A story of a Gus Szamboti Cue

[2rgrbn]

As a young pool player much of my learning is attributed to my step father, (George Azbill) Deceased, he had many cues but here is the story of a unique cue. I have pics somewhere that I will try to post but not on this computer. So the story goes George ordered (thru the Golden Eight Ball in Phx) the cue and paid $150 for it then, sold it for $250 then bought it back for $200 So in the end he had $100 invested in the cue, it had fishing line installed for the wrap at the time of the buy back, he had it rewrapped with White / green speck linen. Here is the interesting part the cue is a merry widow, maple forearm, standard rings and 2 shafts and plays better than any cue I have ever played with, maybe the nostalgia makes it feel that way or it just plays that well who knows. Here is what I can't confirm, supposedly 5 of these cues were ever made 3 of which went to Japan, 1 Nick Varner got and 1 George had. It was inherited by an immediate family member of his, when he passed. Has anyone ever heard about the possibility of just 5 of these cues (Merry Widow) being made or has anyone seen one or is that part of the story just conjecture. Any add to this story would be interesting to me I'm sure many guys here know Nick Varner, a very good player but I don't know him maybe he can shed some light on the story. Anyways if the story is accurate, I'm sure the cue is worth a mint if the story all bullshit the cue is worth a mint. I am confident it is an actual Gus Szamboti Cue. Just curious if anyone can add to or shoot down any of this narrative. I'm not sure if it was Varner or Rempe that supposedly has one of the five. Hell I don't know how close my story is to reality, I've inquired before and I did correspond with Barry years ago and he said he remembered something of some merry widow cues but would need the cue and I don't remember the fee but it was something so with it actually being my Stepdads cue it never got sent in for that authentication. I found a picture of it I have others that show calipers with measurements etc. I just gotta find them from left to right. AE I think, SW, SW, Zsamboti, Bludworth, McDermott. I'll look for more and better pics

 

[PickPocket]

Let's see some pictures of this Legend!

 

[j2pac]

As a young pool player much of my learning is attributed to my step father, (George Azbill) Deceased, he had many cues but here is the story of a unique cue. I have pics somewhere that I will try to post but not on this computer. So the story goes George ordered (thru the Golden Eight Ball in Phx) the cue and paid $150 for it then, sold it for $250 then bought it back for $200 So in the end he had $100 invested in the cue, it had fishing line installed for the wrap at the time of the buy back, he had it rewrapped with White / green speck linen. Here is the interesting part the cue is a merry widow, maple forearm, standard rings and 2 shafts and plays better than any cue I have ever played with, maybe the nostalgia makes it feel that way or it just plays that well who knows. Here is what I can't confirm, supposedly 5 of these cues were ever made 3 of which went to Japan, 1 Nick Varner got and 1 George had. It was inherited by an immediate family member of his, when he passed. Has anyone ever heard about the possibility of just 5 of these cues (Merry Widow) being made or has anyone seen one or is that part of the story just conjecture. Any add to this story would be interesting to me I'm sure many guys here know Nick Varner, a very good player but I don't know him maybe he can shed some light on the story. Anyways if the story is accurate, I'm sure the cue is worth a mint if the story all bullshit the cue is worth a mint. I am confident it is an actual Gus Szamboti Cue. Just curious if anyone can add to or shoot down any of this narrative. I'm not sure if it was Varner or Rempe that supposedly has one of the five. Hell I don't know how close my story is to reality, I've inquired before and I did correspond with Barry years ago and he said he remembered something of some merry widow cues but would need the cue and I don't remember the fee but it was something so with it actually being my Stepdads cue it never got sent in for that authentication. I found a picture of it I have others that show calipers with measurements etc. I just gotta find them from left to right. AE I think, SW, SW, Zsamboti, Bludworth, McDermott. I'll look for more and better picsView attachment 895804

I'd would take the cue to Barry personally. There is zero chance I'd trust a shipping service with that cue.

 

[2rgrbn]

I'd would take the cue to Barry personally. There is zero chance I'd trust a shipping service with that cue.

Unfortunately my Mother and Step Father separated shortly before both passed within a week of each other, The cue was left with a direct family member of his. I tried to tell them the value of 5-6 cues that they inherited, pre date SW, the Bludworth and the Gus in the picture along with 3-4 $1K to $1.5K cues. The other cues were mine when the pic was taken, given the specific cues in the picture someone not somewhat educated in cues would likely assume the Gus and the plain SW were the least valuable of the bunch, and his other cues that they received were fancier. I tried to tell them which were worth what and offered to purchase them. The Bludworth is actually my cue that I offered to purchase from them. I think they thought I was trying to rob them or something. This was 4-5 years ago my offer was $8000 Gus, $2500 for the SW, $600 for my Bludworth and another cue I don't remember who made it, but it was nice $1500. The step father and I were the only in the family that even played pool and we shared a decent cue collection 50ish custom cues he helped me with a little company I had in the 90's (Colby Cues). Both sold off our collection for the most part but I doubt that I will ever see his cues again. It's a shame but someone might find a good deal on some nice cues or they might pop up in a yard sale. So enough of my personal rant. I guess this is a good example of where "you wouldn't believe what I got for $300" stories can come from. I felt at the time that my offer was very gracious, cues have jumped recently in price quite a bit but 5 years ago I thought the offer was more than fair and bare in mind I was a dealer for years I seldom ever pay retail for a cue but the customs are a little different.

 

[2rgrbn]

Unfortunately my Mother and Step Father separated shortly before both passed within a week of each other, The cue was left with a direct family member of his. I tried to tell them the value of 5-6 cues that they inherited, pre date SW, the Bludworth and the Gus in the picture along with 3-4 $1K to $1.5K cues. The other cues were mine when the pic was taken, given the specific cues in the picture someone not somewhat educated in cues would likely assume the Gus and the plain SW were the least valuable of the bunch, and his other cues that they received were fancier. I tried to tell them which were worth what and offered to purchase them. The Bludworth is actually my cue that I offered to purchase from them. I think they thought I was trying to rob them or something. This was 4-5 years ago my offer was $8000 Gus, $2500 for the SW, $600 for my Bludworth and another cue I don't remember who made it, but it was nice $1500. The step father and I were the only in the family that even played pool and we shared a decent cue collection 50ish custom cues he helped me with a little company I had in the 90's (Colby Cues). Both sold off our collection for the most part but I doubt that I will ever see his cues again. It's a shame but someone might find a good deal on some nice cues or they might pop up in a yard sale. So enough of my personal rant. I guess this is a good example of where "you wouldn't believe what I got for $300" stories can come from. I felt at the time that my offer was very gracious, cues have jumped recently in price quite a bit but 5 years ago I thought the offer was more than fair and bare in mind I was a dealer for years I seldom ever pay retail for a cue but the customs are a little different.

Sorry I lost my mind and rambled along, I agree I wouldn't ship it anywhere, if it were mine. Truth is if it was mine. I would be playing with it. That would be fitting for the cue given the relationship he and I had for 40 years.