My personal opinion is Southwest in almost any comparison. Gilberts are nice cues, don't get me wrong, but everything considered, except the buy-in price goes to Southwest.
Also, Andy discounts his cues considerably to dealers, unlike Southwest. You can get a new Gilbert for less than his "MSRP". That can't be said of a Southwest. You have to wait quite a while for the SW, but when you get it, it is worth more than you paid, and there is a LONNNNNNNG line of guys who are willing to pay the price you ordered the cue for if you don't have the money after the wait. That can only be said of verrry few cuemakers, and Andy is not one of them.
For me it boils down to hit and resale value, as cues come and go in my "collection" pretty often. SW wins on both fronts.
Also, Andy discounts his cues considerably to dealers, unlike Southwest. You can get a new Gilbert for less than his "MSRP". That can't be said of a Southwest. You have to wait quite a while for the SW, but when you get it, it is worth more than you paid, and there is a LONNNNNNNG line of guys who are willing to pay the price you ordered the cue for if you don't have the money after the wait. That can only be said of verrry few cuemakers, and Andy is not one of them.
For me it boils down to hit and resale value, as cues come and go in my "collection" pretty often. SW wins on both fronts.