standard vs slim taper/tip size

Shermanscs

Shermanscs

Steve sherman
Silver Member
I currently play with a Lucasi Hybrid slim 11.75 mm. Some of the players in my poolroom are suggesting that is way to thin. So I was thinking of purchasing the 12.75 mm size. I play an average game (C+ / APA 6). I have been playing with this cue for over a year now. Was very hard to adjust at the beginning (I was all over the place). Interested in opinions with regard to the larger size and if that is generally speaking, a better size. The shaft is about $200, so I am not sure if the investment is worth it. But, if it will help improve my game, I would consider it.

Thanks,
- Steve
 
If you like your current shaft stick with it. If you take the time you would spend to get used to a new shaft and instead put in some serious practice with your current shaft you may gain some skill in using it. I would find this preferable to buying a new shaft, getting used to it and being at the same skill level. If you spend more time on focused practice (get an instructor to help you if you don't know what to work on) you will get better. Buying a new shaft isn't going to get you where you want to be performance wise. If it takes buying a new shaft to actually get you to practice then by all means go buy one but realize it's the dedicated practice that makes the player and not a .5 to 1mm change in shaft diameter.
 
If you like the feel, stick with it. Some people are under the mistaken impression that a larger diameter is more forgiving with regards to accuracy because of the larger tip size. That is only true when you get to the point where a thinner shaft will miscue before a thicker one. Assuming the same tip radius, there will be no difference in how forgiving the shaft is as long as you're not miscueing.

I think it really comes down to feel.
 
slide13 said:
If you like the feel, stick with it. Some people are under the mistaken impression that a larger diameter is more forgiving with regards to accuracy because of the larger tip size. That is only true when you get to the point where a thinner shaft will miscue before a thicker one. Assuming the same tip radius, there will be no difference in how forgiving the shaft is as long as you're not miscueing.

I think it really comes down to feel.
Click to expand...

Au contraire, mom frere it's a lot more than just feel. The combination of squirt and swerve varies between shafts, even from the batch.
 
Speaking from a cue enthusiast's point of view , the difference btwn. a thin shaft vs. thick shaft is the following: (This is based on my experience and opinion)

1. It's all relevant to the contact point to the cue ball as well as the technology behind making of the shaft by different makers.
2. How the shaft is tappered
3. Quality of the tip
4. Shape of the tip
5. Quality of chalk

This is why I always recommend people really try out a cue before buying because every cue is different and must feel right for the player.

W/ a thinner shaft, your contact point is more precise (requiring more accuracy and it also tends to be more whippy).

Thicker shaft is more forgiving and allows you to work a little less.

It's like the difference btwn. using a fine point pen and medium point pen. They both get the job done, but one is more refined. The finer one will allow you to be more precise in what you expect to execute, but at the same time, it will also show any imperfections. Pool tables are very forgiving, but snooker player's play w/ thin shaft (not pro tappered) because of the exact reason that they need to be more precise on the snooker tables. It's all relevant to what works and feels right for the player. Good luck and hope this info. was helpful.
 
I would stick with the 11.75 shaft. I am slowly moving down. I am at 12.5, down from 13. I have a lot of shafts and different cues that I have experimented with. The guys are right, there are a ton of variables. If you have something that is working for you, I wouldn't change it. The one thing that has helped me more than anything else is playing a lot, and playing against good players.
 
I think that everyone has good days and bad days. It's been my experience that sometimes to change a bad day you might switch something up, maybe your shaft, cue, brand of beer...
and sometimes on some days it just feels better and you play better. This is why I carry more that one shaft, sometimes one just feels better. Change your shaft (or shoes, socks, wash your hands, or whatever) - change your luck.
If you're comfortable using what you're already using, why change? Generally, after that brief honeymoon period there is almost always some regression and relearning as you commit to the switch and I can't imagine the progress is any faster. Whether you use a snooker cue or a break cue they will both require practice to improve. Remember, as has become an AZ favorite saying - "It's not the arrow, it's the indian."
 
You will have to adjust to sighting with a thicker shaft should you make the switch.

It's all relative, improving is about practice, not what equipment you use. Save your cash, spend it on the practice table. In the right hands, there is nothing a 11.75 shaft can't do just as well as a thicker one.
 
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