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new cue....ADVICE PLEASE!!! |
glossopscratcher
Home away from home Joined: 02-Sep-2006 Posts: 344
From: manchester
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Posted: 2007-12-26 22:24
im back at uni now so i dont have loads of spare money but i know i need to a get new cue to help with the improvement of my game
so when 08 starts im going to get one
BUDGET - ive got 85 quid tops (not a lot to most people but its all i can afford) seen a lucassi one online for 84 quid but not sure
any advice would be great!!.......cheers
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DaveMc
Just can't stay away Joined: 10-Apr-2006 Posts: 127
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Posted: 2007-12-26 22:33
Lucasi isnt bad and you can add a predator shaft etc to it at a later date. There are some proper bargains about with cues on clearance/in xmas + new year sales.
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glossopscratcher
Home away from home Joined: 02-Sep-2006 Posts: 344
From: manchester
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Posted: 2007-12-26 22:41
cheers mate
sales as in what shop? online or high street do u mean??
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Str0ker
Just can't stay away Joined: 29-Sep-2006 Posts: 85
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Posted: 2007-12-26 23:36
to be honest, might be more worthwhile getting a predator shaft that fits your butt instead of a new cue. since the 314 2 shafts came out, might find someone willing to sell a decent used 314 shaft for that money. that's the bit of the cue that does the business, not the butt end which is what costs the most in many cues. [ This message was edited by: Str0ker on 2007-12-26 23:37 ]
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TheWizard
Home away from home Joined: 18-Mar-2006 Posts: 823
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Posted: 2007-12-27 02:53
Firdt of all, all this "Get a predator 314/ZShaft" malarky is all fine and good if you are used to a predator shaft, but realisticly, there is no point in just going and getting a particular type of shaft, when you may not have tried it before, therefore you don't know if that particular type of cue/shaft is suited to that particular person's style of play, and also a predator shaft is more for snooker/marbles players who are used to the stiffer ash shaft snooker cues where there isn't as much deflection, as there is in a maple shaft. The best thing that I can recommend to you GS, is to take the time to contact any local billiard supply stores in your area, and ask them if they have any cues that can be tried out on a table at their store and if they have, then take the time to go there and try as many cues out within your budget as you can and pick whichever cue feels best suited to you and that you shoot best with.... One thing to remember though is, when you're trying out a cuestick, most stores won't allow you to chalk the cue tip whilst testing a cue stick out and you'll only be able to use centre ball hits, but this is much better as you'll be able to get the full feel how that particular cue hits, and so, this will be better in the long run, as you will be able to notice the difference in each cue and therefore have a better idea of how you want a cue stick to hit and feel like, when shooting  Another thing to remember is the joint material, a stainless Steel joint gives a solid and stiff type hit, whereas a pheonolic joint will give a softer and smoother hit, the type of hit can also vary between joint pins used in the cue, but don't worry about that for now, as that kind of detail can be looked at on a later time, if/when you wish to upgrade cue sticks again  I hope that this helps in some way or another and if I can be of any more help, you're welcome to ask anytime  Good luck in finding the perfect cue stick that is suited to you and your game  Willie ----------------- If ya got 'em, smoke 'em [ This message was edited by: TheWizard on 2007-12-27 03:03 ]
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glossopscratcher
Home away from home Joined: 02-Sep-2006 Posts: 344
From: manchester
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Posted: 2007-12-27 13:14
On 2007-12-27 02:53 , TheWizard Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! Firdt of all, all this "Get a predator 314/ZShaft" malarky is all fine and good if you are used to a predator shaft, but realisticly, there is no point in just going and getting a particular type of shaft, when you may not have tried it before, therefore you don't know if that particular type of cue/shaft is suited to that particular person's style of play, and also a predator shaft is more for snooker/marbles players who are used to the stiffer ash shaft snooker cues where there isn't as much deflection, as there is in a maple shaft.
The best thing that I can recommend to you GS, is to take the time to contact any local billiard supply stores in your area, and ask them if they have any cues that can be tried out on a table at their store and if they have, then take the time to go there and try as many cues out within your budget as you can and pick whichever cue feels best suited to you and that you shoot best with....
