Ever wanted something so badly you'd
 

Wait around 18 years for yours to be Made? A cut & paste from a site I visit:

"I finally got the call from Laurie Franklin that my number had finally had come up. I got on the list in June of 2006 and her call came this May of 2023, (yep 17 years). While I have commissioned maybe 50 cues over the years, this is really the first time I have ordered a cue from an order sheet. For those who do not know, she sends a price list and options available including number of veneers, veneer colors, joint protectors, slim butt (to reduce weight), wood availability, etc.

I wish her sheet had every detail because it didnt. I specifically wanted a plain black linen wrap, and wrap selection wasnt on sheet, but we discussed and she added. I also opted for pro tapered shafts, and shaft taper wasnt specified on sheet. Finally, their standard tip is triangle and I asked for Moori tips instead and she did it with an upcharge.

I know I will get hammered here but for those on this list for the first time, I recommend a one thing that really helped me. Talk to a couple people that have ordered multiple Southwest cues before. By the time I got Laurie's call I knew exactly what woods and veneers and everything else I wanted. This is especially important for those items that are not specifically listed on the order sheet.

For those curious, I went with an ebony nose, with cocobolo points and base. 3 veneers, and a slim butt to keep weight down. I asked for 19.0-19.5 but not over 19.75. I spent a fortune on joint protectors but when I get the cue everything is done and I wont have to chase down someone to make joint protectors afterwards. Southwest has had a significant price increase from older price lists that my friends had shared with me. Laurie asked for 50% deposit, and I tried to use ZELLE (at her suggestion) but my banks would only send $1000 per day! So, I went old school and put a check in priority mail and she got it yesterday. I will share what I will have in cue in PM.

The next step, according to Laurie, is another wait of 9-15 months. Again, in my discussions with my friends, 9 months wont happen and 15 months is likely.

Will this journey ever end? Hope this helps the first timers getting close. Laurie and I joked about me getting back on the list and she said she hopes we both live that long.

Ken"

Clearly you are devoted to this game so good for you on that. Being able to wait 17 years for the tool...well..that's another level of devotion entirely.

Excellent post ^^^.

Unfortunately, I think Paul's eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he's propped up his cue.

But wow, waiting 17 years for a cue. Yeah, that's crazy. I can't think of anything that I would want that badly.

I wish I was such a craftsman that anyone would wait this long.

I assume she doesn't get much business from older clientele. :D

Like the Rolex watch, part of Southwest Cues is the craftsmanship, but a lot of it also has to do with status.

Yep..after a disappointing eye surgery, my cues remain in the case. I'm okay for driving, but seeing the edge of an object ball requires much sharper focus than I have. Too effing painful to be able to make only 2-3 balls runs when you once did better than that. I tried playing post surgery...then had to wait for tears to clear before driving home.

Yep, I've been very bummed for you since you announced it. That's some serious suckage, Paul.

I feel like waiting 17 years is far from Rolex territory. That's more like Faberge Egg territory.

LOL! In a way, you could be right. Southwest cues has a rare business model. They won't increase production for fear of reduction in quality. This has a lot to do with the increased demand, I'm sure. I've shot with a Southwest...traded for a few racks with a guy who has one. Nice cue, good balance, sweet hit with great feedback. But then I can say the same things about my Keith Josey cue. Maybe a top pro could tell the differences...I really couldn't.

I recall a similar thread here years ago. Did I dream that? I remember having a similar reaction so I think I read it here. I don’t get it. People order custom acoustic guitars of very high quality and cost and they take a lot of time to build and maybe wait a year or 2. Even an Emory 356 is I think a 4 year wait. How many orders does this maker have and how long do they take to build? 18 years…..what do these things cost? What about inflation?

Sorry about your vision. I developed an issue with the nerve that controls my left eye so my eye shakes and gets stuck in double vision so I had to quit riding motorcycles which I loved but in my case, it’s probably a good thing given the danger. Made it easier to accept. Sorry

Paul, I had no idea. I’m sorry. This was a big part of your life. You are one of the good dudes here.

So he said he could only send $1000 at a time for the deposit…

What is one of these cues worth?

So, he sent a check instead. Price varies depending on materials, inlays, etc. Flippers are out there...they usually sell their cues somewhere around $9K. But these usually less ornate than the one Ken ordered, usually plain Jane cues...so figure he probably paid around that after being on the list. But like some here post about their Rolex, it's no problem getting your money back...often more.

Don't read me wrong...they are an excellent cue. But a big part of the price is the attached status. So, in that regard quite comparable to Rolex.

How much does the cue matter to your game? Lots of debate about that...and it's really difficult to judge. It takes a lot more than a good cue to reach even a decent amateur level of the game. If one is serious about getting really good? Much better off to spend around a grand for a decent playing cue, then more for a break cue, and a jump cue...a decent case & accessories, couple of grand could buy a more than adequate playing set. Then, spend on good professional instruction & table time..lots and lots of table time. Pool is possibly the toughest game in the world to get really-really good at.

Pro level? One needs to be born with a certain natural level of hand/eye coordination and then be willing to dedicate your life...is it worth it? Not to most people. But there are some...

Here are hilghts from The World Pool Masters tourney going on now in Britland. 16 of the best were invited. Every player in this video has thousands of practice hours behind him...they make the difficult look easy. 2nd match begins at around 31 minutes, has the USA's best player, Shane Van Boening get sent home by "Big Ko", the eldest of 2 brothers from Taiwan. Shane almost 40 now..his game slipping a bit. I suspect eyesight...maybe simple burnout. He started playing at age 3 or 4, turned pro during his teens. (edit) Very tight pockets here. Most big tournaments have 4 1/2" wide corner pockets. I'm guessing these must be four...maybe even a bit less. (balls are 2 1/4" dia.)

<iframe width="1268" height="713" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eyD8L4WtU-0" title="QUARTER FINALS | Highlights | 2023 World Pool Masters" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wanna see a more costly cue? Look at the cue on the right in the above frame. It just won the World Pool Masters. Of course, a guy named Ko may have had something to do with how well a $30,000 cue can play. (edit) 6 minutes video.

<iframe width="676" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJrAnwEkCq4" title="What’s in the BAG / With Ko PinYi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>