I guess it wouldnt be AZ if certain people didn't talk out of their a$$ only to say nothing.
Lets see..
At one time the many of the worlds best players played meucci cues, many of them. Wonder how many world champions are here in this thread?
The red dots were solid wood shafts and not "designed" purposely for LD. At that point in technology Bob address deflection with shaft diameter and taper, which by the way both have generally become the standard in use today. Were they wippy? Yea, little bit. The idea was that the shaft would deflect off the cue ball rather than deflect the cue ball off line. (Or obviously to a lesser degree) Guess what? Same generally theory in play today. However, the dot was simply an alignment aid to help locate the shaft spine for consistancy. Guess what? Many champion pool players used to mark thier shafts exactly the same way. Wonder how many champion players we have here in this thread.
The black dots were in fact considerably less deflection than thier stock wood shafts as tested and proven by impartial sources. Bob Meucci was 'one' of the first manufacturers to ever address the issue of deflection. Its debatable who was actually thee first but thats not the point. And probably going back 15+ years ago , even designing and building his own testing 'robot' which is almost common place today. He did not do any of it to mearly make a buck or as a gimmick. He generally cared about trying to build a better performing stick and at that time, he did. Was he the best? Probably not but he was better than many, maybe better than most.
What else....
Oh yeah, predator has been making a 11mm shaft since its earliest days (z shaft) and its been quite popular ever since. Lets not mention snookers cues typically in the size range as well, but I guess those guys can't play with small shafts either.

I guess their all crooked too.
Today.....
Has meucci quality dropped way off since 'back in the day ' ? Absolutely. Do I give Bob a pass for that? Absolutely not. I'd actually like to kick him in the nuts for letting his name be dragged thru the mud for the last 20 years. But do I think the guy understands the concepts and intends to offer products that perform ? With out a doubt. He also obviously needs some marketing help but I don't know to many cue biulders who do very well at marketing either. Seems like the nature of the beast for some reason.
I do understand the forum is full of Meucci haters, to each their own. I wouldn't buy a meucci today either but I appreciate the history and service Bob has done for the industry and I respect him for that. I understand he's trying to make an honest effort to correct the mistakes he's made in his business in the past and I applaud him for that. Most companies today act like they've never done wrong and your crazy for thinking so. I'm not going to hate till I have a reason too and I'm not going to kick someone when their down and trying to get up. But feel free to do so if it makes you feel like a better person.
Sorry for the rant. Carry on.