Double Milled Points Cornbread Red – Jerry Franklin Southwest cue
This double milled points Cornbread Red Jerry Franklin Southwest cue is an example of finish work performed here at Proficient Billiards.
Billy Joe “Cornbread Red” Burge (1931–2004) was a legendary American pool player and high-stakes hustler revered as one of the most colorful characters in billiards history.
Career & Legacy
Specialty: He was an expert One-Pocket and Bank Pool player.
Hall of Fame: Inducted into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame (2004) and Bank Pool Hall of Fame (2005).
Home Base: He spent years playing at The Rack near Detroit, a mecca for high-stakes road players.
Era: A core fixture of the 1950s–1970s hustling boom, competing against legends like Minnesota Fats at the Johnston City tournaments.
Persona
Style: Known as a loud, fiery, and completely fearless gambler who turned matches into entertainment spectacles.
Humor: Infused his matches with comedy and loud trash-talk.
Media: His wild life on the road is detailed in the biographical novel Cornbread Red: Pool’s Greatest Money Player by Bob Henning.
The 2018 Purpleheart Southwest cue is not just a tool for playing pool; it represents a blend of artistry and engineering that appeals to both amateur and professional players alike. This particular cue, crafted with care, reflects the dedication and expertise that Proficient Billiards puts into its work.
This 2018 Purpleheart Southwest cue was just finished up here at Proficient Billiards, where our skilled artisans focus on fine-tuning the details that make each cue exceptional. The finishing touches on this cue included a meticulous polish that brings out the rich, deep hues of the purpleheart wood, ensuring that it not only performs well but also looks stunning on the pool table.
SouthWest Cues are widely considered to be the “holy grail” of custom pool cues, known for their distinct six-point designs that set them apart from the rest. The exceptional balance found in these cues, combined with their highly coveted stiff-hitting playability, makes them a favorite among serious players. Founded by Jerry Franklin in 1982, SouthWest Cues continue to be meticulously handcrafted in limited quantities from a small residential shop in Las Vegas, ensuring that each piece is unique. The craftsmanship and attention to detail create a supply-and-demand mismatch, leading to a direct factory waitlist that stretches between 13 and 18 years. This extreme scarcity has turned genuine SouthWest cues into major collector’s items, with pristine or historical models commanding premium secondary market prices that often range from $4,000 to over $9,000 depending on the exotic woods used and the era of production. For enthusiasts, owning a SouthWest cue is not just about the game; it’s about possessing a piece of art that tells a story.
Core Attributes & Specifications
When considering the 2018 Purpleheart Southwest cue, it’s essential to understand its core attributes that contribute to its unmatched performance and aesthetic appeal.
The “SouthWest Hit”: Built with a proprietary 3/8 x 11 brass pin and a phenolic joint. They utilize a stiff, short-pro or conical shaft taper that provides maximum energy transfer and a distinctively solid, crisp feedback upon contact.
Signature Aesthetic: Instantly recognizable by their staggered 6-point designs (three high points, three low points), vibrant multi-colored wood veneers, and precise stitch-ring or deco-ring patterns.
Exotic Wood Builds: Crafted using heavy, premium dense woods like Gaboon Ebony, Macassar Ebony, Cocobolo, Purpleheart, Goncalo Alves, and highly figured Birdseye Maple.
The Serialization: Cues constructed after 1993 feature a custom engraved cactus logo on the pin alongside a unique serial number and the year of manufacture, allowing collectors to easily verify authenticity.
The allure of the 2018 Purpleheart Southwest cue extends beyond its physical attributes; it’s also about the community and culture surrounding billiards. Players often share their experiences and techniques, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Whether at a local pool hall or an international competition, cues like the SouthWest become symbols of skill and dedication, uniting players across the globe.
In conclusion, the 2018 Purpleheart Southwest cue stands as a testament to the excellence found in custom billiards equipment. With its unique features, it represents not only a high-performance tool for gameplay but also a collectible item that embodies the artistry of cue making. For those looking to elevate their game or expand their collection, investing in a SouthWest cue is a decision that combines passion for the sport with appreciation for fine craftsmanship.
This is an ebony Southwest cue that we just finished up here at Proficient Billiards.
South-West Cues are legendary, highly coveted custom pool sticks originally founded by Jerry Franklin in 1982. Known for their distinct points, signature pin, exceptional balance, and unique “stiff” hitting characteristics, they are widely considered both premium player cues and high-value collector items. Because of extreme demand, ordering a brand new cue directly from South-West has an estimated waiting list stretching roughly 10 to 18 years, pushing the secondary market value well into thousands of dollars.
Core Key Specifications
The Pin: Signature 3/8 x 11 threaded pin, which heavily influences the solid feel and feedback.
Standard Package: Each genuine custom cue traditionally ships directly from the shop with two matching maple shafts.
Weight Variations: Cues utilizing lighter woods like Birdseye Maple are naturally lighter, while heavy exotics like Cocobolo or Purpleheart lean on the heavier side (often pushing the butt weight past 16 oz).
Purpleheart and Ebony nosed Southwest cue – 07-361
The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This purpleheart and ebony nosed Southwest cue – 07-361 is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This 01-501 Ebony and Birdseye Southwest cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This Southwest cue 08-381 is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
Early unmarked Jerry Franklin Southwest cue. The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
Early unmarked Jerry Franklin Southwest cue. The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.
This Birdseye maple Southwest cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.
