Gilbert/Southwest

Jeff

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If you had a choice between a Gilbert and a Southwest, and for the sake of argument let's say both cues are plain no pointers with the same wood used.

WHich one would you rather have?

Which one would do you think would make the best player?

Which one would be the best return value on a resell down the road?
 
i think when you compare cues made today the plain janers are not the way to predict future cue market value. if you take lets say a standard 6 point southwest and a six point from gilbert i would want the gilbert because he makes one third the number of cues a year and his work is at least on par with southwest. fewer examples means more collectable, from comparable makers. i was reminded of that from a future cue hall of famer. thanks john s.
 
Jeff said:
WHich one would you rather have?
The Southwest
Which one would do you think would make the best player?
Neither one... your stroke, aim and knowledge make you a good player... one cue might play differently than another, but no cue in the world is going to make you a better player
Which one would be the best return value on a resell down the road?
For a plain jane cue, I really don't think I'd be worried about the resale value of either.

jmo,
Bob
 
I was trying to keep the discussion about which cue do you prefer as far as playing and resell down the road which is why I said plain jane.

So if both cues were the same, be it a 4 pointer, 6 points, no points.

I know Southwest has stepped up their production, do you think that will eventually hurt their resell value? ALthough resell value is at the bottom of my priority list, it's always something one should consider.

I've seen some nice Gilberts that I was thinking about and the prices were nice but I'm torn between the two. I have always heard good things about both and was just looking for feedback on what people think when the two were compared to each other.
 
You will certainly find no shortage of people who like the hit characteristics of Southwest cues. That being said, there are many people who like the hit characteristics of Gilbert cues. If you're basically going to buy one or the other then you should play with several of each and make your decision based on that.

I've only hit with one Southwest and I was somewhat underwhelmed. I have to admit that I didn't get much playing time with it and since making the change to 60" cues anything shorter doesn't feel as good to me. I have had a couple of Gilberts and I think they play great. Then again, I'm not that sensitive to the differences of cues and can get comfortable with most cues I've tried rather quickly.

I hope this makes at least a little sense and is at least somewhat helpful.
 
I got to hit a Gilbert just recently and they hit great! However, for playing I will stick with Southwest, it just feels right for me. For return on a PlainJ I would still go with Southwest. The name is what makes it valuable to a wider range of people. But PJ's are really not the way to go for that. :)
 
I never played with a Gilbert but I have with many many SW. SW are great cues and they play very well. I dont see how you can go wrong. I havent seen to many Gilberts appreciate in value.
 
First of all, I don't think Southwest will even make a non-point cue. I believe 6pt cues are standard. I don't believe I've ever seen a Southwest without points--certainly not since Jerry passed away.

Secondly, I visited with Laurie and Mike of Southwest in January, and if there is any "stepping up" it is that the staff of 3 is taking shorter coffee breaks. Whatever you heard about stepping up is pure bullshit.

The fact is, these people take extraordinary care in making cues. Mike worked with Kersenbrock before Jerry Franklin and when to work for Jerry when he started Southwest. Mike has been at Southwest since day one and he knows what he's doing. Laurie is totally on top of everything the business does, from the purchasing and storing of wood, to every aspect of the construction. She and Mike make a great team dedicated to excellence.

I think what cue will have greater resale value is pretty obvious. Figure out how many people know of and played with each and you'll get a pretty good idea of which is the more desirable.

As for which will make you a better player ... you aren't serious, are you? A Cuetec will make you a better player if you spend 10 hours a day using it.
 
tedkaufman said:
Secondly, I visited with Laurie and Mike of Southwest in January, and if there is any "stepping up" it is that the staff of 3 is taking shorter coffee breaks. Whatever you heard about stepping up is pure bullshit.

Well, actually I read it here. I forgot what the number was but it was well over two hundred cues a year.


tedkaufman said:
As for which will make you a better player ... you aren't serious, are you? A Cuetec will make you a better player if you spend 10 hours a day using it.

