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

I am having a custom cue made. John Davis is making the blank and Alex Brick is finishing construction. Since I have only shot with a first generation 314, I would like to know the difference to expect in a OB Classic.

Should I stay with the first generation 314 (if I can find one)? Or would the American made OB Classic be better?
 
poolpro said:
I understand the construction differences between the OB1 and the new classic, but how is the feel affected? Is the main feature a white ferule and solid construction with everything else pretty much the same?



Jason
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Jason,

You probably should test one out first - maybe Royce can put you in touch with a dealer in your area.

FYI, the shaft's taper is the same as the current OB 1 - a modified 16" pro taper. There should be very little adjustment. I don't have an OB-1 to compare, but the Classic is considerably stiffer then the OB I tested several years ago and stiffer than my 314-2's.

Here are some averages for you:

Predator 314-2 thickness (averages) : weight with phenolic ionsert - 3.5 ounces

Tip 12.75mm

8 inches from tip 13.15
12 inches from tip - 13.40mm
16" from tip - 13.70
20" from tip - 15.40

This is pretty much the current taper used by Predator and many others - 1 mm from 16" to tip. this is a pretty weak taper.


Here's the OB Classic (averages):

weight with phenolic ionsert - 3.9 ounces

Tip 12.75

8" from tip - 13.40
12" frrom Tip - 13.75
16" from tip - 14.85
20" from tip - 16.25


This is the first time I've measured them. After playing with them, to me it's no surprise that the shaft has a stronger taper than the Predator. This is 2 mm from 16 inches to the tip.

The aim characteristics (squirt) and all that is comparable to a Predator 314-2 or OB1, it just feels more solid and is as stiff as a conventional shaft. To me, the difference is the cue tip feels like it is getting through the cue ball easier. There is no sponginess or vibration. It's a crisp hit, not a soft one.

By the way, I have read where science says a stiffer shaft should squirt more. I think this is a fallacy. My experience is that a stiffer cue does not squirt more or less. In my opinion, a stiiffer cue is more reliable to produce consistent results when the cue ball is struck firmly with side spin. Since I play almost exclusively rotation games, where you often need to put a real stroke on the ball. this is important to me. It gives me a lot of confidence in shots struck firmly.

Chris
 
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Tennesseejoe said:
I am having a custom cue made. John Davis is making the blank and Alex Brick is finishing construction. Since I have only shot with a first generation 314, I would like to know the difference to expect in a OB Classic.

Should I stay with the first generation 314 (if I can find one)? Or would the American made OB Classic be better?
Click to expand...

Congrats on the Davis blank - that's a great solid handle for you, that's for sure.

There is very little difference between the 314-2 and the original 314. I have switched over from the 314 to the OB Classic because it is a little beefier shaft and I like the solid feel without giving up the LD characteristics.

Dealers should be getting them pretty soon so players can hopefully see for themselves.

Chris
 
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Bola Ocho said:
What's the taper like on the OB Classic? Longer or shorter than the 314-2? Thicker or thinner?
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I listed the measurements above. They both have a 16" taper, but the OB Classic tapers down 2mm, where the Predator 314 tapers 1 mm.

Chris
 
TATE said:
Jason,

You probably should test one out first - maybe Royce can put you in touch with a dealer in your area.

FYI, the shaft's taper is the same as the current OB 1 - a modified 16" pro taper. There should be very little adjustment. I don't have an OB-1 to compare, but the Classic is considerably stiffer then the OB I tested several years ago and stiffer than my 314-2's.

Here are some averages for you:

Predator 314-2 thickness (averages) : weight with phenolic ionsert - 3.5 ounces

Tip 12.75mm

8 inches from tip 13.15
12 inches from tip - 13.40mm
16" from tip - 13.70
20" from tip - 15.40

This is pretty much the current taper used by Predator and many others - 1 mm from 16" to tip. this is a pretty weak taper.


Here's the OB Classic (averages):

weight with phenolic ionsert - 3.9 ounces

Tip 12.75

8" from tip - 13.40
12" frrom Tip - 13.75
16" from tip - 14.85
20" from tip - 16.25


This is the first time I've measured them. After playing with them, to me it's no surprise that the shaft has a stronger taper than the Predator. This is 2 mm from 16 inches to the tip.

The aim characteristics (squirt) and all that is comparable to a Predatror 314-2 or OB1, it just feels more solid and is as stiff as a conventional shaft. To me, the difference is the cue tip feels like it is getting through the cue ball easier. There is no sponginess or vibration. It's a crfisp hit, not a soft one.

By the way, I have read where science says a stiffer shaft should squirt more. I think this is a fallacy. My experience is that a stiffer cue does not squirt more or less. In my opinion, a stiiffer cue is more reliable to produce consistent results when the cue ball is struck firmly with side spin. Since I play almost exclusively rotation games, where you often need to put a real stroke on the ball. this is important to me. It gives me a lot of confidence in shots struck firmly.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks for the time to respond and the info. I am pretty certain I would really like to get these shafts, just need to hit with one first. It sounds like everything I want.

