Predator vs Custom cue?

[asiasdad]

Generally speaking, do custom cues play better than my Predadtor with a Z2? I realize that some custom cue makers are better than others but, just wondering if a change is in my future.

That is like asking if you play better at 500.00 a rack or at 5.00 a rack.

You have no clue until you do it repeatedly.

 

[HaroldWilson]

What you say makes sense. I'm sure you realize, however, that you could have made the exact same changes in your shot selection regardless of which shaft you played with. And then if you ever got into big trouble and needed to come with some huge english shot, you would have had that in reserve with the Predator. Not saying you couldn't with any shaft, but obviously you recognize the shot options with the LD being wider, hence your post.

KMRUNOUT

Yes I agree with you 100% that certain shot selections broaden with an LD shaft and one could focus on shot selection etc just as well with one if the same approach to each shot was taken with a Predator cue.

However, I prefer the feel of a solid maple shaft and the sound the ivory makes when hitting the balls and the balance of the cue. Conversely, I don't like the feel or hit of LD shafts and the construction of these cues are not as consistent. For instance I have owned 3 Predator P2 cues and although all weighed the same they each had completely different balance points with the same shaft likewise I have played with a variety of Predator shafts and some have not had the same feedback as others with the same tips etc..

However, I have owned 3 old school 4 pointer Black Boars and they where balanced identically (similar to a pendulum) and the shafts had the the same resonant pitch to how the custom cue maker intended during the construction and selection of the materials. These cues have been designed to be pure players and I have also found much easier to zone with as you sometimes forget they are in your hand when cueing the ball which adds to my confidence and concentration.

For me these factors make the game much more pleasurable aesthetically and also mentally compared to playing with a Predator cue or indeed having a Predator shaft fitted to a custom cue it wasn't intended for originally. The added precision required also adds much more enjoyment and challenge to the game personally. Thus, I am happy to make the sacrifice of forgoing a slightly wider shot selection on this basis and the challenge of playing that huge English shot with perfect execution in timing and cueing rather than relying on the aid of a high performance shaft which takes a lot of the skill out of it IMHO.

In fact there are only really a couple of shots which I have found much easier to execute with a Predator and simply require a lot more concentration if they have to be played with my old Black Boar which has a much more satisfying end result. On the other hand, long slow drag shots, long stun shots or slow touch shots with running side feel much better with my normal shaft with ivory ferrules as they hit crisper and have a more livelier feel IMHO.

Accordingly the satisfaction of running racks with some customised cues is immeasurably higher in my opinion compared to playing with the same Predator cues that most other players that you meet have decided to embrace mainly for performance without realising they may be missing out on some of the subtle nuances of custom cues which may in fact add benefits to other areas of their game.