Can anyone explain this Tascarella cue auction?

[BillYards]

Do these bidders know something I don't know about Tascarella cues?? Are they secretly made by Barry Szamboti? I just don't see this cue selling for $6500. Please enlighten me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/TASCARELLA-CUSTOM-CUE_W0QQitemZ7222841771QQcategoryZ21212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And not to poke fun... but to say the buttcap is not ivory, but is an ivory "substitute" made me laugh a little... I guess if the buttcap is not ivory... then anything the cap is made from could be called "ivory substitute" right?

 

[ribdoner]

Hey, I will try to make some sense of this for you. Pete Tascarella is more than likey one of the most sought after cues makers in the country today. While he is like Barry Szamboti with respect to the fact that he copies the designs of another famous cue maker that is where the similarity ends.

I must be having a "duh" day. You imply that they are both PT and BS copy designs. Your next statement confuses me......are you saying one makes good,sound cues and the other doesn't? Do you have first hand experience? Thanks

 

[manwon]

Do these bidders know something I don't know about Tascarella cues?? Are they secretly made by Barry Szamboti? I just don't see this cue selling for $6500. Please enlighten me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/TASCARELLA-CUSTOM-CUE_W0QQitemZ7222841771QQcategoryZ21212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And not to poke fun... but to say the buttcap is not ivory, but is an ivory "substitute" made me laugh a little... I guess if the buttcap is not ivory... then anything the cap is made from could be called "ivory substitute" right?

Hey, I will try to make some sense of this for you. Pete Tascarella is more than likely one of the most sought after cues makers in the country today. While he is like Barry Szamboti with respect to the fact that he copies the designs of another famous cue maker that is where the similarity ends. Pete's cues are some of the most traditional made today, and are more sought after than anything made by Barry Szamboti. That said, Pete is known by many in the cue collecting as equal to or the best kept secret in the cue collecting world. Pete's designs and quality construction are really incomparable in the market today. Last, I think you may want do a little research on Pete Tascarella, heck you may buy the next one.

Craig

 

[alpine9430]

Do these bidders know something I don't know about Tascarella cues?? Are they secretly made by Barry Szamboti? I just don't see this cue selling for $6500. Please enlighten me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/TASCARELLA-CUSTOM-CUE_W0QQitemZ7222841771QQcategoryZ21212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And not to poke fun... but to say the buttcap is not ivory, but is an ivory "substitute" made me laugh a little... I guess if the buttcap is not ivory... then anything the cap is made from could be called "ivory substitute" right?

BillYards

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and right now Marcus is holding that cue.
Check it out in the Cue Gallery which was just posted today.

I really liked that cue and for it being unplayed I may have been in the playing field for that amount.
I have a Tascarella and it is a very solid cue.
Compares equally to my higher end Bill Schick where both are SS joints.

Myron

 

[ribdoner]

Hey, I will try to make some sense of this for you. Pete Tascarella is more than likely one of the most sought after cues makers in the country today. While he is like Barry Szamboti with respect to the fact that he copies the designs of another famous cue maker that is where the similarity ends. Pete's cues are some of the most traditional made today, and are more sought after than anything made by Barry Szamboti. That said, Pete is known by many in the cue collecting as equal to or the best kept secret in the cue collecting world. Pete's designs and quality construction are really incomparable in the market today. Last, I think you may want do a little research on Pete Tascarella, heck you may buy the next one.

Craig

What % of the "blanks" in PT cues were made by PT?

If you had identical cues made by PT and BS which, in your opinion, would sell for more today? In 20 yrs? WHY??

 

[asiasdad]

i think the secret has been let out recently

Hey, I will try to make some sense of this for you. Pete Tascarella is more than likely one of the most sought after cues makers in the country today. While he is like Barry Szamboti with respect to the fact that he copies the designs of another famous cue maker that is where the similarity ends. Pete's cues are some of the most traditional made today, and are more sought after than anything made by Barry Szamboti. That said, Pete is known by many in the cue collecting as equal to or the best kept secret in the cue collecting world. Pete's designs and quality construction are really incomparable in the market today. Last, I think you may want do a little research on Pete Tascarella, heck you may buy the next one.

