Maple or Ash?....

[cally]

Hi folks,
stumbled on the forum recently and i am now itching for a new cue real bad...always wanted a cue made just for me, so i think i'm gonna get 1 very soon. I want a good feel and balance and thinking i'm gonna go with a TW, i have mailed him for some info on starting prices of his cues, just waiting for him to get back to me...to see if i can afford 1...
Trying to work out what spec i want, nothing to fancy maybe a single splice and maybe a veneer.....

Anyway, i think i know what i want, accept for going for maple or ash, never had a maple cue before and dont know if their to plain and not as nice as ash or vice versa now... i've confused myself.......

Whats peoples thoughts on difference to maple/ash if any.. do maple play/respond different to ash?...do you prefer maple/ash?...

Any input appreciated......


Cheers...

Ant...:snooker:


p.s... How much do tw's prices start at?...

[noel]

Cally... Welcome...

you came to exactly the right place for hardcore, opinionated, but knowlegeable, honest answers to any and all of your snooker questions... except "Why can't I play snooker like Ronnie?".

Do you have whiskers?
No? Get an ash...
Yes? Get a smooth grain maple.

My 2 cents.



=o)

Noel

[Kolya]

I only recently took up the game again after nearly 20 years break and had been using a Maple cue, an antique, mostly because of the cost (I got it cheap!) but just bought myself an ash cue and it is superb. My thoughts are that if you have been using ash up till now then get ash, why change? Maple used to be cheaper but not any more so that consideration does not apply so if you are going to spend £300+ for a cue why take the risk with an unfamiliar wood.

[ChatLag]

Yes, this is the right place to get you even more confused as there are aficionados here for both, ash and maple.

As far as I've learned from Trevor it is just a matter or the used timber if the shaft is stiff or whippy. Both is possible for maple and for ash.

Trevor is a really good choice for your custom made cue.
If you can name it, he can make it.

My choice is a wonderful ash shaft, matured and dark with a nice grain.

Maybe because I do not have whiskers...

[trevs1]

The choice is about personal preference and nothing more, although there are some slight differences between the two timbers, naturally.

Maple is a closer, fine grained timber and is nowhere near as course textured as ash. It is also generally heavier than an equivalent piece of ash, but this is not always the case. Ash has a far more visible grain to it, which some players like, especially the "arrow" or "chevron" effect you'll sometimes see running up the front of the cue, while others like to see the straight side grain, running in lines more or less parallel to the edges of the shaft.

In playing terms, there's no "real" discernable difference with ash or maple, although depending on the overall specs of a cue (especially weight), they can have a bit of a different sound on the contact, but this can be varied by the tips used to a greater or lesser degree.

In making a choice as to which one to use, again, it's personal choice and nothing more, but, if you have used one for any length of time, then it may be better to stay with that unless for some reason you have become tired or agravated by it. It's fair to say that those who have used maple for many years do find it tricky to get along with ash, as the visible grain gets into their vision and tends to upset their sighting, even though the eyes shouldn't be on the shaft at all, from a technical point of view.

Finally, the choice should NOT be made by thinking that ash will be coarse textured when finished, because done well, a good finish will allow use of ash with no effect of the open grain catching your skin.

[MikeWooldridge]

info here:

http://www.handmadecues.com/home/24-ashormaple.htm

my preference - ash. by a country mile....

[cally]

Thanks chaps....

It's good to have advice from a couple of the best cue makers around too, much appreciated...

Trevor can you please reply to email fella,,, or didnt you get it?...

Cheers...

Ant...:snooker:

[Malachi-b]

Ash definatly it just has that feel to it, and it looks attractive also. maple just looks so bland.

[cally]

Thats what i was thinking maple might be bit plain and even "cheap" looking..

I dunno........

[MattCash]

Thats what i was thinking maple might be bit plain and even "cheap" looking..

In all fairness, you can't decide whether a cue is good for you on looks alone, you aren't going to hang it on the wall as an ornament are you?

IMO if you have been using ash for the time that you have been playing snooker, to have a custom cue made in a wood that you have no experience of could be regrettable and a waste of money

[cally]

I know what you're saying, but i dont want to spend all the money on a cue that i'm not gonna be happy with the "look"...

I'm gonna go to a shop in cardiff tomorrow and have a nose about and see what i fancy...

[MattCash]

I understand what you mean, we all want to have a cue that will look great and feel great, but all i'm saying is that playability should come before looks. And if you can find a cue that looks good and plays well, then good luck to you.

[cally]

God luck, that's me stuffed already then....lol..

[cally]

GOOD.... (i meant)....

[checkSide]

Hi Cally. You can use the EDIT POST button towards the bottom right to change spelling mistakes etc.