Shaft + Tip combinations

A

alojz_ferluga

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I read a lot about different shafts and cues - I like this and I have some experience also. Based on that the most important thing on the cue is the tip, shaft is second, cue butt last (ok there are other things as joint, ferrules, tapers...- I don't have enough skill and knowledge to talk about this):
So I would like to hear about different combos and how you like them (from 1-10, 10 is best)?
Mine combos:
- Predator 314/2 + Kamui Black Soft; 6 - too much unwanted english, difficult to play with, must be extremely precise with the hit on cue ball; center hit must be exact and clean center hit (I have some troubles with unwanted english - I am happy to hear some advice to correct this)
- Predator 314/2 + Wizard M; 9 - much better for me then Kamui Black S; more control and feel, consistent hit; I have tested also friends 314/2 with Moori M - very similar as Wizard M
- Mezz wd700 + Moori M - 8/9; great shaft, but with some more squirt then 314/2 which I don't like; I would like to test some other tips on this shafts
- BD cues SS360 + Kamui brown M; 7 - nice shaft but the tip is too hard for me and my stroke;
- BD cues SS360 + Ultraskin M; 8 - fine combo, much better then default Kamui, but I still miss some feel; it could be the butt (it is Predator sport Unilock); from other SS360 reviews I am expecting more - I will try on different butt if I find somebody with Unilock joint
- Cuechanger AAA LD shaft from DoubleDave cues + Tiger Onyx; 8 at first - new Onyx tip was very thick; Marcus was very nice and after some work the shaft was turned down from 12.75 to 12mm and the tip thick was reduced a little; final result is great 9/10; squirt is close to 314/2, the hit is very solid and consistent; i play with this now
- Cuetec R360 shaft with Tiger Everest tip; 5 - not to write home about this combo; I suppose the tip is not the problem

I would like to hear your stories.
Disclaimer - I play pool 1.5 years and based on the scale bellow I am probably C to C+ player.
http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/ratings.html
 
Shaft + tip combo

alojz_ferluga said:
I read a lot about different shafts and cues - I like this and I have some experience also. Based on that the most important thing on the cue is the tip, shaft is second, cue butt last (ok there are other things as joint, ferrules, tapers...- I don't have enough skill and knowledge to talk about this):
So I would like to hear about different combos and how you like them (from 1-10, 10 is best)?
Mine combos:
- Predator 314/2 + Kamui Black Soft; 6 - too much unwanted english, difficult to play with, must be extremely precise with the hit on cue ball; center hit must be exact and clean center hit (I have some troubles with unwanted english - I am happy to hear some advice to correct this)
- Predator 314/2 + Wizard M; 9 - much better for me then Kamui Black S; more control and feel, consistent hit; I have tested also friends 314/2 with Moori M - very similar as Wizard M
- Mezz wd700 + Moori M - 8/9; great shaft, but with some more squirt then 314/2 which I don't like; I would like to test some other tips on this shafts
- BD cues SS360 + Kamui brown M; 7 - nice shaft but the tip is too hard for me and my stroke;
- BD cues SS360 + Ultraskin M; 8 - fine combo, much better then default Kamui, but I still miss some feel; it could be the butt (it is Predator sport Unilock); from other SS360 reviews I am expecting more - I will try on different butt if I find somebody with Unilock joint
- Cuechanger AAA LD shaft from DoubleDave cues + Tiger Onyx; 8 at first - new Onyx tip was very thick; Marcus was very nice and after some work the shaft was turned down from 12.75 to 12mm and the tip thick was reduced a little; final result is great 9/10; squirt is close to 314/2, the hit is very solid and consistent; i play with this now
- Cuetec R360 shaft with Tiger Everest tip; 5 - not to write home about this combo; I suppose the tip is not the problem

I would like to hear your stories.
Disclaimer - I play pool 1.5 years and based on the scale bellow I am probably C to C+ player.
http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/ratings.html
Click to expand...

Somre feedback from others?
 
You can adjust to the English/spin, but the hit may be something you won't adjust to. Because of that ferrule/tip combos are better.

An example is my trying a Kamui black soft. I absolutely hated the hit of that tip. A cue maker I know said he loves em and let me try his shaft. I said "wow this hits great". He told me that he used a harder ferrule to stiffen up the hit.

