I have read a lot of forums and heard that certain pro's use Predator or OB-1. What I would like to know is which shaft do the pro's really use when they are playing. I would really like to know if their names are just on the product to incease sales or do they relly play with these various shafts.
Which shaft do the pro's really use
- Thread starter pool1027
- Start date
Endorcement
I would think that like any sport if you endorce a product there is something in the contract that would state you have to use the product while on TV, or in public. In other words I think they would have to play with that product in pro matches cause that is what the endorsement people pay you to do. However, I am pretty sure if they want a custom shaft from predator they get it. They probably get whatever they want with the endorsement name slaped on it, and everyone would look and go oh he shoots with a predator, or whatever the product may be.
I know that in the NBA Jordan and Shaq and all them will get shoes that they have actually told Nike and Reebok what they have wanted. Then Nike and Reebok makes a similar replica and sells it as the Jordan's or the Shaq's, etc.
I am pretty sure that goes on in all sports.
I would think that like any sport if you endorce a product there is something in the contract that would state you have to use the product while on TV, or in public. In other words I think they would have to play with that product in pro matches cause that is what the endorsement people pay you to do. However, I am pretty sure if they want a custom shaft from predator they get it. They probably get whatever they want with the endorsement name slaped on it, and everyone would look and go oh he shoots with a predator, or whatever the product may be.
I know that in the NBA Jordan and Shaq and all them will get shoes that they have actually told Nike and Reebok what they have wanted. Then Nike and Reebok makes a similar replica and sells it as the Jordan's or the Shaq's, etc.
I am pretty sure that goes on in all sports.
For whatever reasons, I've found that in general, that info is very hard to
obtain.
I wouldn't neccesarily say pro's try to keep it a secret but they hardly go out of there way to discuss such matters.
obtain.
I wouldn't neccesarily say pro's try to keep it a secret but they hardly go out of there way to discuss such matters.
I would say.. Pros normally use predator shafts as they are sponsored by Predator. I never really hear pros using OB-1 shafts. Heard some pros using Tiger X-shafts though.
From what I know, 2004 World Pool Champion Alex Pagulayan uses a Schon Butt with a Predator 314 shaft and 2005 World Pool Champion Wu Chia Ching uses a Predator 314 shaft for breaking.
From what I know, 2004 World Pool Champion Alex Pagulayan uses a Schon Butt with a Predator 314 shaft and 2005 World Pool Champion Wu Chia Ching uses a Predator 314 shaft for breaking.
pool1027 said:
If a pro is not using a conventional shaft, chances are they're using a Predator.
Manolo came over here on his own last year, unsponsored, and he had a Predator cue. He came into our room so I saw it close up, a 314 shaft. The cue was originally made for efremn who didn't like it. On a table with 3 7/8" corners he missed 2 or 3 balls in a race to 11. Since then he's done pretty well I would say.
Predators are popular with pros for real. My ideal set-up after a lot of experimenting is a Predator shaft with Tiger tips, either the Sniper or Everest.
http://www.predatorcues.com/predator_cues_pros.html
Chris
Shane VanB. uses an OB1. I'd never seen one, untill I saw his at the Windy City Open in January.Rattlesnake said:
Tracy
shafts are are simply a matter of personal preference as to what amount of "feel" you are looking for. Amount of deflection,stiffness,feel, etc.. are all personal choices and only the player knows what feels best to he or she. as for playing certain shafts(predator,ob1) and others the player is probably compensated by the maker of the product for using the product IN PUBLIC. I was a golf professinal for many years and can tell you that is the way golf club manufacturers operate. Golf professinals arew just like pool pros in that they can play at an ultra high level with all of the major manufacturers equipment, so in most cases the decision comes down to a financial decision. It is widely known tht Taylor Made golf has paid their players more than other club manufacturers for years to play their drivers. While all the man. pay their playes to play their equipment, Taylor Made started it all with their campaign. Callaway golf, about 4 years ago, offered men and women players on the pga and lpga tours 3000 dollars per week to play theirnew(at the time) big bertha 11 driver. if you finished in the top ten that week you received 10000 extra and if you actually won the event you were given an extra100000. Now while these numbers arent typical of most endorsment contracts it is how companys get players to play their products in tournaments where everyone(cameras) will see their product. the top players like tiger ,phil, ernie els , etc... change equipment companies every 3 to 5 years for the endorsement money not because they like the new equipment BETTER but because they can play equally as well with the new companys equipment.(everyone knows that tiger played titleist all of his life and signed with nike for the money) he still putts with a titleist putter and used titleist wedges for years after the change before nike designers could get them"right" mickelson left titleist for callaway for 6 million a year . im sure the money in pool player endorsment arent close to these but i can promise you that the top players play at almost the exact same speed with any of the top equipment.
