Question for Predator Shaft Converts

ashmouth

ashmouth

Registered Offender
Hello fellow AZ'ers,

I am thinking about purchasing a Predator P2 with a 314 shaft and would like to get some opinions from those of you who have converted from conventional shafts to a Predator 314.

I did a forum search and could not find any detailed threads on the subject so I would like to get your feedback on the following:
1) Did you have to change how you aim for shots?
2) Do you notice any differences in the amount of english produced?
3) What kind of things does the shaft do better over conventional shafts? what kind of things does it do worse?
4) How does the shaft hold up over time?
5) Do you think you consistently make more shots?
6) In general, do you feel your game has improved?
7) For P2 owners, do you think the butt makes any difference in playability or do you think it's mostly the shaft?

Thanks in advance for your comments!
Brian
 
If I were you, I'd wait for a couple of months until they come out with the new versions of the 314 and Z shafts.

I've got a 314 myself, but I only had it for about three weeks tops before the ferrule cracked, and I had it replaced by a local cue guy - but he wasn't an authorized Predator repair guy, so he jimmied it to work with a normal ferrule. Can't get it fixed proper by Predator (they said they couldn't repair it to stock spec).

The reason I state that is, though I own a 314, I didn't really play with it that long as designed to get a really good impression, good enough to answer your questions. :P
 
1. Yes, you don't have to compensate for deflecton much at all.
2. Seems like more english
3. Makes thin cut shots with lots of english much easier. Mainly any shot with throw and any type or english feels better to me IMO. More confident in shot making.
4. Had mine for about 7 months and its just dandy.
5. Yes
6. My game has improved tremendously in the last 7 months but hard to tell if it is because of the cue/shaft or not.
7. I have hit with other cues but my P2 just feels the best. When I hit with other cues it just has no feel and feels like a log in my hand when I hit a ball. Probably won't ever retire my P2.


You won't be disapointed with your P2 if you decide to get one. I love mine and will more than likely buy another. Hope this helps some ;)
 
ashmouth said:
Hello fellow AZ'ers,

I am thinking about purchasing a Predator P2 with a 314 shaft and would like to get some opinions from those of you who have converted from conventional shafts to a Predator 314.
Click to expand...

I don't play with one now, but I didn play with one for about a year.

ashmouth said:
I did a forum search and could not find any detailed threads on the subject so I would like to get your feedback on the following:
1) Did you have to change how you aim for shots?
Click to expand...

Most definitely. p314's squirt notably less than most shafts. If you hand most good players a cue with a p314 shaft (without telling them what it is) and ask them to cut a ball thin with inside english, they will miss the ball entirely.
ashmouth said:
2) Do you notice any differences in the amount of english produced?
Click to expand...

This is a myth that started with marketing hype and just won't die --the so-called superspin hypothesis. No, it doesn't produce more spin.

ashmouth said:
3) What kind of things does the shaft do better over conventional shafts?
Click to expand...

send the cueball where the stick is aiming.
ashmouth said:
what kind of things does it do worse?
Click to expand...
ymmv, but I'd say it produces a somewhat less pleasing sound.
ashmouth said:
4) How does the shaft hold up over time?
Click to expand...

I don't know
ashmouth said:
5) Do you think you consistently make more shots?
6) In general, do you feel your game has improved?
Click to expand...

I think I made about the same amount of shots. I think my game is about the same with any stick I'd consider using.


mike page
fargo
 
mikepage said:
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Most definitely. p314's squirt notably less than most shafts. If you hand most good players a cue with a p314 shaft (without telling them what it is) and ask them to cut a ball thin with inside english, they will miss the ball entirely.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I meant OUTSIDE english.

mike page
fargo
 
I've had one 314 since 97. It was my main playing shaft until 2002. Haven't used it much since then and it has held up fine. I bought a used 314 in 2002 and it has been my main playing shaft since then and no problems. Only thing is that I changed the ferrules to Aegis on both the shafts. The shafts weren't plugged or modified any other way. The ferrules were modified to fit onto the predator shafts. The orginal ferrules didn't crack but were really scratched up and very dirty. (I didn't always know how to take care of cues properly.) Still has minimal deflection with the Aegis ferrules.
 