Craig

because they're going for all the money now.

 

[TATE]

I guess you didn't see this one:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=27732

 

[ribdoner]

SAW IT.....DYNOOOOOOOMITE....if I was still a playa it would have been a fine addition to my harem. Doesn't mitigate my curiosity about some of the other posts in this thread.

 

[howardthedick]

Have you been following the cue business lately?

Hey, I will try to make some sense of this for you. Pete Tascarella is more than likely one of the most sought after cues makers in the country today. While he is like Barry Szamboti with respect to the fact that he copies the designs of another famous cue maker that is where the similarity ends. Pete's cues are some of the most traditional made today, and are more sought after than anything made by Barry Szamboti. That said, Pete is known by many in the cue collecting as equal to or the best kept secret in the cue collecting world. Pete's designs and quality construction are really incomparable in the market today. Last, I think you may want do a little research on Pete Tascarella, heck you may buy the next one.

Craig

Nothing personal with anybody involved, I like both of these cuemakers work...but you take a plain 4 point four veneer PT and it's worth around $2300-2600 and then take the same style cue in a BS and it worth $3600-$4000...It's really hard to compare these two cuemakers on the secondary market today...and I doubt it will change in the years to come...but I base this statement on my own personal experiences over the past 45 days.....

Best regards,

Greg H.

 

[manwon]

I must be having a "duh" day. You imply that they are both PT and BS copy designs. Your next statement confuses me......are you saying one makes good,sound cues and the other doesn't? Do you have first hand experience? Thanks

Yes, I do have first hand experience. Do you ? When was the last time you played with either cue makers cues? Have you ever compared them side by side? Last, anyone who has any knowledge about either cue maker knows that they are both carrying on a tradition that was started by another cue maker. They also both use equipment that was handed down and built by the other cue maker. However, I did not mean to imply one was better than the other.

Craig

 

[paulybatz]

C'mon Please

We all know Barry is Gus Szamboti's son (also Art Cantando Barry's Protege)
Pete Tascarella befriended by George Balabushka, still uses George's equipment/lathe. Simple lineage from the original masters, simple economics and mathematics.

 

[manwon]

What % of the "blanks" in PT cues were made by PT?

If you had identical cues made by PT and BS which, in your opinion, would sell for more today? In 20 yrs? WHY??

The % of the blanks made by Pete is not really important. The highest price every paid for a cue was for a cue that the maker did not make the blank. Pete is a very traditional cue maker, the equipment and tools he is using were made and tooled by George Balabushka. I would buy a cue from Pete before I would buy one from Barry, only because Pete has 15 to 20 year's more experience working with cues than Barry. Which cue would sell for more! or which will be worth more! is very subjective and we all know that anything is only worth what a buyer will pay for it. However, that in its self clearly will not show who is the best, only time can do that.

Craig

 

[manwon]

Nothing personal with anybody involved, I like both of these cuemakers work...but you take a plain 4 point four veneer PT and it's worth around $2300-2600 and then take the same style cue in a BS and it worth $3600-$4000...It's really hard to compare these two cuemakers on the secondary market today...and I doubt it will change in the years to come...but I base this statement on my own personal experiences over the past 45 days.....

Best regards,

Greg H.

Hello Greg, the amount payed for one cue or the other is not what makes one better than the other. Mis-informed people buy things every day without fully understanding what they have purchased. Last Greg, I agree that Barrys cues sell for more under the situation you have outlined above. But then the name Szamboti is also much more well know than Tascarella, and we all know how much the association of a name can effect the price of any object. If Barrys last name was Smith would his cues still be as expensive? I am not sure they would be.

Craig

 

[ribdoner]

Yes, I do have first hand experience. Do you ? When was the last time you played with either cue makers cues? Have you ever compared them side by side? Last, anyone who has any knowledge about either cue maker knows that they are both carrying on a tradition that was started by another cue maker. They also both use equipment that was handed down and built by the other cue maker. However, I did not mean to imply one was better than the other.

