The New OB Classic shaft - Test Drive - It's HOT STUFF!

Well, maybe hangemhigh will send you one!!! You're an asset (not an ass) to the site and I respect your opinion and objectivity.


Hidy Ho <--- got no dog in this fight 'cause I ate it!
 
I have no problem with the non-white ferrule, but I can understand that some don't like it. This would be a good compromise for them. I'm comfortable with my OB2.

BTW, did they retain the CF pad under the tip? Probably not strictly needed with the traditional ferrule.
 
mosconiac said:
I have no problem with the non-white ferrule, but I can understand that some don't like it. This would be a good compromise for them. I'm comfortable with my OB2.

BTW, did they retain the CF pad under the tip? Probably not strictly needed with the traditional ferrule.
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Yes they still have the pad. As I mentioned, they are also coming out with a "Classic Pro" which is similar to the OB2 but with the new ferrule and solid core.

Seems to me this is the next generation of LD, laminated shafts. We have the LD performance characteristics but with a solid feel.

Chris
 
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Re-reading some of the posts I made, I just want to note that these shafts are solid - there is no hollow foam filled section. I edited a few posts so there would be no confusion. This and the ferrule are the major differences between OB1 and the Classic.


Chris
 
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TATE said:
Yes they still have the pad. As I mentioned, they are also coming out with a "Classic Pro" which is similar to the OB2 but with the new ferrule and solid core.
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so...The 'OB Classic' has a PRO Taper...and the 'OB Classic Pro' has a EURO Taper?
I think with 'Pro' in the name it would confuse some people to think that it has the Pro-taper
 
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HeLLFiSH said:
so...The 'OB Classic' has a PRO Taper...and the 'OB Classic Pro' has a EURO Taper?
I think with 'Pro' in the name it would confuse some people to think that it has the Pro-taper
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Well, technically they call it a 16" modified conical taper. I call it a Euro taper and maybe that's what's wrong. It's a strong taper designed to stiffen up the thinner shaft.

I think the 12.75 mm Classic is plenty stiff myself as is.

Chris
 
MOJOE said:
Chris,

I am playing with an OB-2 but prefer something a bit thicker.. How would you say the deflection compares to the OB-2? Maybe Royce could chime in here as well??
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You are going to want to try the OB2 XL same shaft thicker diameter....


Rick
 
TATE said:
Yesterday I received a test shaft for the soon-to-be-revealed (at Super Billiards Expo, Valley Forge) - the new "OB Classic" shaft.

To give some background, some years ago OB cues asked me to test a shaft, the original OB-1. Although low squirt it was too flexible for my tastes and I didn't like the look of the ferrule. I politely sent it back with some comments that I prefered a stiffer shaft.

I play with a Predator 314-2 fit to my Josswest cue. I like most things about the way the Predator plays, but I have been looking for a stiffer shaft with a more solid hit - without giving up the low squirt characteristics of the Predator.

- I tried the new "Z" and it didn't do it for me. Very low squirt but the tip was too small and the shaft too thin, not at all what I was looking for - back on the shelf.

- I tried the Tiger X. Great feel, stiff enough, but not low enough squirt. I did not want to re-train myself how to aim when using english.

So remembering my "want stiffer" comments, a few weeks ago Royce from OB cues contacted me and sent me the new "OB Classic" test shaft.

The Classic is a meaty 12.75 mm with a fairly stiff 16" modified pro taper. There's plenty of meat on the shaft making it quite a bit stiffer than a Predator. It's a solid shaft - no hollow core. It basically feels like a high quality conventional shaft. The ferrule is a short, 1/4" white piece and I believe the tip is an Everest. It weighs in just shy of 4 ounces.

I tried it out and it's a great shaft. Compared to my Predator, the squirt characteristics are the same or possibly even lower. There was no adjustment needed for aiming with english. The feel is very solid. On power shots it performs like nothing I've played with. It's very low squirt with a great sound, and a solid feel. The feeling is the tip is going through the cue ball, not bouncing off it. There will be a short adjustment period - the short ferrule takes some visual adjustment and i want a little harder tip - I think it can be improved by taking a few layers off the tip.


I'm sold. I'm switching to the OB Classic. Check out the new short ferrule in the pic below - the OB is the one in the middle.

Chris
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I haven't used a low deflection shaft , heck i'm not even playing pool as much as i would like due to the circumstances of life . If what you said about the shaft is true then OB should have a winner.

I believe the reason people like the white ferrule is because it gives them a point of reference . The natural wood ferrule doesn't make that reference as distinct.

With all thats going on in the mind when lining up a shot , looking at the object ball , back at the cue to where you want to hit the cue with the tip the white ferrule reference point can make a difference.

I'm sure for some it is not an issue , we are all different. Thanks for the info.
 
great review. I was hoping someone would get to testdrive this shaft out. I have played with the ob1 for several years and fairly recently the ob2, but i couldnt handle the smaller tip and really didnt give it much of a chance. For the past 6 months I have been using stock shafts, and have lost a little bit of shot making ability and confidence, so I will definitely give this new ob classic shaft a test run. Hopefully when one of their workers comes to okc next time, and comes to Jamaica Joes, I can meet up with her and give this new shaft a test drive for my 14 piloted cue.
 
