To Schon or not to Schon

Baron said:
^^I think it's also worth mentioning a lot of pros used standard shafts before they got sponsored by a company that has them use an LD shaft. Could be the LD stuff actually makes a difference, or it could be they're just so good they can play with anything. Shane played great pool for a very long time with an old Schon that had a Joss shaft on it, no LD.
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The shaft not have a spine issue helps. Thats why old pros and some that still use standard shafts turn the cue in their fingers so that they can hit with the shaft the same way every time. Laminated and low deflection are of course two different things though.
 
Drop The Rock said:
Now I just have to find a Schon without breaking the bank!
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My friend, free advice and worth what you paid for it.

I recommend looking for a great used older one with sharp points.

They are EXTREMELY sought after, and held in high regards.

The newer ones, and there are tons of them out there, with rounded points are less desirable and you have to find the right buyer.

JMO, (I don't have any to sell or otherwise)

Ken
 
not really a Schon if you put an LD shaft on it. buy a Predator and LD shaft or a Schon and Schon shaft.
 
Ken_4fun said:
I recommend looking for a great used older one with sharp points.

They are EXTREMELY sought after, and held in high regards.
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That doesn't really go along with his not breaking the bank thing....sharp point Schons are great but they are extremely sought after and, therefor, often extremely expensive as well.

New Schons are still great playing cues, keep an eye out and you can pick up a good used one in the $300-400 range pretty easily. Most sharp pointed ones are $1000+ in good condition.



And it's still a Schon regardless of what shaft you put on it. If I wanted to play with a Predator shaft I'd still buy a Schon and then put a Predator shaft on it....I hate almost all Predator cues (roadline sneakies are okay...). Nothing wrong with putting an aftermarket LD shaft on a cue butt you like.
 
lakeman77 said:
not really a Schon if you put an LD shaft on it. buy a Predator and LD shaft or a Schon and Schon shaft.
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I have a Predator with an LD shaft. Its still a Schon if I thread a broom handle on to it... Whether or not I play with the maple shaft or a predator shaft remains to be seen. If you are buying I'll play with the Schon shaft :thumbup:
 
Ken_4fun said:
My friend, free advice and worth what you paid for it.

I recommend looking for a great used older one with sharp points.

They are EXTREMELY sought after, and held in high regards.

The newer ones, and there are tons of them out there, with rounded points are less desirable and you have to find the right buyer.

JMO, (I don't have any to sell or otherwise)

Ken
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slide13 said:
That doesn't really go along with his not breaking the bank thing....sharp point Schons are great but they are extremely sought after and, therefor, often extremely expensive as well.

New Schons are still great playing cues, keep an eye out and you can pick up a good used one in the $300-400 range pretty easily. Most sharp pointed ones are $1000+ in good condition.



And it's still a Schon regardless of what shaft you put on it. If I wanted to play with a Predator shaft I'd still buy a Schon and then put a Predator shaft on it....I hate almost all Predator cues (roadline sneakies are okay...). Nothing wrong with putting an aftermarket LD shaft on a cue butt you like.
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As much as I would love to buy a Runde era Schon, If I can find an a Clarke I'd be happy. I know he is working on a new project now though.
 
cardiac kid said:
DTR,

If LD really was the end all, why haven't Schon, Southwest, etc jumped on the bandwagon? Not insulting anyone. Just asking a reasoned question.

Lyn
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Lyn,

Part of the problem, and seems to be your perception as well. Nobody, at any time, or anywhere, stated the LD shafts are the "end all". They are another piece of equipment that some folks prefer, and gives them another option.

Some folks like standard, some like LD. If folks shoot just fine with standard, great for them.

SW and others do NOT have to change because the market if still a majority of standard shafts, so why would they bother. If someone choses to play with a custom cue, they can buy the LD shaft afterwards. No need for SW and other custom cues to worry about it. But at the same time, some very prominent cue makers have the option of both... which is good business sense.

If you are going to buy his $2K cue and he can then up sell you a LD shaft for $200, why not keep that money in house, versus your customer paying someone else for the LD shaft.. plus, he can fit it when he's building the cue, another advantage for the customer. It's kinda win/win.
 
