What is it about South Wests?

[Fatboy]

Cosistency...they all play the same. I have owned 16 SW's and they all played the same (when set up the same) tips @ ferrules. I currently own alot of custom cues...but still play with my Franklin. In fact, just got one from Mike Gartland (Quality Cues)...another Franklin.

-West

I dont think they all play the same, I have owned alot of them over the years, They do all play similar but not the same, I have one that is Macasser ebony with tulip wood points that makes a ping sound like its metal when I hit the ball with it. I have one that is Gaboon ebony with ivory points that we expected to be a show cue because we thought it would be too stiff/heavy etc. for what ever reason its the sofest hitting SW I have ever hit with, I used it for 7 years-it needs new tips again, I'm in the mood to play with it.

I have hit balls with over 50 SW's and they all but a couple were great cues and ALL were well made, old ones, new ones, fancy etc. I live in Vegas so I have alot of experience with them, and they are consistant and great cues and worth what ever the market price is on them. They did go down a bit this year but all cues but a few makers did. Its impossible to go wrong with one.

 

[dave sutton]

The older SW's did have a 'dry' hit...I wonder why? Never the less, my all time favorite SW was a Franklin Satin SW! Awesome. The Franklin that i play with now plays almost identical. Looking forward to getting another Franklin from Mike Gartland; I'm sure it will also play 'Jam Up'!
-West

im sure it has to do with where they are located. super dry climate makes that wood have zero moisture.

i personally dont like sw cues ever. the only reason i would have one is to sell it.

as far as a wait list theirs is crazy. if u think about it they make alot of cues a year from a custom stand point. when bill mcdaniel said he made 200 cues a year his market fell a great deal. sw approach 200 cues a year im sure but not quite

 

[Salamander]

If anything, I think the quality of Southwests have gotten better since Jerry passed. The workmanship is still first class, and everything is built the same way. Keep in mind that the "hit" will differ, even among Southwests. They still have at least three tapers to choose from. Also the forearm woods will affect the "hit". I like the Southwest "hit", but it is probably not for everybody.

Ironically, I don't care for the "hit" of Zylrs, and Herceks. I'm not knocking the workmanship, which was top notch in both of these cues. It just boils down to personal preference. Don't laugh, but the very best hitting cue that I ever layed hands on was a Dale Perry (before he went production). The point of all of this is that individual tastes dictate what cues play the best for you. I ran into a road player that played with an old beat up Meucci, that was the best cue for him. He would play with nothing else.

Regards,

Doug

 

[asiasdad]

Older Southwest identification help

many copies, but sw is unique. errrrr,,,,,let me at least say THE OLDER SW"S were unique.

they had a dry, very sharp hit. imo, because of this, i feel there was more sensitivity to the hit.

from a design pov, rather amazing really that this simple but effective design concept took hold so strongly in cuemaking. their strength is in their choice of woods/coloring....you won't ever see a garish-looking sw. part of their appeal might be how understated their design is. i think think this sits well with players who prefer conservative over "fancy", yet still retain a classy, very finished look.

On the subject of early Southwest identification. All I can find for help is in the bluebook stating that "he (Jerry) changed the doweling technique of the butt section at his own shop in 1980. The grip section was extended three inches, doweling in two directions; up into the nose and down into the base.

Out of this description, the only thing I know about my pre-date SW is that the grip section (wrap) is 11 3/4 inches. How can one tell if the cue is a Jerry cue or a David K - Jerry cue?

 

[Salamander]

I dont think they all play the same, I have owned alot of them over the years, They do all play similar but not the same, I have one that is Macasser ebony with tulip wood points that makes a ping sound like its metal when I hit the ball with it. I have one that is Gaboon ebony with ivory points that we expected to be a show cue because we thought it would be too stiff/heavy etc. for what ever reason its the sofest hitting SW I have ever hit with, I used it for 7 years-it needs new tips again, I'm in the mood to play with it.

I have hit balls with over 50 SW's and they all but a couple were great cues and ALL were well made, old ones, new ones, fancy etc. I live in Vegas so I have alot of experience with them, and they are consistant and great cues and worth what ever the market price is on them. They did go down a bit this year but all cues but a few makers did. Its impossible to go wrong with one.

Could not have said it better myself. I also own a SW that has that ping sound like glass or metal. My ebony SW also tends to hit softer.

 

[Hidy Ho]

I dont think they all play the same, I have owned alot of them over the years...

I've owned and played with few .... I've kept my authenticated 1987 cocobolo with maple points. Coco is so dark on this cue I thought it was ebony until Laurie sent back the paper stating that it was a Cocobolo.

This was one of my first "collection" and the "standard" to base other cues on whether I like them or not.

This cue, along with my 80s DPK, is considered really good playing cue by many around here that have played with 'em.

 

[masonh]

Searing,Szamboti,Sugartree are 3 cues that haven't lost value this year and there are more.i would also disagree with the comment that there are probably no cues made with better construction.with all of the warped SW's i have seen,i would have to disagree and say that some of these new cuemakers are using better construction techniques.

