Wrapless Southwest cue 19-321
South West Custom Cues are widely considered some of the most iconic, collectible, and highly sought-after custom pool cues in the history of billiards. Founded by Jerry Franklin in 1982 in Las Vegas, Nevada, they are legendary for their distinct design formula, exceptional forward-weighted balance, and rigid hit.
Because the South West workshop deliberately limits production to maintain meticulous quality control, they have a massive multi-year waiting list for direct orders, causing their value on the secondary market to soar significantly past retail prices.
Key Technical Characteristics
- The Joint and Pin: South West famously uses a proprietary, heavy-duty 3/8×11 brass pin that screws directly into the wood of the shaft. This setup creates an incredibly solid, wood-to-wood contact that delivers a crisp, firm, and resonant hit.
- Aesthetic Blueprint: Their classic style is instantly recognizable. It typically features a 6-point design (three long points and three short points) seamlessly paired with contrasting colored veneers. They utilize premium, high-density exotic hardwoods like Cocobolo, Macassar Ebony, Goncalo Alves, and highly figured Birdseye Maple.
- The Serial Number System: Cues are numbered chronologically by year. For example, a pin stamped with a number like “34312” tells a collector that it was the 43rd cue completed in the year 2012 (with South West starting its yearly count at number 300).
- Standard Configuration: Almost every authentic South West cue is originally built and sold as a matching set featuring one butt and two shafts, alongside their characteristic double-ring accents.
Market Eras and Collectibility
- Franklin Era (1982–1996): Cues built while founder Jerry Franklin was alive. These carry a significant premium, especially early “pre-date” models from the 1980s that lacked serial numbers.
- Laurie Franklin Era (1996–Present): Following Jerry’s passing, his wife Laurie took over operations alongside long-time shop cue-makers like Al Bautista. They have strictly maintained Jerry’s exact construction methods, tapers, and high standards, keeping the brand’s legendary mystique intact.