention. How many shots does it take you to get out of line? For me, more spin and having to blast balls 3-4 rails to get back in line means less accuracy. What the hell, Predator employees have kids and families that need to eat....full steam ahead, matey.

 

[rocky]

I plan on getting a predator shaft for my cue.

They are right the Z shaft only comes in uni-loc joint. It is a great hitting shaft though. If you buy a 314 and turn it down to 12.3 within a year, your shaft will be down past the 12.25 that voids your warranty, if that matters to you.

 

[Joseph Cues]

Oh my Gawd....why didn't you say that about your junky Jacoby right from the start, now I understand why you want to change. What I don't understand is the fact that you're going to spend a fortune on a Predator shaft itself and have it turned down (more money) but also spend an additional sum on a joint change (more money). But hey, when those alien spores get inhaled and take over our thinking until turned into a bull in a china closet with deaf ears, there's nothing that can be done. Did you ever consider the possible trade-off that might occur concerning accuracy due to increased spin which can be unwanted at times? As a C+ player, I can guarantee that you're not striking the CB at exactly the spot you're aiming for on each shot, it's off the mark more times than you're aware of. And if you do get to play occasionally on Simonis and being used to striking the ball so hard, heaven help you. Whether you're on slow cloth or lightening fast cloth, if you want to improve, you MUST be more aware of CB speed and especially planning for and achieving your angles on 2-3 shots in advance. Try playing a half dozen games of 9ball, and see if you can focus entirely on achieving angles. It ain't easy, so it needs full attention. How many shots does it take you to get out of line? For me, more spin and having to blast balls 3-4 rails to get back in line means less accuracy. What the hell, Predator employees have kids and families that need to eat....full steam ahead, matey.

Drivermaker, are you implying Predator shafts are crutches not helping tools?
I try to be open minded as much as possible, but I really don't see any advantage to having a 314 on a bar box. If one cannot judge speed and deflection on a bar box, I don't think one will ever improve.

 

[MFB]

Drivermaker, are you implying Predator shafts are crutches not helping tools?
I try to be open minded as much as possible, but I really don't see any advantage to having a 314 on a bar box. If one cannot judge speed and deflection on a bar box, I don't think one will ever improve.

JC,
Who mentioned barbox? But since we are talking about that, IMHO, there is no need for a predator shaft on a barbox.

Silver2K, as a B/C you would be much better off by learning to inprove your aim and stroke vs new equipment.

 

[deadstroke32]

JC,
Who mentioned barbox? But since we are talking about that, IMHO, there is no need for a predator shaft on a barbox.

Silver2K, as a B/C you would be much better off by learning to inprove your aim and stroke vs new equipment.

The 314 shaft is only good for one thing, and that is fishing. I have a 314 cue and i can't even give away.Y is that ? If it's so great y do a lot of peolpe go back to Maple shafts?? All the 314 lover out there are just playing on the name like anything else .the money u put into one of thoes 314 cue u can go out buy a nice custom cue that will hold it's value ,and play dam good it's like a Nose, it's all in how you pick it..
I feel that 314 are over hiped .And any one that know me know i've have played with all types of cues and I still just can't join the 314 hype club..So Good luck in your jugement .

Deadstroke32 plays with a Omgea from japan ran 80 ball out the gate .And now looking for my MIKE WEBB so i can hit that 100 mark..

 

[silver2k]

I plan on getting a predator shaft for my cue.

They are right the Z shaft only comes in uni-loc joint. It is a great hitting shaft though. If you buy a 314 and turn it down to 12.3 within a year, your shaft will be down past the 12.25 that voids your warranty, if that matters to you.

The guy who runs seyberts will change out the joints on a z-shaft and fit it to your cue.


So if you guys don't like the predator, what would you recommend? I really would like a new shaft, the Jacoby one is just super cheap, it has like 4 growth rings and they are not even close to straight, so I don't expect to stay straight long.


What about the sharp shooter?

Where can I get some of the shafts that you recommended. I looked on Ray Shculer's site, and it doesn't say anything about making a shaft for a cue that isn't his joint style.


Also this is probably a question for another thread. But what am I as far as C+/B rating is concerned. I just guessed thats what I was. In 9-ball I will break and runout like 1 in every 10 racks on a 9-foot slow table. My straight pool high run is 39, but I don't play it that often.