Guys, I need some help with tinkering with some gold tip 35/55's.  I am shooting a Cactus Cal Saguaro longbow 56", 54/55# at my 26" draw length.  The 35/55's have the standard inserts, and are 30" which I think is full length.  My problem is that with my attempts at barshaft tuning them they fly pretty good with 150 grain points.  Also they are a little light for my setup @ 450 grains.  I would like to cut them to 28 inches and possibly add 100 grain inserts to help add weight.  Do you guys think cutting them will make them too stiff for my setup?  Thanks,Mark

Two inches is a huge jump, especially for carbons.  I believe you'll be able to add the weight you want just fine, but I'd go down a quarter inch at a time, very carefully.

Like SlowBowinMO says maybe try a 1/4" at a time.Carbons stiffen up rapidly as you cut them and 2" is a big jump.I have had carbons that I've cut down to add more weight up front to weaken the spine and I couldn't get them tuned no matter how much weight I added up front.They seemed to get worse the more weight I added.If you cut them too short it really affects the dynamic spine and the way it reacts on your bow.I have found don't make any big changes at one time will work out better as you tune them.

flatlander;I shoot Gold Tip 35/55 Traditionals.I have them cut at 27 3/4" I draw 27"s. the bows I own are as follows A Super Shrew 47#s at 27"S and a Horne's Traditionalist 50#s at 27"s. The Horne's is not cut to center. I put a 175 grain field point or a 250 grain field point on and the bow shoots great. The arrows fly like lazer guided darts. For broadheads I use 220 grain Muzzy Phantom. The Shrew I shoot a 145 grain field point and a 150 grain Magnus Stinger same scenario.Your shooting a inch less on your draw I'd say around 27 3/4"s or  28"s and a 175 or 250 grain head should work real nice.Under 28"s you might have to add more weight on.

I shoot 3555 Gold Tips cut to 28 in. I put a length of 1/4 in. poly rope full length for weight. I also put a 243 bullet in the front along with a 145g broadhead. I found they fly like darts. I shoot a Checkmate Crusader 53# and I pull 26 1/2 in.

If you add the 100 grain insert you should be ok. The only way to know for sure is to try one and bareshaft tune.

SloBo is spot on.  It sounds like you should be pretty close with your set-up.  It may take a little fine tuning, but with time you will have awesome arrow flight with the weight you want.

Thanks guys for all of the info so far.  I will keep experimenting since I have screw in points from 125 up to 250 grains.

you can always cut them to the length you want and tune with the gold tip weights.  works well and you can tune very easily

Ditto slowbo, don't cut more than an inch off with the 100 grain inserts.  Based on my experience, you'll probably be close aroun 1 1/2 inches off, but DO NOT go straight to 28".  GT's seem to shoot better on the long side.

hey buddy i shoot 35-55 and i have a 26 1/2" draw and i shoot a 53 pound bob sarrells longbow and have cut them to 29" and they work real good.

Cut to the length you want and start adding weight up front. I shoot 29" 35-55 GTs with standard inserts and 250gr pt. I draw 50-55# at my draw, they shoot good from a griffin, Morrison Cougar, Morrison Shawnee and Pronghorn.

Flatlander, I've been shooting 35-55 cut at 28 3/4 out of a 52# cari-bow. I added 200 gr. behind a 125 tip AND I added 100 gr. at the nock with GT's nock adaptor and they have been flying well. Total arrow weight is just over 700 grains

Cut 6 down today to 29".  They were actually   30 1/2" long before.  Put standard inserts in them with 200 grain points and they fly and group like darts at the short 8 yard basement range I have.  I had to really move the nocking point down alot to get it right.  this is the most luck I've had with carbons so far.  I will have to wait until it gets warmer here to go out in the backyard and shoot at 15-20 yards.  Arrow weight is 495 grains but I can add stuff to change that more to my liking.  FOC is 19.8%.  Thanks to everyone for their input.  Mark