Cue tapering and accuracy

[mchpddl1]

i switched from my slim Parris cue to a thick tapered maple cue (unknown maker) and make several 40+ breaks compared to several 20+ breaks on average. Not sure if is the tapering effect, or psychological effect, can any coach give me some advises on cue tapering and play style etc? Can any coach talks more of cues and tapering etc? Thanks very much i really look forward to your sharing

[MikeWooldridge]

a thick maple cue? even i'd prefer a slim parris cue to one of them!

sounds like the devil's work to me....

[MikeWooldridge]

oh, and i meant to say, if you're gonna pay attention to coaches theories on tapers then you should be buying yourself an acuerate, which is a million miles away from the thick taper you describe.

but then you really would be mad cos they're crap (imo)

no, seriously, you don't need opinions on what's right or wrong for you cos different people say different things.

if you feel comfortable with the thick maple then it's the right thing for you. end of story....

[scoo24]

oh, and i meant to say, if you're gonna pay attention to coaches theories on tapers then you should be buying yourself an acuerate, which is a million miles away from the thick taper you describe.

but then you really would be mad cos they're crap (imo)

no, seriously, you don't need opinions on what's right or wrong for you cos different people say different things.

if you feel comfortable with the thick maple then it's the right thing for you. end of story....

I think that's the perfect answer if there ever is one

Maybe a bit irrelevant to the "accurate cue" theory but the majority of my mates say they like the feel of slim tapered shaft just around the bridge area. I personally don't pay attention, I'm quite comfortable with my current cue whatever its taper is

[MikeWooldridge]

Maybe a bit irrelevant to the "accurate cue" theory

very relevant methinks. a coach 'designed' (actually re-worked an existing idea) the acuerate taper and it's thin. this guy likes thick but is asking coaches for advice. so at least one coach would advise him against it.

the majority of my mates say they like the feel of slim tapered shaft just around the bridge area. I personally don't pay attention, I'm quite comfortable with my current cue whatever its taper is

i'll be one of your mates then, cos i too prefer the cue to a slimmer over the bridge area. well actually, i prefer anything that is not on the fat side. bit like my women...

but you're absolutely right to be comfortable with your cue whatever it is. and that's the point i'd like mchpddl1 to appreciate, rather than looking for the 'right' answers. cos there are no hard and fast 'rules' in this game.

[scoo24]

very relevant methinks. a coach 'designed' (actually re-worked an existing idea) the acuerate taper and it's thin. this guy likes thick but is asking coaches for advice. so at least one coach would advise him against it.

Actually what I meant by irrelevant is my understanding of the "accurate" theory that has to do with minimizing cue ball deflection (and not having to adjust your aim that much accordingly) as you apply side spin rather than the feel of a thin taper over the bridge area.

And yes, I do believe the more natural and comfortable one feels with a cue (irrespective of what everyone else says), the more success and results you'll get out of it. I do like your posts because unlike many others, you do not try to complicate things and you keep'em simple.

[MikeWooldridge]

Actually what I meant by irrelevant is my understanding of the "accurate" theory that has to do with minimizing cue ball deflection (and not having to adjust your aim that much accordingly) as you apply side spin rather than the feel of a thin taper over the bridge area.

lol. don't believe everything you read...

[scoo24]

lol. don't believe everything you read...

Hehe, I don't... That's why I never even gave it a try

[poolqjunkie]

Is it thick at the tip end, butt end, is the taper really thick like a straight cone or is it just the shaft taper that is thicker? Just wondering what you meant by thick tapered cue?
Thank you.

[CueAntW147]

very relevant methinks. a coach 'designed' (actually re-worked an existing idea) the acuerate taper and it's thin. this guy likes thick but is asking coaches for advice. so at least one coach would advise him against it.



i'll be one of your mates then, cos i too prefer the cue to a slimmer over the bridge area. well actually, i prefer anything that is not on the fat side. bit like my women...

but you're absolutely right to be comfortable with your cue whatever it is. and that's the point i'd like mchpddl1 to appreciate, rather than looking for the 'right' answers. cos there are no hard and fast 'rules' in this game.

Hey Mike no doubting you make great cues but on this subject dare i say re the taper your cutting them a bit to thin these days i reckon ( just my opinion ).
Butts seem to be nearer 28mm or so and taper a little thin, or is this what your being asked for generally ? i prefer around 29-30mm on the butt and a nice natural taper not too thin not too chunky just right.

But as per the final quote your right we shouldn't get to bogged down with what other people think if a cue works for you whatever its like use it and be content if it doesn't then change it, you don't want doubts in your mind.

Im sure Ronnie O'sullivan would tell you his burwat champion that he started his career with was his best cue but he started tweeking it and it was never the same....

[MikeWooldridge]

Hey Mike no doubting you make great cues but on this subject dare i say re the taper your cutting them a bit to thin these days i reckon ( just my opinion ).
Butts seem to be nearer 28mm or so and taper a little thin, or is this what your being asked for generally ? i prefer around 29-30mm on the butt and a nice natural taper not too thin not too chunky just right.

not sure what cue you've seen recently but none of my standard cues are closer to 28mm. they'll be 29-29.5mm although there have been the odd one slightly slimmer. maybe you've seen one of them. or a special edition maybe...

as for tapers in general, again, you may have seen a slimmer one, but they're usually 'normal'. and 'flowing' as other forum members have described them.

no doubt, i personally prefer slim, but the cues i send out are generally fairly standard and not 'slim'.

but one thing's for certain, they definitely won't be 'fat'...

[CueAntW147]

not sure what cue you've seen recently but none of my standard cues are closer to 28mm. they'll be 29-29.5mm although there have been the odd one slightly slimmer. maybe you've seen one of them. or a special edition maybe...

as for tapers in general, again, you may have seen a slimmer one, but they're usually 'normal'. and 'flowing' as other forum members have described them.

no doubt, i personally prefer slim, but the cues i send out are generally fairly standard and not 'slim'.

but one thing's for certain, they definitely won't be 'fat'...

thanks for info...it was a special edition actually, i was just curious if people specify the butt diameter normally or are happy to let you decide whats best...all down to personal preference i know.
I have a couple of your 2005 range that seemed "normal" ... and a couple of recent ones that are slimmer..so maybe not enough to comment to be fair.

I agree about "fat" can give the broom handle feel..but all depends on peoples hand sizes i reckon..some will need thicker some thinner..

[MikeWooldridge]

true. horses for courses eh?

[joe2311]

not sure what cue you've seen recently but none of my standard cues are closer to 28mm. they'll be 29-29.5mm although there have been the odd one slightly slimmer. maybe you've seen one of them. or a special edition maybe...

as for tapers in general, again, you may have seen a slimmer one, but they're usually 'normal'. and 'flowing' as other forum members have described them.

no doubt, i personally prefer slim, but the cues i send out are generally fairly standard and not 'slim'.

but one thing's for certain, they definitely won't be 'fat'...

i have 1 of your cues mike a 1 piece classic 1 and its a little bit thin for me at the butt end the taiper very nice so i had a old cue respliced by trevor white with a 30mm butt and its perfect for me and when i measured the butts yours was 29.5 and trevors 30mm i was amazed how 0.5 of a mm can make such a difference when its in your hand

[archalf1471]

Mikes getting his tapers too thin?????

In defence of Mike ( not that he would ever need back up) he does offer three different tapers on the website to begin with, and any quality cuemaker will be able to replicate your cue taper as well as can be expected if you are willing to send the cue off and pay for additional work