Some qs on cues and more particularly shafts

EasyEJL

EasyEJL

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've got a lower end mcdermott (not a lucky, just one of the lower end that came with a g-core) with a g-core shaft on it. There's nothing wrong with it besides little nicks etc so I could keep shooting with it for a long time. But I've been pondering a change.

So first option is get a new cue entirely and that opens such a huge world. My price range would be from $200-1000ish. That pretty well opens most choices. Second option is to just stay with the butt I have, and get one of the intimidator shafts from mcdermott, or any of the other more premium shafts than the g-core.

No, I'm not a world class player and I'll refuse to admit my 9 ball skill level here in APA. But I regularly play in 9 ball and 8 ball with guys ranked as high as 8 and on the good days I'll win 1/3-1/2 of the games against them. But what I like about the mcdermott is the weight (18oz) and that the g-core is a pretty consistent shoot. I've also found that vs the original tip on the g-core, that I like the moori hard. I can still get decent english/draw/follow with it, although i'm starting to find I occasionally miscue when i'm trying to get as much english as I could have with a softer tip. Or pop the cue off the table on a super heavy draw. So i'm not 100% that the hard tip is for me, but overall i've liked it. Also of course, it is a 13mm tip, so i'm thinking a smaller tip would be the good choice.

So what are the good shaft choices better than a g-core? I think when I go to buy a real "looks" stick that i'll want to spend over the $1000 range anyhow, and thats not in the cards for the next year or two. But from what I see most of premium shafts are in the 200-250 range which I can more reasonably get now. Or am I better off to just wait till I do get a whole new stick?
 
if you like low deflection and don't want to spend a ton try a diveney butt - sneaky pete with a z2 predtor shaft. I just recently got one and gotta say its the most balanced cue I've ever handled and hits lights out.
 
You're asking a question nobody here can honestly answer for you. Everybody is different, so what is the nuts for one person may be trash to the next. My suggestion is to kindly ask other players in your area if you could try hitting a few balls with their cues and see what fits your game. Or, if there are any dealers in your area, test hit some of their cues. This approach should narrow the field for you before you start spending major bucks.
 
If your pretty happy with what you have then I would just take my time and try out as many different cues before I buy. I don't know how long you have been playing or how many different types of cues you have shot with, but I have found most players don't mind letting someone shoot a few balls with their cue as long as you ask nicely and don't put any nicks in their cue. Try to borrow cues with different shafts, joints, tips...etc. until you find something that feels really good to you. Everyone likes different things about their favorite cue.
 
BigFish said:
My suggestion is to kindly ask other players in your area if you could try hitting a few balls with their cues and see what fits your game. Or, if there are any dealers in your area, test hit some of their cues. This approach should narrow the field for you before you start spending major bucks.
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Bigfish has the best suggestion I have read in a long time. First I would work on your stroke, with your current cue. Once you can play with it, without miscueing. Then you can decide for yourself which cue/ shaft is best for you. Changing equipment to solve you problems is good for the economy, cue/shaft builders and retailers. Not so much for your game. JMHO.

Larry
 
yeah, that makes sense. I've shot with a handful of other sticks, an older Rico, some action cues, but I can't think of anyone I play with who has any of the high end shafts. Overall with the weight bolt removed I feel very comfy with the weight and balance of the butt I have, any change to it would solely be for looks (which isn't super important).
 
By a LD shaft (Intimidator, 314, OB, Tiger), and go to practice, practice, practice. A new cue doesn't make your game better.
 
Hands down, a Predator 314. Get it. Screw it on. Forget about it.
Oh, and learn to play One Pocket, to. You'll thank Grady and me, later. :smile:
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Hands down, a Predator 314. Get it. Screw it on. Forget about it.
Oh, and learn to play One Pocket, to. You'll thank Grady and me, later. :smile:
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I know what you mean there, playing equal offense actually helped my game more than I would have figured. Its hard to get my wife to play one pocket at home though :)
 
314

Tramp Steamer said:
Hands down, a Predator 314. Get it. Screw it on. Forget about it.
Oh, and learn to play One Pocket, to. You'll thank Grady and me, later. :smile:
Click to expand...

Best advice i have seen. Put one on my cue ive never even thought about changing. One pocket will really help your ball control and safes make you a much better 9ball player
 
keep playing with what you have...work on your stroke..
most miss cues are caused by a flaw in ones stroke.
If you like the G-core an the tip your playing with,don't change
that either just yet..other wise you could mess with your mental game.
I always have played with a cue before I bought it..never bought in
to the hole mail order thing..but thats just me.
have a good one.
 
Treyf123 said:
Best advice i have seen. Put one on my cue ive never even thought about changing. One pocket will really help your ball control and safes make you a much better 9ball player
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You're right as rain, Trey.
Being a One Pocket player can help a person out on those pesky cross raillers, or when your opponent thinks they have you safe and you long rail that nine-ball back to a corner pocket. :smile:
 
Easy:

The best advice is the one and only :grin-square:

Do yourself a big favor and take a cue you like-- the balance for example is a very important point. and play with it.
See it, Test it, Take it..............or leave it.

lg
Ingo
 
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