Cue Maker Identification - Trini Lopez owned cue

[Powerhouse123]

I could really use some help here... I purchased a cue from the estate of Trini Lopez (singer, guitarist, actor, one of the original dirty dozen) and I could use some help identifying the maker.

The cue appears to have the following characteristics:

- 5/16x18 joint screw (approximately 3/4” long and appears to be a stainless steel screw).
- Ivory joint
- Ivory ferrule
- 58” overall length
- approximately 30.5” butt length
- approximately 29.5” shaft length
- 15/16” ferrule length (1” with pad)
- 1” ivory joint length
- bumper is held on with screw with head that requires an Allen wrench to remove

Any ideas? I’m guessing it’s made by someone respectable, based on Trini’s status.

 

[Powerhouse123]

A couple more photos.

 

[rsmith_1972]

It's a dale pattern cue.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[rsmith_1972]

Patten

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Powerhouse123]

It's a dale pattern cue.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Thanks,

That was quick! Any idea of value/desirability with collectors? I’m not familiar with Dale Patten.

 

[garczar]

Nice cue. Prove this guy(

) owned it and the price jumps. I think you're good to go with the name engraved.

 

[Powerhouse123]

Nice cue. Prove this guy(

) owned it and the price jumps. I think you're good to go with the name engraved.

Thanks, got the COA along with it. Unfortunately, he passed away recently and this was sold along with the rest of his estate.

 

[mikemosconi]

Value would be increased over a standard Dale Patten cue- NOT because Trini Lopez owned it- BUT- Dale Patten did use Gus Szamboti cue blanks ( the front end point section of the cue butt), SO , if that cue has a Gus Szamboti forearm, then your value goes well above a standard non pointed Dale Patten cue. Someone on this site may be able to tell if it is a Szamboti by looking at the photos. He also used Burton Spain blanks - so another possible uptick in value.

So the cue is valued not BC of Trini Lopez- but: 1. as a Dale Patten cue, 2. as a four pointed Dale Patten cue with Ivory and inlays 3. as a possible Burton Spain or Gus Szamboti forearm, and 4. on overall condition. I would give a wide range of $1500 to $3000- depending on the above 4 criteria.

Warning- if you are in CA. do not put that cue in the U.S. mail system on a sale - the ivory content could lead to confiscation- check CA. laws on shipping ivory.

 

[ideologist]

Value would be increased over a standard Dale Patten cue- NOT because Trini Lopez owned it- BUT- Dale Patten did use Gus Szamboti cue blanks ( the front end point section of the cue butt), SO , if that cue has a Gus Szamboti forearm, then your value goes well above a standard non pointed Dale Patten cue. Someone on this site may be able to tell if it is a Szamboti by looking at the photos. He also used Burton Spain blanks - so another possible uptick in value.

So the cue is valued not BC of Trini Lopez- but: 1. as a Dale Patten cue, 2. as a four pointed Dale Patten cue with Ivory and inlays 3. as a possible Burton Spain or Gus Szamboti forearm, and 4. on overall condition. I would give a wide range of $1500 to $3000- depending on the above 4 criteria.

Warning- if you are in CA. do not put that cue in the U.S. mail system on a sale - the ivory content could lead to confiscation- check CA. laws on shipping ivory.

When Dale wrecked Gus forearms, it did not increase the value at all

 

[Powerhouse123]

When Dale wrecked Gus forearms, it did not increase the value at all

It increases the value to me. Closest to a Szamboti I own, if it is a Gus blank. Cues not for sale, just looking for information. I appreciate those of you that respond on these forums with information for us novices... others just seem bitter (not mentioning names).

 

[garczar]

When Dale wrecked Gus forearms, it did not increase the value at all

Wrecked?? Please elaborate.

 

[measureman]

those points look more Spain then Szamboti to me.

 

[Powerhouse123]

I will say, whether Gus, Spain, or anyone else, I’m impressed with how sharp the points are and how clean and straight the lines are. Glad to own it and it hits great.

 

[mikemosconi]

The points could be Spain- I believe that he used Szamboti blanks on only some cues prior to Szamboti demise; I also would be curious as to how Dale Patten "wrecked" Szamboti points? Not disputing anyone's personal knowledge, but when folks make negative statements about someone's work- good to know what is behind those statements- even if just for educating the folks that don't know- like me!

 

[ideologist]

It's probably a Gus blank, but Dale had a tendency to chop a bunch of the bottom of the blank off. That's why the points are so short, compared to most Gus cues.

It's a very handsome cue either way, I followed the auction closely and I thought the price was fair

Cool crossover with Billiards and Music too

(To be fair, I am very bitter at how Dale Patten treated world-class cue blanks)

 

[pwd72s]

Sorry to read Trini Lopez died...sigh...another LP vinyl in my collection with a dead musician on it's cover. Not a collector....all bought for their music content back in the day. Proof...I'm so old I remember when dirt was rocks.

Nice cue...enjoy!

 

[middleofnowhere]

Sorry to read Trini Lopez died...sigh...another LP vinyl in my collection with a dead musician on it's cover. Not a collector....all bought for their music content back in the day. Proof...I'm so old I remember when dirt was rocks.

Nice cue...enjoy!

He Died of Covid like 9 months ago. Funny, there was little mention of him in the news when it happened.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Thanks,

That was quick! Any idea of value/desirability with collectors? I’m not familiar with Dale Patten.

Did you get anything else? I looked at the sale, didn't it have like a 20 or 25% fee.

 

[Powerhouse123]

Just bought the cue, and yes the buyer’s premium was steep, 25%.... after fees taxes and shipping I ended up at about 1.5 times my bid.

I agree it’s odd there was no media attention to his passing. He has a documentary coming out about his life called “My Name is Lopez” soon.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Just bought the cue, and yes the buyer’s premium was steep, 25%.... after fees taxes and shipping I ended up at about 1.5 times my bid.

I agree it’s odd there was no media attention to his passing. He has a documentary coming out about his life called “My Name is Lopez” soon.

Funny, before your post I had been thinking about him. I had just ordered a tee shirt with him on it from eBay. There is a picture of him playing pool but with a house cue. I bet there is a picture of him with your cue somewhere.