One thing I want to say, though is that I like the dampening core of the OB1. I like the fact that there is no ping or distracting sound at the moment of the hit.

Oh well, just looking for an opportunity to try one out.
 
TATE said:
I listed the measurements above. They both have a 16" taper, but the OB Classic tapers down 2mm, where the Predator 314 tapers 1 mm.

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris, I really appreciate you taking the time to measure them. It helps tremendously. Takes out the subjectiveness of "thick" and "thin" and puts down hard numbers.

One thing to note. I did play with an OB1 for a day (tried out a friends). I found the taper to be the same or perhaps thinner further back than the 314-2. Maybe my memory doesn't serve me well?

He didn't sand his shaft. I prefer a taper like the 314-2. I don't like thicker pro tapers. I'm a little hesitant about this new OB Classic because of the thicker taper, but I should probably try it anyway.

I like the move to a white ferrule. I don't like the OB1's ferrule. However, I like the feel and hit of the OB1 shaft. The 314's have this tendency to develop a buzz over time. I was told that's the carbon fiber insert separating from the wood and since they flex at different rates - there's the buzz noise. In some people's 314 shaft, it's nearly a rattle. OB's don't do that.

I'd like to try a new shaft that has the same low-squirt as the Predator but I am very sensitive to taper. I have meaty hands and a long bridge. Using a closed bridge and stroking through becomes a hindrance with thick tapered shafts. People tell me you've already hit the ball by the time you get back there. I know this, but in the back of my head it kills the fluidness of my stroke. I'm expecting resistance in my bridge hand and it just annoys me.

For this reason, conical euro-tapers are a no-go.


Seems to me the OB-1 with the OB Classic ferrule would be the ticket.


One last thing, I found the OB-1 to be kind of whippy. Not a big deal to me because in years past I shot with a Meucci. 314-2 does feel stiffer or at least the shaft doesn't flex around as much as teh OB1. As far as flex, for me the 314-2 is not excessive, nor stiff. If the Classic is stiffer, that's ok. As long as it's not Schon style stiff. That's like hitting with a tree trunk.
 
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Bola Ocho said:
Chris, I really appreciate you taking the time to measure them. It helps tremendously. Takes out the subjectiveness of "thick" and "thin" and puts down hard numbers.

One thing to note. I did play with an OB1 for a day (tried out a friends). I found the taper to be the same or perhaps thinner further back than the 314-2. Maybe my memory doesn't serve me well?

He didn't sand his shaft. I prefer a taper like the 314-2. I don't like thicker pro tapers. I'm a little hesitant about this new OB Classic because of the thicker taper, but I should probably try it anyway.

I like the move to a white ferrule. I don't like the OB1's ferrule. However, I like the feel and hit of the OB1 shaft. The 314's have this tendency to develop a buzz over time. I was told that's the carbon fiber insert separating from the wood and since they flex at different rates - there's the buzz noise. In some people's 314 shaft, it's nearly a rattle. OB's don't do that.

I'd like to try a new shaft that has the same low-squirt as the Predator but I am very sensitive to taper. I have meaty hands and a long bridge. Using a closed bridge and stroking through becomes a hindrance with thick tapered shafts. People tell me you've already hit the ball by the time you get back there. I know this, but in the back of my head it kills the fluidness of my stroke. I'm expecting resistance in my bridge hand and it just annoys me.

For this reason, conical euro-tapers are a no-go.


Seems to me the OB-1 with the OB Classic ferrule would be the ticket.


One last thing, I found the OB-1 to be kind of whippy. Not a big deal to me because in years past I shot with a Meucci. 314-2 does feel stiffer or at least the shaft doesn't flex around as much as teh OB1. As far as flex, for me the 314-2 is not excessive, nor stiff. If the Classic is stiffer, that's ok. As long as it's not Schon style stiff. That's like hitting with a tree trunk.
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They're definitely comfortable for stroking - I have a long bridge and I also don't love a wedge shaped taper. As far as the feel and hit - more Schon than Meucci. These are not soft shafts by any means.

I don't have an OB1 here to measure, but Royce told me the taper was the same. I'm thinking they must have changed the OB 1 taper at some point. Maybe we can get someone here with calipers to measure up their OB1 and post the measurements.

Several years ago, Royce sent me an OB1 to test. It was too whipppy for me too - and soft feeling - so I sent it back with my comments. I did not like the shaft and wondered if I got a bad one. It was marked "test". He remembered my comments and sent me this Classic to test a few years later. What a difference.

Anyway, to give you an idea, the Classic is still not a very strong taper. The wedge shape you feel in your hand is limited to the first 12 inches or so. A dufferin house cue (a real wedge!!) for example, tapers from 13mm to about 15.5 mm in the same 12 inches, a difference of 2.5 mm. These shafts are tapering less than 1/2 mm in the same distance.

I think this shaft is a great combination of LD, feel, stiffness, and hit. Could it be improved? I don't think so in terms of performance. Maybe down the road in terms of feel it will get sweeter, but it's pretty good for an LD shaft right now.