Craig

I have first hand exp. w/both. Owned and played with each within the last two years. Yes, I have compared them side by side. I've flipped between 8 and 12 of each. Sold more G. SZAMS than I have fingers and toes. Sold more BUSHKA's than I have toes.

You didn't answer my question....what % of PETE's cues have 'blanks" he made?

Howardthedick answered the current market value question.

If you had identical PT and BS cues which would be worth more 20yrs from now?

Both PT and BS Q's are sought after. Your statement about PT cues being more sought after and/or desirable is NOT true.

A person can do much worse than investing 5 to 10% of their portfolio in either makers work.

You also stated they used equipment that was handed down and made by the other cue maker. I don't think BARRY uses PETE's equipment and vice versa.

The ORRIGINAL CUE PIMP-----How's our buddy "spider" doing?

PS Whose cues (PT or BS) have, as a rule, higher quality laminate work....glue lines,etc.

 

[manwon]

I have first hand exp. w/both. Owned and played with each within the last two years. Yes, I have compared them side by side. I've flipped between 8 and 12 of each. Sold more G. SZAMS than I have fingers and toes. Sold more BUSHKA's than I have toes.

You didn't answer my question....what % of PETE's cues have 'blanks" he made?

Howardthedick answered the current market value question.

If you had identical PT and BS cues which would be worth more 20yrs from now?

Both PT and BS Q's are sought after. Your statement about PT cues being more sought after and/or desirable is NOT true.

A person can do much worse than investing 5 to 10% of their portfolio in either makers work.

You also stated they used equipment that was handed down and made by the other cue maker. I don't think BARRY uses PETE's equipment and vice versa.

The ORRIGINAL CUE PIMP-----How's our buddy "spider" doing?

PS Whose cues (PT or BS) have, as a rule, higher quality laminate work....glue lines,etc.

Well I have to agree Barrys cues sell for more on the open market, but I wonder how sought after they would be if his name was Barry Smith? From my experience Barrys cues have lower quality point / inlay glue lines by far.

Have a great night

P. S. if you are the ORRIGINAL CUE PIMP POST A PICTURE OF YOUR PIMP STICK, cause we all know that all Pimps have a pimp stick

 

[ribdoner]

Well I have to agree Barrys cues sell for more on the open market, but I wonder how sought after they would be if his name was Barry Smith? From my experience Barrys cues have lower quality point / inlay glue lines by far.

Have a great night

P. S. if you are the ORRIGINAL CUE PIMP POST A PICTURE OF YOUR PIMP STICK, cause we all know that all Pimps have a pimp stick

I don't have PICTURE POSTING SKILLS. Spend too much time PIMPIN, DRINKIN,BALLIN and BRAWLIN to learn how.

Look me up in MEMPHIS if you come and visit our bud "spider" who is high in the OZARKS. You can see my PIMPSTICK up close and personal. I'm real easy to find......go to any pool room/bar in this area and let it be known you want to acquire a high end cue. They'll know who to call.

I take my act on the road from time to time.....where might I find MANWON?

GOODNIGHT to you MANWON

The ORRIGINAL CUE PIMP---hi run 7--SW301-93

YEAH----it's the first one they put the # and cactus on.

PS.....I don't think people posting pics of some of the most valuable cues in the world on an open forum is a great idea........it could be a scammers dream come true

 

[BillYards]

Ok... I understand that Tascarella is using Balabushka's old machines and techniques... but $6,500? Come on, Guys! That is way too much! It is a beautiful cue, but why not get on the waiting list and get one at half that price? <post edited - last sentence deleted>

 

[paulybatz]

Well, I think an AZer bought it ask them

Ok... I understand that Tascarella is using Balabushka's old machines and techniques... but $6,500? Come on, Guys! That is way too much! It is a beautiful cue, but why not get on the waiting list and get one at half that price? IMO someone got the corncob in the butt treatment on this deal.

Well have to wait for the buyer to let us know if it indeed was.

 

[BillYards]

The auction bidding pattern looks a little suspicious to me... Ya think this coulda been shill bidding knowing they had a SERIOUS buyer on the hook??

