Pre-date Franklin Southwest cue
This pre-date Franklin Southwest cue is an example of finish work performed here at Proficient Billiards.
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.