A Classic Reborn: What Is the Longoni Ginevra XV?
Some cues are built for a season. The Longoni Ginevra XV has been built for decades.
The "XV" in the name stands for the 15th edition of one of the oldest models in the Longoni catalog, a carom cue that has been in continuous production since the 1980s. That kind of longevity is nearly unheard of in the cue-making world, and it says something about both the design and the players who keep coming back to it.
Longoni was founded in 1945 by Alessandro Longoni in Mariano Comense, near Como, Italy. Over 80 years later, the company remains a benchmark for Italian craftsmanship in cue sports. A pivotal moment came in 1995, when Longoni introduced Italy's first CNC pantograph for inlays, setting a new standard for precision manufacturing that still underpins every cue they produce.
The Ginevra XV is not a retro throwback. It is a continuously refined professional tool that has earned its place across 15 iterations. As an authorized Longoni dealer, Billiard City is proud to carry it. Below, we walk you through the specs, shaft options, wood materials, and who this cue is best suited for.
Exotic Woods and Elegant Craftsmanship: The Ginevra XV's Build
The Ginevra XV is a cue you notice before you ever pick it up. Its butt is constructed from four distinct exotic woods, each chosen for both visual character and structural integrity.
Rosewood forms the forearm, lending a deep, warm reddish-brown tone and a dense, satisfying weight in the hand. Zebrano wraps the handgrip, its bold, striped grain pattern offering a natural texture that improves grip feel. Purpleheart (also called Amaranto) appears in the accent rings, contributing a rich violet hue that darkens beautifully over time. Finally, pure white Maple is used for additional rings, providing crisp contrast against the darker woods.
The butt design combines these natural woods with synthetic mother-of-pearl inlays, all finished under a high-quality shiny varnish. The result is traditional and elegant without being flashy. It is a cue that looks serious because it is serious.
Nearly 45% of premium cue buyers now prioritize advanced materials and design when choosing a cue. The Ginevra XV's exotic wood palette speaks directly to that preference. Rosewood, Zebrano, and Purpleheart are increasingly rare materials, which adds a collectible dimension to an already compelling playing instrument.
Every inlay, every finish coat, and every joint is produced at Longoni's facility in Mariano Comense. This is 100% Made in Italy manufacturing, not a design-in-Europe, assemble-elsewhere arrangement. Every Ginevra XV ships with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, giving buyers real confidence in the quality of their investment.
Core Specs: Tip, Ferrule, Joint, and Weight
Da Vinci Medium Laminated Tip (12mm)
The Ginevra XV comes from the factory with a Da Vinci Medium Laminated tip, 12mm in diameter. A laminated tip is made from multiple compressed layers of leather rather than a single piece. For carom play, the layered construction delivers more consistent compression across the tip's surface, which translates to reliable spin control and improved durability over time. You get a predictable response shot after shot, which is critical when calculating angles across three cushions.
Longoni installs this tip at the factory, so it arrives ready to play. No break-in guesswork, no third-party tip swap needed out of the box.
JBR Ferrule
Sitting just below the tip, the JBR ferrule is Longoni's standard choice for their carom cues. The ferrule is the small cylinder that connects the tip to the shaft, and it plays a larger role in cue feel than most players realize. The JBR is engineered to optimize ball contact and energy transfer during impact, giving the Ginevra XV a clean, responsive hit without unwanted vibration.
Traditional Longoni Wood Joint (WJ)
This is where the Ginevra XV distinguishes itself from many modern alternatives. The traditional Longoni Wood Joint connects the butt to the shaft using a wood-to-wood interface rather than a metal or composite fitting. Carom purists tend to prefer wood joints for their direct energy transfer and solid, unified feel. When you strike the cue ball, the feedback travels through the cue without the dampening effect that some metal joints introduce. If you are upgrading from an entry-level cue with a standard pin joint, the difference in feel is immediately noticeable.
Weight and Adjustability
The Ginevra XV weighs approximately 490 grams. For players who want to fine-tune that number, Longoni offers an optional weight kit system that lets you add or remove small weights from the butt. You can adjust the cue's balance and heft to match your stroke preference without buying a different cue entirely. That kind of tunability resonates with performance-focused players and reflects the broader customization trend driving the premium cue market.