C'mon! $6,500??? I still see no justification for that price other than the fact that someone was willing (read: crazy enough) to pay it. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to slam the buyer... I just wanna know why that cue is worth $6,500.

Maybe Marcus can tell me his motivation. Maybe he was getting phone calls and e-mails left and right from guys that knew about the shill bidders and they were pumping him up to not let that cue get away.

I don't see it. I don't get it. I am sorry Marcus, but I just think you got taken advantage of on this deal and I hate to see that.

At least you have the cue now and might be able to get your money back before Halley's Comet flys overhead again.

 

[FAST_N_LOOSE]

Ok... I understand that Tascarella is using Balabushka's old machines and techniques... but $6,500? Come on, Guys! That is way too much! It is a beautiful cue, but why not get on the waiting list and get one at half that price? IMO someone got the corncob in the butt treatment on this deal.

YOU EVIDENTLY DON'T READ THIS SITE MUCH.......IF YOU DID, YOU WOULD HAVE KNOW WHO BOUGHT THE CUE, AND YOU ALSO WOULD HAVE SEEN ALL THE POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE CUE, AND THE PURCHASE IN THE THREAD IN THE CUE GALLERY.

I THINK YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE EDUCATED ON THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU MAKE THESE STATEMENTS. IF YOU FOLLOWED THE MARKET YOU'D KNOW THAT PRICE IS RIGHT ON LINE FOR THE HOLY GRAIL OF TASCARELLA 4 POINT CUES. I'M ASSUMING YOU HAVE NEVER OWNED A TASCARELLA, WHICH IS WHY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I SEE THAT YOU OWN A RICHARD BLACK CUE. I OWNED 26 OF RICHARDS CUES, AND WHEN I REALIZED HOW MUCH BETTER PETE'S CUES WERE, I SOLD THEM ALL TO BUY TASCARELLAS.

GET AHOLD OF ME IN A FEW YEARS AND WE'LL SEE WHO MADE THE BETTER CHOICE........I HAVE A REAL STRONG FEELING THAT MY CUES WILL BE MUCH STRONGER.

WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT PART OF YOUR STATEMENT.......GO AHEAD AND TRY TO ORDER A CUE. CALL ME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN HE HASN'T EVEN TAKEN YOUR ORDER YET, OR EVEN ANSWERED THE PHONE......THAN YOU CAN WAIT 4-5 YEARS TO GET YOUR CUE.............AND BY THE WAY, YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT PETE WOULD CHARGE FOR A CUE BEFORE YOU SAY I COULD HAVE BOUNT IT FOR HALF THE PRICE FROM HIM. HE GETS 2000 FOR A PLAIN 4 POINT 4 VENEER CUE........DID YOU KNOW THAT? DID YOU KNOW THAT PETE HAS A 4 TO 5 YEAR WAIT? DID YOU KNOW THAT PETE ISN'T REALLY TAKING ANY NEW ORDERS?

I'M NOT SAYING THAT THERE ISN'T ANY MORE SOUGHT AFTER CUEMAKERS, BUT I CAN ONLY THINK OF TWO MAKERS THAT ARE STILL ALIVE THAT GET MORE OF A PREMIUM ON THE SECONDARY MARKET. BUT WHAT THE HELL WOULD I KNOW...........I GUESS I'M JUST MAD AT MYSELF FOR BUYING ONE OF IF NOT THE NICEST FOUR POINT TASCARELLAS I'VE EVER SEEN.

MAYBE I'M A MORON..............WHAT DOES EVERYBODY ELSE THINK........I DON'T EVER SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM SELLING A TASCARELLA IF I HAVE TO.......NOT THAT I SELL MANY

BY THE WAY, I'M RELATIVELY SURE YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS I TOOK A CORNCOB ON THIS ONE.

P.S. IF YOU CAN GET ME THIS CUE FOR HALF OF WHAT I PAID, YOU GET 10, AND I'LL GIVE YOU A GRAND ON TOP OF WHAT YOU PAID FOR EACH.


JUST MY 2 CENTS.........WHICH PROBABLY DON'T MATTER BECAUSE I WAS STUPID ENOUGH TO BUY THIS BEAUTIFUL CUE.