Should Southwest Cues Sponsor the new U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion, Kevin Cheng?

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
I would be interested in learning more about how long Kevin Cheng has been shooting with a Southwest.

Most know there is a waiting list to purchase a Southwest. Is the Southwest cue that Kevin Cheng is shooting with an older model or a newer model? Is there a difference between the older Southwest and the newer ones?

Looking forward to reading more about this Southwest Cue of Kevin's. :cool:
 
JAM said:
So there *is* a difference between old Southwest and new Southwest cues?

Which one does Kevin Cheng play with? I wonder.
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Yeah, there is "pre" and "post" Jerry's death status.
But I wouldn't be the one to tell you if there is a difference in hit or not as I have only played with the "pre"s.
They play pretty good. But to me, it's not THAT big of a deal.

But like all cues, Southwest as a brand has devoted followers who swear by them, and people that don't care.
 
I have no idea how he acquired a Southwest. In fact I never heard of him until now and didn't know he used a Southwest but one thing I do know is Southwest doesn't need to advertise. They have a long waiting list. If they started advertising the result would be a 20 year waiting list and a lot of upset people who were tired of waiting for a cue.
 
The cue Kevin used in the US Open was an ebony front Jerry Franklin era cue, very desirable.

I don't know though if he was using a sw shaft; I think he was using an ld shaft, maybe ob or pred. Only guessing on that because the ferrule looked short to me.

best,
brian kc
 
Hi JAM,

To directly address the theme of the thread; no SW Cues should not sponsor anyone unless they simply want to burn money. There is a 11 year waiting lists and guys "sell spots". Jerry has been gone quite some time now. The Jerry era cues can bring a premium and all inlaid cues were from his era. The cues direct from SW are modest in price but on the second market command 2 to 3 times their direct price. BTW, they are easy to sell at those prices.

SW is a 3 person shop, these same people have been at it with and since Jerry. Therefore, I doubt that one could tell the difference in a "Blind Pepsi Test". They have a great feel and hit. It seems the ebony nose cues are most desirable and command a premium.

A sponsorship would only diminish what ever mostest profit thy have because they can not meet demand. Greg Antonakis, ga9ball is the best objective authority on SW.

All the best,
Phil
 
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phil dade said:
Hi JAM,

To directly address the theme of the thread; no SW Cues should not sponsor anyone unless they simply want to burn money. There is a 11 year waiting lists and guys "sell spots". Jerry has been gone quite some time now. The Jerry era cues can bring a premium and all inlaid cues were from his era. The cues direct from SW are modest in price but on the second market command 2 to 3 times their direct price. BTW, they are easy to sell at those prices.

SW is a 3 person shop, these same people have been at it with and since Jerry. Therefore, I doubt that one could tell the difference in a "Blind Pepsi Test". They have a great feel and hit. It seems the ebony nose cues are most desirable and command a premium.

A sponsorship would only diminish what ever mostest profit thy have because they can not meet demand. Greg Antonakis, GW9ball is the best objective authority on SW.

All the best,
Phil
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How interesting! Thanks for sharing that SW history.

So it would seem that Southwest are -- or will -- enjoy the same reputation as Balabushkas do today.

I always knew there was that waiting list from reading various threads, and I also have heard many speak about the good "hit" of the SW cue.

I wonder who Kevin Cheng bought his from. Maybe he owes them a jelly roll of sorts. :smile:
 
Southwest cues are very popular among Asian, especially with the Taiwanese. Owning a Southwest is considered a mark of a serious player, not a casual banger.

Me and my pre-date Southwest shaft will be ready if I ever walk into a Taiwanese or mainland poolhall. :-)
 
ctyhntr said:
Southwest cues are very popular among Asian, especially with the Taiwanese. Owning a Southwest is considered a mark of a serious player, not a casual banger.

Me and my pre-date Southwest shaft will be ready if I ever walk into a Taiwanese or mainland poolhall. :-)[/QUOTE]

You mean to sell it? :grin-square: :grinning-moose: :lmao: :rotflmao1:

sorry, couldn't resist.

best,
brian kc
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Quality of the Southwest cue is NOT same after Kirshonbock (Don`t know the correct spelling) left Jerry Franklin in late 80s and went to Chicago. It is Kirshonbock that is the brains behind Southwest cues.
 
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JAM said:
I wonder who Kevin Cheng bought his from. Maybe he owes them a jelly roll of sorts. :smile:
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First, I love the "new" avatar

second, the tiawan players all come from the academy. The academy provides a top notch training facility and that includes cues and equipment. The head of the facility is a big southwest fan in my opinion and out fits the players with Southwest cues. They start very early! Apparently, the high up politician is a big pool fan and funds this because it looks expensive. Also, WU won and jumped ship to only get sent off to the military if he did not return and a "BIG" political movement occurred against him. He regrets the decision 'Now" in my opinion. it was pretty bad for him. But, he was already rewarded an extra 100,000 US dollars plus his 100,000 US dollar world title earnings. Means he is wealthy in an economy where people make 1 to 2 thousand a year!

