Sell or not?

[BAZARUS]

I have Meucci Power Piston 4 and I have been playing with it for 5 years now.
For years I have been told that Meucci in general its not a very good cue and not many top players using it. When I bought this cue I was already playing pool for about 7 years and I bought it, because this cue was most popular to play with when I started to play in early nineties. Recently, just before The Open to be exact I have accidentally broke the shaft on my cue and I didn't have enough time to buy new one for the tournament. One of my friends let me use his cue and just like that I completely change my mind. The cue was Falcon with Predator 314 shaft on it. Everyone knows that Meucci and Predator are in the battle who's shaft is better. I have discovered on my own that in fact Meucci is very flexible which means that on hard stroke shots there is better chance to miss a ball. Predator shaft is much more stiff and accuracy is better in general. Now I'm in dilemma of what to do. Should I get another shaft for my Meucci and sell it or should I keep playing with it. Perhaps I should sell it and get myself something else, but what I have no clue.

 

[zeeder]

I have Meucci Power Piston 4 and I have been playing with it for 5 years now.
For years I have been told that Meucci in general its not a very good cue and not many top players using it. When I bought this cue I was already playing pool for about 7 years and I bought it, because this cue was most popular to play with when I started to play in early nineties. Recently, just before The Open to be exact I have accidentally broke the shaft on my cue and I didn't have enough time to buy new one for the tournament. One of my friends let me use his cue and just like that I completely change my mind. The cue was Falcon with Predator 314 shaft on it. Everyone knows that Meucci and Predator are in the battle who's shaft is better. I have discovered on my own that in fact Meucci is very flexible which means that on hard stroke shots there is better chance to miss a ball. Predator shaft is much more stiff and accuracy is better in general. Now I'm in dilemma of what to do. Should I get another shaft for my Meucci and sell it or should I keep playing with it. Perhaps I should sell it and get myself something else, but what I have no clue.

If you really think you want to change you can try out a bunch of different cues and see what you like the best. If you really like predator shafts you can always get one for your Meucci. Those would be my two suggestions for you depending on which way you would want to go.

 

[BAZARUS]

If you really think you want to change you can try out a bunch of different cues and see what you like the best. If you really like predator shafts you can always get one for your Meucci. Those would be my two suggestions for you depending on which way you would want to go.

I was actually trying to shoot few balls with Predator shaft on it, but it still felt like Meucci. Then I ask someone and he told me that the way a cue shoot is in 90% in a shaft. It will be hard for me to buy a cue without trying it. I'd like to find someone who would let me shoot with a cue for sometime, otherwise how can I make a good choice?

 

[BAZARUS]

The Falcon cue your friend let you use, did it have a stainles steel joint?.

The reason I ask is that the Meucci cue in your attached picture appears to have an ivory, phenolic or implex type joint.

That would make a huge difference in the hit. Maybe you just like stiffer joints?.

Thats correct, Falcon has a metal joint. Thats what everyone was telling me, when you become a better player you prefer to shoot with a stiffer cue.

 

[mjantti]

I've seen a few Meucci-Predator shaft combinations and they don't shoot bad at all. For some reason I don't understand how Meucci can make such whippy shafts. Maybe it's the taper, I don't know. Perhaps you need to try a Meucci with 314 shaft and then decide if you want to stick with your Moochi. You can also get that Pred shaft in any case, you did break your shaft and left your butt shaftless ? Selling your cue is easier if you have a shaft as well

And knowing some thing about Meucci, concerning the joint material on the cue depicted: ivory, never unless custom installed. Phenolic, could be. Plastic, likely (yuck). Quality materials have recently seemed to avoid Meucci cues...

Bazarus, you shouldn't go bankrupt if you try for instance Lucasi-Pred combination or such. There are actually a lot of good cheap ($100-$150) cues that hit well (and IMHO better than Meucci ) Good luck finding yourself a good cue.

 

[dooziexx]

when you become a better player you prefer to shoot with a stiffer cue.

Thats a true statement. My first cue was a Meucci way back in the late 80s. It worked great for me. My game improved rapidly and within a year or 2 I sold it and bought a Joss..