Another one: I changed out my Sniper for an Onyx without changing ferrules. The hit is a little too hard for me, but I am trying to get used to it
 
314 first gen with a sniper isn't bad at first. Plays alot better once its broken in and more compacted. Kamui black soft just isn't right for me. I can't seem to roll the cue ball where I want. Switched to a kamui black hard and the damn thing plays perfect. Everyone is different and you shouldn't go by what other people say. Find out if you like a soft, medium, or hard tip and then you can start building your brand loyalty.
 
alojz_ferluga said:
I read a lot about different shafts and cues - I like this and I have some experience also. Based on that the most important thing on the cue is the tip, shaft is second, cue butt last (ok there are other things as joint, ferrules, tapers...- I don't have enough skill and knowledge to talk about this):
So I would like to hear about different combos and how you like them (from 1-10, 10 is best)?
Mine combos:
- Predator 314/2 + Kamui Black Soft; 6 - too much unwanted english, difficult to play with, must be extremely precise with the hit on cue ball; center hit must be exact and clean center hit (I have some troubles with unwanted english - I am happy to hear some advice to correct this)
- Predator 314/2 + Wizard M; 9 - much better for me then Kamui Black S; more control and feel, consistent hit; I have tested also friends 314/2 with Moori M - very similar as Wizard M
- Mezz wd700 + Moori M - 8/9; great shaft, but with some more squirt then 314/2 which I don't like; I would like to test some other tips on this shafts
- BD cues SS360 + Kamui brown M; 7 - nice shaft but the tip is too hard for me and my stroke;
- BD cues SS360 + Ultraskin M; 8 - fine combo, much better then default Kamui, but I still miss some feel; it could be the butt (it is Predator sport Unilock); from other SS360 reviews I am expecting more - I will try on different butt if I find somebody with Unilock joint
- Cuechanger AAA LD shaft from DoubleDave cues + Tiger Onyx; 8 at first - new Onyx tip was very thick; Marcus was very nice and after some work the shaft was turned down from 12.75 to 12mm and the tip thick was reduced a little; final result is great 9/10; squirt is close to 314/2, the hit is very solid and consistent; i play with this now
- Cuetec R360 shaft with Tiger Everest tip; 5 - not to write home about this combo; I suppose the tip is not the problem

I would like to hear your stories.
Disclaimer - I play pool 1.5 years and based on the scale bellow I am probably C to C+ player.
http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/ratings.html
Click to expand...

17 post on AZ... Welcome aboard since I missed the first 16 =)

I'd say finding the right combo is definitely in the realm of personal choice and as gunzby pointed out the ferrule material can change the feel of a tip... It may feel great on one shaft and not on another while it will likely play the same...

Chris
 
DoubleD said:
This exemplifies why I warn against buying into the shaft technology bs. You've managed to convince yourself that the shaft and tip is going to make you a better player.

You can't buy aptitude for this game. You can purchase instructional materials, buy lessons and practice. Your shaft and tip are not going to turn you into a monster player. In fact, I contend that the belief that equipment makes you better is a serious impediment to success.

dld
Click to expand...

DoubleD, are you saying that one could play as good with a Walmart cue as they could with a nice custom or production cue? I realize I'm putting words in your mouth, but let's be real. Having the right equipment for pool or any other sport of choice is a major catalyst for aiding in reaching ones potential. I agree you have to put in the time and effort to play at a high level. I have over a dozen cues and many different shafts and I must say I'm more consistent with some and less consistent with others. I guess it's what you get used to, but having premium equipment is very important to me at least. I do agree with you on shaft technology though, I'm not a big fan of Predator, OB 1, etc. Maple all the way, but it better be a premium and well made shaft if I'm going to use/buy it.
 
Last edited:
I play with an old maple shaft, ivory ferrule and a Wizard hard cut to about 6 layers. :grin:
 
Equip!

DoubleD said:
This exemplifies why I warn against buying into the shaft technology bs. You've managed to convince yourself that the shaft and tip is going to make you a better player.

You can't buy aptitude for this game. You can purchase instructional materials, buy lessons and practice. Your shaft and tip are not going to turn you into a monster player. In fact, I contend that the belief that equipment makes you better is a serious impediment to success.

dld
Click to expand...

Then I can assume from your post you wouldn't trade an original Pred. plus an old OB for that old truck in your avatar that seems to be smiling? Don't hurt to ask! LOL. Had my coffee and going to hit some on my GC with my Jim Ingram. When it warms up today I will take my old Fox Sterlingworth side by side and see if this new pup is gun shy! It may not even shoot, it's 80 years old! Have a good day DD!
 
Kid Delicious said that shooting with a predator shaft with a moori tip "was like cheating"
 
DoubleD said:
This exemplifies why I warn against buying into the shaft technology bs. You've managed to convince yourself that the shaft and tip is going to make you a better player.

