Help buying a viking!!

[Guest]

Below are my specs for a cue Im thinking about buying. Im a little confused on some of the options. I definately want the Predator Shaft(Rave Reviews). But does this mean I will be getting two sticks, or two shafts and one tip? I'm 6'1, play eight ball, and prefer a soft shot. Any suggestions or anything you would change? (Shaft length, Joint, Tip) I want a break cue down the road, so that is why Im getting the 2x2 case.

12.75 mm 12.75 mm Extra Shaft-(VM25) free ea. 1 free
12.75 mm 12.75 mm Shaft-(VM25) free ea. 1 free
30L 30" Extra Shaft Length-(VM25) $20.00 ea. 1
5 Black Wrap-(VM25) free ea. 1 free
JT5 Customize To Joint # 5-(VM25) $20.00 ea. 1
V2X2 Giuseppe 2X2 With Viking Logo $90.00 ea 1
VM25 Viking VM-25-18.50oz -#1 Black Stain-J- Pearl Smoke 252.00
XPS Extra Fitted Predator Shaft-(VM25) $215.00 ea 1

[Sid]

from the order above, you will receive,

1 - VM25 Viking VM-25-18.50oz -#1 Black Stain-J- Pearl Smoke with a 29" shaft turned down to 12.75mm. It will also come with the black Irish Linen wrap.

2. A Predator 314 shaft, 30" in lenght with a 12.75mm diameter

3. Both the cue, shaft, and extra Predator shaft will come with the joint #5

4. The Giuseppe Case.

Sorry for the confusion, In the comming months I hope to redo the Cues sections and I will make the ordering of customizations a little easier to understand.

[dags_lax]

At 6'1" you probably don't need a 30” shaft but it if that is what you feel comfortable shooting with go head with the longer shaft.

My feelings on joint styles is that it doesn't really matter what joint you have as the differences are very, very slight. The main difference being in the auditory feed back. A steel joint give a solid chunkier sound when striking the cue ball. The joint #5 as well as #4 or #6 will give what you are looking for.

I would be more concerned with the tip that you have on your shafts. I am not a fan of the Le Pro tips that are standard on Vikings and Predators. I have tried a lot of different tips and I am sold on the Talisman Pro mediums. They seem to provide a good marriage with the English and feel of a soft tip with the precise control of a harder tip. You may want to try the Talisman Pro soft. I haven't tried that tip so perhaps some one else can give you an opinion on that. Seyberts also has good section with a lot of postings about tips. you may want to check that thread out.

As for your case I would spend a few dollars more and pop for the 2X4 model. My reasoning being your it will hold your Viking & 314 shaft along with the Viking shaft as a back up in case you lose a tip or damage your 314 shaft. You will also have room for a break cue and shaft. This will leave you with one open shaft tube. Should you ever get a jump cue you will have a place for the shaft and, if your Giuseppe is like mine, you will be able to fit the jump cue but in the pocket, although the pin will stick out.

[parrothead]

I would suggest that you try the Viking shaft before you waste your money on a predator shaft. My Viking shaft shoots as well or better than any Predator I have used, and it feels much better too.

Thanks for all the info and advice. Best thing is that I only live an hour away from the Seybert's. So I think Im just going to go their and try some out before I buy. I didn't realize that the were so close till I seen the address.