NYC cue dude
Banned
thorsten plays with a $300 lucasi (butt) and a universal smart shaft, both owned by lucasi. Thorsten was breaking with a predator during the last ipt event and jim lucas went crazy and thorsten switched to lucasi break, mid tournament.
Marlon now plays with a $15k ivory handled pfd that is stunning, with a 314 predator shaft, but is now considereing switching to a z shaft.
if youhave any other questions, i'd be happy to try and help.
rg
Marlon now plays with a $15k ivory handled pfd that is stunning, with a 314 predator shaft, but is now considereing switching to a z shaft.
if youhave any other questions, i'd be happy to try and help.
rg
Thorsten Hohmann uses the Universal Smart Shaft, not sure who else does...
http://www.universalsmartshaft.com/
http://www.universalsmartshaft.com/
As far as other sports go, most top tennis and basketball players get their sneakers custom made by their sponsors (Nike), they do not buy off the rack. As far as tennis racquets go, there is a story about a major player, Agassi, I believe, that was using another manufacturers' racquet that was custom painted to appear as if was the one he endorsed. Top pool players deserve the same benefits from their sponsors as their counterparts recieve in other sports.
I switched to a Predator Z shaft for my playing cue about a year and a half ago and I won't use anything else. I have a 314 for my break cue. The shafts perform better than anything else I have ever used. Call me crazy, but I see a new Predator Z 2 in my future - and while I am talking about it, don't buy a Predator from anyone else except Platinum Billiards (Shane Sinnott). Shane worked for Predator and he has extensive knowledge about all of their products and he can get you the BEST deals also. The people at Predator in Jacksonville are some of the nicest people in the billiards industry - especially Karim Belhaj - he is the coolest CEO you will ever meet!
Seyberts
Hey Seyberts also has a guy working for them that is still working for predator, so you can get awesome deals through them. Neil is the guy that is working for Predator, and you see him all the time in their forum. Very knowledgable and can get you whatever you want from Predator. I have yet to have a bad experience with Seyberts.
Hey Seyberts also has a guy working for them that is still working for predator, so you can get awesome deals through them. Neil is the guy that is working for Predator, and you see him all the time in their forum. Very knowledgable and can get you whatever you want from Predator. I have yet to have a bad experience with Seyberts.
Shane from platinum billiards is a very nice guy, I have bought 2 predators from him before. Got good deals and some free stuff when the order took longer. You can get OB-1 shafts from him as well.
Nielson billiards is another good place to buy, very fast, great deals.
Nielson billiards is another good place to buy, very fast, great deals.
Max Eberle was promoting predator shafts back in 2000 when I first met him. He couldn't say enough good things about them, so I bought one for my Scruggs at the time and was pretty impressed. I've used one ever since.
Alex P. has used a 314 on his Schon for years. I've heard through "good" sources that Buddy Hall uses one on his Lucasi, and Nick Varner uses one on his "Nick Varner" cue.
Alex P. has used a 314 on his Schon for years. I've heard through "good" sources that Buddy Hall uses one on his Lucasi, and Nick Varner uses one on his "Nick Varner" cue.
Max still uses a 314, although 6 months ago or so I was talking to him about the Universal Smart Shaft and he sung praises about it as well (unendorsed, even)
Matt_24 said:
Alex P. has used a 314 on his Schon for years. I've heard through "good" sources that Buddy Hall uses one on his Lucasi, and Nick Varner uses one on his "Nick Varner" cue.[/QUOTE]
Buddy Hall, last two times I saw him play was using a bludworth, I think, and he was using the Showman cue made for his hall of fame induction. Also I don't think Buddy likes laminated shafts for playing anyway, if my sources are correct and if I'm taking what I heard from Buddys own mouth he has Dennis Searing tweak his cues when he gets them, new shafts and such. Jeremy Jones also has Dennis Tweak his cues I beleave, atleast he did when he was playing with Olivier custom cues, I'm sure he's had Dennis do this to his cues since. Straight Grain Maple for those two gentle men.
Corey Deuel, predator all the way. I would like to know what tip he uses, He's the only person I've ever seen that can consistanly jump with his predator shaft. Everyone else has a hard time doing that.
Bryan Fisher
Buddy Hall, last two times I saw him play was using a bludworth, I think, and he was using the Showman cue made for his hall of fame induction. Also I don't think Buddy likes laminated shafts for playing anyway, if my sources are correct and if I'm taking what I heard from Buddys own mouth he has Dennis Searing tweak his cues when he gets them, new shafts and such. Jeremy Jones also has Dennis Tweak his cues I beleave, atleast he did when he was playing with Olivier custom cues, I'm sure he's had Dennis do this to his cues since. Straight Grain Maple for those two gentle men.
Corey Deuel, predator all the way. I would like to know what tip he uses, He's the only person I've ever seen that can consistanly jump with his predator shaft. Everyone else has a hard time doing that.
Bryan Fisher