Putting a Predator or OB-1 Shaft on custom?

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219Dave

Pool is my therapy
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Let me start out by saying that I do not want to start a thread on whether you guys do or don't like shafts like the 314-2 or OB-1.

My question is this: Once you take as a given that a customer likes playing with a 314-2 or OB-1, would that customer be wasting his money by getting a custom just to put one of these low deflection shafts on it instead of playing with one of your shafts?

Would one of your cues with a 314-2 on it play different than a Viking or McDermott with a 314-2 on it?

I do see on some custom cuemakers sites that you can buy their customs with Predators or OB-1, yet I often hear it thrown around that there's no point in buying the custom if you're not going to take advantage of custom cuemaker's great shaft.

Thanks in advance for the info.

David
 
This is a great thread topic. I will wait to see what resposes you get. This is rare, but I am going to hold off before putting in my two cents. I am curious to see how this goes.
 
Thanks, Poolpro. It's a sincere question, not a "I'm bored and want to stir the pot" one.

I'd like to get my first custom for my upcoming 40th b-day, and am at this point really used to my 314-2. Hence the question.

I forgot to say...

Happy New Year all of you, and PATRIOTS RULE!!

(okay, okay, the "Patriots Rule" part was intended to stir it up, but not the rest)
 
Well, I have never owned a custom cue but I have had the feeling that "it's the shaft which makes the cue". In other words, you pay for someone to make a custom cue by hand and pay a lot for this, but you should not expect any big difference...

However, being a player who likes to experiment, I got a custom OB1 for my old McDermott D22 cue (custom collar matching the cue). I liked it so much that I parked my Schon and my fairly new bought McDermott M207. After a while I invested in 2 new shafts to update my M207 and my Schon LTD.

What was the conclusion? Non of the 3 cues feels/play's the same, even the two McDermott's which has the same joint style, but different butt wood.

So my lesson has been that the butt DO have something to say on a cue's performance which I have learned by buying 3 OB1 shafts. Even comparing my M207 with my old 314 shaft and the new OB1 makes a biiig difference so cue's play different even if the butt is changed on the same shaft and opposite. So finding that golden combination is for sure a puzzle so I would say "Go and spoil you're self with a custom" and see how it goes :D

I have never used any "custom" regular wood shaft, but I know for sure that going back to a original 314 or a stock McDermott/Schon shaft is for sure not a option for me. My D22 + OB1 combo is the best feeling I have experienced so far, but I'm always searching for something else to try.

N
 
219Dave said:
Let me start out by saying that I do not want to start a thread on whether you guys do or don't like shafts like the 314-2 or OB-1.

My question is this: Once you take as a given that a customer likes playing with a 314-2 or OB-1, would that customer be wasting his money by getting a custom just to put one of these low deflection shafts on it instead of playing with one of your shafts?

Would one of your cues with a 314-2 on it play different than a Viking or McDermott with a 314-2 on it?

I do see on some custom cuemakers sites that you can buy their customs with Predators or OB-1, yet I often hear it thrown around that there's no point in buying the custom if you're not going to take advantage of custom cuemaker's great shaft.

Thanks in advance for the info.

David
Click to expand...

I have two customers now that wanted a shaft fitted to there current production cues. One was a preditor Z2 and the other the ob1. After they got their new shafts they both are now concidering a new custom cue from me. They will of course want there the preditor and ob1 shafts. I would incurage them to use their prefered shafts. They will be the happiest in the long run. I haven't made many cues yet but how have several customers. The happeir they are the better the word of mouth.

just my opinion. jim.
 
I'm having a custom being made at this time and I bought a 314-2 shaft w/o any joint in it and gave it to the cuemaker (Diveney) so it can be perfectly matched to my custom butt. He was happy to do it. I'm also having him make a lakewood salvage shaft for it so I can play/experiment with it too.

My personal preference was to have my own personal custom along with the benefits (real or perceived) of the predator shaft. I think it's becoming more and more common to have this done and I'm guessing a lot of cue makers are happy to oblige their customers.
 
IA8baller said:
I'm having a custom being made at this time and I bought a 314-2 shaft w/o any joint in it and gave it to the cuemaker (Diveney) so it can be perfectly matched to my custom butt. He was happy to do it. I'm also having him make a lakewood salvage shaft for it so I can play/experiment with it too.

My personal preference was to have my own personal custom along with the benefits (real or perceived) of the predator shaft. I think it's becoming more and more common to have this done and I'm guessing a lot of cue makers are happy to oblige their customers.
Click to expand...

Was wondering how much you paid for your 314-2. Your custom cue maker can usually purchase blanks cheaper. You may end up paying the same price though it gives him a little extra for the job. I myself wouldn't want a blank from the customer in case something goes bad or the shaft was already warped. Yes those blanks can warp.

jimbo.
 
i dont feel a difference.

as long as i have my predator shaft i can play with a 2500$ mottey, 1000$ -R- or a 150$ joss. all the same

butt makes very little difference (given all specs are close)
 
All testing has proved that the pred 314-2 is superior, but only marginally to the ob-1. Both shafts are superior to any "custom maker" shaft. This is why no "custom" cue maker will argue this fact about shafts. The only arguement is, is the less deflection substantial enough to make a noticeable difference. My humble answer is "give me the most accurate shaft, period"! The game is hard enough!! :) The best answer is, " Put a 314-2 on a butt that is beautiful to you and call it a day". Forgot to say that the Predator Z2 is even more accurate, but you would have to get used to that skinny tip, which most hate :) Just my 2 cents! thanks SHARPQ
 
