Part of it, at least, is how long they age the wood. Each cue is cut, aged, cut, aged, and cut, etc. That's how Laurie explained it to me, anyway. I waited 4 months for the first and 3 1/2 years for my second.
Is Southwest the best?
- Thread starter Shooter08
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Part of it, at least, is how long they age the wood. Each cue is cut, aged, cut, aged, and cut, etc. That's how Laurie explained it to me, anyway. I waited 4 months for the first and 3 1/2 years for my second.
You are wrong. There is no way all 3 of your top playing cues can be Southwests because Mosconi could run 400 balls with a broom handle.
Just kidding. Thanks for the heads up about Richard Harris. I've never tried one of his cues but I'll give them a whirl. If you didn't like the BEM forearms, which woods did you like? I'm always trying to get feedback on different SW woods to try.
Thanks
LJ
And just think how much better SVB could be if he used a SW........
Honestly I don't think it would matter. I will acknowledge that cues are functional works of art. However, they offer minimal impact on a player's game, imo. Sure, certain cues offer different playing attributes. But the differences are usually small and are easily adjusted to by decent players. That's my experience playing pool for 20 years.
Value is in the eye of the beer holder. SW cues are high quality for sure and worth the price to many. No harm in that of course. Personally, I think that the cult following has established market momentum and have reinforced the perception that they are worth substantially more money than other cues of comparable style and quality.
All.my opinion of course. Collecting cues is a nice hobby if you are into that sort of thing and they surely make a nice display in a home pool room.
I had a 1996 M. Ebony nose SW that was my prime player for 5 years. That cue played great, and I miss it. I had to sell it and my BMW convertible to make my Mortgage nut when I was transitioning between jobs 3 years ago. When it came down to paying the mortgage or keeping the cue, there was no choice. I figure I can always get another.
The cue found a good home, and as soon as I free up some money, I will be contacting Greg about getting another one. He might remember the conversation I had with him about the cue's value.
The cue found a good home, and as soon as I free up some money, I will be contacting Greg about getting another one. He might remember the conversation I had with him about the cue's value.
So, in your logic, all the American players that have won tournaments (World, 9ball Open, DCC, etc) through out the decades from Mosconi to Lassiter to Earl to Varner to Archer to SVB, et all, what ever cue they used MOST have been the best.
I mean, they must be doing something right playing with the cues they play with, right?
The cue is not going to find the tangent line for you, or tell you how to aim, or how much English to use, or how hard to hit the ball, or what shot to take, or how many rails to use, etc, etc. etc.
You can't give to much credit to any cue, tip, or even chalk
The credit must go to the player with the most talent. Surely, even SVB was a monster before he used Cuetech, and still is.
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Macassar is an awesome hitting wood. Here's a super figured macassar nose, all tall tulip '85 and bird's eye wrapless...the cue pictured on the cover of the blue book 1st edition.
Attachments
I have had pre date Franklin's with Coco, Rosewood, Alves & Pau and they all played great. Which one I preferred came down to the weight, balance and wrap (i prefer a leather wrap) since I used the same shaft with all of them. Here is a picture of my 2 Franklin's. The plane jane is the lightest SW I have ever seen at 18.3 Oz.
It's enough to say Brian,Brian P:smile::smile::smile:
That's a damn fine looking cue!
Yes, yes they are. I was one of the guys who used to say"man i would never give 2500 plus for a 6 point cue ,no inlays etc... I belive,at. Least to me, that in a blind test that southwest cues hit better than anything made. I know hit is subjective and that different people like different types of "hits" but i like how flatfaced wood to wood big pin cues hit and southwests are simply a little better than all the others i have played with. I have owned rick howards(multiple) bluegrass cues(about 15) along with many other very good cuemakers and in my opinion nothing plays as well as southwest does
Are they the best? They are certainly among the best. I have owned several and have owned everything else from a searing to a Kersenbrock.
If you like a solid firm hitting wood to wood big pin cue than these are among the best. A bender or a bluegrass might be just as good. If it is any indication though I have 2 on order right now, just placed my 2004 order this week. I plan to keep both of them and optimistic that one may be my next playing cue. That is until my next Ed Young is completed. Notice I am in no rush to go get another searing.
If you like a solid firm hitting wood to wood big pin cue than these are among the best. A bender or a bluegrass might be just as good. If it is any indication though I have 2 on order right now, just placed my 2004 order this week. I plan to keep both of them and optimistic that one may be my next playing cue. That is until my next Ed Young is completed. Notice I am in no rush to go get another searing.
Most of the top pro's out there are playing with production cues like Predator, OB, Lucasi, Mezz, Meucci.
It says a lot that South West has more pro players using (and winning with) their cues than any other small shop/custom maker.
Any other custom maker may have one or two pro players using and representing their cues (if they're lucky).
How many top pro's are playing with a boar, a szamboti, a tascarella, a hercek, a lambros, etc? 1 or 2 maybe? How many top pro's are using South Wests? 15-20? When many of the best in the world are reaching for one particular brand, there may be something behind it.
It says a lot that South West has more pro players using (and winning with) their cues than any other small shop/custom maker.
Any other custom maker may have one or two pro players using and representing their cues (if they're lucky).
How many top pro's are playing with a boar, a szamboti, a tascarella, a hercek, a lambros, etc? 1 or 2 maybe? How many top pro's are using South Wests? 15-20? When many of the best in the world are reaching for one particular brand, there may be something behind it.
Might ruffle some feathers here but that's the perks of this being an Internet forum. I've had the chance to play with 3 Southwests over the last 2 years and aside from there looks; I don't think they have a special hit or feel to them.
Absolutely beautiful cues but they didn't play the way I like them to so I wouldn't even consider purchasing one.
Lastly, no cue or maker is the "best." There is only what is "best" for you.
Absolutely beautiful cues but they didn't play the way I like them to so I wouldn't even consider purchasing one.
Lastly, no cue or maker is the "best." There is only what is "best" for you.
the predate satin i have plays great.....like other respected memebers have said some of them great players as well....hit is subjective. From a cue makers perspective its a great instrument, they are well built.
Cant say a bad word about their product myself. Or any of my communications with Laurie. Extremely nice woman. Was shocked she gave me the time she did. Very impressed personally.
-Greyghost
Cant say a bad word about their product myself. Or any of my communications with Laurie. Extremely nice woman. Was shocked she gave me the time she did. Very impressed personally.
-Greyghost