Maple Cues

[GabrielOng]

Hi every experienced brothers out there. How you find maple cues compare to ash cues ? In terms of long lasting, will be shorter than ash or sensitive when climate change, so it bends ? Thank you.

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

there is no reason for a maple to be more susceptible to bending than an ash. I have a maple cue that I have owned since new for over 20 years and is still straight. It was my only playing cue for snooker and pool up to 2010, when I joined TSF, and bought a cue for each format, both being ash.
Now I understand that hornbeam shaft cues are prone to bending.

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

climate change: do you mean just severe weather changes or relocating the cue from one country to another say a hot humid country?
All woods being a natural material can be affected by such changes but as long as the timbers have been treated well they should be ok. but any can be affected to some degree.

[GabrielOng]

Thank you Bro Dean. Yes. Like my country, Malaysia, hot humid country. Just afraid that the maple can't be performing well compare to ash. So, i need to get more info before order a new one. You're using ash cues now ? How is it compare to maple ? Which type you more prefer ?

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

honestly, I have no preference to the shaft wood as long as they are smooth
as I used a maple for many years I do not use the grain of an ash to sight with unlike others say they do.
Most, if not all, cue makers in UK are used to sending cues to the far east (and other global locations) and I have only heard (read on TSF that is) of any issues of a new cue going aboard and IIRC they were spices 'lifting' and not bending.
When you chat with the maker(s) mention your concerns and see what they say.
Again I would say that maple and ash should be the same in your locale as long as the timbers have been source and looked after.
Maybe a cue maker will jump on this thread with pertinent info fir you.

[GabrielOng]

Hmm....haha...actually quite confusing. Just afraid that can't get along with maple. For ash, sometimes the chevrons especially at near the tip, can be quite distracting when i am having pressure in tournament after missed out simple shot. Then my eyes will turn to more focus on the tip/front chevron.

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

many people have a preference and that is not a problem.
but you do know that when down on the shoot you should not be looking at the shaft/tip anyway
have a look at the recent "sighting" threads

[GabrielOng]

And my friend says ash better. Better reactions with full range of shots. He ask me to see Stephen Hendry(7 times WC), Marco Fu playing style. He says the maple cues is just best for simple shots. Unlike other player, Ronnie, Trump, Higgins....the cue ball can travel almost every cushion/angle that they desires.

[GabrielOng]

yes. that's it....haha...i knew my problems, on the way to cure it, maybe take times...

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

sorry but I must disagree to this simplistic analogy.

If it was true then snooker players would have two cues with them, one maple for simple shots and an ash for the more 'difficult' ones


Getting shot performance is purely down to the player's cue action and timing and not specifically the shaft wood
if your preference is ash then stay with that, you won't be the first
what cue make are you thinking of?
what are your cue specs?

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

by the way unclevit makes some beautiful maple cues

[GabrielOng]

Still thinking of it. Haven't made up my mind yet.

[DeanH]

Still thinking of it. Haven't made up my mind yet.

Quite normal

[GabrielOng]

Pricing wise ?

[DeanH]

Maple Cues

I only mentioned him as he is same country as you.
I have seen a few of his for sale for not that much but in USD plus shipping so for you it could be a good cue for reasonable money.