Is Maple stiffer than Ash

[cazmac1]

Just wanted to ask the question is maple generaly stiffer the ash?

[jrc750]

Just wanted to ask the question is maple generaly stiffer the ash?

I used to think it was (in my experience anyway) but one day Trev said it all comes down to the wood chosen, can be either/or

[cazmac1]

Thanks JRC.

[vucko117]

When I talked to Robin Cook about him making a pool cue with pro taper but with ash shaft instead of usual maple shaft he said that maple is much stiffer than the ash and that the cue will be very whippy if the ash is pro tapered...

[cazmac1]

Pro taper being very thin and with little taper in the last 12 inch's or more?

[vucko117]

Pro taper being very thin and with little taper in the last 12 inch's or more?

That is correct

[poolqjunkie]

When I talked to Robin Cook about him making a pool cue with pro taper but with ash shaft instead of usual maple shaft he said that maple is much stiffer than the ash and that the cue will be very whippy if the ash is pro tapered...

With all due respect, it all depends on the piece of timber chosen. Some maple shafts are very soft and some ash shafts are very stiff and vice versa.

[mchpddl1]

"Pro taper being very thin and with little taper in the last 12 inch's or more"

What effect does this make on the cue? is it better power, or better spin, or something?

[deant1982]

I used to think it was (in my experience anyway) but one day Trev said it all comes down to the wood chosen, can be either/or

I've only ever used 2 maple cues, so not got vast experience on the subject, but those 2 cues were both quite a bit stiffer than any ash cue I've used. I agree the timber used would play a part and a good and experienced cue maker can select a very stiff piece of Ash and a not so stiff piece of maple. I think on the whole, yes, maple is generally stiffer than ash, although there will obviously be exceptions.

[sootyvrs]

As mentioned Ash and maple can be stiff or whippy. Out of all the cues I've used the extremes have been Ash cues at both whippy and stiff.

The maple cues I've used so far tend to be medium stiffness and less extreme in stiffness but perhaps that's just more luck than anything.

[vucko117]

With all due respect, it all depends on the piece of timber chosen. Some maple shafts are very soft and some ash shafts are very stiff and vice versa.

Have you ever made a pool cue with ash shaft? That was my dream, to have pool cue with pro tapered ash shaft Break cue you have made for me, with an ash shaft was the best break I have ever used and the shaft was perfect for breaking off, but I've got the impression that maple break cues are A LOT stiffer...

"Pro taper being very thin and with little taper in the last 12 inch's or more"

What effect does this make on the cue? is it better power, or better spin, or something?

I don't really know what is the purpose of pro taper. I know that it is much easier to use closed bridge when the cue is tapered that way. And I think that pro taper is making a cue a bit whippier, and perhaps helps you to make better spins, but I am not too sure about that...

[DeanH]

Have you ever made a pool cue with ash shaft? That was my dream, to have pool cue with pro tapered ash shaft Break cue you have made for me, with an ash shaft was the best break I have ever used and the shaft was perfect for breaking off, but I've got the impression that maple break cues are A LOT stiffer...

I recently got a Parris Special pool spec cue, 8.2mm ferrule, with an ash shaft, my previous cue being a maple with 8.2 ferrule as well.
As far as I am concerned they have the same stiffness (negligible difference) both being about "middling" – not too stiff and not too whippy either – just right for me
As to tapering, I am not sure, the JP is probably his standard (whatever that is) and I can see some tapering down the shaft. My old maple (maker unknown) looks like a fairly straight, consistent taper all the way down.
"Is Maple stiffer than Ash?" I tend to go with the point that wood is a natural material and you can get variations across both species so no generalisation can be made. Tapering I think is the main contributor to the stiffness required and would be dependent to the individual shaft.

[vucko117]

I am talking about US pool cue not UK pool

[DeanH]

oops, sorry

[old school]

Try hornbeam.Hornbeam is the stiffest timber for shafts that I know of,should take a pro taper easily,however if you put laminated tips on ( I have a Talisman S in 9mm on one of my hornbeam cues ) be prepared to take time getting to know your cue again.Fantastic breaking cue but a pain in the backside if you are even a fraction out on timing while you are playing.