What would you suggest?

Matt Stockman

Matt Stockman

give me the 7 & a whiskey
Silver Member
Hello to everybody.

Its been a while since I've consulted the collective billiard brain trust here on the pool forums. I've been spending most of my time reading, enjoying, and learning from all of your posts - thankyou for feeding my addiction.

Anyhow, I do have a question, and I was hoping y'all could lay a little knowledge on me.

My current cue (Carolina custom with a gullyassy SPT 12.75 shaft, 5/16-14 piloted steel joint, and a moori medium tip) has been great for me. I enjoy the hit with both the carolina and the gully shafts, but Ive been getting the Itch!! I want something new and different.

My style of playing has recently become very finnese oriented. I like to hit a lot of shots medium soft and Ive been working on really hitting the pockets right with a subdued stroke whenever possible. This is due mostly in part to my gaffy-a$$ GCIII with 4.5 inch corners and shimmed sides. The damn table spits balls like an olhausen.

Anyhow, my question is: What combination of wood, joint, ferrul, and tip would best compliment a finesse style of play? Im thinking my price range will be $500-900.

As always..thanks in advance fellas. Love this place

Regards,
Matt
 
My level of play is probably not up to yours.....but I too have been working on precision position play. My decision to use the OB-2 shafts has proven to be a wise choice. I have never experienced the delight of being able to shoot softly with such precision before this. i also use the moori med, tips......this shaft, with these tips, on my Schon, have dramatically changed my game for the better. You already use a smaller diameter tip....I am not familiar with the shafts you mention....so there may be little difference in switching......but gawd I love em.......Dan
 
Thanks for your input Dan...I will have to try out an OB1 shaft next time I have the opportunity
 
The OB-1 has a 12.75mm tip.....the OB-2 has a 11.75 mm tip.....I think the tip size on the OB-1 is what you already use....or very close to it....the OB-2 gives increased spin w/o sacrificing accuracy due to the low deflection shaft......Dan
 
Let me start off by saying that I'm not nearly as knowledgeable or enthusiastic about cues as many people here...I'm more of an "Indian over arrow" thinker.

That said, I think the finesse style is really only useful on perfect tables. On anything less, it's usually better to use a firmer "punch" stroke, to take away some of the table's ability to affect your shot.

I've been playing for quite a few years now, and have only seen a handful of perfect tables. I've had probably thousands of balls roll off that would have gone...until I smartened up, and stopped letting the table have so much control over the outcome of my shots.

I'm not saying to smack every shot like you're mad at the ball, but it DOES help to give it a little "pop", imo.
 
for what its worth, i also picked up an ob-2 after having a few quality control issues with predators z2 shafts. IMHO, this is the most solid hitting low deflection shaft on the market. i-2 ,z,z2,...they all play well enough, but the "feel" I get from the ob2 is truely impressive! Let a few of my teammates hit with my schon and they all just placed orders for thier own OB shaft!
also, I have a billy webb cue that has old maple shafts and plays lights out! Stiff hitting, and low defection! so, in that aspect... if you dont want an ob-2 you can always get with a good cue maker and have him make you a cue to your specs that should perform exactly as intended! just my 2 cents :)
good luck on your search for more billiard attire!
shoot straight
Moose
 
the420trooper said:
Let me start off by saying that I'm not nearly as knowledgeable or enthusiastic about cues as many people here...I'm more of an "Indian over arrow" thinker.

That said, I think the finesse style is really only useful on perfect tables. On anything less, it's usually better to use a firmer "punch" stroke, to take away some of the table's ability to affect your shot.

I've been playing for quite a few years now, and have only seen a handful of perfect tables. I've had probably thousands of balls roll off that would have gone...until I smartened up, and stopped letting the table have so much control over the outcome of my shots.

I'm not saying to smack every shot like you're mad at the ball, but it DOES help to give it a little "pop", imo.
Click to expand...


I guess I should clarify my definition of finesse a little bit. I'm not slow rolling every shot. I play regularly on enough bartables with the mudball to know that doesnt get you anywhere. I guess my recent epiphany would be better described as "wiseing up to the benefits of finesse".

What I consider finesse you all may just consider common sense. And if so, I'm glad Im part of that club now. I mean, I've really noticed the benefit of hitting shots softly when there isn't a lot of pocket to work with; of picking simple shapes and patterns, and most importantly, of not cutting the cue ball loose with massive stroke shots unless there is no other option.

I still like to load up when I need to. Im not afraid to use inside, go three rails, or punish the back of the pocket if I need to let my stroke out. I've just found that keeping it simple and focusing on the feel of the cue and the contact its making with the cue ball has really helped my game. I equate it to golf. I play my best golf when I get in a good rhythm and try to feel that sweet nothing sensation of good contact. Ive found a well struck pool shot is very much the same feeling. I guess thats what I was after...the best combination in a cue that could enhance that feeling. I understand that's pretty subjective, but I always enjoy reading peoples opinions.

thanks for all the input thus far.
 
Obviously there are plenty of options open to you. My one suggestion would be to get your hands on a cue with a radial pin joint that screws directly into the wood of the shaft. I have a similar finesse style game, and switched to that joint several years ago and love the feel of it.

Steve
 
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