PoolDad let's compare.

[jsggems]

THIS IS A SHOWDOWN!! 8)
Here's photo's of mine, now show your's.

[/URL]

(http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001404gq2.jpg)



(http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001406kv7.jpg)

[URL=http://img251.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001409wi1.jpg]

[PoolDad]

Nice cue, hehehe....
As soon as I get in in my hands I'll be posting the pics and I will try to take them from the same angles as you did.
Looks like the bands around the ivory rings are gold in yours, mine will be silver and I also asked for a longer wrap so the back of the butt will be a bit shorter in mine.....oh the leather wrap is a little different too but we'll get a better comparison once I get in in my hands and I take my own pictures.
I was also told the finishing touches are being applied today and it will be shipped to me on Monday.

[jsggems]

Nice cue, hehehe....
As soon as I get in in my hands I'll be posting the pics and I will try to take them from the same angles as you did.
Looks like the bands around the ivory rings are gold in yours, mine will be silver and I also asked for a longer wrap so the back of the butt will be a bit shorter in mine.....oh the leather wrap is a little different too but we'll get a better comparison once I get in in my hands and I take my own pictures.
I was also told the finishing touches are being applied today and it will be shipped to me on Monday.

Cool, can't wait to see it.

[PoolDad]

Hey jgems, did you know that Pete Tascarella and his son help the boys at Carolina cues set up the shop?
I was told he spent over a year with them boys up there teaching them how to build cues.

[jsggems]

PM me, and tell me what you paid for it, and I'll tell ya what I paid for mine. I'm sure your's will be a lot cheaper than what I paid.

[jsggems]

Hey jgems, did you know that Pete Tascarella and his son help the boys at Carolina cues set up the shop?
I was told he spent over a year with them boys up there teaching them how to build cues.

I heard some thing about that, but didn't know it was true or not, now I know, cool. I have known Pete for many years, we use to shoot in the same pool hall, when I use to live on Long Island. I have not seen him in at least 12 years.

[PoolDad]

PM me, and tell me what you paid for it, and I'll tell ya what I paid for mine. I'm sure your's will be a lot cheaper than what I paid.

PM sent.

[PoolDad]

Hey Jsggems can you post a pic of the shafts? I'd like to see the collar and ringwork on them. Or just PM them to me.
Thanks.

[jsggems]

Here ya go buddy. 2 of them, trim rings and the joint with shaft on the butt.

[/URL]

[URL=http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=100141200jz3.jpg] (http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=100141100db8.jpg)

[audiopro]

That is some very nice looking ringwork.. I like it!

[PoolDad]

Very nice man. Mine are very similar but with silver rings instead.
Thanks

[poohkiller]

Yeah, this truly is one of my favourite ringworks too... and that wrap is awesome too..!!!

[jsggems]

Hey Pooldad, tomorrow is the day, I bet your jazzed, I know I was. Well, post the photos when you get it. looking forward to seeing it.

[PoolDad]

Hey Pooldad, tomorrow is the day, I bet your jazzed, I know I was. Well, post the photos when you get it. looking forward to seeing it.

Delivery has been delayed by one day! :cry:
They'll overnight it tomorrow.......(sigh)

[jsggems]

Oh man that sucks, It's only 1 more day, You'll be nut's until you get it in your hands I bet. :D

[PoolDad]

Delayed gratification :)

[jsggems]

Is it today, is it today??? :D

[PoolDad]

Here she is:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0588.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0586.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0584.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0581.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0579.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0577.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0576.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/Straycat07/DSCF0589.jpg

UPS knocked on my door very early this morning. The points are long, even and razor sharp.
I took the day off today so I'll let you know how it hits later.

[poohkiller]

O-o-o-o-ohhh my G.O.S.H.!!!

That cue looks truly amazing! That wrap looks astonishing, the wood used for the sleeve is also great and the points are perfect... What a great cue! Congratulations!

[jsggems]

It's nice, and different. The phonelic in the rings are darker, the wrap is baby Croc, right? I like it. Good luck with it, and let us know how it plays. Very nice!!!! CC's are supose to hit & play, better than a Gilbert, I can't wait to get my 2 in August. :D :D We need a review on the hit....

