Southwest

Baby Huey said:
I think one of the things that hard about owning a Southwest, Gina, TAD and or Zambotti is that you can't get cue work done in a timely manner. These cues are the most prized of any collection (not to disparage other cue makers) for their collect ability not necessarily play ability. The waiting list almost prohibits anyone from purchasing a used one and then sending it in for reconditioning. I had a chance to purchase a nice Southwest about a year ago for $1400 but it needed a total refinish with wrap and at least two new shafts and when I called them they told me a minimum of 3 years to get the work done. What has bothered me lately is the counterfeiting that has been going on with unscrupulous cue makers refinishing cues and counterfeiting shaft and butt rings and making the cue look like an original. For shame……..
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I don't know why they quoted you three years. I had the same work done last year and it took 16 weeks. Laurie told me that it normally takes 10 to 12 weeks but they were really busy at that time. They must have been totally swamped when you called.
 
I personally consider most custom cues to be handmade cues. A true custom is rare and usually not resold as is the case with most. As far as the two you mention, and why I'm saying this, southwest is handmade, they all look the same, Barry is more custom as he will be able to give you plenty of options.
 
I haven't owned a SW cue for a couple of years. But I did own one for quite a while. While I haven't visited their shop, Laurie appears to run one of the more efficient cue operations. She knows how long each process takes and how many cues are in line. She used to keep a schedule of when each process is performed. Proposed timing may not always be exact. But if Laurie quotes a delivery time, you will probably receive your cue in no more than an additional 25-50% of expectation. For most cuemakers, being on a waiting list that is 10 years means that you are not getting a cue. For Laurie, in 10-12 years, you will get a cue. In this business where there are so many complaints about deadbeats and promises that mean little, why would anybody complain about South West or Laurie Franklin?
 
There are a ton of Southwest cues out there.

Lets assume that the 150 average is correct.

That's 3 cues a week....YIKES.

Ken
 
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