When it comes to choosing a shaft, Is deflection the only factor?
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CajunPopeye
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Taper, is one preference folks will point out. Diameter at the tip is another. For me, the collar style (both my Joss cues have dashed rings, which you don't find at various websites).
To me deflection is #1 because the entire aim has to be adjusted if it's different than what you are used to. I've gone from more adjustment to less adjustment over the years, and been happy with that difference. I can't imagine ever going in the other direction.
Slighty off topic, last night I picked up my opponent's cue to hit a few shots. I'm 6-3, he's probably 5-4 or so (he's 16 years old). It had a SS joint and we were on a table with Predator Arena lights (YUK!). As soon as I got down to take a shot, that rectangular glaring light reflected off of the SS joint right into my eyes. I tried a few shots and each was the same. I asked him how he could shoot like that. He said it does't reflect on him. I guess due to our heights the reflection was completely different.
In 30 years of playing pool, and I did have a cue with a SS joint for a few years, I've never experienced this. I guess those horrible lights, plus the SS joint, plus my height, were the perfect combo.
In 30 years of playing pool, and I did have a cue with a SS joint for a few years, I've never experienced this. I guess those horrible lights, plus the SS joint, plus my height, were the perfect combo.
Why the hate for the Arena light? (Aside from the weird issue with the SS joint). A pool hall in my general area installed them and they are way better than what was there before. The lightning seemed good to me.
I had the same feeling, but got tired of fixing the little dings on the wooden shaft. eventually I was able to let go of the "Hit" of a wooden shaft...
there is some feel difference that you will get used to anyway if played for awhile.
otherwise looks if that matters to you
and material if that has a preference with you.
deflection is a very small issue if you know how to play. but it is important for those that seem to succumb to advertising.
most players have a ferrel size and tip size they like
and joint but cannot really tell the difference.
when people are learning to intermediate they tend to agonize over equipment needlessly. human nature at work.
otherwise looks if that matters to you
and material if that has a preference with you.
deflection is a very small issue if you know how to play. but it is important for those that seem to succumb to advertising.
most players have a ferrel size and tip size they like
and joint but cannot really tell the difference.
when people are learning to intermediate they tend to agonize over equipment needlessly. human nature at work.
I like a cue that has forward weight however that is mostly controlled in the butt. I also like a short, light weight ferrule. If you are judging a wood shaft, I want a very straight grain, and close grain wood without any blemishes. And a wood to wood joint.
No, I also factor in
-Taper
-Feel/feedback
-Price
-Wood to wood joint. Stainless steel collars look cool but I prefer a softer hit.
So far, the Meucci The Pro is my favorite shaft, the long pro taper is great and it seems to be pretty low deflection. Based off the fact I can use maximum sidespin on close shots with little to no adjustment.
The deflection levels of CF shafts and modern wood shafts aren't likely to be thaaaat different between each other and you would need to run tests to determine the exact level of deflection anyway.
-Taper
-Feel/feedback
-Price
-Wood to wood joint. Stainless steel collars look cool but I prefer a softer hit.
So far, the Meucci The Pro is my favorite shaft, the long pro taper is great and it seems to be pretty low deflection. Based off the fact I can use maximum sidespin on close shots with little to no adjustment.
The deflection levels of CF shafts and modern wood shafts aren't likely to be thaaaat different between each other and you would need to run tests to determine the exact level of deflection anyway.
I hate them with a passion. They blind me when I'm down on a shot, and also when I'm just walking around the room not even playing. Their diffusers let half the light go sideways into my eyes. The egg-crate style diffusers on the Littman and Diamond and even the Gold Crown lights from the 2000's control the light much better, letting it go down but not sideways.Why the hate for the Arena light? (Aside from the weird issue with the SS joint). A pool hall in my general area installed them and they are way better than what was there before. The lightning seemed good to me.
i dont want my light at home to be too bight as when out the lights are rarely even close to bright enough.
the balls look different at different kinds and brightness of lights.
practicing in a very dim lit place helps your overall aiming for when out and about.
the balls look different at different kinds and brightness of lights.
practicing in a very dim lit place helps your overall aiming for when out and about.
I have 4 Schons with the stainless joint. I have a 2x6 led light at home with egg crate diffusers, and shoot two leagues, one with Predator style arena lights and one with what looks to be a figure 8 style light. I don't like the figure 8 style light, but on to the stainless joint, I'm 6'2" and have never noticed a glare on the stainless joint.
As to shafts, weight, diameter, and balance are most important, also a reasonably low deflection, but I don't feel you have to have the least as as long as it is somewhat low, just get used to it. The joint match, whether it has one ring two rings or matches means nothing to me.
As to shafts, weight, diameter, and balance are most important, also a reasonably low deflection, but I don't feel you have to have the least as as long as it is somewhat low, just get used to it. The joint match, whether it has one ring two rings or matches means nothing to me.
somethin wrong with you.
i'm 6-2ish and used nothing but steel for years. NEVER had a light reflection issue. you just make shit up as you go or what??
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I think it was because the lights are outbound of the table, and were lining up with the joint is my guess. I've never had anything like that happen before. I played a steel joint cue for about 5 years in the early 2000's.somethin wrong with you.