9-Ball
Topic: Just got my first Predator shaft!

I bought a Viking F73 a few months ago (first cue) and I've played a lot of hours with it, but it hasn't really lit my fire when it comes to playing with it. It's a lovely looking cue, with a very simple and understated design, but I just didn't feel like I was hitting the cue ball well... even when I was.

Anyway, I'd met up with some guys the other week for a few games and one of them had a Predator cue he was selling for a friend, with a Z shaft, so he let me have a few racks to see what I thought. I was stunned by how much more feel it gave and how it seemed to create a direct connection between my brain and the cue ball.

I went back to my normal cue and I've hardly had the heart to pick it up over the last 2 weeks... all because I knew that today I was going to take delivery of a brand new Predator Z2 shaft for my Viking baby. I played for about an hour this afternoon with my old shaft (while I waited for my delivery and then it was time to change.

I can't believe how either the Z2 is absolutely superb or the standard Viking shaft/tip combination isn't, because I instantly got that feeling back. OK, so you can put loads of side on the ball with much less compensation for deflection, which takes some adjusting to, but even when playing stock shots the feel and accuracy is phenomenal. I suppose this shaft alone cost as much my entire cue did, but I never expected such a massive improvement.

I think that a harder, smaller tip has also had a big part to play in the difference, as I come from a snooker background... but who cares... I'm in love again...

I'd always had a pretty good pot, but needed work on the transition to 9-ball. It just wasn't working with the Viking shaft though and I was starting to lose confidence, as I just wasn't getting a feel for the balls. After a couple of hours with the Z2 my confidence is right back and I can't wait to get back on the table tomorrow!

Watch out for the Huskler in a pool hall near you soon!

Next on the shopping list...

1 - A set of Aramith balls
2 - A Predator BK2

Is it Christmas yet?

Yes the pred shafts are really that good IMO.

I have a Meucci that came with a black dot shaft which was just a shower or S-H-I-T-E the silly skinny shaft just felt so weak on certain shots and even made a plinky sound too sometimes.

And that long Ferrule what the hells that all about.

Like many people i'm sure i got the meucci as i thought it was a pretty decent cue and was fairly expensive to a new american pool player.

I couldn't believe how bad it was and thought all was lost until i got that 1st 314 shaft.

Wow it totally changed the cue...Balance/Feel/Control awesome.

Since that one i have a Z and now use a Z2 which i like the default tip on it.

The cue now gives a great soft hit on it so you can feel the shot easily.

I would highly recommend people who don't have pred shafts to have a go with one.

One thing that also is worth mentioning though is that although you can get a pred shaft the joint type of the cue can make a big difference to the hit of the shot too.

Phenolic on Phenolic is best for me i have tried a predator P2 cue and the hit was very stiff and a touch clunky i felt.

Defo get a good set of aramiths like the TV ones and don't be tempted to get a set of nasty IPT balls as they are dull i think and don't play the same.

Break cue's are overrated i think and anything with a decent solid tip/ferrule should suffice. I use my old 314 shaft on a cheapo 15 quid buffalo butt and it works great!!!

By the way i'm thinking about selling the spare Z shaft i have if anyone is interested and has a meucci?

Big Dave perhaps LOL :p

Bottom line, don't get suckered into paying top dollar for fancy looking cue unless...

a.) You have lots of money anyway
b.) You have tried it out already and like it!

As you just might regret it.

what joint does your spare z shaft have?

I am considering buying a p2 in the near future but don't know which is the better shaft, someone i have spoken to recently has told me the z2 is better for people with a snooker background which i don't have. therefor has advised me to stick with the 314. can anyone offer any further advise, also which is the best tip for it?

It will be the most i have ever spent on a cue (or anything else for that matter) and am really unsure what i am best to get so any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I started out with a Z shaft with my pred cue and didnt like it at all, no much room for error with such a small tip and the amount of spin you can put on the ball, the 314 is alot more user friendly imo as you don't need to be so accurate on every shot, if possible try both and see what you prefer.

My standard Viking shaft had a 13mm tip, whereas the Z2 has a 11.75mm tip, so there's just over 1mm in it, although the taper is slightly different too. If you're not sure try the 2nd generation 314 and the Z2 back to back, but personally I love the smaller tip. I have played a lot of snooker before turning to 9-ball, but I think it's purely down to personal preference.

I got my Z2 via Rico Diks and he uses a Z shaft on his cue, so if it's good enough for him...



Simmo... I know that it's almost impossible to try different shafts when buying in the UK (hence why I went for a stock Viking), so if you're anywhere near West London I'm happy to let you have a hit with the Z2 to see what you think. If you're not in the area you might find someone closer to you that will let you try theirs, but once you've hit a few shots be prepared to part with a large lump of cash!

On 2007-06-12 01:45 , simmo77 Wrote:

Where are you simmo? I play with a P2 with a 314 and moori medium. More than happy for you to have a hit with it (my spare shaft that is ) if you're nearby.

GAZ1210,

I'm not entirely sure on the exacts spec of the joints but what i will say is that i think it fits older meucci's better than the newer ones.

On some newer ones the shaft can potentially have a slight amount of overlap when flush against the butt.

What is your Meucci? mine's a 97-12

Thanks for the advice guys, i live in Derby. The offers to have a hit with your cues are much appreciated. At the moment i am a couple of months away from my purchase as i am waiting for a payout on a recent accident. When i am closer am i ok to send you a pm nick and meet up one weekend? is it rileys you play at? Thanks also huskler but London is a bit far, still a kind offer though..

In about a six weeks i am hoping to run a tournament in Nottingham on a Sunday, if any of you are interested this would be a good opportunity for me to have a hit if anyone there has a predator.

I'll bring a few from Mansfield mate.....

On 2007-06-12 15:40 , simmo77 Wrote:

Sure no probs - or even at the Nottingham thing if I could attend.

I will keep you informed about the comp, not sure when yet as i am having an operation on my hand tomorrow and am unsure how long before i can play again. I will speak to the manager in the next couple of weeks and hopefully get something sorted for around the end of July (hand permitting!) Not sure if anyone is familiar with the Nottingham club but i think that the tables are as good as i have seen at any Rileys.