SW comes to mind....I've been to many pool rooms...if there a SW in the room, I will know. Lol!!
>>>>> Most Recognizable Cue <<<<<
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I was going to make a similar comment but chose not to start with the derailment yet.
But you can spot a Meucci the minute it walks in the door usually.
Budweiser and Joe Camel Cues. One smells like
stale beer, the other stinks like a over-full ashtray.
stale beer, the other stinks like a over-full ashtray.
Bingo on the Model M. Mine stayed in a closet for 30 years while I was busy raising a daughter, running a biz, etc. Pool just wasn't part of my life during those years.
Then..retirement, the child grown...Cindy & I thought we'd like to play pool again, so we dug her old Adam, my Model M out of the closet. Boy Howdy did I learn quickly how recognizable the Palmer Model M is! Actually, that was the first time I heard "model M". When I bought it back in the early 70's, I was told it was called a "Palmer Supreme".
I bought something else to play with...the Palmer brought too much unwanted attention.
Tad and SW.
Ok so we have a lot of opinions. Some very strong and agree ALL have merit....
To ME, the most recognizable cues have always been SW's. It's the wooden butt cap that you can see from a mile away, the evenly split short phenolic joint, and the dimentions (visually) along with the wood combinations that at a very quick glance scream SW.
Szamboti is my close second for their unmistakable uniquely odd inlay and ring combinations that at first glance make you think "why would you put that there and something totally different here??" ( I used to always wonder that whenever I'd see one of Gus's cues). BUT then, when you stare at them long enough you start to appriciate their unique symmetry. I don't think Gus thought of himself a designer per se but he really had an eye for getting his and standard shapes to come together towards a final appealing visual that even today is universally recognizeable and beautiful. Barry has well continued THAT masterfully.
I chose these two for another reason as well. IMO, they are the top two most copied styles, directly or indirectly, by other makers over the years. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well with all the copying that goes on, many of you know my thoughts on that, you see more cues influenced by those two makers than any other. I can't tell ya how many double takes I've done over the years thinking I'm seeing a rare gem and it turned out to be just another look alike for both Szams AND SW's.
If I had to pick honorable mentions, they would go to Tad for his enlongated butt cap. That always seemed to stick out like sore thumb. I always used to think " that cap is just a "Tad" too long" :wink:, and his unmistakeable sleeve work. Still to this day some of the most creative ever imho. AND Cognoscenti for their silver stitched ringwork and floating points. ( I think Joe was a major influence towards the direction of cues today and I beleive its about time he get his recognition )
To ME, the most recognizable cues have always been SW's. It's the wooden butt cap that you can see from a mile away, the evenly split short phenolic joint, and the dimentions (visually) along with the wood combinations that at a very quick glance scream SW.
Szamboti is my close second for their unmistakable uniquely odd inlay and ring combinations that at first glance make you think "why would you put that there and something totally different here??" ( I used to always wonder that whenever I'd see one of Gus's cues). BUT then, when you stare at them long enough you start to appriciate their unique symmetry. I don't think Gus thought of himself a designer per se but he really had an eye for getting his and standard shapes to come together towards a final appealing visual that even today is universally recognizeable and beautiful. Barry has well continued THAT masterfully.
I chose these two for another reason as well. IMO, they are the top two most copied styles, directly or indirectly, by other makers over the years. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well with all the copying that goes on, many of you know my thoughts on that, you see more cues influenced by those two makers than any other. I can't tell ya how many double takes I've done over the years thinking I'm seeing a rare gem and it turned out to be just another look alike for both Szams AND SW's.
If I had to pick honorable mentions, they would go to Tad for his enlongated butt cap. That always seemed to stick out like sore thumb. I always used to think " that cap is just a "Tad" too long" :wink:, and his unmistakeable sleeve work. Still to this day some of the most creative ever imho. AND Cognoscenti for their silver stitched ringwork and floating points. ( I think Joe was a major influence towards the direction of cues today and I beleive its about time he get his recognition )
You should of said most recognizable components, such as "butt cap"
South West should win the category of cues that are most recognized, but probably an import.
Most recognizable rubber bumper has to be Ernie Martinez.
The most recognizable pin is South West, but again it could be a knock off.
Tad has the most recognizable butt cap if you exclude Perry Weston, Ernie Martinez, & Sailor.
Tim Scruggs has the most recognizable stained forearm.
Eric Crisp has the most recognizable micro rings.
Szamboti has the most recognizable veneer colors
John Davis has the most recognizable full splice blank
Cory Barnhart has the most recognizable silver dot rings
I could go on for days if you want to talk about close up evaluation.
I did say Brunswick, I figured that would have worked.
My humor is not popular around here.
Every time I took a restored Hoppe out to play, multiple guys stopped over to ask if I knew we what I had and try to rob me with a low offer.
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No I meant what I asked.. "Cue"... The individual components of a cue can be what makes that WHOLE cue recognizable... But put them together with the other elements and it takes you there.. Well at least ME there..
"Copy's" of cues only give more reason the originals are so recognizable...
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Happened all the time with my SW's...
The fact that you've seen "tons of cues that look lik Szams Nd SW" is why I think they're the most recognizable... You may not be looking at an actual Szam or SW but for a few seconds that's what comes to mind... At least for me it does..
That is an interesting point. I wonder why the fancy butt sleeves of Tads haven't been copied much. Not hardly any compared to Szamboti or Ginacue designs.
I've been thinking about this and it's tough to come up with a definitive answer or short list even....depends a lot of the audience. Meucci and Cuetec are super recognizable cues to the masses. To the more "cue aficionados", SW, Ginacue, Tad, Szamboti....sure. I get those.