South West cue review

[Hal]

I’ve had my South West cue for a couple of months now and thought I would write a review. My first experience with SW cues was at the 2007 DCC. A few people in the AZ room had them and they were kind enough to let me hit a few balls with their cues. If I could remember their names I would acknowledge them.

I’ve wanted one for a long time even though I had not hit with one until recently. I guess it’s due to the hype that they create or a status symbol thing (owning a high dollar cue) or whatever. My goal was to buy one before the year was up.

As you may know I purchased one from Thingie and it was really nice. The hit and feel was even greater than I remember experiencing. However the cue was returned to the owner for other reasons.

Later on I acquired another one from AZ member CoryC. It’s also an amazing cue. I know these cues create a lot of hype and I don’t know if I’m talking myself into liking it more because of that, but this cue really really plays well.

The draw on the cue ball that it creates is amazing. It does it with such little effort also. Are these cues worth $3,000? I don’t know, but I’m very happy with my purchase and I think I’ve found a cue that I will play with for a very long time

 

[Pushout]

I had two. The first one was Indian rosewood with birdseye points. Probably the best playing cue I have ever owned. Paid $260.00 for it and waited four months. The second was birdseye with ebony points and butt sleeve, green and black veneers and rings. $500.00 and a three year wait. Laurie told me that the rosewood cue was one of the last they made, couldn't get the wood anymore. The second was good, but nothing like the first one. I never should have sold it.

 

[xianmacx]

I had two. The first one was Indian rosewood with birdseye points. Probably the best playing cue I have ever owned. Paid $260.00 for it and waited four months. The second was birdseye with ebony points and butt sleeve, green and black veneers and rings. $500.00 and a three year wait. Laurie told me that the rosewood cue was one of the last they made, couldn't get the wood anymore. The second was good, but nothing like the first one. I never should have sold it.

If you dont mind me asking, what years were those 2 cues ordered/built? Its amazing what time does.

 

[Pushout]

If you dont mind me asking, what years were those 2 cues ordered/built? Its amazing what time does.

I'll have to dig, I got my first one about the time the first BC Open was played in Binghamton, NY, that Mcready won. I can't remember the year, but I'll look it up. May take a while, though I had the first one four years, I know that, ordered the second about 2 or 3 years after I sold the first.

 

[Pushout]

If you dont mind me asking, what years were those 2 cues ordered/built? Its amazing what time does.

OK, I found it without tearing the whole office apart, so my old lady isn't screaming for your head. I would guess I got the first around 1985 or 1986. This would have been when Lenny Loder had the second one I ever saw. Allen Hopkins had the first one I ever saw. The second that I bought would have been, and I'm kinda guessing here, around the mid '90s. I bought my Dishaw in 1995, I know that for certain,so my second SW was already sold. I didn't have the second SW very long, only about a year, I'm thinking. Had to sell it to make a mortgage payment. I bought the first one for $260, sold it for $500, bought the second for $500 and sold it for $600 because I needed the money fast. The guy I sold the second one to sold it a few months later for $700.

 

[TheBook]

I hope the hype and waiting time keeps growing on them. Makes the one that is stored in my case to continue increasing in value.

Please don't pm or ask to sell it.

 

[Hurly Burly]

Hello Hal-

I just wanted to say that I have to agree with you whole-heartedly. I have played with numerous South Wests before and every one of them played extremely well. I don't own one presently and am still waiting for the right one to come along before I make my move.

This will be easier said than done though. As you can probably guess by my screen name, I have a favorite wood and I try to incorporate it into all of my cues. And when it comes to South West, to my understanding, they have only made 5 cues or so incorporating burl. But when one of them becomes available for the right price, I may have to pounce!!!

Anyway, glad to hear that you're having such a good time with your South West. Good luck with it in the future!

-Hurly.

 

[Cross]

Im wondering what it is about SW? I dont know why they are so popular over in Taiwan, I heard that of all the high end custom cues, SW remains the most in demand over there. and a number of them swear by them (Wu, Yang and a few others who are not so famous). I mean why not a Szamboti or a Bushka? Do they know something we dont?

Btw, I love the design of a SW, just dont have the chance to shoot with many to appreciate the "hit" that everyone is raving about. Can you guys give me more info? Thanks

 

[John Barton]

Im wondering what it is about SW? I dont know why they are so popular over in Taiwan, I heard that of all the high end custom cues, SW remains the most in demand over there. and a number of them swear by them (Wu, Yang and a few others who are not so famous). I mean why not a Szamboti or a Bushka? Do they know something we dont?

Btw, I love the design of a SW, just dont have the chance to shoot with many to appreciate the "hit" that everyone is raving about. Can you guys give me more info? Thanks

Yes. It begins with DPK and ends with Jerry and Laurie Franklin's fanatical devotion to a process that takes the best materials coupled with the right techniques to produce a super solid piece.

John

 

[Fatboy]

I walked into SW Cues on Nolan LN in Vegas on 7-1-86, i remember because it was my dads birthday and met Jerry, We hit it off good. In May 87 I got the cue I ordered a 60" tulip wood point with Macasser ebony forarm for $350, I still have it I played with it for about 3 years.

In 2000 I bought a ebony w/6 ivory points SW with AB rings above and below the wrap and played with it at home only until recenly I started going back into pool room again, it plays soft for a SW even though you wouldnt expect it to being the blackest ebony possible, Its been to the pool room maybe 6 times, I use it at home when I'm in Vegas and it plays almost as good as a G.Szam.

I have 2 satin finish SW's that play equally as nice as my fancy one, I have hit balls with ALOT of SW's over the years because alot of people came to Vegas to pick up their cue and would come to the pool room to use it, and I can say that I only hit balls with a couple I didnt like, probably because they were a bit light or something.

Are they worth the $$$, yes, I dont know what the market price is but what ever it is they arnt getting any cheaper, they last, I have re-tipped my ebony one many times and it plays like the day I got it.

I spoke to Laurie 2 days ago for 20-30 minutes, not about cues but just friends stuff and her business is alive and well, she isnt going anywhere. I cant say enough good things about her, Jerry and their cues. I perfer a G.Szam over a SW by a narrow margin. Ginacues are works of art and I like the hit on them as well just under a SW but not by much, so after this long post, YES SW cues are the way foward with Ginacue for current cue makers.