questions about balancing point and cue length

[nukihz]

hi all, might be a dumb question but would really like to know if there is any difference.

Suppose I like the feel of my 58inch cue's balancing point at 18inch. If I am to switch to a 56inch cue, should I still spec the balancing point at 18 inch?

any views if its gonna be difference?

[cueman]

Getting a cue made to a specific BP is not an exact science as it largely depends on the density of the materials used and the weight needed to be added to the cue in order to get it to the customers request. Most cue makers will try and get the balance ideally between 16-18" but its not something that can easily be gauged. Hope this helps, some of the cue makers maybe able to go into a bit more detail but that is the crux of it.

[sanman]

Lopping 2 inches at the tip end of your cue will reduce the weight of your cue by approximately 4 grams. So not much of a change in weight. Your balance point would move about 2mm backwards. Not noticeable. So if u used to a particular balance point should not make too much of a diff if a cue is an inch or 2 short.

[stejohn]

also you will likely be holding the butt further forward on the 58" cue so the balance point would feel further back and on the 56" cue i guess your holding near the end so would seem further forward in balance.

[cueman]

I think the question that is begging to be asked is, why the need to change cue from 58" to 56"? That is a big change, trust me I've tried out a 55" cue from a 57" and I simply couldn't play with it as it restricts your follow through. Easier to chop the length off the 58" rather than have a cue made to spec as like sanman says the BP wouldn't alter too much, certainly not noticeable to the user anyway.

[Izzyfcuk]

the "feel" of the cue at 18 inch will feel different at different cue length.

Its not a one size fits all thing with a few variable

1. Each ash/maple block has different density

2. Choice of splice wood, dense (ebony) or lighter woods used

If you used a lighter wood at the butt and still stick to 18" balance point....the cue may feel too front heavy!

Another scenario is that if you use ebony on the butt + 18" balance point but that particular ash/maple block may be too light..

[vmax4steve]

hi all, might be a dumb question but would really like to know if there is any difference.

Suppose I like the feel of my 58inch cue's balancing point at 18inch. If I am to switch to a 56inch cue, should I still spec the balancing point at 18 inch?

any views if its gonna be difference?

No difference that will be noticeable. Don't change your cue and don't get a shorter one, simply hold your present cue a couple of inches further from the butt end and see if it makes a difference.

[old school]

Why not put a bit of tape on the butt at 56" down from the ferrule.Use that as your grip point. Play with it and if it works for you and the cue can be altered at the butt end ( rather than the ferrule end ) , do the alteration , that way taper remains the same and BP does not move too much and if it doesnt work , take the tape off and you havent ruined your playing cue.