SouthWest

Brain71

Brain71

Railbird
Silver Member
Question for you SouthWest experts. If you have SouthWest refinish and or make shafts, what is the turnaround time? Just curious always wondered. Thank you guys.
 
Last work I had done took almost 2 years. And I'm a good customer and friend.

I wouldn't let anyone else do it though, so it's worth it.
 
There was a guy (don't know if he's still alive) that was a specialist guru with Triumph motorcycles, real Triumphs, not the ones called Triumph today. I was dealing with him a lot around 25 years ago, I had a classic Triumph chopper, and in fact still have it today. I bought parts from him from an old school mail order catalog, and a primitive web site, and only once went to his shop to meet him. It was kind of a pilgrimage.

He did amazing engine work and rebuilds, and had an amazing stash of rare high performance parts. If you sent him an engine, he wouldn't tell you how much the work would cost, and he wouldn't tell you how long it would take. Lots of people got put off by that but that was fine as he always had more than enough work. Some people would get work done elsewhere, and then end up sending it to him anyway after someone else couldn't do it, screwed it up, or just didn't do it very well.
 
I emailed Laurie at SWC a few months ago... she said SW is not accepting any refinish work, at this time... see attached email...
 

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JoeyInCali said:
It'd be worse if they took it in and take years to finish it..
There are plenty of cue makers who have just as good of finish as SW.
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Very true... it is simply impossible for the extremely small staff to do things like refinish, etc.

A top-quality refinish from a skilled cuemaker does nothing to hurt the value of a cue, imo.

I realize that "original" condition is preferred, but on cues that were actually PLAYED with (not closet queens), wear is expected.

No more difference between a refinish than a tip change, ferrule change, etc. Normal "wear & tear"...
 
If I was the original owner, I would want to get a service for my product from who made it or at least authorized by the maker to serve the product.

When it comes to Southwest, I have a feeling that if someone else refinishes the cue, it’ll hurt its value.

If I’m the original owner than I don’t have the right to demand such a thing.

There should be a separate line for service.
 
Well as someone else said in this thread, it is not rocket science. I do recommend getting the best possible cuesmith on board for the work. Hopefully there are guys that will admit to mic'ing the SW taper, and being able to replicate the taper on their machine. You can argue the type of finish and does it affect hit on your own.. lol.. Sure, I would love to say always get the work done by them, but if they aren't taking any of that type of work, someone needs to be the "step in" for SW work.

Here is an opening, I am sure there must be someone to be able to fill this obvious hole in cue work.

JV
 
It's not that big of a deal whoever refinishes the cue because nobody will disclose it.

Similar to people not disclosing "XYZ Blank" that was finished by "ABC cue maker".

There are many listings right now passing off certain blanks as the cue maker's original. There is currently a cue floating around and its been for sale for a long time. It may have been through its second dealer. Anyways, its currently not being disclosed as a blank that was finished by a cue maker. Its being passed off as an original.
 
skor said:
If I was the original owner, I would want to get a service for my product from who made it or at least authorized by the maker to serve the product.

When it comes to Southwest, I have a feeling that if someone else refinishes the cue, it’ll hurt its value.

If I’m the original owner than I don’t have the right to demand such a thing.

There should be a separate line for service.
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I don't know. As far as refinishing Proficientbilliards.com is great. They've done a handful of SouthWest cues with no complaints and no mention of value. I've seen Tascarella do refinish and shaft work on a number of other custom cues that turned out way better than expected, just plain fantastic. If Scott Erwin refinished a Szamboti would it hurt the value? If you look at the cue not knowing who did the work and everything is fine does it matter? My two cents.
 
skor said:
If I was the original owner, I would want to get a service for my product from who made it or at least authorized by the maker to serve the product.

When it comes to Southwest, I have a feeling that if someone else refinishes the cue, it’ll hurt its value.

If I’m the original owner than I don’t have the right to demand such a thing.

There should be a separate line for service.
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A separate line for service would be nice. But the unfortunate reality is it's nearly impossible to find good help, particularly in jobs outside of an office setting. Skilled labor or even a good employee who shows up and is willing to learn... Good luck. And based on Bamacues's post above, Southwest is dealing with a lack of good help.

As far as refinishing goes, as long as the refinish work was done by a competent and and respected person or business, I wouldn't care one way or the other. Let's face it, if a cue has needed a refinish it's been played. And probably a lot. So we're already out of closet queen price territory. Any potential difference in resale price due to a non-Southwest refinish is going to get absorbed by that. I guess the way I look at it is if you have to ask if it's been refinished and/or by who, does it really matter? Of course, this is just my opinion and I'd never knock anyone for wanting the refinish done by Southwest. It's just not something I'd lose any sleep over.
 
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Jimmy_Betmore said:
A separate line for service would be nice. But the unfortunate reality is it's nearly impossible to find good help, particularly in jobs outside of an office setting. Skilled labor or even a good employee who shows up and is willing to learn... Good luck. And based on Bamacues's post above, Southwest is dealing with a lack of good help.

As far as refinishing goes, as long as the refinish work was done by a competent and and respected person or business, I wouldn't care one way or the other. Let's face it, if a cue has needed a refinish it's been played. And probably a lot. So we're already out of closet queen price territory. Any potential difference in resale price due to a non-Southwest refinish is going to get absorbed by that. I guess the way I look at it is if you have do ask if it's been refinished and/or by who, does it really matter? Of course, this is just my opinion and I'd never knock anyone for wanting the refinish done by Southwest. It's just not something I'd lose any sleep over.
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I would give anything to work for SouthWest. I'm not looking for discounts. I'm not looking for credibility. I would give it my best efforts. They're doing fine I'm sure but hopefully they'll get caught up.
 
My Philippi was refinished and a new leather wrap added by Ernie Martinez and it looks great.
As long as the work is first class who cares? Not me.
 
I could get shafts and the Southwest refinished by a top cuemaker and you could never tell who did it.

If I told you it was Southwest you would never be able to tell the difference.
 
I'll second Scott Erwin for refinishing a cue , the one he made that I have is very well done and I wouldn't hesitate to have him do any cue work for me in the future .
 
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