Hi all, I just wanted to share my experience with my recent purchase from ACB, (American Cowboy Billiards) and Bob Moss.
Approximately two months ago I was getting really frustrated with my pool stick. I had been out of shooting pool for a long time, and was asked to join a league here in town. I pulled my old Meucci out from the back of the closet and put it back into service. After a few months of frustrating league nights I just couldn't stand how inconsistent my stick was performing. What I really wanted to do was upgrade to a whole new custom stick, but my finances would definitely not allow for that. Then I thought that perhaps the tip on my old Meucci Red-Dot shaft was just done for, and maybe I could get by with just a new tip. But the more I shot, the more I realized that I really didn't like the feel of the shaft either. It seemed... whippy. (Yes, I'm stealing that term from other posters. Sorry.) So I concluded that a replacement shaft would be the best compromise.
So my research began. As my wife can testify, I am HORRIBLY indecisive. So I looked into getting a Meucci Black Dot shaft, a Predator, or an OB. Then in my searches I came across an ebay posting for the SharpShooter shaft. It had great testimonials, but I couldn't find a whole lot of info on it, and the information I found on this forum seemed like some folks had a bad time with the company. The price was right, the research and technical details were intriguing, and I thought it would be good to support a small company. I made my mind up that I would call, talk to Bob, and decide whether to order it or not based on the vibe I got from him.
So I did just that. I called, and had a very nice conversation about cue shafts with Bob. He was patient, and nice. (which seems like they would be givens for people trying to sell you something, but aren't really that common these days!) He asked about what pool I play, my style, what I didn't like about my current setup. So, with a good feeling, I went ahead and ordered the shaft, and a couple bottles of cue care to take care of it.
Two weeks (exactly what I was estimated time-wise) to the day after I placed my order I had the shaft in hand. Unfortunately, everyone in the house was sick, so I had to wait a couple days to get out and shoot with it.
How does it look?
The first thing I did when I got the stick was to check out the quality of course. The first thing I noticed was the collar. The black material (not sure what it is? Sure seems nicer than just "plastic") and the silver ring are actually nicer than what came with my original Meucci! It has the same flat, wood-faced joint as my red-dot, and also a nice brass insert. So that end looked great! As I look up from the collar to the tip, I can see the wood lamination, and being no expert, it looks nice to me. Up top is about a one inch ferrule. When I ordered the shaft I wasn't sure what tip would be best. Bob suggested the layered Hercules tip, and I went with that. The ferrule joint was nice and even, no gaps. Lastly, I put it on my Meucci butt, and the collars fit perfectly. I sent Bob a callipered measurement of my butt's collar ( :grin: ) before hand and it was spot-on. So to me, the fit and finish are excellent.
How does it play?
In the last three days, I've put about 5 hours of shooting time in with it. The very first hit I took with it I was happy. Of course, it is difficult to describe a hit, but to me the shaft seems firm, but not rock hard. The tip seems on the softer side, but not in a bad way. Perhaps most important to me is that it is consistent. Since this shaft is laminated laterally, (not pie) I intentionally shot with it in different orientations, but could not really find that it flexed any more in one spot or another. And even when applying extreme side English, it does not whip that I can tell. Just a good solid hit all the way around. Almost as if I’m always hitting a “sweet spot” as other sports describe. As for the deflection, this is the first LD shaft I've owned, so I can't say how it stacks up to the others, but there is a noticeable decrease in deflection verses my Meucci Red-Dot shaft.
Wrap it up!
Okay, my conclusion so far:
1. No, it is not magic. It is not going to transform me into an elite player. And it probably won't be the last shaft I ever buy. But that is because I'm not highly talented, and I like to buy new toys.
2. Quality is Great!
3. Feel for me is very good.
4. Price is right at $135 plus $14.95 shipping.
5. The order process was pain-free, Bob was nice.
6. Good Product + Good Service + Good Price = Happy customer.
I'm attaching some pictures of the shaft for your amusement. If anyone has any questions, or is in the Central Ohio (Springfield) area and would like to hit with the shaft, PM me and I'd be happy to let you try it out.
More information on the product can be found on the following (in desperate need of a makeover) website: http://www.americancowboybilliards.com
PS. All normal disclaimers apply. I don’t work for or profit any way from ACB. Just a normal consumer sharing his experience.
