Bob Meucci and Jerry Franklin elected to the International Cuemakers Hall of Fame

Bob Meucci and Jerry Franklin Elected to the International Cuemakers Hall of FameBob Meucci and Jerry Franklin have both been elected into the International Cuemakers Association Hall of Fame. www.internationalcuemakers.com Bob Meucci Inducted 2006Bob started building cues in the early 1960's. In 1968 he took over the cue department at National Tournament Chalk. He founded B.M.C. in Glenview, Illinois in 1969. He also helped set up the WICO cue making operation. He made some point blanks for Gus Szamboti, George Balabushka and for many other top cuemakers and perfected the seamless plastic veneer points that were popular on some older cues. He popularized the flat faced wood to wood joint with collars and the 58 inch length cues. He moved his cue making operation to the Memphis area in 1975 and changed the name to Meucci Originals. He was one of the first cuemakers to make points out of Mother Of Pearl and inlay pictures in 14-karat gold. He was one of the first modern cuemaker to use the forearm as a canvas with intricate inlaid scenes instead of traditional points or inlays. He popularized the sealed Irish linen wraps and was among the first to break into the 5 figure cue market.
He is credited with setting the standard for the major cue manufacturers of using metal working equipment instead of wood lathes to manufacture cues on. He helped modernize and establish some other cue making factories. He has given training to many of today's top cuemakers and cue manufacturers. He popularized the use of really white maple and the longer pro taper on the shafts. He had more professional and semi-pro players playing with his cues in the late 70's and 1980's than any other cuemaker. He developed a precision robot called the Myth Destroyer to test the cue ball speed and deflection a cue gives when striking the cue ball. He has kept the industry focused on the hit of the cue. He developed materials and construction techniques in his cues that produced more cue ball English, draw and follow than any other major manufacturer. This is one reason why his cues ruled the pro circuit when they played on slower cloth. He has been at the top of the cue making industry for decades, and has had major influence on all aspects of our industry. He pushed the artistic designs and price value of the cues to levels that were cutting edge at the time and paved the way for the rest of us. Jerry Franklin Inducted 2006Jerry founded South West Cues in 1982, which soon became one of the most sought after cues out there among serious players. The waiting list is and has been, not months, but years to get one of the SW cues. They developed a rock solid hit that is much sought after. The short joint rings design that you see on so many cues now was first made popular by SW. SW also popularized the very tight fitting wood to wood joint and very close joint size tolerances with interchangeable shafts. It was at SW cues that Jerry and another cuemaker David Kersenbrock made the first table saw tapering machine. This type of machine can now be found in many cuemakers shops. Jerry was always open to showing other cuemakers his shop and once said, "If someone knows enough to ask the right question, they deserve an answer." SW cues probably have influenced more of the newer cuemakers than any other cue out there. Jerry passed away in 1996 and is missed by all who knew him. His company is still going under his wife Laurie's leadership. We think Jerry would be proud of that. visit Inside POOL Magazine for the latest news from the sport of billiards and pool.

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