"All testing has proved that the pred 314-2 is superior, but only marginally to the ob-1. Both shafts are superior to any "custom maker" shaft. This is why no "custom" cue maker will argue this fact about shafts."


i am not so sure that this is the absolute you say it is.i think the butt of the cue definitely has a role in the way a cue plays and feels.
 
mason,
if you would reread my post, i spoke of shafts, nothing of butts. the original poster wanted to know of shafts, nothing else. SHARPQ
 
I had a Predator that I played with for several years that was on a custom cue and I liked it. I feel that it makes no difference what butt you use because the Predator feels the same. I am in the process of having an OB1 put on my new custom cue because I like the feel of the OB1 better than the Predator. The shaft I got from my cue maker feels better than either the Predator or the OB1 but the reason I am switching is that the OB1 is more forgiving as was the Predator. My arthritis prevents me from having a real tight closed bridge and my eyes, I wear tri-focals. are a long way from where they were. So to continue optimizing my pleasure in playing pool I need a shaft that is somewhat forgiving.
 
That is my point exactly, Charlie! The joint doesn't matter, as Mason wrote. Regardless if the joint is an ivory, stainless, flat, ultra(Lambros) etc., it doesn't matter. The deflection of shafts begins after the joint. I agree w/ your point, Put the best feeling, less deflection shaft on your fav. hitting cue! SHARPQ
 
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I have done alot of experimenting with Predators on different cues... Putting a Predator on anything will make the hit more consistant and IMO that is what everyone wants... Pedators butts for the most part are cheaply made and most people don't know the difference... However the quick release joint definately affects the hit... I can't stand them...
If you buy a cheap sneaky pete (Players, Action) and put a 314 on it, you will be suprised at how good it plays once you get used to it

I wish one of the great custom cue makers could take high quality wood and copy a Z shaft... That would be the best of both worlds


To the OP

Alot of people on AZB will not tell you their real opinion on the matter because they don't want to upset business partners, freinds, etc...
 
Alot of people on AZB will not tell you their real opinion on the matter because they don't want to upset business partners, freinds, etc...[/QUOTE]


I don't know about "A lot of people", but I PERSONALLY DON'T LIKE EM. That's my real opinion...JER
 
Not all butts are created equal :)

I dont belive that predators play the same on just any cue. I own two predators one is a 3k1 and one is a 3k4. I also own a capone with a 314 and I have one custom I built that has the Z and they fell totaly different. I personaly dont use the predators or there shafts any more but for me the customs play much more solid. The predators I have have the Uniloc joint witch im not a fan of and the both have a stalinless collar. The customs have Ivory joints one with the radial and the other3/8-11. If they played the same on just any butt why would predator make the P2. Totaly different constuction as there regular butts. It might be a waist of time to put a predator on the butt you buy butt you will only find out if you take the plundge. If you want a custom buy it and if you dont like it resell it there pretty easy to move.

Good luck in your quest
Dustin
 
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to get back to the topic, if you prefer a pie shaft of course its not a waste of time , but to reject the 1 piece shafts out of hand i think would be the bigger mistake for imho in the right hands these are more powerful , and to those who can not see the difference when the pie is transfered onto another butt i say you need to improve your stroke
 
sharpq said:
All testing has proved that the pred 314-2 is superior, but only marginally to the ob-1. Both shafts are superior to any "custom maker" shaft. This is why no "custom" cue maker will argue this fact about shafts. The only arguement is, is the less deflection substantial enough to make a noticeable difference. My humble answer is "give me the most accurate shaft, period"! The game is hard enough!! :) The best answer is, " Put a 314-2 on a butt that is beautiful to you and call it a day". Forgot to say that the Predator Z2 is even more accurate, but you would have to get used to that skinny tip, which most hate :) Just my 2 cents! thanks SHARPQ
Click to expand...


I would have to say that the first bolded excerpt is a pretty blanket statement...and that not all custom cuemakers are going to agree with you. Many, if not most, custom cuemakers go to great pains to make the best shooting shaft that they can craft. I am suspecting that the reason for more and more custom cuemakers offering these aftermarket shafts as options is that it is simply a matter of keeping their customers happy. Let's face it, right, wrong, or otherwise...there are many, many players who love these aftermarket shafts. At least by the cuemaker offering the shaft, he/she still has some control over things like their taper...let alone a certain amount of quality assurance.

In the second bolded excerpt...well, right here you do kinda allude to the fact that the butt is not important to a cue's overall performance....which is simply not true. The woods used in the butt can make a big difference in how a cue is going to play, overall.

As I stated in a previous thread concerning pin types......it is the sum of the parts that makes for a great playing cue. Yes, some parts may play a bigger role than others...but they still need to work in tandem with one another...and they need to do it well.

Lisa
 
nipper said:
to get back to the topic, if you prefer a pie shaft of course its not a waste of time , but to reject the 1 piece shafts out of hand i think would be the bigger mistake for imho in the right hands these are more powerful , and to those who can not see the difference when the pie is transfered onto another butt i say you need to improve your stroke
Click to expand...


Who needs to improve their stroke?
 
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