 

[bruin70]

Searing,Szamboti,Sugartree are 3 cues that haven't lost value this year and there are more.i would also disagree with the comment that there are probably no cues made with better construction.with all of the warped SW's i have seen,i would have to disagree and say that some of these new cuemakers are using better construction techniques.

i had an issue with an sw i bought through tedesco a few years back. the grain the both shafts were crooked but laurie steadfastly stood by them saying every cue out of their shop passed their tests. well,,,excuuuuse me but crooked grain is crooked grain and bespeaks a lack of conscience, if you ask me,,,especially when sw should holding themselves to a higher standard...a crooked grained shaft shouldn't even be on the menu. also, they retapered one shaft they said would be no problem because the shaft was dead straight..........except they screwed up and cut the taper too much and with a different taper, no less...probably messed up the first time and had to recover their booboo..

 

[skins]

Searing,Szamboti,Sugartree are 3 cues that haven't lost value this year and there are more.i would also disagree with the comment that there are probably no cues made with better construction.with all of the warped SW's i have seen,i would have to disagree and say that some of these new cuemakers are using better construction techniques.

it's not a better techniques imo as much as it is better materials such as laminated handles that cut down on warpage a ton.

 

[Dakota Cues]

I think one of the best comparisons for SW's is to a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Are they the fastest, or most elaborate, or most reliable or whatever... no. But they ARE a classic.

There is no one right way to make a cue. If there was, every cuemaker would make them the same. People that like SW's like the hit of a wood to wood joint. SW's have solid construction and I think are somewhat more consistent than most since there are only a few woods that they use in the cues.

Finally I will say this. Just because a cuemaker has a waiting list, does NOT mean that their cues are great players. SW's are in high demand and have consistently been VERY solid investments due to both their quality and playability. People do buy them to resell them for a profit because they are so hard to come (as far as brand new ones).

 

[dave sutton]

it's not a better techniques imo as much as it is better materials such as laminated handles that cut down on warpage a ton.

i dont agree with either. as i cumaker and repairer. i see all wood warp. wood does that laminated or not.

the thing about sw cues that makes them play wonderful is thier downfall. the climate is different. im in the NE where weather is horrible. you see this alot in phillipino. some of them do not do the right (time) thing but even the ones that do have trouble bc the climate is very very different

 

[skins]

i dont agree with either. as i cumaker and repairer. i see all wood warp. wood does that laminated or not.

the thing about sw cues that makes them play wonderful is thier downfall. the climate is different. im in the NE where weather is horrible. you see this alot in phillipino. some of them do not do the right (time) thing but even the ones that do have trouble bc the climate is very very different

laminated wood has much much less of a chance to warp when made correctly than any other normal wood so we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[JimmyRayK]

Sw

Probably one of the easiest cues to resale and they hold and even extend their value.

What is it about them?

Their playability (hit/feel), their construction, their resale value?

I have never understood this phenomenon. They are definitely nice cues, but the attraction to me is a little strange.

One thing is for sure, you cannot question the saleability.

Whatever turns your crank.............

Jimmy

 

[masonh]

skins,i know we don't agree on much but you are right here.i would have to agree the laminated wood has less of a chance of warpage than plain wood.

 

[skeeterpro]

South West Cues

For the money the cues are relatively plain. They are a solid feeling cue but there are several others on the market that feel and play just as well. I don't know why the cues are so damn popular. A few years ago I sold mine for half of what I paid for it cause I couln't get it sold. Now you can't hardly find them!!!

 

[dave sutton]

laminated wood has much much less of a chance to warp when made correctly than any other normal wood so we will just have to agree to disagree.

i dont disagree. laminted wood is stronger...

but who cares how straight the handle is when the forearm and shafts are warped.

predators warp all the time

 

[HIRUN526]

What I love about South West cues as do many others:

Beautiful timeless design and unique to their style.

Excellent craftmanship

Consistant hit...I have 2 and have had about 8 and the feel of the cues were very consistant.

I love the taper on the shafts.

Wonderfully balanced for me.

The hsitory and heritage of South West.

Awesome and typically easy resale and excellent value retention and appreciation.

The South West family so to speak is excellent to deal with and have carried on the tradition and name of Jerry Franklin with respect and quality and there is some Jerry in every cue.

South West is and will always be one of my most cherished cuemakers and I will always be a South West cue owner. Thank you,Laurie Michael,Al.

 

[JoeyInCali]

i dont disagree. laminted wood is stronger...

but who cares how straight the handle is when the forearm and shafts are warped.

predators warp all the time

Tap tap tap.

 

[skins]

i dont disagree. laminted wood is stronger...

but who cares how straight the handle is when the forearm and shafts are warped.

predators warp all the time

i find more than not a warp in the butt is in the handle Not in the forearm and the handle can be replaced relatively easily. if the handle extends through the sleeve and some up into the forearm it makes for a more warp resistant butt especially in with forearms with spliced points imo.

 

[JoeyInCali]

i find more than not a warp in the butt is in the handle Not in the forearm and the handle can be replaced relatively easily. if the handle extends through the sleeve and some up into the forearm it makes for a more warp resistant butt especially in with forearms with spliced points imo.

I think it's more common in the A-joint area of the handle.
Something gave way there, I think.