Universal smart shaft or Predator 314 shaft

[pool808]

I been playing with the Predator 314 shaft for about 3 years now and i am considering trying the new universal smart shaft. Any suggestions?

[tsuguy]

The universal smart shaft is very unique in the fact that you can replace the joint in the shaft rather easily and only for a cost of $20 per univeral joint, but after trying one for myself and speaking with some guys in the local pool hall, I haven't met anyone that is convinced that the Universal Smart Shaft excels in performance. It's neat, but if you've shot with Predator already you probably won't be impressed with the Universal (unless you want to use it on multiple cues with different joints :roll: )

[poohkiller]

The universal smart shaft is very unique in the fact that you can replace the joint in the shaft rather easily and only for a cost of $20 per univeral joint, but after trying one for myself and speaking with some guys in the local pool hall, I haven't met anyone that is convinced that the Universal Smart Shaft excels in performance. It's neat, but if you've shot with Predator already you probably won't be impressed with the Universal (unless you want to use it on multiple cues with different joints :roll: )

Yeah but if you have enough money (and you think decreasing your curiosity worth it) you should go for it.. Hohmann plays with Universal.. What kind of you cue have you got?

[dags_lax]

For aftermarket shafts I have a Z shaft, (2) 314 shafts, a sharpshooter shaft, an impact shaft as well as universal shaft. My preference is for the univesral shaft.

[poohkiller]

For aftermarket shafts I have a Z shaft, (2) 314 shafts, a sharpshooter shaft, an impact shaft as well as universal shaft. My preference is for the univesral shaft.

Nice collection... Thanks for the info - I'll keep that in mind!

[willy147]

For aftermarket shafts I have a Z shaft, (2) 314 shafts, a sharpshooter shaft, an impact shaft as well as universal shaft. My preference is for the univesral shaft.

Can you kindly tell us the reason?

thanks in advance.

[dags_lax]

Stiffer hit. Makes for easier control of the cue ball. The overall feel, which is a subjective thing, seems sweeter to me. Less vibration, like my favorite baseball bat was when you hit the sweet spot. While they are all fine shafts, the characteristics I find desirable in a shaft may not be what another player likes. And while I am currently using the universal shaft on a custom Steve Kline after this round of spring tournaments is over I will probably go back to my Schon with the Schon shaft and ivory ferrule. Twenty plus cues and some of them quite expensive I keep going back to my old Schon.

[Coop]

Dont say that, instead of getting my schon with the standard schon shaft, i opted to swap to a predator shaft. :roll:

[nathar]

No worries Coop. What works for Dags may not work for you. As he stated in his post above, it's all subjective from player to player. If you spend enough time with your Schon/Predator combo, I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

[poohkiller]

No worries Coop. What works for Dags may not work for you. As he stated in his post above, it's all subjective from player to player. If you spend enough time with your Schon/Predator combo, I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

Agreed. If you spend a few minutes with checking other topics you'll find numerous players with a Schön/Pred combo and they are all very happy with it! So don't be afraid :wink:

[willy147]

And while I am currently using the universal shaft on a custom Steve Kline after this round of spring tournaments is over I will probably go back to my Schon with the Schon shaft and ivory ferrule. Twenty plus cues and some of them quite expensive I keep going back to my old Schon.

Show your collection to us Dags :)

[pool808]

Yeah but if you have enough money (and you think decreasing your curiosity worth it) you should go for it.. Hohmann plays with Universal.. What kind of you cue have you got?[/quote]

I am playing with my first cue right now which is a helmsteter. I had the cue for about ten years now. I tried other cues before but i find myslef going back to my first one. I am also considering a schon STL 4 with a predator shaft. I like the STL 4 because i like the simplicity of the cue. I am not into the fancy inlays of the cue.

[Y2J]

Yeah but if you have enough money (and you think decreasing your curiosity worth it) you should go for it.. Hohmann plays with Universal.. What kind of you cue have you got?[/quote]

Any idea what is the butt that he's playing with?I know that he's using Lucasi.But, which model?I'm a big fan of Hohmann and his playing style.

[dags_lax]

If you spend a few minutes with checking other topics you'll find numerous players with a Schön/Pred combo and they are all very happy with it!

I know a few players that use a Schon/Predator combo. But most of the players I know that have tried that combo stick with the Schon/Schon. After all, why spend all that money for cue with a legendary hit just to make it into a different playing cue.

[skor]

because the combination of the well constructed schon butt and the great performance of the predator shaft makes it even beter.... :twisted:

(just my opinion)

[tsuguy]

I've always been sceptical about Schon's "legendary hit" I believe their slogan is " Nothing else hits like a Schon " Could this have been the route cause of the legend and not so much the person to person factor?

Don't get me wrong, I bet Schon makes a great cue! The legend itself I think is just a promotional and marketing tool that worked to their advantage to make them "legendary"

I mean after all, Nothing else hits like a broomstick either :)

...Please correct me if I'm wrong on the slogan...

[skor]

As a schon owner I can say that they are great!

I got a lower end schon (stl-3, retail $625) as a backup cue for my McDaniel cue (worth over $2000) and I ended up using the Schon more often.... don't get me wrong, I love the McDaniel but sometimes I feel more comfortable with the Schon.

[tsuguy]

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Schon is one of the best cues available period.

Legendary though??? That will be determined in years to come.

I do have to admit though, I've NEVER heard anyone complain about their Schon, and I have heard several say it's what they always end up going back to even after trying several ( most of the time much more expensive ) other brands.

Maybe everyone should own a Schon :lol:

[poohkiller]

Maybe everyone should own a Schon :lol:

I'm ready to own one! :wink:

I'm about to give a try of the STL-7 that a guy own around here.. I'm very curious how it plays after reading that much about Schöns...

[dags_lax]

There are a lot of good cues out there. Quality of materials and workmanship play a roll into what is perceived is a good cue. Schon is certainly right up there in that department.

Another factor is playability. Characteristics that I would consider make a good playing cue, someone else may not. Schon cues, as do most highly thought of custom cues, have a stiffer hit than your run of the mill production cue. Personally I value that in a cue. And I don't get that hit from my McDermotts and Vikings or even my Schon with a Predator.

It is not that I am right and a lot of others are wrong or vice versa. As the old saying goes "There is more than one way to skin a cat."

[pool808]

i just got my universal shaft in a couple of days ago and i agree with lax that it has s stiffer hit. I am not used to it yet so when i go to the pool hall for a game for money then i still hit with with predator Z shaft. i am so used to the to the Z shaft that i am having a hard time adjusting to the bigger diameter of the universal shaft.

[willy147]

Maybe everyone should own a Schon :lol:

i already own one :D STL 6 with Schon Shaft & 314 2 Shaft...very happy with both.

[pool808]

im starting to get used to the universal shaft. it felt really weird at first but i am getting the hang of it. i finally played with it for money at the pool hall today and i did quite well. i still need to get used to the way the ball react when applying english. :o