I think you need to read the posts before you reply. I don't know who you're trying to impress, but nothing was ever said about one of the cues making me or any one else a "better" player.

I asked which one everyone thought made the best playing cue. NOT which one would make the person using it a better player.
 
Jeff said:
I asked which one everyone thought made the best playing cue. NOT which one would make the person using it a better player.

Jeff, I misunderstood it, too. Amended answer... I've played with both and I think the Southwest is a better playing cue, but that's a very objective thing... next guy down the line might think the Gilbert is a better playing cue.

Bob
 
As far as I know SW production has ranged between 175 and 200 cues per year since the early 90's.

Build execution, playability, etc, is as good,if not better, than ever.

If I had a choice of spending the same amt of $ for either I would select SW. for resale potential.

SW is my playing cue of choice. I can see how it might be easier for someone to move "whitey" if they don't have a well developed stroke with a more "dynamic" cue than a SW,ie: MEUCCI,etc.
 
Jeff said:
If you had a choice between a Gilbert and a Southwest, and for the sake of argument let's say both cues are plain no pointers with the same wood used.

WHich one would you rather have?

Which one would do you think would make the best player?

Which one would be the best return value on a resell down the road?
Do you have brain damage??? The SouthWest no question. They are worth way more and play a lot more consistently than Andy Gilbert's.....

-Andy
 
Couldn't agree more!!!!!!!


1-pocket-player said:
Do you have brain damage??? The SouthWest no question. They are worth way more and play a lot more consistently than Andy Gilbert's.....

-Andy
 
No, what you wrote was this:

"Which one would do you think would make the best player?"

If you meant to say which would be the better playing cue, then I suggest you take some of that practice time and apply it to learning English.

Jeff said:
I think you need to read the posts before you reply. I don't know who you're trying to impress, but nothing was ever said about one of the cues making me or any one else a "better" player.

I asked which one everyone thought made the best playing cue. NOT which one would make the person using it a better player.
 
I don't think anyone believes Gilberts are better. :D
Purchasing a Gilbert is an IRRATIONAL decision.
 
Come to think of it, I know many more professionals and road players that play with, or have played with, SW's than Gilberts.
Generally, professionals know much more about how cues should hit than most of the people on this forum.

Please don't be offended; I'm only speaking the truth.

-ShaneS
 
Personally, i would take the Gilbert.

I have played with a Gilbert and wow, it was nice !!!!!!!!!!

Also the Price you can get one for is basically 1/3 of the cost of a SouthWest. So if you look at the Price you would pay for a SouthWest, think of what kinda cue you could get from Gilbert for the same price. No Contest!!!!!!!!!!

And you dont hafta wait 5-7yrs hell i might be dead in 5yrs lol.

I think the wait on a Gilbert is about 6 to 12 months.

Plus if you look at how much a 4 or 6 point Gilbert could sell for in 5 to 7yrs which would be about the time in which someone in just getting thier SouthWest cue, i gotta go with the Gilbert.

dave
 
I have a SW and 2 Gilberts, one is a J/B and the other a is ebony and ivory with a lizard wrap.

I was not that impressed with the SW at first. The more I played with it the more I liked it.

The Gilberts are great cues also. I think they feel a little harder in the hit but it may be due to not having a wrap and a lizard wrap whereas the SW is linen.
The SW has a pong and the Gilberts a ping.

Andy's work is fantastic and I think his cues will start to take off because of the quality and workmanship.

For a playing cue between the two I would go SW if you can wait and afford it. If you don't want to wait you can pay about a 50% premium.

On a dollar for dollar basis Gilberts are a better deal. If both cues were the same price; definitely the SW.

Will the SW make you play better? No. It will just have a better feel.
 
Kinda looks like the overwhelming opinion is Southwest. I was expecting a closer race.
 
You know whats funny, about this thread.

Is in about 1-4 yrs when the demand for Gilbert cues becomes on the same level with SouthWest, what are people going to say then?

I still think buying the Gilbert cue is the better buy.


dave
 
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