IMO, with the exception of the availability of real good shaft wood, and the use of asbestos based melamine (which could cause you some health isues if you work on it and breathe in the fibers), yes. In fact, I would tend to think that Jerry's cues made in the late 80s and early 90s were better than the ones he made in his very early days.
When discussing early Schon cues to later Schon cues once, Evan Clark told me "Hell, if I had not learned enough to make a better cue now than I did 20 years ago, I would quit." Again, with the exception of the availability of good wood, etc, I feel he is correct. That is not to say that the cues Jerry, Mickey and Al made before Jerry passed were of any lesser quality that now...that is obviously not the case.
However, Mickey, Al and Laurie could have cranked up production at any time by going CNC, buying new equipment, hiring more people, etc, but they haven't. Instead, they have remained at a fairly steady production rate, using the same techniques as in the past, concentrating on building a quality cue. Wood is wood, and from time to time, things happen to it, but I feel that SW still puts out a really good "billiards instrument". Next time you are in Vegas, call Laurie and go visit the SW cue "factory" and let me know what you think then.
Joe
Too much slang.
