the old ones are wood to wood or brass pin joints, not very good.
the newer ones weren't bad for what they were, i knew a UofS foreign student who had one, he was a hell of a shot, century runner, he was one of the top 16 players in his home country of pakistan. nice fellow too.
i think bce has suffered somewhat considering they have to compete with companies like o'min, who make a fantastic cue for dirt cheap. comparable to a parris or hunt & byrne.