Approximately two months ago I was getting really frustrated with my pool stick. I had been out of shooting pool for a long time, and was asked to join a league here in town. I pulled my old Meucci out from the back of the closet and put it back into service. After a few months of frustrating league nights I just couldn't stand how inconsistent my stick was performing. What I really wanted to do was upgrade to a whole new custom stick, but my finances would definitely not allow for that. Then I thought that perhaps the tip on my old Meucci Red-Dot shaft was just done for, and maybe I could get by with just a new tip. But the more I shot, the more I realized that I really didn't like the feel of the shaft either. It seemed... whippy. (Yes, I'm stealing that term from other posters. Sorry.) So I concluded that a replacement shaft would be the best compromise.
So my research began. As my wife can testify, I am HORRIBLY indecisive. So I looked into getting a Meucci Black Dot shaft, a Predator, or an OB. Then in my searches I came across an ebay posting for the SharpShooter shaft. It had great testimonials, but I couldn't find a whole lot of info on it, and the information I found on this forum seemed like some folks had a bad time with the company. The price was right, the research and technical details were intriguing, and I thought it would be good to support a small company. I made my mind up that I would call, talk to Bob, and decide whether to order it or not based on the vibe I got from him.
So I did just that. I called, and had a very nice conversation about cue shafts with Bob. He was patient, and nice. (which seems like they would be givens for people trying to sell you something, but aren't really that common these days!) He asked about what pool I play, my style, what I didn't like about my current setup. So, with a good feeling, I went ahead and ordered the shaft, and a couple bottles of cue care to take care of it.
Two weeks (exactly what I was estimated time-wise) to the day after I placed my order I had the shaft in hand. Unfortunately, everyone in the house was sick, so I had to wait a couple days to get out and shoot with it.
How does it look?
The first thing I did when I got the stick was to check out the quality of course. The first thing I noticed was the collar. The black material (not sure what it is? Sure seems nicer than just "plastic") and the silver ring are actually nicer than what came with my original Meucci! It has the same flat, wood-faced joint as my red-dot, and also a nice brass insert. So that end looked great! As I look up from the collar to the tip, I can see the wood lamination, and being no expert, it looks nice to me. Up top is about a one inch ferrule. When I ordered the shaft I wasn't sure what tip would be best. Bob suggested the layered Hercules tip, and I went with that. The ferrule joint was nice and even, no gaps. Lastly, I put it on my Meucci butt, and the collars fit perfectly. I sent Bob a callipered measurement of my butt's collar ( :grin: ) before hand and it was spot-on. So to me, the fit and finish are excellent.
How does it play?
In the last three days, I've put about 5 hours of shooting time in with it. The very first hit I took with it I was happy. Of course, it is difficult to describe a hit, but to me the shaft seems firm, but not rock hard. The tip seems on the softer side, but not in a bad way. Perhaps most important to me is that it is consistent. Since this shaft is laminated laterally, (not pie) I intentionally shot with it in different orientations, but could not really find that it flexed any more in one spot or another. And even when applying extreme side English, it does not whip that I can tell. Just a good solid hit all the way around. Almost as if I’m always hitting a “sweet spot” as other sports describe. As for the deflection, this is the first LD shaft I've owned, so I can't say how it stacks up to the others, but there is a noticeable decrease in deflection verses my Meucci Red-Dot shaft.
Wrap it up!
Okay, my conclusion so far:
1. No, it is not magic. It is not going to transform me into an elite player. And it probably won't be the last shaft I ever buy. But that is because I'm not highly talented, and I like to buy new toys.
2. Quality is Great!
3. Feel for me is very good.
4. Price is right at $135 plus $14.95 shipping.
5. The order process was pain-free, Bob was nice.
6. Good Product + Good Service + Good Price = Happy customer.
I'm attaching some pictures of the shaft for your amusement. If anyone has any questions, or is in the Central Ohio (Springfield) area and would like to hit with the shaft, PM me and I'd be happy to let you try it out.
More information on the product can be found on the following (in desperate need of a makeover) website: http://www.americancowboybilliards.com
PS. All normal disclaimers apply. I don’t work for or profit any way from ACB. Just a normal consumer sharing his experience.