Oha!

I hope it is soon available- thx for this nice report. I am ready to order :-)


lg from overseas,

Ingo
 
Great report, I just might order one.

For any of you that like seeing the white ferrule.....my wife didn't like the wood ferrule on the OB so I went up to the office and got one of those blank address sticky labels and made a fake ferrule for her. Cool thing is it peels right off with no residue to re-apply, or remove....

G.
 
How was low squirt (deflection?) properties achieved with these shafts? In my understanding the maple ferrules had a lot to do with them. Is it just a matter of shortening the ferrule?
 
teedotaj said:
How was low squirt (deflection?) properties achieved with these shafts? In my understanding the maple ferrules had a lot to do with them. Is it just a matter of shortening the ferrule?
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The ferrule is actually a component that extends down though the end of the shaft - it's those crucial last few inches where weight is removed by using a lighter wood core.

I was wondering the same thing though. I was hitting balls around this morning - trying to put my finger on exactly what the difference is between the Predator 314-2 and the OB Classic. On shots shot medium to firm with english, where the Predator feels like it's bouncing off the cue ball, the OB Classic feels like it's pushing through the cue ball.

I feel like a kid with a new toy.

Chris
 
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Just a few questions. Since coming back to pool after 20 years, I've purchased a Predator 314. After using it for 2 years , I love it. I am now having a new cue made and will shortly have to make a shaft selection.

1. Is the new OB shaft laminated? You stated that it is solid maple.

2. Is the tip end of the shaft actually hollowed out but then filled with part of the ferrule? This could possibly reduce the end mass and aid in LD.

3. To me (and several others) the 314 has a tendency to miscue especially on draw shots and with unintended side English. I don't know if this is due to its being hollow, whippy, some other property or maybe my imagination. Does the new OB shaft seem to miscue?
 
#1 - Yes, the OB shafts are laminated - but maybe not how you'd think. Go to obcues.com & have a look.
#2 - The current OB shafts - see #1. The new version OB's front end is configured differently somehow, but meant to retain its LD effectiveness.
#3 - No shaft has a tendency to miscue. The term you use "unintended side English" may provide all the guidance you need on that point...:sorry:;)

I'm an OB proponent over Predator shafts - but that's me... I used Predators for years before the 314-2 era. Since then, I think Predator's quality, consistency, and service have gone down hill.
The current OB's have a different feel, but I think they are more accurate, produce more spin velocity with less effort, are of higher quality consistency, & customer support is outstanding.
 
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Tennesseejoe said:
Just a few questions. Since coming back to pool after 20 years, I've purchased a Predator 314. After using it for 2 years , I love it. I am now having a new cue made and will shortly have to make a shaft selection.

1. Is the new OB shaft laminated? You stated that it is solid maple.

2. Is the tip end of the shaft actually hollowed out but then filled with part of the ferrule? This could possibly reduce the end mass and aid in LD.

3. To me (and several others) the 314 has a tendency to miscue especially on draw shots and with unintended side English. I don't know if this is due to its being hollow, whippy, some other property or maybe my imagination. Does the new OB shaft seem to miscue?
Click to expand...



- It is radially laminated in round segments. When I said solid, I meant it's not hollow inside anywhere - it's all wood (and glue!). Here's how they do it: http://www.obcues.com/construction.html

- 2 - yes - the ferrule is actually a unit using lighter wood inserted into the core.

-3 - that's the big difference. Not only are draw shots more solid - just like a conventional shaft, but follow shots are too. On any medium to firm struck shot you can feel the difference. It feels like you're connecting with the cue ball better.

(Comment on miscues - with today's hard tips and LD shaft light tip ends - the set up begs for miscues and broken windows too! You really do have to scruff them before you play, hopefully with a shaper file that keeps the shape consistent - and scruff them every hour or so playing time. I don't go much lower than 1 tip down for draw anymore and rarely miscue - if I need more draw I just hit it harder).

I think the problem is end of the Predator shaft is weak and/or weakens over time because the walls are too thin. I notice that I have to replace my Predator shafts every 3 years or so because they start to play funny and they also wear down pretty quickly. It took about 2 years for my shafts to drop from 12.75 mm to under 12.5 mm (they wear out from hand friction and chalk dust).

I never really thought about it, but last night I figured out that cues "kick back" on contact, just like a rifle does when fired. Someone gave me a big, old solid Gina to try out last night, and I was amazed that the cue seemed to have no stopping sensation, or kick, at all when making firmer contact with the cue ball. My cue with the Predator shaft weighs 18.5 ounces and has considerable kick when I contact the cue ball firmly. The OB Classic lessens the kick quite a bit. So if the old Gina had low kick, the Predator high, the OB Classic is medium.

Chris
 
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Okay, so the question of the day is when will these be available?

I have a 314, 314-2, and the OB shafts.

I have always really liked the OB's. I would love to try these new ones out.


I have actually been thinking of getting 2 identical shafts for my playing cue, and these just may be the answer!


Any dealers please feel free to contact me about this.

I am actually looking to get 2 blank shafts matched to my cue, and a refinish and rewrap with leather.

Anyone that could do this for me, feel free to contact me and discuss pricing.


Thanks,


Jason
 
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