2015 Gilbert

Just got my new Gilbert and wanted to show it off. I need to thank a few people in the process. First is my buddy Tom who did the ordering to my specs and did all the dealing with the Gilbert's. Thanks buddy. Second is Ken who's Szamboti was the first bumperless Hoppe style cue I ever shot with that gave the inspiration to have one made like this. I still admire that cue! I also have to thank the Gilbert's. This is my second one and the workmanship and execution is as good as it gets.

First, this had to be a players cue. Straight grain maple, steel joint and ebony points with veneers. I wanted a bumperless Hoppe style with the veneers to match another Szamboti I saw a long time ago on AZ and managed to only save a picture of the veneers. The light blue, light green and natural is a home run in my book. I guess you could say it has all the inspiration from Szamboti, without being an outright copy. I like to pay homage to the inspiration but always want it to not be mistaken for the original.

Hope you like it. Thanks again to all those mentioned above.

A few more photos along with my current bumpered Hoppe also from Gilbert. I will try to get some photos outside one day to show off the veneers. It's overcast and artificial light doesn't show how much pop they truly have.

2015 Gilbert Hoppe

Thanks for the compliments. I have been shooting with it the last few hours and like the feel of the cue over all. It will take some getting used to as this is the stainless half joint and the ferrules are ivory. I went with traditional ivory in it but have not actually played with a cue with ivory for several years. The feel and sound seem odd but vaguely familiar.

Allen, yes the light and the phone camera seem to make the cue look odd, but it is dead straight and a great player in its own right. I will try to get some natural light photos as the veneers look much better in person.

Some new photos out in the Sunshine to show off the veneers.