Why the Longoni Procida Deserves Your Attention
Carom billiards is gaining momentum worldwide. At the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, a women's carom event was held for the first time, bringing 20 competitors from 14 nations to the table. That kind of institutional recognition signals something important: the sport is growing, and new players are looking for real equipment guidance.
Stepping up from a house cue, the mid-range market can feel overwhelming. Spec sheets blur together, and meaningful context is hard to find. The Longoni Procida cuts through that noise.
Priced at $675.00 and sitting in Longoni's 3-star category, the Procida occupies the sweet spot between entry-level carom cues and professional-tier models. It's made entirely in Italy by Longoni srl, a company founded in 1945 in Mariano Comense. This article breaks down every meaningful spec, addresses the wooden joint debate head-on, and identifies exactly who this 3-cushion carom cue is built for.
80 Years of Italian Craftsmanship: Who Makes the Procida
Longoni srl has been making cues in Mariano Comense, in the province of Como, since 1945. That region of northern Italy has a deep history of precision manufacturing, and Longoni is one of its longest-running billiard cue makers. Every Longoni cue, including the Procida, is manufactured entirely in Italy. That distinction matters more than ever as the online cue market fills with cheaper alternatives produced overseas.
The shaft production process alone tells you a lot about Longoni's standards. They source only hard rock maple from Quebec, Canada, and each shaft goes through a minimum 24-month processing and seasoning cycle. After seasoning, every individual shaft is inspected for straightness before it leaves the facility. That level of quality control translates directly to consistency and longevity. A properly seasoned shaft resists warping, holds its taper, and performs predictably over years of play.
The "Made in Italy" label on a Longoni cue isn't just branding. It reflects tighter manufacturing tolerances, careful wood selection, and a production culture refined over more than eight decades. Longoni also maintains a public commitment to environmental sustainability, using naturally sourced woods like Quebec maple, olivewood, macassar ebony, and bubinga. These aren't just beautiful materials; they're chosen with a conscious material philosophy in mind.
As an authorized Longoni dealer, Billiard City ensures that every Procida we sell is a genuine product backed by Longoni's full factory warranty. You're not dealing with gray-market imports or questionable sourcing when you buy from us.
Full Specifications Breakdown
Here are the Procida's key specs at a glance:
- Cue length: 142.5 cm
- Cue weight: 500–540 g
- Shaft type: Classic Wooden (Canadian Maple)
- Shaft length: 70.5 cm
- Shaft weight: 110 g
- Shaft profile: Eiffel 71 (E71)
- Joint type: Wooden, 22 mm diameter
- Cue tip: Longoni Da Vinci Medium, 12 mm diameter
- Butt length: 72 cm
- Ferrule length: 6.5 mm
- Wrap: None (bubinga wood grip)
The 500–540 g weight range is typical for carom cues, which run heavier than pool cues. That extra mass helps generate the momentum needed for 3-cushion play, where the cue ball often needs to travel significant distances across the table with controlled speed.
The no-wrap design is worth explaining. Instead of traditional linen or leather, the Procida uses a bubinga wood grip section. Bubinga is a dense African hardwood with a naturally smooth yet grippy texture. It resists moisture better than fabric wraps, delivering consistent hand feel regardless of playing conditions.
The butt itself is a four-wood construction: a white maple forearm with decorative inlays, olivewood rings, macassar ebony rings, and the bubinga grip. Beyond looking distinctive, multi-wood construction contributes subtle tonal variation in the hit. Each wood species has different density and resonance characteristics, and together they create a feel that's uniquely the Procida's.
Within Longoni's internal rating system, the 3-star placement puts the Procida above entry-level models like the Inspiration (around $580) but well below the Signature and Custom Pro tiers, which can exceed $2,000.
The E71 Shaft Profile Explained for Carom Players
Most product listings mention "E71 shaft" and leave it at that. Here's what it actually means.
The Eiffel 71 (E71) profile is a hybrid taper. The rear section of the shaft uses a conical taper, which provides stability and reduces unwanted deflection on power shots. The front section transitions to an Eiffel-curve profile, which allows controlled flex near the tip. This gives the shaft a responsive, lively feel on finesse shots that require spin.
For 3-cushion play specifically, this combination is valuable. You get a solid, predictable rear that doesn't whip on hard strokes, paired with a front end that lets you apply spin with precision. The E71 profile isn't exclusive to budget models. Longoni uses it across their entire carom lineup, from entry-level to signature cues. It's a proven design choice, not a cost compromise.
Shaft profile matters because it directly affects cue ball control and spin transfer. If you've been playing with a straight-taper house cue, the E71 will feel noticeably different, and noticeably better, once you adjust.
The Wooden Joint: A Deliberate Nod to French Cue Tradition
The joint type on a carom cue is one of the most debated topics among serious players, and it's the single biggest differentiator between the Procida and many other modern Longoni models.