Raodwarior said:
Find someone with a Tiger or OB-1 shaft and try those before you shell out the money for the 314.
Click to expand...

I've had an OB-1 with a Moori med since Jan and I like it a lot. I believe I'm going to start using it as my main shaft. Its between that and the shaft that came with my TS cue.
 
Lots of debate about this shaft.

Pool is a game of feel, and it's hard to describe or relate from person to person in words how a cue feels. Even worse, you have to trust someone's judgment on how they perceive the feel of a shaft, when in fact, it may be the tip they like or dislike, it may be the wrap, or type of wrap, or lack of one. It could be the balance point, cue's overall weight, the shaft taper, the table lighting, the time of day, if the person could pocket a ball that day, etc. that factors in.

All I know is that a good number of shooters like the 314, and also a good number have had no problems with the durability of the shaft. The only clear cut issue I have is that they cost a small fortune, but what can you do? All that said, I would at least try a Buddie or friend's 314 shaft before shelling out big bucks for a P2.
 
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Find someone with a Tiger or OB-1 shaft and try those before you shell out the money for the 314.


^are you implying that ob-1 and tiger shafts are noticably cheaper than the predator shafts? if so where can i get one?
 
ScottW said:
If I were you, I'd wait for a couple of months until they come out with the new versions of the 314 and Z shafts.

I've got a 314 myself, but I only had it for about three weeks tops before the ferrule cracked, and I had it replaced by a local cue guy - but he wasn't an authorized Predator repair guy, so he jimmied it to work with a normal ferrule. Can't get it fixed proper by Predator (they said they couldn't repair it to stock spec).

The reason I state that is, though I own a 314, I didn't really play with it that long as designed to get a really good impression, good enough to answer your questions. :P
Click to expand...

Just out of curiousity; were you breaking with this shaft?
 
What I don't like

about low deflection shafts (that are bored and/or foam filled in part of the shaft) is that it throws the balance and feel of the cue 'out of whack' to me.
The cue no longer feels forward balanced since the low deflection shaft is lighter or the weight distribution of it different from a regular shaft..

I would think that players with custom cues forward balanced that put a '314' styled shaft on it would notice it right away.
 
I've been playing with a 314 for quite a few years now. I started with a 314 shaft and a McDermott butt. Getting used to the 314 took about 6 - 8 weeks of semi-regular shooting... mainly because of the way that I learned to shoot cut shots down the long rail into the corner pocket with a McDermott shaft... which is, to apply running english with draw... and when I switched over to a 314 shaft, the compensation for the english caused me to miss a lot of these type of shots that used to be a staple part of my game.

I now shoot with a 314 on a Dave Jones custom cue and am very comfortable with it. The shaft diameter is down to about 12.4 mm... and it's amazing to me how much inside I can put on the CB and how hard I can shoot those shots with almost NO squirt adjustment at all. Learning to shoot these types of shots expanded my game.

I've tried these same shots with a non-314 shaft... and I miss them a ton!! I'm sold on 314s.

I know that I didn't answer every one of your questions... but you get the gist of what I think.

PS... I have three more custom cues on order and each one will come with two 314s each.
 
1) Did you have to change how you aim for shots?


Yes. That's what a Predator is all about. Right now, on side spin shots, you are already sub-conciously adjusting for your cue's squirt anyway. You will not have to adjust your aim as much with a Predator on sidespin shots as you do with most other shafts. Basically, to me (at first) it felt like like I was aiming as if shooting all shots with centerball. i was comfortable with that. I knew right away, in 10 minutes, that the 314 was a better shaft for me. I accurately pocketed a couple of hard around-the-world 3 and 4 rail follow shots with inside spin (that's how I check a cue's squirt) and watched the cueball motor around like a gyro and I knew right away the Predator was for me.

2) Do you notice any differences in the amount of english produced?


I didn't.

3) What kind of things does the shaft do better over conventional shafts? what kind of things does it do worse?


I found it to be a lot more accurate with shots that use sidespin, so I found myself shooting shots I would avoid with a conventional shaft.