IMO, you can control whitey alot better with a stiffer hitting cue. And stiffer hitting cues gives are more consistent. You are now using your stroke to control the cueball rather then the flexibility of the shaft.

BTW, check your PM for a message from me...

 

[Black-Balled]

If you do get a new one, keep the old one for a while. You know it works! Good seeing you in Norfolk!

 

[Snapshot9]

Cues ...

I think you would be better off, and get more bang
for your buck, just buying a Sneaky Pete with a
Stainless Steel joint from a custom cue maker
that is balanced the way you like it. These can
be had for $170-220 range, and a good one will
hit like a $700-800 cue. Then later on, you might
want to get a custom cue made by the cuemaker,
and will used to how his cues play.

 

[mjantti]

Thats a true statement. My first cue was a Meucci way back in the late 80s. It worked great for me. My game improved rapidly and within a year or 2 I sold it and bought a Joss..

IMO, you can control whitey alot better with a stiffer hitting cue. And stiffer hitting cues gives are more consistent. You are now using your stroke to control the cueball rather then the flexibility of the shaft.

I agree with Bazarus and Erik. A little bit whippy cue suits a beginner, he can do much more with the rock because spinning is easy. When the stroke developes, you tend to appreciate more control over hard spins. My first real cue was a Meucci and I liked it until my game advanced to the next level within 1-2 years and I started looking for stiffer cues. Just like Erik did...

But the point is, you can get better shooting with a Meucci despite all the bashing it gets.

 

[drivermaker]

The Falcon cue your friend let you use, did it have a stainles steel joint?.

The reason I ask is that the Meucci cue in your attached picture appears to have an ivory, phenolic or implex type joint.

That would make a huge difference in the hit. Maybe you just like stiffer joints?.

He's made a very good point here and it could just be the SS joint, not only for feel but also more forward weighting.

I think a Predator on the PP4 implex joint is a lousy combination because the joint is light and so is the Predator. Predator shafts aren't known for having great feel either, that's actually the knock on them.

There is nothing wrong with that PP4 butt...NOTHING!! I don't care what people say and how they want to blast Meucci. You might want to put a Universal Shaft on it...it will give you more forward weighting and have better feel.

You may just be experiencing "NEW CUE FEVER"...a very common disease amongst all of us.

 

[Egg McDogit]

I went through the same garbage. I started out with a meucci. After a year I realized it wasn't for me...and ended up with a predator. I liked it for the same reason you do...it's accurate and has a reassuring solid hit. After a couple months with the predator, I moved to a universal shaft - which has the same accuracy and solid hit, but is much easier for me to control. I played with a meucci for kicks a while ago...I can pocket fine with them, but I just don't like the hit...it makes me feel uneasy.

Just my opinion, but I think it's hard to control predators, esp if you have a long stroke. Next time you have the chance to try out the predator, try doing these shots a couple times.

1) START(
%AQ2V9%BP6J7%Pi9P6%R]2R4%WS1V6%Xh7P5%YD8Z5%ZP0W1%[]0R7%\R0V0)END

2) START(
%Ag2D1%Bg2M3%PM9F8%R`6H1%We6D1%XO0F6%[b0H1%\e8D6)END

 

[lewdo26]

Why not get one of those Universal Shaft thingies?

 

[BAZARUS]

I agree with Bazarus and Erik. A little bit whippy cue suits a beginner, he can do much more with the rock because spinning is easy. When the stroke developes, you tend to appreciate more control over hard spins. My first real cue was a Meucci and I liked it until my game advanced to the next level within 1-2 years and I started looking for stiffer cues. Just like Erik did...

But the point is, you can get better shooting with a Meucci despite all the bashing it gets.