In 2004, Longoni introduced the VP2 metal joint as a universal connection system across their pool, carom, five-pin, and Russian pyramid cues. The VP2 is designed for rigidity and consistency. It delivers a crisper, more direct hit with pronounced feedback through the shaft. Many players love it, and it has become the standard on most current Longoni models.
The Procida goes a different direction. Its 22 mm wooden joint draws from the tradition of classic French "Jolie" cues, a style with deep roots in French and Belgian carom culture. A wooden joint delivers a softer, more flexible hit. The acoustic on contact is warmer. The overall playing feel is what experienced carom players often describe as more natural and flowing.
Players who want precise, feedback-rich hits with a firm response tend to gravitate toward VP2 metal joints. Players who prefer a traditional feel, particularly those with roots in French or Belgian carom traditions, consistently prefer wooden joints. Neither is objectively better; they serve different playing philosophies.
There is a practical trade-off to acknowledge honestly. Wooden joints are more sensitive to humidity changes and require slightly more care than metal joints. Store your cue properly, avoid extreme temperature swings, and a wooden joint will reward you with a playing experience that metal simply cannot replicate.
The Procida's wooden joint is a deliberate design choice, not a cost-cutting measure. It's what gives this cue its distinct character and separates it from similarly priced competitors in the Longoni lineup.
JBR2 Ferrule System and the Da Vinci Medium Tip
The Procida comes equipped with Longoni's JBR2 ferrule system, which features a high-density G10 core paired with proprietary low-deflection (LD) technology. This is typically found on higher-end cues, so its inclusion at the 3-star price point is a genuine value differentiator.
In practical carom terms, low deflection means reduced cue ball squirt on off-center hits. Long cross-table shots become more accurate, and the acoustics on contact are cleaner. For 3-cushion play, where precision over distance is everything, this matters.
The tip is Longoni's Da Vinci Medium, a 5-layer pigskin laminated tip made in Italy. It has been the official Longoni tip for all their cues since 2007, available in soft, medium, and hard. The medium hardness strikes a balance: softer tips grip the cue ball more aggressively for maximum spin, while harder tips offer greater durability and a firmer response. Medium is the most versatile starting point for club-level 3-cushion players.
If you develop a preference over time, switching is straightforward. Go soft if you prioritize touch and spin; go hard if you want a more consistent, punchy response on power shots. Medium gives you room to grow without limiting your game early on.
Who Is the Longoni Procida Built For?
The Procida is built for club-level and intermediate 3-cushion players who are ready to invest in their first serious personal carom cue. If you've been playing with house cues and the game has its hooks in you, this is the tier where your equipment starts matching your commitment.
The growing female carom player demographic is worth highlighting here. With the 2025 World Games introducing a women's carom event for the first time, players inspired by the sport's rising visibility are actively researching quality equipment. The Procida's accessible price and traditional playing feel make it a strong recommendation for anyone entering the sport with serious intent.
Across verified reviews on Kozoom, the Procida carries a 78–80% satisfaction rating. That's a strong reception, though not without nuance. Players who prefer a stiffer, more modern hit sometimes find the wooden joint too soft for their taste. If that describes you, Longoni's VP2-equipped models in the same price range, such as the Crystal Fox or Black Rainbow, are worth comparing.
The Procida lists at $675.00 at Billiard City. We stock the Procida Carom Cue with E71 Maple Shaft and ship from our Boca Raton, FL warehouse with free US shipping on orders over $99 and 2–5 business day delivery.
As an authorized Longoni dealer, we provide genuine product with full factory warranty coverage, including Longoni's 2-year shaft warranty against defects on the joint, ferrule, and ferrule sticking. You're buying with confidence, not guesswork.
Final Verdict: Is the Longoni Procida Worth $675?
Yes. The Procida brings together Italian craftsmanship backed by 80+ years of heritage, a 24-month seasoned Quebec maple shaft, JBR2 low-deflection ferrule technology that punches above its price class, and a wooden joint that delivers a playing experience no metal joint can match.
The honest trade-off: the wooden joint and traditional feel are features, not flaws. If you know you want a stiffer, more modern response, explore Longoni's VP2-equipped models before committing.
The broader picture is encouraging. The global billiards equipment market is projected to grow at a 4.45% CAGR through 2034, carom is gaining institutional recognition at the highest levels, and personal cue purchases are the fastest-growing segment in the industry. Investing in a quality personal cue now positions you well as the sport continues to expand.
At Billiard City, we're proud to be an authorized Longoni dealer. If you have questions about the Procida, need help comparing it to other models in the lineup, or are ready to order, our team is here to help. Genuine product, full warranty coverage, and knowledgeable support from people who care about this sport.