Predator Limited Edition Artisan Ebony & Maple Pool Cue

Predator Limited Edition Artisan Ebony & Maple Pool Cue

Ebony and maple is about as old-school as cue woods get, and the Predator Artisan Ebony & Maple leans into it. Eight hand-spliced maple points rise out of a jet-black ebony forearm, and Predator outlines every point in silver metal. Flip the cue over and the butt sleeve has eight more maple points coming the other way. The collar and the butt cap are maple to match, with a Predator panther on the cap, and the handle gets a black lizard-grain leather wrap. Predator capped the run at 150 cues.

$2,849, REVO Shaft Included

Billiards Direct sells the Artisan Ebony & Maple for $2,849, Predator’s own listed price. The cue comes with a REVO® carbon fiber shaft. Use the Shaft Choice menu to pick 12.4 mm, 11.8 mm or 12.9 mm, with no change in price, and then choose a tip and weight.

Why the Maple Version

Maple is a pale, warm wood with a fine grain you can see through the finish. Set against ebony, it gives the Artisan a softer look than its Ebony & Ivorine sibling, which goes for a crisp black-and-white contrast. If you like your cues to look like wood, this is the one. Since every maple point is cut from real lumber, the color and grain will vary slightly from cue to cue.

How It’s Built

Predator makes the Artisan with its TrueSplice method. Each maple point is a real splice, cut and fitted into the ebony rather than laid in as a decorative inlay. That’s the way the classic full-splice cues of the past were made, and it’s a big part of why spliced cues feel so solid. Predator’s version keeps the seams tight and clean, then adds a silver outline to every point for a finished edge.

Radial Pin and Weight System

The joint is a Uni-Loc® Radial™ pin. It’s quick to screw together and holds firm once it’s seated, and the REVO we ship with it has the matching Radial joint. Weight comes set at 19 oz. The Uni-Loc® Weight Cartridge System lets you change that from 18.5 up to 20.5 oz, a tenth of an ounce at a time.

Specifications

Choosing a Shaft Size

The 12.4 mm REVO is where most people land. It feels familiar if you’re coming from maple. The 11.8 mm is slimmer and has the lowest deflection of the three. The 12.9 mm suits players who want more shaft in their bridge.

Who It’s For

This is a cue for someone who appreciates traditional craftsmanship but still wants carbon fiber performance up front. It also makes sense for collectors, since the run is small and Predator has put the total at 150.

Ebony & Maple FAQ

What’s the price of the Predator Artisan Ebony & Maple?
$2,849, REVO shaft included. That’s Predator’s listed price.

How is it different from the Ivorine version?
The points, collar and butt cap are natural maple instead of white Ivorine. Everything else is the same.

Are the points inlaid?
No, they’re spliced, using Predator’s TrueSplice construction.

Can I use a Quick-Release shaft on it?
No. It has a Radial joint, so you need a Radial shaft.

Does a case come with it?
No. It ships with REVO wipes, a microfiber cloth and patches.

From Our Shop

We have a single Artisan Ebony & Maple in stock. It’s new from Predator and fully warrantied. Call with any questions, or if you’re near San Diego, see it at our La Mesa showroom.