Variations of HIT and FEEL - Predator Shaft

[HawaiianEye]

From everything I have heard about cues, including from NAME cue makers, the majority of the "playability/feel" of a cue and its associated transfer of energy comes from the shaft, to include ferrule, and tip.

Assuming that is the case and that Predator shafts all play very similar, then theoretically MOST cue butts attached to the same Predator shaft should play similarly.

If that is the case, then altering the shaft's taper, changing the ferrule and/or tip (or any combination thereof) should all change the playing characteristics of the cue.

With that being said, how many people have "altered" their Predator shafts to get a "different" effect than that which you get from a "stock" Predator? I'm talking about changing it for a different playing "characteristic" as opposed to maybe making the shaft a bit thinner because you have smaller hands.

I like the taper of Predator shafts (except the Z2), but I'm not overly impressed with the tip that comes with them (Everest, I believe). I just ordered a couple Kamui Black SS tips and will be replacing the one on my cue as soon as they get here.

A couple of my pals at the pool room have those tips on their cues with Predator shafts and their tips play "lights out" better than the tip that came with the shaft I use. I like to play with as little English as possible, but I also like to have the ability to "rev it up" if I need to put extreme English on the ball. The Everest top isn't the most reliable if you are working the outside edges of the cueball...the Kamui Black SS gives an extra adherence between the tip and cueball that makes these types of shots more forgiving should you hit a little off where you were aiming.

I have yet to try a Predator shaft with a "hard" tip, or a different ferrule, so I'm not sure how that would play.

Would like to hear experiences from anyone who has experimented with these shafts.

Aloha and have a nice weekend.

 

[JohnPT]

Not exactly the answer you are looking for but you might want to look at the S-tuned Z2 shaft available through Seyberts.

Here is the link http://www.seyberts.com/index.php?p=product&id=103948

If I am not mistaken they change the Z2 taper to that of a 314-2.

I shoot with a Z2 myself and I like the original taper just fine. I've never tried the Z2 tuned but I think maybe a pro taper on that thin a shaft would just make it whippy.

Now as for the the tip, I still have the original Everest on it. I don't think it's holding me back any. Although I do plan on changing it to an Ultraskin later on, the Everest is more than capable for how I play now.

 

[Gerry]

Aloha to you!

I hear what you are asking, and from my experience....if you do nothing to a predator shaft but screw it onto another cue....it will play very much the same. I have re-tapered "tech" shafts to try to get a differing hit.....mostly it would alter the hit very little.

Try changing tips....I use Talisman soft tips on all my cues....It seems to be the closest hit to a broken in LePro, and will last for EVER!

I see you are from Hawaii...if you surf....I liken this thread to surfing and boards. Take your favorite board and change out the fins.....it is still the same board, but will feel slightly different....My favorite board is an old school twinny fish with 2- 7" fins.....BUT if I set it up as a quad for big days.....same board, but different speed!

G.

 

[Straightpool_99]

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[DanielDeTinne]

Not sure if this will help you. I play with a McDermott. It came with a G core shaft. I had been playing with a McDermott with a Maple shaft prior to that. As soon as I started playing with the G core shaft my game got worse. I played with it for six weeks and was about to give up with it.
I decided to take it to Keith Josey as he lives very close to me. Keith dropped the diameter to 12.5 and extended the taper to fit me better after watching my stroke a few times. He also resealed and smoothed it.
After I got it back it played night and day different. Much better. I can't really describe the difference in feel. Just to say it feels so much better when I stroke. It plays so much better and I have seen an improvement in my game as I play more with it. It has been about 3 months sense I had it done.