You can't buy aptitude for this game. You can purchase instructional materials, buy lessons and practice. Your shaft and tip are not going to turn you into a monster player. In fact, I contend that the belief that equipment makes you better is a serious impediment to success.

dld
Click to expand...

Agreed! I've played with several LD shafts and haven't cared for them. Moori M with an aegis ferrule on a regular maple shaft plays best for me. And I don't agree with the importance of each part of the cue from the original post. The tip and ferrule are just as important as the butt. IMO one of the most important factors in the hit or the feel is the joint. Also butt construction plays a big part in this. The fun part is trying all the different cues to find the one you like best
 
gunzby said:
You can adjust to the English/spin, but the hit may be something you won't adjust to. Because of that ferrule/tip combos are better.

An example is my trying a Kamui black soft. I absolutely hated the hit of that tip. A cue maker I know said he loves em and let me try his shaft. I said "wow this hits great". He told me that he used a harder ferrule to stiffen up the hit.

Another one: I changed out my Sniper for an Onyx without changing ferrules. The hit is a little too hard for me, but I am trying to get used to it
Click to expand...

Thanx a lot - I don't know much about different ferrules.
 
DoubleD said:
This exemplifies why I warn against buying into the shaft technology bs. You've managed to convince yourself that the shaft and tip is going to make you a better player.

You can't buy aptitude for this game. You can purchase instructional materials, buy lessons and practice. Your shaft and tip are not going to turn you into a monster player. In fact, I contend that the belief that equipment makes you better is a serious impediment to success.

dld
Click to expand...

Thank your for your advice dr. Dave - I have your book - it was my first book about the pool. Good work!
I mostly agree with your opinion and I would probably be a little better player today if I would stay with my first cue.
But there is one more issue here - it is funny to try some equipment. Yes, this cost me some money, but I have some fun with this also. :)
I took some instructions, read some books, ... I made some progress and I am much better player as I was 2 years ago. I have still quite some issues with my stance (some people is coaching me how to use standard pool stance, others prefer and coach snooker stance as a better alternative - snooker players must be very precise indeed), with my stroke (poor follow through, not 100% straight, I sometimes don't hit exact center of CB when I would like to),with my aiming and with mostly with my consistency and concentration.
Still, I hate to play with some cues while some of them are much better.
I won't rush now to test everything other people like I would just like to read some other people opinions.
Thank you again.
 
DoubleD said:
I don't speak for everybody, but I believe that I could play as well with a cheap, no-name cue as I do with my best cues. I'm not saying 'every' cheap cue and I'm not saying that good equipment isn't necessary.

I am, however, willing to challenge the ideals of what we consider 'good' equipment. A cue is a piece of leather on a wooden stick. Until someone definitely proves that some technology used in cuemaking actually makes the cue better, I believe that too much stock is put into custom cues.

Having said that, I love custom cues and believe anyone who can afford one should have one. I taught myself how to build cues when I was 19. Cuemakers offer the option to tailor cues to their customers and that can help someone transition to a new cue.

dld
Click to expand...

I can play good with a house cue,but most of the time it's hard to find one that's straight and has a decent tip. I can get by with these 2 factors, but I love the feel of the cues I have.
 
alojz_ferluga said:
Thanx a lot - I don't know much about different ferrules.
Click to expand...

Trust me there is just as big a difference as with tips. You could try one tip and love it, but take that shaft, put a different ferrule on it with the same tip and you would hate it.
 
gunzby said:
Trust me there is just as big a difference as with tips. You could try one tip and love it, but take that shaft, put a different ferrule on it with the same tip and you would hate it.
Click to expand...

I trust you.
But ferrule change is not so easy as tip change. :)
 
ob classic pro with kamui black super soft. not because i buy into the hype but because it's awesome. i've tried other tips hoping to save some money but none play similar or as well as the KBSS.
 
DoubleD said:
I'm flattered by the mistaken identity, but I am not Dr. Dave.

I'm just some guy who spouts off his opinions.

My major point is not that you shouldn't feel more comfortable with, everybody does. I only mean to say that when you find what you play well with, don't assume that it is because of 'superior' technology.

dld
Click to expand...

Oops, my mistake.
I agree - it is not the bow, it's the indian.... :)

Still, I would like to hear what kind of shaft+tip combo people prefer (Predator, Mezz,..).
 
Mezz WD700 with DaVinci soft. No clicking sounds - a better hit than Kamui soft - doesn't change that much over a few months of using it - a very consistent tip - grabs chalk like no other - I even tried this tip on a couple of my 314's and it improves the feel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top