Update on forward balanced cue questions...

[jrctherake]

I like the way you think Sir!
I also built a “tester” although I didn’t have as graceful a design as yours.
Took an old (cheap-chit) mizerak that I liked the slim handle of, and cut at a joint,added a weight, reglued..
Made a nice bit of difference, and then added a joint to make it break in the forearm for a jump-cue, also adding weight back towards the butt below that pin...
Back and forth, & found that it is a MAJOR improvement to me when there is a bit of “front balance”.
Of course I am a short guy 5’7” so the idea of it being different for taller heights had never occurred to me.

Love this site!

Dennis O told me he played with a 56" one piece cue as a teenager.

He said that cue played better than any other cue he has used since.

I ask him why didn't he have another made like it.

He said..."I didn't have that one made. It was a house cue that had been broke during a bar fight".

I remember asking again and he said it was to much trouble to travel with a one piece cue.

I also remember thinking that at his level of play, pretty much any cue would do and I could see him not wanting to go through all the hassle of a one piece when he is a world beater with what ever cue he picks up.

Having said that, us mortals has to be a little more particular about our cues if we want to play at a very high level..... even then it's iffy.

 

[WoodyJ]

100%. I was out of pool for 14 years and when I got back into it I figured it had been so long maybe my preferences had changed, they did. I bought some cues trying to find out what I liked. Only by trying a ton of cues did I figure out my preferred weight and balance - oddly enough, I didn't even know at the time that's what I was gauging, I just bought cues and found what I liked and only later did I learn about the intricacies of balance points.

Similar here. Bought my first stick at 14 (17.3 oz. used custom from the pool hall manager for a great price-- he was often my stakehorse so he wanted me to be properly equipped, plus he was tired of holding my house stick behind the counter for me). I disliked any other house stick with a weight bolt in it, so when using house sticks elsewhere, I always picked the lightest (with a good tip).

Layed off pool for 40 years. Played with my kid stick again but wanted to upgrade. Contacted a cue maker. He sent me a form to fill out the specs I wanted. I had no clue.

Bought a bunch of used custom sticks here on the for-sale forum (for the price of a new custom). All play well but I found that I preferred the more forward balanced ones. Weight didn't matter.