Predator Shafts on Custom Cue?

W

will14.1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm thinking about having a predator shaft made to fit my custom cue, Blue Grass, questions, comments, concerns? I have played with a predator shaft on a predator cue and did not care for the hit. I liked the action i got on the white and the need to adjust for english less, but the hit felt dead to me. Do any of you think that would change by putting a pred on the Blue Grass? Like I said earlier, I would appreciate any questions, comments, concerns, criticisms. Any and everything is welcome.
Thanks,
Wm
 
I use a predator on my custom. A 314-2.

If you are comfortable with playing with 314-2 then it should not be a problem using it with a custom.

The hit will vary depending on the construction of you cue which you will have a say in. So you can decide if you like a forward balance cue, backward balance, softer hitting, harder hitting, lighter, heavier etc etc.

Some may say that a predator shaft on any cue would make the cue feel the same but i think the shaft is just one part of the cue. The butt makes a big difference too.
 
If you like it & you prefer to play with a 314....then it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. I know more than a few quality players with a 314 on SW & such.;)
 
I have two 314s, one I got from Viking for thier cue, custom made and matching joint, and the same from Samsara.

In both cases, the custom fitting and joint work were about 20 dollars over what you would pay from one of the big off the shelf mail order companies.
 
I do have to say that I've had the dead feel experience with Pred shafts. If it's still the hit you want I'd say go for it, but really the cue is probably going hit the same way. I even had a problem with tips on the pred, anything below med/hard just felt like hitting dull and soft. Don't get me wrong I'm no great, just my own experience with Pred shafts, and I liked it when I had it but after feeling a more solid hit with another cue I felt it time for me to move on because Predator just wasn't for me. Could be for you never know. Like these guys were saying they obviously don't suck with some top players using them.

And I'll also say that if you really want to give the shafts a chance it takes at least a month, took me 3 to really get used to them and fine tuning your shots again.
 
It would be a shame IMO to put a predator shaft on a bluegrass. Bluegrass cues hit unbelievable and are made to play with the shaft they came with.

BTW - predator shafts hit best with predator cues so if you didn't like the hit with a full predator why would you just buy a shaft for such a nice cue. Good luck trying to find the perfect hit but if you just hang in there with the bluegrass the cue will become part of your arm in short order
 
Shaft

just about a said:
It would be a shame IMO to put a predator shaft on a bluegrass. Bluegrass cues hit unbelievable and are made to play with the shaft they came with.

BTW - predator shafts hit best with predator cues so if you didn't like the hit with a full predator why would you just buy a shaft for such a nice cue. Good luck trying to find the perfect hit but if you just hang in there with the bluegrass the cue will become part of your arm in short order
Click to expand...

I agree fully. The cuemaker will tweak the shaft to work the balance, taper, etc. so it fits that specific cue like a glove. Why mess with that expertise? Just a thought.

R.S.
 
As stated above, it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks. All that matters is that YOU like the way it hits. You want a Predator Shaft for your Bushka or Szamboti? Then get a predator shaft! To each his own right?
 
Even though I kinda agree with those guys saying custom cues should be just that. There's also the point that I'm not footing the bill. If it comes down to not being sure the only option you really have is to just try it out... if you find it's not your bag then really you are only down $180-250 in finding the best possible tool for you.
 
i've always thought it's a good idea for a couple of reasons.

it helps maintain the BG shafts which'll help the resale value (if that matters to you)

if you forget your cue you can borrow someone elses and not really have to adjust.

it's a quick turn around for replacement shafts
 
I used to think that if you wanted a Predator shaft, then buy a Predator cue, and part if the "signature" of a cue builder was his shaft work, taper, etc. Then I got a Thomas Wayne cue with two shafts, and one of them was made from a Predator blank with matching ring work. Now I like the combination of a good custom cue with at least one Predator shaft, as long as the ring work matches.

If you like the hit of a Bluegrass cue with the original shaft, you will like the hit with a Predator shaft. I also believe that if you don't like the way a cue plays, changing the shaft won't make that much difference.

Just my opinion from several little experiments I've tried in the last few months trying various shafts with various cues.
 
If you like the hit of a Bluegrass cue with the original shaft, you will like the hit with a Predator shaft.
I'd disagree with that.
Two different shafts here altogether.
BG shaft is built to have a stiff hit and more feedback to the griphand ( harder ferrule and conical taper ).
Pred has a long barrel "taper" and soft ferrule with hollowed front.
ENTIRELY different hit and feel.
 
poolplayer2093 said:
does that work as well as what predator does?
Click to expand...

Not at all... Pred shafts are constructed of multiple pieces put together and they have a special ferrule and core construction that lowers tip end mass... They aren't just bored out...
 
Rift said:
Not at all... Pred shafts are constructed of multiple pieces put together and they have a special ferrule and core construction that lowers tip end mass... They aren't just bored out...
Click to expand...
There is nothing in that hole except air. The ferrule has foam plug so the ferrule's glue doesn't get there.
OB-1 is cored all the way and is foamed all the way too .
The lamination has nothing to do with deflection.
 
It does, however effect the over all hit over a single piece wood shaft. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying they are better but putting it all together the way they are you can't take a single piece shaft and make it hit like one. So if he wants a pred hit the best thing to do is to get a pred shaft
 
Thanks guys. I LOVE the way my Blue Grass plays but occasionally I miss shots due to adjusting for deflection. I don't like the hit of a pred cue, and you all seem rather divided about if the hit would change depending on the joint and back half of the cue?
Still on the fence.
will
 
For me, an off the shelf predator shaft will take the balance point out of line on most customs, esp those with wood to wood or ivory joints... Ideally have a custom made from scratch to fit a Pred to keep a good balance point, or hand select a Pred shaft, one towards the heavier end (4+ oz..the rare ones!) to keep a better balance.

My 2 cents!
 
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