Use the chrome browser as it converts and translates the language for you!

FYI you will love this video!

Just wanted to cite the post I got this from below! Give the poster credit!
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=265914

Link:
http://www.top147.com/news/main/2012...0214108178.htm

KD
 
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Kid Dynomite said:
First, I love the "new" avatar

second, the tiawan players all come from the academy. The academy provides a top notch training facility and that includes cues and equipment. The head of the facility is a big southwest fan in my opinion and out fits the players with Southwest cues. They start very early! Apparently, the high up politician is a big pool fan and funds this because it looks expensive. Also, WU won and jumped ship to only get sent off to the military if he did not return and a "BIG" political movement occurred against him. He regrets the decision 'Now" in my opinion. it was pretty bad for him. But, he was already rewarded an extra 100,000 US dollars plus his 100,000 US dollar world title earnings. Means he is wealthy in an economy where people make 1 to 2 thousand a year!

Use the chrome browser as it converts and translates the language for you!

FYI you will love this video!

Just wanted to cite the post I got this from below! Give the poster credit!
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=265914

Link:
http://www.top147.com/news/main/2012...0214108178.htm

KD
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I love this post, Kid. Thank you for sharing. I remember the Wu-Wu debacle, poor kid. Here's my Wu thread: Troubles for Wu.
 
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Sw

Been saying this for years! " SOUTH WEST = THE BEST "

Look at just a small sampling from 2015, every major has been won shooting with a SW cue. Kevin just won the US Open & Beijing Open back to back! Ko won the World 10 Ball, and he and Chang won the doubles, both shooting SW.

Yang beat everyone in the day shooting with a SW, and Wu won the Worlds with one. There are many other top ranked Asian players using SW cues also, so their must be a reason.
Ga Young Kim won challenge of Champions, and so many other tournaments shooting SW! Siming Chen won the Beijing Open shooting SW, and not sure if any woman would enjoy playing either.
Let's not forget our own Tommy Kennedy won the US Open playing with a SW too ; )

Kevin swears by SW, and l will also.

As far as the Jerry era cues playing better, l will only say l think the Old Wood was better!
The SW cues today are made on the exact same machinery, by the exact same people since 1985, so not much has changed.
Laurie Franklin is a class act, and the SW crew Mickey ( Jerry's nephew ) has been making the cues since 1985, and Al Lawrence l believe since 1989.
Laurie kept this business going strong on her beliefs that an excellent product will endure!
The list is 12-13 years long for a good reason, the cues are made from beautiful woods with a distinct hit. A lot of this is due to the build, and the taper. The butt and shaft are not equal parts in length, which l believe is the only maker who does this, other than the originator of this design David Paul Kersenbrock ( DPK )
David's genius was the forefront of SW, and he should be acknowledged!

Well l could probably go on, but the " Proof is in the Pudding " and SW is making some delicious Pudding!
In the years to come, l think even more major events will be won with a SW also!
I know their will be people rushing on here to bash SW cues, but that will never change the desire to own them!

I will ask Kevin at Steinway some details on his Ebony Nose cue, and post what he says.

Thank you Phil for your comment that l have some general knowledge on SW cues. Collected many and sold more, and continue to play with one, as do both my Son's.

Congrats to Kevin Cheng, he played flawless, and undefeated through l believe the toughest US Open Field ever amassed.

" South West = The Best "
 
look at this group photo


Pretty old!!

KD
 

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Kickin' Chicken said:
The cue Kevin used in the US Open was an ebony front Jerry Franklin era cue, very desirable.

I don't know though if he was using a sw shaft; I think he was using an ld shaft, maybe ob or pred. Only guessing on that because the ferrule looked short to me.

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...

The ferrule was long as far as I could tell. The ring on the shaft was odd.
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
The cue Kevin used in the US Open was an ebony front Jerry Franklin era cue, very desirable.

I don't know though if he was using a sw shaft; I think he was using an ld shaft, maybe ob or pred. Only guessing on that because the ferrule looked short to me.

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...

Kevin is using a SW shaft at the moment (Miyun & US Open, possibly Steinway too), but may change to a custom shaft in near future.

I know he's brought that custom shaft with him, but is hesitate to change right now (which makes perfect sense IMO, why rush the change after a great success at US Open?)
 
Dear Kid.
The photo was not related to Taiwan((Chinese Taipei)). So please double check your story again.
Cheers
 
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