[PoolDad]

Took it to the pool hall and this baby hits very solid, I felt no vibration at all. At first I was having a hard time putting "action" on the cue ball since I shoot with a Z-2 but after a couple of racks I was in tune with it, in fact I ran 2 racks of nine ball.
I guess it's time to put the predator down and re-adjust.
The wrap sets it off too, it caught everyone's attention at the pool hall.

[jsggems]

Best idea I've heard yet. Once you get use to a regular shaft and get it wierd, there is nothing better. I have a predator, and do not like it, I used it once, I let my friends use it if they want, when they come over to the house to play. How is the hit, I hope you say stiff?? I'm glad you like the cue, and it looks great to.

[PoolDad]

Best idea I've heard yet. Once you get use to a regular shaft and get it wierd, there is nothing better. I have a predator, and do not like it, I used it once, I let my friends use it if they want, when they come over to the house to play. How is the hit, I hope you say stiff?? I'm glad you like the cue, and it looks great to.

Yes the hit is stiff, I feel no vibration. Maybe I should've had the shafts trimmed to 12.5 or 12.7 mm.

[jsggems]

Best idea I've heard yet. Once you get use to a regular shaft and get it wierd, there is nothing better. I have a predator, and do not like it, I used it once, I let my friends use it if they want, when they come over to the house to play. How is the hit, I hope you say stiff?? I'm glad you like the cue, and it looks great to.

Yes the hit is stiff, I feel no vibration. Maybe I should've had the shafts trimmed to 12.5 or 12.7 mm.

Mine are being turned down to, 12.80mm, that's the way I like my shafts.
NICE CUE, enjoy my friend.

[askirsh1]

Took it to the pool hall and this baby hits very solid, I felt no vibration at all. At first I was having a hard time putting "action" on the cue ball since I shoot with a Z-2 but after a couple of racks I was in tune with it, in fact I ran 2 racks of nine ball.
I guess it's time to put the predator down and re-adjust.
The wrap sets it off too, it caught everyone's attention at the pool hall.

If you every get up to Jacksonville, stop by Top Hat Game Room. I would love to see it in person.

Adam

[PoolDad]

Will do.
Well, went back to the pool hall last night and guess what? I could not shoot worth a crap with it!!
Finally after getting tired of watching my friend play I put it away and picked up the predator again. Dunno, I guess I would have to spend a lot of time playing with it to get used to it, I just don't have the time.....
So I guess for now it's going to be a wall ornament, oh well :cry:

[jsggems]

See, this is my problem with aftermarket shafts. To me, it takes away necessary skills from learning how to play pool. Learn how to shoot first, then if you want to try an after market shaft, ok, but learn how to play with a normal shaft first. You learn on a Predator shaft, then pick up a regular cue. and you can't shoot worth a s@#t. This is just my opinion on aftermarket shafts. I have a Predator shaft for my Jocoby and I used it once, I don't like them. Give me an Old Growth shaft with 20 to 25 growth rings per inch and a 3/4" ivory ferrule and a Talisman WB-H tip, and I'm in heaven, "Tink".

[jsggems]

Your Bryan Mordt will be the same way, you won't be able to shoot with it cause it does not have a Predator shaft on it. If I were you, I would put down the Predator and start to shoot with a regular shaft, meaning start playing with your Carolina Cue and get use to the way it plays. Go back to basics with it, and practice, practice, practice. Just my 2 cents buddy.

[skor]

If I were you then I would get a Predator shaft for every cue I have...

Why would you put a side something that works for you?

Why first learn to shoot with a regular shaft and then adjust to a lower deflection shaft if you can start with a lower deflection shaft?

This is like telling people to take their Hyundai to a race when they have a Ferari parked in the driveway.....

[jsggems]

Like I said Skor, it's just my opinion, I understand what your saying also.

