SouthWest Cues

Musashi

Musashi

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I like SouthWest cues. SouthWest makes a fine playing cue.
I hate their take-it-or-leave customer service. I was told ten years ago that I could place my order and that would lock in the price. Ten years past and the price of the cue went up 300.00. The fact that they sell every cue they produce has given SouthWest the leverage to provide poor customer service to the billiard community. I am just a little unhappy about having to chase my cue order and to compound the matter my design requests were hastily discounted as not aesteticly pleasing. I had asked for Cortland wrap on one of the cues I had ordered and I was told that the assembly guys would choose which color wrap looked the best.
In the end I walked away from my order. Who makes an alternative to SouthWest? Opinions would be apprecaited.

Thanks
 
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Musashi said:
I like SouthWest cues. SouthWest makes a fine playing cue.
I hate their take-it-or-leave customer service. I was told ten years ago that I could place my order and that would lock in the price. Ten years past and the price of the cue went up 300.00. The fact that they sell every cue they produce has given SouthWest the leverage to provide poor customer service to the billiard community. I am just a little unhappy about having to chase my cue order and to compound the matter my design requests were hastily discounted as not aesteticly pleasing. I had asked for Cortland wrap on one of the cues I had ordered and I was told that the assembly guys would choose which color wrap looked the best.
In the end I walked away from my order. Who makes an alternative to SouthWest? Opinions would be apprecaited.

Thanks
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Coker or Ned Morris make good cues. I love the hit on the Morris cues. Sorry you had problems with Southwest. Frankly, I'm a little surprised, but I am not doubting you for a minute. They still make primo cues, but they aren't cheap. That's for sure. Ten years is a lonnng time to wait for a cue.

High end out here, Ariel Carmeli makes a fine cue. Miltonio also has some nice creations. Check with Jazznpool here. He deals in these brands.
 
they SW booked to many orders, and only have 2 main guys building cues, they are doing their best but they simpally put cant fill the orders, they dont use cortland as far as I know, i'm not 100% on that. they are building the cues first come first serve, even if they raised the price 300 you still ahead of the game buying it-you cant lose $$. Jerry was the guy who ran the show after he passed Laurie has done her best-she works hard but dosent have the business skills Jerry had, but i admire for sticking it out.
 
Musashi said:
I like SouthWest cues. SouthWest makes a fine playing cue.
I hate their take-it-or-leave customer service. I was told ten years ago that I could place my order and that would lock in the price. Ten years past and the price of the cue went up 300.00. The fact that they sell every cue they produce has given SouthWest the leverage to provide poor customer service to the billiard community. I am just a little unhappy about having to chase my cue order and to compound the matter my design requests were hastily discounted as not aesteticly pleasing. I had asked for Cortland wrap on one of the cues I had ordered and I was told that the assembly guys would choose which color wrap looked the best.
In the end I walked away from my order. Who makes an alternative to SouthWest? Opinions would be apprecaited.

Thanks
Click to expand...



I think a great alternative would be Ed Young of Chicago. He still works with Kersenbrock building cues and Ed can make a cue with the Kersenbrock rings, which are also the rings more commonly known now as SW rings. Joint pin will be the same, except that Ed uses titanium mostly I think. I own a plain one myself with the Kers rings and the worksmanship is just exceptional, as is the customer service.
 
I agree with your comment about Ed Young. I am going to contact Ed and place a order.

Jay thanks for the lead about Jazzpool.

FatBoy I agree and disagree. I odered my first SW when Jerry was alive. The only thing that keeps that company running is the cues. Just ask Joey Gold from Cognescenti.

The fix is simple, increase the quality of customer service and bring it to the level of the cues. The real question is why should SW change? SW sells every cue they make. I say the answer is EXCELLENCE. To learn from ones mistakes and strive to be better than the day before.
 
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Southwest type cues

I have done a direct comparison between my Shurtz cue with a $3,000
Southwest, can could only detect a very slight difference in hit, very slight.
The biggest difference I could tell was in the balance, which was also slight, and my Shurtz was slightly more forward balanced, which I liked better.

Bob Owen makes good cues, especially his $1,000 and up customs. You get a lot of cue for your money with Shurtz.
 
If you want a Southwest, check the "Wanted/For Sale" Forum. There's usually several really nice ones available from reputable AZ sellers. If you're willing to take some time and stay on top of the forum, I'm sure you'll find something close to or exactly what you are looking for. It can always be rewrapped for not very much money. :p
 
I was thinking about a Lambros or a Capone as an alternative.

SnapShot9
I have never played with a Shurtz. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
Musashi said:
I was thinking about a Lambros or a Capone as an alternative.

SnapShot9
I have never played with a Shurtz. Thanks for the recommendation.
Click to expand...

So many good cues, so little time. Get to work man.
 
Musashi said:
I agree with your comment about Ed Young. I am going to contact Ed and place a order.

Jay thanks for the lead about Jazzpool.

FatBoy I agree and disagree. I odered my first SW when Jerry was alive. The only thing that keeps that company running is the cues. Just ask Joey Gold from Cognescenti.

The fix is simple, increase the quality of customer service and bring it to the level of the cues. The real question is why should SW change? SW sells every cue they make. I say the answer is EXCELLENCE. To learn from ones mistakes and strive to be better than the day before.
Click to expand...

You're lucky you are too young to have tried to deal with Gus Szambo.
<actually he treated me like a prince> but his "MY way or MY WAY!!"
attitude was the stuff of legend.