One thing to remember though is, when you're trying out a cuestick, most stores won't allow you to chalk the cue tip whilst testing a cue stick out and you'll only be able to use centre ball hits, but this is much better as you'll be able to get the full feel how that particular cue hits, and so, this will be better in the long run, as you will be able to notice the difference in each cue and therefore have a better idea of how you want a cue stick to hit and feel like, when shooting 
Another thing to remember is the joint material, a stainless Steel joint gives a solid and stiff type hit, whereas a pheonolic joint will give a softer and smoother hit, the type of hit can also vary between joint pins used in the cue, but don't worry about that for now, as that kind of detail can be looked at on a later time, if/when you wish to upgrade cue sticks again 
I hope that this helps in some way or another and if I can be of any more help, you're welcome to ask anytime 
Good luck in finding the perfect cue stick that is suited to you and your game 
Willie
thanks a lot wizard some reallly good advice there, some in n outs of a cue i didnt realise made such a difference wish i had 100's of pounds for a cue but ill take this advice on board n hopefully ill be able to get summit within my budget
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TheWizard
Home away from home Joined: 18-Mar-2006 Posts: 823
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Posted: 2007-12-27 17:51
No worries buddy, I'm only too happy to help buddy, and as I said, if I can be of any more help, then you're welcome to ask away  Willie
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craig
Home away from home Joined: 08-Sep-2006 Posts: 247
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Posted: 2007-12-27 20:26
if i was in your position i'd go with the lucasi,i wouldn't have a pred he you paid me. if your living anywhere near Sheffield your more than welcome try mine and my mates cues.
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Jump_Shot
Home away from home Joined: 05-Jun-2007 Posts: 501
From: Yorkshire
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Posted: 2007-12-28 12:22
whats up with preditor shafts then ?
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craig
Home away from home Joined: 08-Sep-2006 Posts: 247
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Posted: 2007-12-28 13:12
nothing at all, just personal preference.
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Str0ker
Just can't stay away Joined: 29-Sep-2006 Posts: 85
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Posted: 2007-12-28 14:21
i'm sorry yoda (willie) but predator shafts aren't just for snooker/marbles converts. that's easily the most ridiculous thing i've heard in ages. there's a reason why the predator pros list reads like a whos who of pro pool - cos they're quite simply excellent. i fully admit they may not be for everyone, but numbers don't lie... more players use them than any other manufacturer. as a relatively young company it has nothing to do with marketing and all that, their products simply kick the butt of almost everything else out there.
look at the top players kicking around the uk at the moment - imran, raj, rico, appleton, even peach (i think) - they all use predator shafts and these guys are excellent pool players. you trying to tell me they're just a bunch of english pool/snooker converts and don't know their stuff? i don't think so. less deflection and more spin makes it easier to pot balls and move the white around. you telling me players from a pure pool background love that cue ball swerving about whenever they shoot with side?
i'm not saying everyone should own a predator, but stick a 314 on an appropriate butt and you've got a cue that will do the business big time. the rest is up to you. if you buy an 85 quid lucasi it will do the job, but it will be a cheap cue and a cheap cue will hinder progress. i know, at the end of the day, it's the player not the cue but why have an entry level cue when for the same money you can have pro level equipment?
if you were going to spend £500, then i'd say try every cue you can get your hands on and find what is exactly right for you. however, in your price range the options are very limited so i reckon try to get the most bang for your buck. trying to find 'the one' in the bargains section just won't happen. a pred may not exactly suit your style, but i honestly think a well looked after 2nd hand shaft is a vastly superior option to a bottom of the range cue.
hope you find something you're happy with
p.s. a guy at my club just bought an excellent condition one for £50 quid so they are out there.
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Str0ker
Just can't stay away Joined: 29-Sep-2006 Posts: 85
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Posted: 2007-12-28 14:23
craig - "i wouldn't have a pred if you paid me" if i made cues, i wouldn't pay you to use them either. [ This message was edited by: Str0ker on 2007-12-28 14:27 ]
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RACKRUNNER21
Home away from home Joined: 19-Sep-2006 Posts: 862
From: Bristol
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Posted: 2007-12-28 15:09
On 2007-12-28 14:21 , Str0ker Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! i'm sorry yoda (willie) but predator shafts aren't just for snooker/marbles converts. that's easily the most ridiculous thing i've heard in ages. there's a reason why the predator pros list reads like a whos who of pro pool - cos they're quite simply excellent. i fully admit they may not be for everyone, but numbers don't lie... more players use them than any other manufacturer. as a relatively young company it has nothing to do with marketing and all that, their products simply kick the butt of almost everything else out there.