That was my first tought when I was forced to play with a different cue. I've been playing for about 14 years with a break of almost 3 years. Last 5 years with that Meucci. I never wanted to listen opinions about how flexible it is and how that affects the game. I like it this way and I was stuborn with it. For fact its true that Meucci shaft plays better if you use a lots of spin and soft to midium stroke. I'm playing a lots of straight pool and I guess thats how you play this game; with soft stroke mostly. Nine ball is whole lot of different and hard stroke is required in many shots. I used to miss a lot on hard strokes with Meucci and I use to blame it on my bad eyes .
Now I really see the difference and since my game developed to a advanced level and I have more control over my stroke I'd prefer to have a stiffer cue. Sholud have listen to the people years ago and perhaps I'd be a pro by today
I have tried my Meucci with a Predator 314 and Z shafts and it still feels like a Meucci. Perhaps the joint have something to do with it. I am wondering "how much of the Meucci" is in their butt?

 

[Tommy-D]

> Are you still living in Memphis? I remember you pretty well from High Pockets back when Jay was working with you,and your game came up a TON. Good luck experimenting,I'm sticking with my Schon until I can get a Searing or Cognoscenti,or make one myself that hits better. Tommy D.

 

[pawnmon]

Predator Shaft

I have Meucci Power Piston 4 and I have been playing with it for 5 years now.
For years I have been told that Meucci in general its not a very good cue and not many top players using it. When I bought this cue I was already playing pool for about 7 years and I bought it, because this cue was most popular to play with when I started to play in early nineties. Recently, just before The Open to be exact I have accidentally broke the shaft on my cue and I didn't have enough time to buy new one for the tournament. One of my friends let me use his cue and just like that I completely change my mind. The cue was Falcon with Predator 314 shaft on it. Everyone knows that Meucci and Predator are in the battle who's shaft is better. I have discovered on my own that in fact Meucci is very flexible which means that on hard stroke shots there is better chance to miss a ball. Predator shaft is much more stiff and accuracy is better in general. Now I'm in dilemma of what to do. Should I get another shaft for my Meucci and sell it or should I keep playing with it. Perhaps I should sell it and get myself something else, but what I have no clue.

If it was me I'd have someone take a Predator shaft and match up the Meucci ring(s) for you. That's a kinda cool looking stick and the new shaft would probably make it play a whole lot better. BTW I have the same experience with Meuccis on long shots - lotta squirt!

Pawnmon

 

[Raodwarior]

I think you folks are smoking something here. The cue only matters as to how it feels to you. In 30 plus years of playing and 20 yrs of teaching I have yet to find any hard and fast rule regarding shaft stiffness and ability to pocket balls. Give any top pro any stick and watch him kick your tail with it, it is the ability to have a repetitive stroke and proper aim that makes a player. The stick as long as it is straight has little to do with this.

As for meucci I have shot with one for over 25 yrs and the same one for almost 20. I have had probably 40 other cues both custom and production and keep going back to it. The cue is a personal feel, comfort level issue, not the Holy Grail of improvement. If you want to improve save the money that you want to spend on a new cue and give it to an instructor for lessons, this will give you a far better return on your investment.

 

[Egg McDogit]

In 30 plus years of playing and 20 yrs of teaching I have yet to find any hard and fast rule regarding shaft stiffness and ability to pocket balls.

Meucci's aside, what do you other people think about this statement? I think I'd agree if you're talking centerball hits. I'd disagree on off-center hits though...especially if the shaft flex isn't consistent on all sides.

 

[BAZARUS]

> Are you still living in Memphis? I remember you pretty well from High Pockets back when Jay was working with you,and your game came up a TON. Good luck experimenting,I'm sticking with my Schon until I can get a Searing or Cognoscenti,or make one myself that hits better. Tommy D.

Hi Tommy

I've been living in Greenville, NC for the past year now. Yep that was good time for me and I got my Meucci from Jay. And BTW he told me before I order it, that perhaps I should get something else.

thanx, see you on the road somwhere

 

[BAZARUS]

If it was me I'd have someone take a Predator shaft and match up the Meucci ring(s) for you. That's a kinda cool looking stick and the new shaft would probably make it play a whole lot better. BTW I have the same experience with Meuccis on long shots - lotta squirt!

Pawnmon

I was acctually considering this, but someone told me that it would be impossible to get the rings of the old shaft and put them on the other shaft, because they are glue together. Don't know much about this.