From my partner.... Greetings Szamboti Fans and Collectors:
Today commemorates the 35th Anniversary I received my Gus Szamboti cue: April 24, 1988. It was November 1986, when I first called Gus to place the order. I explained that I waited until I could run 100 balls BEFORE calling him. Gus laughed. We had a great conversation and he agreed to build me a cue. He told me to call back in September 1987,,, which I did. We finalized the design, I sent a $250. deposit and Gus said the cue will be done in about 4-6 months. The cue arrived April 24, 1988.... It was well worth the wait. Every time I look and play with this cue, it's like Christmas morning.... the joy and pride of ownership is overwhelming. Lucky me. I've run lots of balls, competed in tournaments, performed numerous trick shot exhibitions and in general had lots and lots of fun with this cue. This cue is one of the 5 BEST playing cues I have owned. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have owned several hundred Gus Szamboti cues. When the Blue Book of Pool Cues 3rd Edition was published in 2005, of the 36 cues pictured, 14 were mine. This cue is on the cover and on page 87 in the color section, this cue is pictured. Regarding 6-prong cues, there are probably less than 24 built of which less than 5 had color veneers. This is the only known 6-prong red veneer cue that Gus started and completed. I was also fortunate enough to acquire 10 of the last cues Gus built in 1988 thanks to the help of Barry to confirm delivery and build dates. This date is one of the highlights in my life and I hope you fellow collectors create some magic moments in your life. I've made a lot of great friendships over the years … and lost a few friendships, but pool and collecting cues still provides joy and happiness. I wish you all the same and more.
Regarding Barry's cues, I owned #100, #200, and had the opportunity to buy #300 and own all 3 but I didn't buy that one. I've owned quite a few of Barry's cues over the years,,, and his early business card said it so well.. “The Tradition Continues”. I'm grateful and consider myself very very fortunate to be one of the few that still owns a cue Gus made especially for me. In spite of the many controversies, cue collecting is a wonderful hobby with some really terrific, talented, amazing people. I wish you all success and happiness with your cue collecting experiences.
Best regards,
Mark Kulungian
Today commemorates the 35th Anniversary I received my Gus Szamboti cue: April 24, 1988. It was November 1986, when I first called Gus to place the order. I explained that I waited until I could run 100 balls BEFORE calling him. Gus laughed. We had a great conversation and he agreed to build me a cue. He told me to call back in September 1987,,, which I did. We finalized the design, I sent a $250. deposit and Gus said the cue will be done in about 4-6 months. The cue arrived April 24, 1988.... It was well worth the wait. Every time I look and play with this cue, it's like Christmas morning.... the joy and pride of ownership is overwhelming. Lucky me. I've run lots of balls, competed in tournaments, performed numerous trick shot exhibitions and in general had lots and lots of fun with this cue. This cue is one of the 5 BEST playing cues I have owned. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have owned several hundred Gus Szamboti cues. When the Blue Book of Pool Cues 3rd Edition was published in 2005, of the 36 cues pictured, 14 were mine. This cue is on the cover and on page 87 in the color section, this cue is pictured. Regarding 6-prong cues, there are probably less than 24 built of which less than 5 had color veneers. This is the only known 6-prong red veneer cue that Gus started and completed. I was also fortunate enough to acquire 10 of the last cues Gus built in 1988 thanks to the help of Barry to confirm delivery and build dates. This date is one of the highlights in my life and I hope you fellow collectors create some magic moments in your life. I've made a lot of great friendships over the years … and lost a few friendships, but pool and collecting cues still provides joy and happiness. I wish you all the same and more.
Regarding Barry's cues, I owned #100, #200, and had the opportunity to buy #300 and own all 3 but I didn't buy that one. I've owned quite a few of Barry's cues over the years,,, and his early business card said it so well.. “The Tradition Continues”. I'm grateful and consider myself very very fortunate to be one of the few that still owns a cue Gus made especially for me. In spite of the many controversies, cue collecting is a wonderful hobby with some really terrific, talented, amazing people. I wish you all success and happiness with your cue collecting experiences.
Best regards,
Mark Kulungian