What does it do worse? It has a strange hit or sound on soft shots. It changes the balance of the cue because they tend to be about 1/2 ounce lighter than a conventional shaft. It is not particularly good for jump or masse shots.

4) How does the shaft hold up over time?

Just fine. Mine are in great shape and perfectly straight.

5) Do you think you consistently make more shots?

Emphatically yes. That's why I use it. And I don't have to baby as many shots. I feel confident to just fire away with sidespin.

6) In general, do you feel your game has improved?

No question. I can go to greater extremes of sidespin with more confidence that I'll pocket the ball.


Chris
 
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tjlmbklr said:
Just out of curiousity; were you breaking with this shaft?
Click to expand...

Just FYI, I had a cue I was using as a break cue for about a year with a standard Predator shft on it. Despite warnings from others, I had no problems with the ferrule.

Chris
 
Answers to questions

1) Did you have to change how you aim for shots?
I personally did not have to change that much I had only been playing for a year when I got mine, it has been easy for me to adjust. The adjustment is so small that you can figure it out in a week or two at most.

2) Do you notice any differences in the amount of english produced?
No I didn't I noticed those things when I finally learned what works for me in terms of my stroke.
3) What kind of things does the shaft do better over conventional shafts?
what kind of things does it do worse?
This is somewhat objective but I really like the feel that is transmitted to you. I really like mine so personally it doesnt do anything worse.

4) How does the shaft hold up over time?
The shaft holds up very well, just be careful when you get it retipped, the ferrule can come off very easily, make sure it isnt sanded much as the heat can cause it to fall off.

5) Do you think you consistently make more shots?
I would like to think that I consistently make shots that require thin hits much more often now, however I also attribute that to my learning of the fundamentals recently.

6) In general, do you feel your game has improved?
I feel like my game has improved alot since I have gotten it, it is very consistent and it always feels the same no matter what. I had my first break and run the day I got the cue. As mentioned before I attribute it to me learning how to play better as well recently. I have switched back to a my old "regular" shafts a few times and I play just as well, so its just from gettting better. That being said I still enjoy the feel of the Predator the most, and for what its worth I think that the sneaky petes play very well, have considered a P2, but love my sneaky too much to try it out. Hope this helps.


I plan on getting an OB-1 and an X-shaft as well as an I-2 this summer to see how they all compare. But am in no hurry!
 
Gregg said:
Lots of debate about this shaft.

Pool is a game of feel, and it's hard to describe or relate from person to person in words how a cue feels. Even worse, you have to trust someone's judgment on how they perceive the feel of a shaft, when in fact, it may be the tip they like or dislike, it may be the wrap, or type of wrap, or lack of one. It could be the balance point, cue's overall weight, the shaft taper, the table lighting, the time of day, if the person could pocket a ball that day, etc. that factors in.

All I know is that a good number of shooters like the 314, and also a good number have had no problems with the durability of the shaft. The only clear cut issue I have is that they cost a small fortune, but what can you do? All that said, I would at least try a Buddie or friend's 314 shaft before shelling out big bucks for a P2.
Click to expand...

What you say is true.

I would like to add that many players, good players, feel the shaft has improved their game. However, I have also heard from players who tried the Predator at the recommendation of others, struggled with it, played below their speed for months, and ditched it.

I just don't think there is one standard prescription that works for all players. What works for me (the Predator was right for me) might mess up another players game. And, it has nothing to do with skill level. Just as I knew right away that the shaft was right for me, there are others who have struggled with it for weeks or months before conceding that it was not right for them.

Chris
 
I was test hitting with a P 2 in Vegas last year and bought one because I liked the feel and hit so much......I went right over and had a med. moori put on, then went and played my next singles match with no practice ... I won my next 2 matches. I loved it. Have been playing with it since then and have done great in tournaments and league. I just got a Z shaft for it 6 weeks ago and have been playing even better...I love it...
I know every one is different, but I had no problem adjusting to it. Every one that test hits with mine just loves the hit and feel. It weighs 18 3/4 oz....
 
i believe that u just get what u like then u test out how the cue works to ur playing style..
314 n P2 is a great combination..
u can just try by shooting a few balls w english then notice if u always over cut or under cut ur shots..
simply adjust accordingly :)
 
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