[PoolDad]

OK I appreciate you all's input on this.....
When I started playing pool about 9 or so years ago I used a regular shaft then I purchased a predator with an original 314 shaft in 99-2000 and I feel my game went up but due to work and family obligations I had to give up playing for about 5 years or so.
As I'm getting the itch back to play again predator comes out with their 2nd gen shafts, 314-2 and the Z shafts.
I bought a Z-2 shaft from here and accidentally bumped into this forum and then the AZ forum....
As I read on about the nice custom cues all of you owned I start wondering how this and that cue would hit and so forth.....
Now I'm confused, Jeff you're saying predator is an after market shaft? I thought predator was one of the best production cues made and in fact is used by quite a few professionals.
It's almost effortless for me to put spin on the cb with the Z-2, on the other hand I found myself "forcing" (for lack of a better word) shots last night to get any spin on it with the CC.
I only play 2-3 hrs a week including league night so I'm thinking maybe I should get the shafts shaved down to 12.5 mm or get a predator shaft for this cue?
I have heard that Bryan Mordt's shafts hit better than a predator, so I asked him to trim the shafts to 12.5 and 12.7.
The 13 mm just feels too thick in my hand.

[jsggems]

An aftermarket shaft is a shaft that is not the original. Yes, Predator does make a good cue. You might say it's a great cue and I might say it's not a great cue, it's all based on opinion, and that's what I said, this is only my opinion. Maybe you should spend a little more and get a Predator for the CC, if that will get your game back on track. I don't like a full 13mm shaft either, I like them 12.75 to 12.80mm.

[poohkiller]

Let me tell you something (it won't be long... ;o)): I've been thinking now for about 10 months about how a real custom cue would feel. I've read so much about it in my Blue B. of P. Cues, on the internet, even on this forum, everywhere... I just cannot imagine how a Capone, a CC, a Bender, a McDaniel, or a vintage cue of Rambow or Szamboti would feel and as it seems I won't experience it at anytime in the near future.
I don't want so sound like a big head or someone who wants to give you orders, this is just a piece of advice... So when you go down to your pool hall next time try to think that 'damn it, I have one of the very best looking cues in the states that hits in an extraordinary way, not like a Lucasi, a McDermott or even a Predator.' Ahh, I feel like as if I just couldn't tell you what I exactly wanted, but... let's just say that I counsil that you should enjoy your new cue and don't bother with the amount of spin you get out of it.
Just my opinion on your case..

[PoolDad]

I'm gonna get the shafts trimmed down to 12.75 mm. I'm sure that will "fix" my problem.

[poohkiller]

I'm gonna get the shafts trimmed down to 12.75 mm. I'm sure that will "fix" my problem.

That might solve your problem.. What kind of tip have you got on your shaft? (for example: the same as you had on your Predator shaft?)

[PoolDad]

They are Carolina Cue's own laminated tips. I should've asked them to make the shafts 12.7 mm.

[jsggems]

You can have them turned down by any good cue repair man. No more than $25 a shaft, I think.

[PoolDad]

What about the ferrules? Do they have to be turned down too?

[jsggems]

Yes of course, it would look kind of funny if they weren't and the shaft was, included in the $25

[PoolDad]

Cool, thanks man.

[PoolDad]

Sent a shaft back to CC to turn it down to 12.6 mm.
Hopefully it won't deflect too bad.

[tsuguy]

Should deflect slightly less... it will weigh slightly less when you get it back... probably not even enough to notice in either case.

[jsggems]

What are they charging you to turn it down?

[PoolDad]

What are they charging you to turn it down?

I don't know he said don't worry about it :)

I'm really impressed with their customer service.

[jsggems]

I can't wait till I get my 2 in August. I have heard so many good things about the cues. Everybody says they hit better than a Gilbert, we shall see.

[PoolDad]

I may be getting a brand new Olney pretty soon too :D

I hear this is one of the better hitting cues out there.

[PoolDad]

Hey Jeff,
I listened to your advice and spent 8 hrs playing with the CC, man oh man what a sweet hit.

One guy had a SW and the other one a Nitti, I had never used either one of these 2 cues before but they hit really nice too.

The SW owner was impressed with the hit of the CC, the only difference to me was the tip, some felt harder than others...... other than that they felt pretty much the same to me.

I should be getting the other shaft tomorrow (turned down to 12.75mm)and I'll waste no time to try it out :)

So I guess it's bye bye to the predator, at least for now.

[jsggems]

In my opinion a regular shaft is the best, cause that shaft is made for that cue. Some people are so use to a predator that if you took it away from them, their game would drop 2 balls. Wait till you get the other shaft, you'll like it even better.