Predator Shaft vs. Entire Predator Cue

Mike Templeton

Mike Templeton

Confidence........
Silver Member
I would like some opinions from the group concerning using a Predator shaft on your existing cue, as opposed to buying an entire Predator cue. I recently purchased a 3K1 Predator cue and like the way it plays, but I have another cue butt that I like better. Is there any benefit to buying an entire Predator cue, or will the Predator shaft on another brand of cue work just as well?

I know that Predator will say to buy the entire package, and if it matters, I will. If not, I will change to the other cue butt. I don't want to spring for the 175.00 for the extra shaft, though, if there is an advantage to the Predator package.

Thanks for any opinions.

Mike
 
Predator Shaft

Mike Templeton said:
I would like some opinions from the group concerning using a Predator shaft on your existing cue, as opposed to buying an entire Predator cue. I recently purchased a 3K1 Predator cue and like the way it plays, but I have another cue butt that I like better. Is there any benefit to buying an entire Predator cue, or will the Predator shaft on another brand of cue work just as well?

I know that Predator will say to buy the entire package, and if it matters, I will. If not, I will change to the other cue butt. I don't want to spring for the 175.00 for the extra shaft, though, if there is an advantage to the Predator package.

Thanks for any opinions.

Mike
Click to expand...
Mike, I really don't think it makes a differance. I have used a predator shaft on several of my cues with a 5/16 x 14 thread and don't notice much of a differance. I don't particularly like them, jmho. I know a lot of people who love them. If you are in the business, go to Seyberts and buy it. About $140.00.
Don P. :cool:
 
I agree with you Don. I have a Pechauer cue and I got a Predator shaft for it and I just didn't like it as much as the shaft that came with the Pechauer. Most of the players I know think I'm crazy because they all use the Predator shaft on their cues and swear by them. To me, it feels like hitting a baseball with an aluminum bat as opposed to a good old fashioned Louisville Slugger.
 
I also agree with Rick and Donald...as long as you have the 314 or Z shaft, the cue makes no difference....after all...Falcon makes the butts for Predator cues. I would say play with the one that feels the best...and but a Predator from Seyberts....they are some great people to work with...I haven't played with the Z...but am currently using the 314 and love it.....mike
 
maughanm said:
I also agree with Rick and Donald...as long as you have the 314 or Z shaft, the cue makes no difference....after all...Falcon makes the butts for Predator cues. I would say play with the one that feels the best...and but a Predator from Seyberts....they are some great people to work with...I haven't played with the Z...but am currently using the 314 and love it.....mike
Click to expand...

Does Falcon also make the spliced Predator 2 -butt ?
 
There is no reason why the butt end of the cue should make any major difference. Of course the different butts feel different (<--just doesnt sound right.) The weight and balance may be slightly different, and perhaps a different feel in the wrap, but overall only the shaft and tip, should majorly affect the hit of your cue. The joint will also come into play of the feel.

I really dont see any reason that the predator butt would help your game at all, so If i were you I would just get a shaft for your old cue and dont give predator any more money than you have to. Their products are overpriced anyways.
 
JJHolmquist said:
There is no reason why the butt end of the cue should make any major difference. Of course the different butts feel different (<--just doesnt sound right.) The weight and balance may be slightly different, and perhaps a different feel in the wrap, but overall only the shaft and tip, should majorly affect the hit of your cue. The joint will also come into play of the feel.
Click to expand...

Hi JJ,

The entire statement is exactly why each butt is different. And plays different. Even with identical shafts. I believe McDermott makes its cues with different joint technology available on each unit. A wood to wood joint must effect the hit differently than a metal to metal joint. If you have a small hand, a thinner butt will be more comfortable than a fat one. A light butt with a heavy shaft effects overall balance etc. Yes the shaft and tip does effect the hit. The whole cue however must operate as a unit!
 
I agree w/ pretty much all the above posts...nice thread!

I think that you would be best served by getting the shaft for your old butt- now that sounds dirty!- coz the feel of the butt is of huge inportance, too.

Save some $$ too...

-piga
 
I never used to believe that the butt made a difference in the hit of a cue. I was completely wrong. I recently found another guy with a pechauer cue, and the same joint pin as my cue. His butt is maple with a steel joint. Mine is ebony with an ivory joint. Both cues have predator shafts, as well as pechauer shafts. All shafts have layered tips (moori's and snipers). The weight of both cues is very near 19 OZ.

My cue: The hit with the pechauer shaft is extremely stiff, due to the taper and diameter of the shaft. It is thick. The hit with the predator shaft is more flexible. The sound is quite muted. It just quietly goes about its business.

The maple cue: This cue has a completely different sound and hit than my cue. The sound definitely has a more metal-like tone. The feel is also different. Hard to explain. I'd say there is more of a high frequency component to the vibration after the hit. Kind of like there is a low pass filter on my cue, and not on this cue.

Swapped shafts on the cues. Predator for predator. The hit didn't change at all, which proved to me that the difference in hit was due to the butts. I had no idea a different joint and butt could make such a difference.

Neither cue seemed "better". They were simply different. I'm sure both would play about the same once you got used to them.

cheers,
jer9ball
 
jer9ball said:
I never used to believe that the butt made a difference in the hit of a cue. I was completely wrong. I recently found another guy with a pechauer cue, and the same joint pin as my cue. His butt is maple with a steel joint. Mine is ebony with an ivory joint. Both cues have predator shafts, as well as pechauer shafts. All shafts have layered tips (moori's and snipers). The weight of both cues is very near 19 OZ.

My cue: The hit with the pechauer shaft is extremely stiff, due to the taper and diameter of the shaft. It is thick. The hit with the predator shaft is more flexible. The sound is quite muted. It just quietly goes about its business.

The maple cue: This cue has a completely different sound and hit than my cue. The sound definitely has a more metal-like tone. The feel is also different. Hard to explain. I'd say there is more of a high frequency component to the vibration after the hit. Kind of like there is a low pass filter on my cue, and not on this cue.

Swapped shafts on the cues. Predator for predator. The hit didn't change at all, which proved to me that the difference in hit was due to the butts. I had no idea a different joint and butt could make such a difference.

Neither cue seemed "better". They were simply different. I'm sure both would play about the same once you got used to them.

cheers,
jer9ball
Click to expand...
Speed of sound in Ivory is not much different from wood. Speed of sound in stainless is way different (faster) that wood. This is most likely the difference in the hit (the joint). I like Ivory joints and phenolicc joints, but not stainless joints. I have several cues with all of the different joint types (including wood to wood), but play with the ivory & phenolic the most.
 
I've only owned about 5 different brands of cue's, but the one's with a steel joint gave less vibration than the one's with a wood joint. I like the feel of that vibration when I hit a ball. (I guess it's all in my head though). Anyway I now play with a steel joint because my last cue's screw gave way a little bit and ended up cracking the whole stick. (I was playing around on a bar box with a ball that was the size of a bowling ball).
Anyway I won't be hitting "bowling balls" with a wood joint anymore. Can't afford it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top