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ChicagoRJ said:
Lyn,
Part of the problem, and seems to be your perception as well. Nobody, at any time, or anywhere, stated the LD shafts are the "end all". They are another piece of equipment that some folks prefer, and gives them another option.
Some folks like standard, some like LD. If folks shoot just fine with standard, great for them.
SW and others do NOT have to change because the market if still a majority of standard shafts, so why would they bother. If someone choses to play with a custom cue, they can buy the LD shaft afterwards. No need for SW and other custom cues to worry about it. But at the same time, some very prominent cue makers have the option of both... which is good business sense.
If you are gong to buy his $2K cue and he can then up sell you a LD shaft for $200, why not keep that money in house, versus your customer paying someone else for the LD shaft.. plus, he can fit it when he's building the cue, another advantage for the customer. It's kinda win/win.
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I think what RJ so eloquently said here is that many cue manufactures don't make their own LD shafts because they don't have to. Schon is a good example. They have Predator put their name on the shaft and everybody's happy. :smile:
 
Tramp Steamer said:
I think what RJ so eloquently said here is that many cue manufactures don't make their own LD shafts because they don't have to. Schon is a good example. They have Predator put their name on the shaft and everybody's happy. :smile:
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BOOM! Tramp coming in with the slam dunk!
 
I'm pretty sure there is a bigger "nipple" on my Schon Predator compared to other 5/16 X 14 shafts...
 
The joint should not really affect the hit. I have a Schon and a Hoppe Titlist, the shafts interchange, both are metal joints. They do not even come close to hitting the same regardless of what shaft is on either butt. The Titlist hits much nicer for some reason and I am a huge fan of Schon cues. I have a D19 McDermott with a composite joint that hits very similar to my Titlist/Predator combo with a metal piloted joint, which is my favorite hitting combo. The only thing I do not like about my Titlist is its not a conversion so it has the fat butt, so that makes my D19 my player.
 
ChicagoRJ said:
Lyn,

Part of the problem, and seems to be your perception as well. Nobody, at any time, or anywhere, stated the LD shafts are the "end all". They are another piece of equipment that some folks prefer, and gives them another option.

Some folks like standard, some like LD. If folks shoot just fine with standard, great for them.

SW and others do NOT have to change because the market if still a majority of standard shafts, so why would they bother. If someone choses to play with a custom cue, they can buy the LD shaft afterwards. No need for SW and other custom cues to worry about it. But at the same time, some very prominent cue makers have the option of both... which is good business sense.

If you are gong to buy his $2K cue and he can then up sell you a LD shaft for $200, why not keep that money in house, versus your customer paying someone else for the LD shaft.. plus, he can fit it when he's building the cue, another advantage for the customer. It's kinda win/win.
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RJ,

Interesting take. If that was really the best answer, why do sooooo many posters on AZ trumpet the use of LD shafts? Some question how many pro's really use the LD shafts of the manufacturers whom they represent. Some state the LD shaft is far superior to a standard shaft. Some said to use a specific aiming system, an LD shaft is required. Frankly I still believe it's all marketing anyway. Perhaps Schon, Southwest and others don't make LD shafts as they find no advantage in manufacturing a me too product. In the end, it's the 5" space between the ears that makes or breaks the player. Not the equipment. JMHO.

Lyn
 
hmmm

Hate to be that guy but I'm willing to trade my predator w/ shaft for a Schon If anybody has a line help me out! I really can't afford to buy a new cue because I'm gonna be a dad in November =]

Also in terms LD or not to a pro its not going to matter. In terms of a beginner, it might make the learning curve easier when you using a lot of English. For me, It helps a lot when shooting shots with inside.
 
ChicagoRJ said:
Lyn,
Part of the problem, and seems to be your perception as well. Nobody, at any time, or anywhere, stated the LD shafts are the "end all". They are another piece of equipment that some folks prefer, and gives them another option.
Some folks like standard, some like LD. If folks shoot just fine with standard, great for them.
SW and others do NOT have to change because the market if still a majority of standard shafts, so why would they bother. If someone choses to play with a custom cue, they can buy the LD shaft afterwards. No need for SW and other custom cues to worry about it. But at the same time, some very prominent cue makers have the option of both... which is good business sense.
If you are gong to buy his $2K cue and he can then up sell you a LD shaft for $200, why not keep that money in house, versus your customer paying someone else for the LD shaft.. plus, he can fit it when he's building the cue, another advantage for the customer. It's kinda win/win.
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I gotta agree with RJ, again, LDs aren't for everyone. Once you get used to one it's hard to go back, though. Kind of like redheads back to blondes.
I've been using a Predator for over 10 years now. When I bought my last Schon, a few months ago, I tried using the stock shaft and just couldn't do it. I put it away after a week and got a Predator/Schon 314-2. Happy days were here again. :smile:
 
I play with an STL-2 and have an unchalked Predator Schon in my case, I am using the original shaft right now. I posted a year ago about trying LD shafts and got some great replies, which consisted mainly of taking lessons, which I have, and I have a lot to work on. Once I get a better handle on my own stroke, I'll likely try the Predator...or who knows maybe I won't. Time will tell.
 
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