Ken, I got on the list in 2003. I got the call to start the cue in late January 2014. Cue was delivered a year later in January 2015.
Southwest Cue Started.......(I hope)
- Thread starter Ken_4fun
- Start date
I was in the Oct. 06 batch. Got the protaper shafts. They feel and play great, but the cue has an overall different feel from the Franklins I’ve had in the past… If that makes any sense.
I will eventually order a standard taper shaft for the classic SW experience.
It's tempting I admit. But my wife said just keep the damn cue. She hasnt complained over the years on getting my group below. I had a Ebony Franklin era Southwest, that I sold to pay for the Balabushka. My thoughts were I could always get a Southwest but Balabushka cues seem a little tougher to come by.
Ken
Holy bejesus. 17 years is such long time.
This was the sexy popular Motorola Razr 17 years ago. Motorola is no longer around was closed down about 10 years ago. There was no smart phone back then.
You want to play with data on the move, you carry PDA organizer like this Palm. And it can only read small files, pretty useless device
Why do you all torture yourselves?
Like the Phil Collins song
"You know, people are funny sometimes
They just can't wait to get hurt again"
This was the sexy popular Motorola Razr 17 years ago. Motorola is no longer around was closed down about 10 years ago. There was no smart phone back then.
You want to play with data on the move, you carry PDA organizer like this Palm. And it can only read small files, pretty useless device
Why do you all torture yourselves?
Like the Phil Collins song
"You know, people are funny sometimes
They just can't wait to get hurt again"
Congrats!
Does anyone know what the wait time was around 1999? 3 or 4 SW cues were delivered to my home room then. The owner and the houseman each ended up with 1, and I think 2 regulars the other 2. I don't recall any wait. However, maybe the owner ordered them a couple years prior for resale to his customers? He knew Laurie personally I believe. I had a chance to buy one I think for 1200, but I liked the look of my Scruggs better, so I passed. I remember when they were delivered, the houseman took them all out of the bag and put them all on the table so we could see them.
Does anyone know what the wait time was around 1999? 3 or 4 SW cues were delivered to my home room then. The owner and the houseman each ended up with 1, and I think 2 regulars the other 2. I don't recall any wait. However, maybe the owner ordered them a couple years prior for resale to his customers? He knew Laurie personally I believe. I had a chance to buy one I think for 1200, but I liked the look of my Scruggs better, so I passed. I remember when they were delivered, the houseman took them all out of the bag and put them all on the table so we could see them.
I got on the list in 05 and mine was delivered in 2020. In Jan 22, I decided to order a couple shafts with different tapers. I just got the call and will receive them in 3-4 months if I’m luckily lol. That being said, order the extra shafts now if you plan on doing so.
I can remember back in the early 80s, the typical cost for a shaft was 40-50 bucks from most makers. The 80s doesn't feel that long ago to me. I'm just not able to swallow the price of a shaft today.
Congrats on the new cue. I see by your sig line that you have quite the enviable collection. I am sure this cue will only enhance it. I have a couple of questions:
Are Southwest's considered true custom cues?
Did you have to order the particulars such as points and veneers when you initially get on the list, or when they call you 17 years later.
Do people ever "sell" their spot in line?
What is the logic in running a business where you can’t fulfill an order for 17 years or nearly two decades.
Not everything about cue making is an art.
Does SW have employees? Seems the logical move is to bring on some employees and have them handle some of the basics.
Not a criticism… I just don’t get why this would be the preferred path to delivering your product?
I’m assuming OP got on the list with a non refundable deposit 17 years ago?
Not everything about cue making is an art.
Does SW have employees? Seems the logical move is to bring on some employees and have them handle some of the basics.
Not a criticism… I just don’t get why this would be the preferred path to delivering your product?
I’m assuming OP got on the list with a non refundable deposit 17 years ago?
They sell lots and lots of cues overseas.What is the logic in running a business where you can’t fulfill an order for 17 years or nearly two decades.
Not everything about cue making is an art.
Does SW have employees? Seems the logical move is to bring on some employees and have them handle some of the basics.
Not a criticism… I just don’t get why this would be the preferred path to delivering your product?
I’m assuming OP got on the list with a non refundable deposit 17 years ago?
This is the waiting list for the common folk.
1.) Well, in my opinion, they are limited custom. You can pick woods, veneers and other options, but their configuration is set. Inlays are not an option, etc.
2.) You just get on their list. When Laurie gets ahold of you, together you review your wants on selections.
3.) You can do it kinda on the sly, but Laurie will not let you change names on list. I was offered several thousand for my spot.
Ken
What is the logic in running a business where you can’t fulfill an order for 17 years or nearly two decades.
Not everything about cue making is an art.
Does SW have employees? Seems the logical move is to bring on some employees and have them handle some of the basics.
Not a criticism… I just don’t get why this would be the preferred path to delivering your product?
I’m assuming OP got on the list with a non refundable deposit 17 years ago?
IMO, part of the problem is and has been Laurie puts EVERYBODY on the list and doesnt require a deposit. I have thought this for over 20 years that part of the reason the list grew so large. If someone had to put down a deposit, I think alot of folks wouldnt have gotten on the list. "Go ahead and get on the list, it doesnt cost anything"
Yes she has employees and I think one long term cue guy Al has retired. I talked to a guy that worked for SW briefly, dont know why they seperated, didnt ask. Covid affected them, but this long wait was problem was long before Covid.
I have been to their "shop" once. It is really just a small house converted into a little workshop.
Honestly, its not the way I would run the business, but I think Laurie has a tried and true system and is happy with it.
Ken
Some people are set in their ways. Change is tough and it’s not easy to scale up. There is a healthy amount of fear when you start looking at the costs of expansion etc.
If they’re not taking deposits then I think that’s reasonable.
Such a Debbie downer.
Congratulations! Good luck on getting your cue. Definitely a long wait.
Zerksies
Well-known member
Even if it's free I'm not waiting that long for a cue. I think you guys are nuts.
Imagine this. I'm thinking I'm getting on a list thinking I'm getting a cue for $2k. We will call you when it's time to start building your cue. Over a decade and a a half later they call you. Mr.Z we can start making you cue. Please cough over $5k+. If you don't someone will easily replace you.
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That’s fine but why rain on someone else’s parade?