Chris
 
RBC said:
Thanks to Tate for your review of our new cue shaft, and thanks to everyone who has chimed in to this thread showing an interest!

We should have our dealer intro letter out to all our dealers by mid this week. At that time, the dealers will have all the information on pricing and availability.

The Classic and Classic Pro are in production right now, and have been so for a little while. We expect to ship our dealers first orders to them about a week before the launch date of March 18th.

Contact your favorite dealers and get your orders in! I think they might go pretty fast.


Thanks!

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
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Royce, please PM me your email....

Oh, your PM box is full :D
 
@TATE
Have you ever played with mezz wd 700 and hp2 shafts? Can you compare them with new Classic OB ? feedback , stiffness ?
 
Now I own or have shot with just about every LD shaft there is. I just received 2 new OB classics. I hit an old 314, followed by a G core, followed by a USS smart shaft, followed by the classic. All diffferent to a very tiny degree, but remarkably the same. Hit after that with a conventional shaft (with a micarta ferrule) and the difference was very noticable. All LD shafts promoted wonderfully accurate hits. My only comment on the four of them is that the G core does appear to deflect like mad when "revved up" stroke is applied or moreso than the others. The biggest issue that you will find with the OB classic is getting used to the small ferrule. I aim with my ferrule, so it really took me some time to get used to the change. Can't even imagine what it would be like with no ferrule at all.

Overall, very nice shaft. I'll probably replace original 314's with these as needed.
 
stikapos said:
Now I own or have shot with just about every LD shaft there is. I just received 2 new OB classics. I hit an old 314, followed by a G core, followed by a USS smart shaft, followed by the classic. All diffferent to a very tiny degree, but remarkably the same. Hit after that with a conventional shaft (with a micarta ferrule) and the difference was very noticable. All LD shafts promoted wonderfully accurate hits. My only comment on the four of them is that the G core does appear to deflect like mad when "revved up" stroke is applied or moreso than the others. The biggest issue that you will find with the OB classic is getting used to the small ferrule. I aim with my ferrule, so it really took me some time to get used to the change. Can't even imagine what it would be like with no ferrule at all.

Overall, very nice shaft. I'll probably replace original 314's with these as needed.
Click to expand...

What happened with me was I liked the shaft better and better each time I played over a period of about a week - especially on power shots, long draw shots, and hard follow shots. The Everest tip takes a little break in, then the hit improves too.

I'm still fine tuning the position play, but I've completely adapted to the short ferrule. With the tip broken in, the crisp hit is actually exciting!

Chris
 
TATE said:
What happened with me was I liked the shaft better and better each time I played over a period of about a week - especially on power shots, long draw shots, and hard follow shots. The Everest tip takes a little break in, then the hit improves too.

I'm still fine tuning the position play, but I've completely adapted to the short ferrule. With the tip broken in, the crisp hit is actually exciting!

Chris
Click to expand...

Certainly very crisp hit Chris. I too, have found it better as time goes on. I still can't stand an everest tip, but that I can change as soon as I get time to order new stocks of wizard tips. From playing one hole last friday, I found a lot more draw/follow using softer strokes. Still getting used to the things. I may get one more in a radial, to replace a 314. If I'm doing a new stick, I may get a blank and have made up from scratch. Can't imagine what this would be with KJ doing an insert! Very, very crisp hit, I'd imagine.

tim
 
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 had put up my review as well, and I echo just about everything you said here.
I have a P2 with the original 314, and will be getting a classic for that cue. Right now, the test shaft they sent me is on my Phillippe. I had an OB-1 on it, and it played much like my P2, but didn't have as solid of a feel to it. It does now that I'm using the OB Classic.

As you had mentioned, the only thing that took me a bit to get used to was the 1/4 inch ferrule. After 10 minutes I didn't notice it, but the first time.... it shocked me how different it looked.

For anyone who had tried the OB-1 or OB-2 and liked the way the shaft played, but didn't like the softness of the hit.. give this a try. I'm really thinking you'll be impressed.
 
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Ob-2

JoeyA said:
My order is in already.
JoeyA
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Joey,

You are going to have that old worn out OB-2 sitting around that is worth little more than kindling now that the new shafts are out. Being a friend I might give you two or three times the price of kindling for it. I like a quiet hit.

Hu
 
Okay, Just give me one already!

Okay. I want to order a stock one.

I need a uni loc plain black collar. Any dealers got these yet?

Feel free to pm me a price. Please give me a total price with shipping to S. Florida.


Thanks.

If I like it, I will order 2 more blanks and have them fitted for my cue.


Jw
 
RBC said:
poolplayer

Pricing has not been released yet, but should be out by the end of the week.

As far as availability, March 18th is the launch date and I don't see that changing. We should have dealer inventory to ship a few days before that, and we will have inventory at the Super Billiards Expo.

Thanks!

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...

i think i asked this before but i can't find the thread. any chance you guys ath OB will make an entire OB cue like a P2?
 
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