Longoni 2-Star (★★) Rating
Within Longoni's lineup, the Ginevra XV carries a 2-Star rating. This places it in the professional-grade tier: above entry-level models, but below the top-end Signature and Custom Pro series. Think of it as the sweet spot where serious craftsmanship meets accessible pricing.
3Lobite Compatibility
The Ginevra XV is designated 3Lobite Capable, meaning it accepts Longoni's proprietary extension system. The 3Lobite adapter and extension are sold separately, but the compatibility makes this cue a modular, future-proof investment. As your game develops and you find yourself needing extra reach for certain shots, you can expand your setup without replacing your cue.
C67 vs. E71 Shaft: Which One Is Right for Your Game?
Choosing between the C67 and E71 shaft is the single most important decision you will make when buying the Ginevra XV, and it is a question that trips up nearly every carom beginner.
The C67 shaft is 67cm long with a conical taper. In a conical taper, the shaft narrows at a steady, uniform rate from butt to tip. This geometry produces a stiffer, more direct feel that rewards precise, controlled strokes. It is best suited for straight rail and balkline carom disciplines, where accuracy and a firm hit take priority.
The E71 shaft is 71cm long with an Eiffel (parabolic) taper. A parabolic taper narrows gradually at first, then more sharply near the tip. This creates a softer, more flexible shaft that absorbs energy differently. The result is a cue that excels at generating spin and managing complex angles, making it the preferred choice for 3-cushion billiards.
Here is a simple decision guide:
- If you play 3-cushion billiards, go with the E71.
- If you play straight rail or balkline, go with the C67.
- If you are unsure, consider which discipline is more common at your local club or in your region.
Both shafts are pure Maple and priced identically at $465 at Billiard City. The choice is purely about playing style, not budget.
The butt-only option is available at $330. This makes sense if you already own a compatible Longoni shaft, want to pair the butt with an upgraded aftermarket shaft, or have a shaft from another Longoni cue in your collection. All three configurations are available on billiard.city, where you can check current availability and pricing.
Who Is the Ginevra XV Built For?
The ideal Ginevra XV player is an intermediate to advanced carom enthusiast who values traditional feel, exotic wood aesthetics, and Italian craftsmanship over high-tech carbon fiber alternatives. If you have been playing with a basic cue and are ready for something that responds to your intentions rather than masking them, this is a meaningful step up.
The wood joint and 2-Star rating deliver a genuine upgrade in feedback and performance. You will feel the difference in how the cue communicates with the cue ball, particularly on finesse shots.
The Ginevra XV also holds strong aspirational credibility. Longoni cues are heavily used among European top-100 world-ranked 3-cushion players, and the brand is recognized as professional-grade across Europe's strongest carom markets (Germany, the Netherlands) as well as the growing Asia-Pacific carom scene in South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
For players weighing heritage against innovation, the Ginevra XV offers a compelling answer: 40-plus years of refinement, tactile feedback that carbon fiber cannot replicate, and a build quality backed by a company that has been making cues since 1945. As an authorized Longoni dealer, Billiard City ensures every Ginevra XV we sell is a genuine product with full factory warranty protection.
Final Verdict: Is the Longoni Ginevra XV Worth It?
Forty-plus years of refinement. Four exotic woods. A factory-installed Da Vinci tip. A traditional wood joint preferred by purists. All produced entirely in Italy, all backed by a 2-year warranty. At $465 with either shaft, the Ginevra XV sits in the mid-to-upper professional segment and delivers value that punches above its price.
This cue has survived 15 editions not because it chases trends, but because it delivers consistent, trusted performance. The 3Lobite compatibility and weight kit adjustability mean it can grow with your game for years to come.
Pick up the Ginevra XV at Billiard City in three configurations:
- Butt only: $330
- With C67 Maple shaft: $465
- With E71 Maple shaft: $465
Browse all three options and check current availability on billiard.city. If you are not sure which shaft or configuration is right for your discipline and skill level, reach out to our team. We are here to help you find the right fit.