look at the top players kicking around the uk at the moment - imran, raj, rico, appleton, even peach (i think) - they all use predator shafts and these guys are excellent pool players. you trying to tell me they're just a bunch of english pool/snooker converts and don't know their stuff? i don't think so. less deflection and more spin makes it easier to pot balls and move the white around. you telling me players from a pure pool background love that cue ball swerving about whenever they shoot with side?
i'm not saying everyone should own a predator, but stick a 314 on an appropriate butt and you've got a cue that will do the business big time. the rest is up to you. if you buy an 85 quid lucasi it will do the job, but it will be a cheap cue and a cheap cue will hinder progress. i know, at the end of the day, it's the player not the cue but why have an entry level cue when for the same money you can have pro level equipment?
if you were going to spend £500, then i'd say try every cue you can get your hands on and find what is exactly right for you. however, in your price range the options are very limited so i reckon try to get the most bang for your buck. trying to find 'the one' in the bargains section just won't happen. a pred may not exactly suit your style, but i honestly think a well looked after 2nd hand shaft is a vastly superior option to a bottom of the range cue.
hope you find something you're happy with
p.s. a guy at my club just bought an excellent condition one for £50 quid so they are out there. Tap Tap Tap..well said.
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glossopscratcher
Home away from home Joined: 02-Sep-2006 Posts: 344
From: manchester
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Posted: 2007-12-28 15:50
yeah i know what your saying....thing is that i aint got got £500
but if your a guy got a second hand one for £50 that sounds good
ill be honest i prefer the feel of a snooker cue.........so am i right in saying that you could attach a predator shaft to snooker butt then???
cheers
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The_Consultant
Quite a regular Joined: 21-Jul-2007 Posts: 63
From: Crook, Co. Durham
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Posted: 2007-12-28 16:13
I doubt you'd be able to get a predator shaft matched to a snooker cue. For a start the pins used are totally different to snooker cues, also there are the dimension problems. If you have a 3/4 jointed cue the problem is obvious, but even if it is centre jointed the diameter of the butt will be totally different to the shaft.
In my opinion, the shaft makes a lot more difference to the hit than the butt. So i'd say buy a shaft that suits your game to match your butt and then in the future you can buy a better cue with the same joint pin.
Predators aren't for everyone but there is a reason why loads of pro's use them. If you like the feel of a snooker cue you may well like it, but you'll never know until you play with it. You could always have a snooker cue maker make you a custom taper for pool. Plenty will do it, but i dont know how much it will cost.
If you want my advice buy a second hand predator shaft, at the end of the day if its not right for you just sell it for what you paid as you will lose NO money on it. Then try something else.
Happy shopping mate.
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Str0ker
Just can't stay away Joined: 29-Sep-2006 Posts: 85
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Posted: 2007-12-28 16:26
the consultant took the words right out of my mouth.
you should be able to get a shaft and butt within your budget and it won't lose value. if you choose to go down this route, you'll have a cue that won't hold you back and will really help your game.
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glossopscratcher
Home away from home Joined: 02-Sep-2006 Posts: 344
From: manchester
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Posted: 2007-12-28 16:34
cheers
im an amature when it comes to all this pins, joints business but thanks for the great advice
if anyone know of anyone selling hand ones PM me!
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Jump_Shot
Home away from home Joined: 05-Jun-2007 Posts: 501
From: Yorkshire
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Posted: 2007-12-28 17:15
pm thediamond
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The_Consultant
Quite a regular Joined: 21-Jul-2007 Posts: 63
From: Crook, Co. Durham
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Posted: 2007-12-28 17:24
On 2007-12-28 17:15 , Jump_Shot Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! pm thediamond That was my suggestion too.
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TheWizard
Home away from home Joined: 18-Mar-2006 Posts: 823
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Posted: 2007-12-28 19:31
Hey guys, I have tried predator shafts and I found that they didn't give more spin, yes they have less deflection, but I found the spin level a little lower, than using a single piece shaft, but this is just from my experience  Willie
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