SHAFTS, stick with custom or go to predator?

[X Breaker]

Funny that I should see this thread today. I spoke to Billy Stroud of Josswest on the phone last Friday, and he had a lot to say on this subject. We were talking hit, and taper, and how he's changed his in the last 30 years. He also had a hand in designing the Universal Smart shaft.

Bill actually steered me away from a new Josswest shaft for my old cue. I thought that his latest taper might be an improvement, but here is what he said. IF A PLAYER IS A SERIOUS COMPETITOR, AND PLAYS ON SIMONIS CLOTH, HE NEEDS TO USE AN ANTI-DEFLECTION SHAFT. He could have steered me towards one of his shafts for $350, or a Universal since he designed it, but he didn't ! He spoke at length about how Simonis cloth has changed the game. He said that he had played with a Predator shaft for a few hours (he's a world class one-pocket player), and that it took 15 mins to adjust. After that, he said he just stopped compensating for deflection, and just pocketed EVERYTHING ! He is sold on it and the only qualifier was the tip. He likes the Moori medium and says that if you are used to another the hit may take some adjustment, but nothing major. He also likes the shaft in the 12.75mm configuration.

Last but not least, he mentioned the changes to position play in his game due to a laminated shaft. Keep in mind that this applies to great equipment with new Simonis cloth, but he said that he uses the rails less than before for shapes. He told me without mincing any words that I need a modern technology type shaft. He mentioned that there are many, but it seemed that Predator got named the most. I think that's a huge endorsement and a new shaft is on my short list...Tom

Wow!
What about Championship cloth, was his referring to the fast cloth in general, or just Simonis cloth?
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Carpe_Diem]

I currently use a Predator Z shaft on a McDermott but. It's a black collar 3/8x10 pin. The Predator has considerably less deflection than the original shaft and the smaller tip offers great spin.

After 3 months of use I am an advocate of Predator but have no experience at all with custom shafts. But as many have already stated it is very subjective and different people might find a different feel with a shaft than others.

I would at least try to find someone who has one that you can try out for a while, then you can be certain if Predator is the way to go for you.


Paul.

 

[X Breaker]

Okay, I am going to use my 314 shaft now. I have tried it like a million times, going back and forth like a million times. I actually have a Smart shaft, too. But since even the inventor of it recommend the 314, I will go back to use it again.
I sometimes play on a very slow cloth on the bar table, should I be using the regular shaft on the slow cloth, and 314 on fast cloth? Also, the pool halls here mostly use championship cloth, should I only use 314 on Simonis?
could Mr. Stroud please clarify?
Richard

 

[PKM]

Last but not least, he mentioned the changes to position play in his game due to a laminated shaft. Keep in mind that this applies to great equipment with new Simonis cloth, but he said that he uses the rails less than before for shapes.

Can you please explain why this would be the case? I'm not familiar with the effects of a laminated shaft.

 

[Gutz]

shafts

I started out by playing with a McDermott and then added a 314/2 and the feel of it was pretty good. It took me a little while to get used to it but I think that was more mental than anything. I have recently started shooting with a Sugartree and the adjustment only took a few hours. The feel/hit is much better to me, overall, It doesn't matter what you shoot with because you control angle, speed and spin...

 

[Pushout]

I currently use a Predator Z shaft on a McDermott but. It's a black collar 3/8x10 pin. The Predator has considerably less deflection than the original shaft and the smaller tip offers great spin.

After 3 months of use I am an advocate of Predator but have no experience at all with custom shafts. But as many have already stated it is very subjective and different people might find a different feel with a shaft than others.
Paul.

I'm glad to listen to any experience completely different than my own. I played with one for three months, and was ready to burn it. On the other hand, I played for a while with a meucci black dot, and had no trouble at all. I sold it because it did NOT play any better than the customs I have been using for years. Mike Gulyassy told me two or three years ago, that laminated shafts were the future. I played with the predator some years ago now, and haven't been able to play with anything like it {laminated} since.