As for SW, they have always sorta been the Volvo, or Saab, or perhaps
Apple MacIntosh, of cues. Love 'em or hate 'em, they have been
VERY sucessfull with their approach - even tho it may seem to border
on disdain at times.

As far as the wrap goes, Cortland has been gone for a LONGGGGG time.
A few years back, I sold 2 Micarta ferrule blanks to a customer who
had been waiting over 7 years for his latest SW - he had bought
3 or 4 prior to this one. They told him they had Micarta for him when he
ordered, but when his number finally came up, there was no Micarta
to be found - that could be what happened to your Cortland.

About the color - AFAIK, Jerry's policy from day one was always SW
chose the color - period. A friend of mine bought one from JF almost
20 yeaers ago - he had NO say in choosing the wrap color.

Long story short, I wouldn't look for them to change anything,
or even think about maybe changing, anytime soon.

Dale
 
Bender, Capone, Stacey, Ed Young, and Darrin Hill, all will make a SW style cue with a great hit. The biggest bang for the buck going is an Olney SW type of cue, if you can find one. The joint is similar, the shaft taper is VERY similar, and I believe that more care is taken to make a perfect cue. Problem is that Jeff currently has a 4 year wait list, but if you call him sometimes you can be included in a batch. it's worth a try or you can advertise here for a used Olney. Tell Jeff that you want a 6 or a 9 point cue with ring work at all points and two shafts. He may accommodate you...Tom

http://www.galynx.com/jolney/index.htm
 
Wow Mushashi, Your experience has been different than mine. I think Laurie and the guys try to work within limits for their own sanity and to stay true to the Jerry Franklin's vision. I owned a new 2005 SW that I returned to have shafts turned down and bit of weight taken out. Also had a 3rd shaft made. It was an excellent playing cue. I paid the going rate for the repairs and all work was done within a reasonable timeframe. I'm amazed that the people at SW are able to produce the number of well made cues they do. Laurie, Mickey, and Al are totally stand-up people.


I suggest you try an Ariel Carmeli or Kent Davis cue. I sold my SW once I picked out an Ariel cue from a group I purchased as a new dealer. I haven't owned a better playing cue to date. The hit is SW firm and the joints are flat-face. Build quality is excellent and cost is about half or less of a SW. If you purchase a cue from me and find it too stiff for your liking. I will take the shafts to Ariel's or Kent's shop to extend the shaft tapers at no labor charge to you---sort of like a custom fitting.

Martin



Musashi said:
I like SouthWest cues. SouthWest makes a fine playing cue.
I hate their take-it-or-leave customer service. I was told ten years ago that I could place my order and that would lock in the price. Ten years past and the price of the cue went up 300.00. The fact that they sell every cue they produce has given SouthWest the leverage to provide poor customer service to the billiard community. I am just a little unhappy about having to chase my cue order and to compound the matter my design requests were hastily discounted as not aesteticly pleasing. I had asked for Cortland wrap on one of the cues I had ordered and I was told that the assembly guys would choose which color wrap looked the best.
In the end I walked away from my order. Who makes an alternative to SouthWest? Opinions would be apprecaited.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Why not a Showcase?

Mushshi,
Why not just go with a Showcase since they are close to you? As you stated they are a good hitting cue.
sharknu
 
South West customer service!

I have been doing business with South West cues since they started making cues and have been extremely satisfied with the service they provide. My opinion is that there are more high quality cue makers than at any other time in the history of pool, there are also more cue makers that make lesser quality cues, there are just more cue makers period. Many of the cue makers listed in this thread make cues that are very good quality for a reasonable price and I have recommended some of them as well as purchased a few for myself. If you are truly looking for a cue that plays like a South West my advice would be to buy a South West. If you happen to not like it.......you can always sell it by saying it plays like a "South West" and it will indeed be an acurate description of the cue.
Regards, Roger
 
Musashi said:
I agree with your comment about Ed Young. I am going to contact Ed and place a order.

Jay thanks for the lead about Jazzpool.

FatBoy I agree and disagree. I odered my first SW when Jerry was alive. The only thing that keeps that company running is the cues. Just ask Joey Gold from Cognescenti.

The fix is simple, increase the quality of customer service and bring it to the level of the cues. The real question is why should SW change? SW sells every cue they make. I say the answer is EXCELLENCE. To learn from ones mistakes and strive to be better than the day before.
Click to expand...



Hey Musashi, if you REALLY want to look for a steal and just want the look and the hit, AND don't give a heck what so many other posters say about overseas cues....I recommend the tai-can (taiwan made) cues on ebay....a buddy of mine just got one, the workmanship isn't all that great, but it does look like one and BOY does it play like one. $250 shipped I think. I know I'm getting one when I feel my own cues are too expensive to fly around with.
 
Judd Fuller

Judd makes a great hitting cue also. Their in Colorado too.
 
Mike Stacey

I think Mike Stacey makes an outstanding SW style cue for a lot less $$$$. He currently is making me an amboyna and ebony SW style cue that is going to be beautiful.

Give him a call sometime. I guarentee you will love his price and the wait time is minimal compared to a lot of other cue makers.

Jimmy

Here is Mike's number: 317-773-5401
 
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Raemondo,
I borrowed a cue from Robin Dodson while attending the BCA tourney in Vegas. The cue played solid. According to Robin the cues were made in China. I paid 20.00 bucks to get pounded by the BlackWidow and get entered into a raffle for a BULLFROG jump cue. You are absolutely correct some of the import cues play great.
 
I have a SW style cue that I was told was made overseas. I was surprised that it was made overseas. It Is Cored, very well made and plays great. SW is not worth the Very long wait, imo.
 
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