Getting a cue from Barry Szamboti
- Thread starter FSutton
- Start date
Is buying a used Szamboti an option?
FSutton said:Not if I can get on the list... besides I'm in the service and I just can't pay the $5-6k that people are wanting from those unfortunately...I only lucked my way into my Hercek which I love dearly but I want a Szam too.... plain birdseye or a hope player... NO INLAYS....but you can always post a picture just to show me what you go
I would post this on the buy/sell forum just to see what you get back. You never know
You want a Szamboti but don't want to pay a lot of money for it. You're willing to pass one up on the used market if you can somehow, someway get on his list. You're willing to wait 10-15 years so it is made specifically for you...even though he waid he won't take your order.
Seems like you haven't thought this through.
Seems like you haven't thought this through.
I also tried to get on his list.
Send him a letter in 2002 but he did not take orders at that time already...
Tried again in 2006 but no luck either.
I am from Holland - Europe so i promised him Dutch cheese and wooden shoes but he wouldn't buy it.
And still new cues pop up every day...
The one from Kamdaswani is awesome...
MH
HOB Weert
Send him a letter in 2002 but he did not take orders at that time already...
Tried again in 2006 but no luck either.
I am from Holland - Europe so i promised him Dutch cheese and wooden shoes but he wouldn't buy it.
And still new cues pop up every day...
The one from Kamdaswani is awesome...
MH
HOB Weert
Just a Guess
I'm guessing that Barry's current waiting list exceeds the amount of time he is willing to commit of his life to making cues. That doesn't leave him many options other than to stop taking orders as we all know he won't build them any faster. I know I've seen cues made by his child (or was it children?) but I don't think anyone is currently committed to carry on Gus's tradition after Barry.
Maybe it would be a good time for someone to offer their services as Barry's apprentice? 12-15 years working with Gus's tools under Barry's tutelage might give one the right to call their product a Szam. I undestand FatBoy is out of work, maybe a career path change is in order.
Not that I think it will sway Barry, but in my experience with cue makers, if you are looking to lure them into making you a stick, fancy generally works better than plain.
Kevin
FSutton said:Not if I can get on the list... besides I'm in the service and I just can't pay the $5-6k that people are wanting from those unfortunately...I only lucked my way into my Hercek which I love dearly but I want a Szam too.... plain birdseye or a hoppe player... NO INLAYS....but you can always post a picture just to show me what you go
I'm guessing that Barry's current waiting list exceeds the amount of time he is willing to commit of his life to making cues. That doesn't leave him many options other than to stop taking orders as we all know he won't build them any faster. I know I've seen cues made by his child (or was it children?) but I don't think anyone is currently committed to carry on Gus's tradition after Barry.
Maybe it would be a good time for someone to offer their services as Barry's apprentice? 12-15 years working with Gus's tools under Barry's tutelage might give one the right to call their product a Szam. I undestand FatBoy is out of work, maybe a career path change is in order.
Not that I think it will sway Barry, but in my experience with cue makers, if you are looking to lure them into making you a stick, fancy generally works better than plain.
Kevin
FSutton said:
i wont quote Barrys prices but its still ALOT of $$$ from him its not $1000 from him and $6000 on the open market, there is a premium above what Barry charges but it isnt much, so the 10 years might work out to saving you like $200 a year-is that worth the wait? for me no, so I buy my Barry cues on the market not from Mr. Barry.:smile:
FSutton said:
There would be worse things to do than learn that trade from that man.
You might be right, I don't know what motivates Barry, it's clearly not money. If it were $$, he could build them faster or charge way more and he doesn't choose to do either. Its kind of old world to find a guy carrying on a craft for the art rather than the money and you've gotta love Barry for it.
PS I'll bet Barry's phone has been buzzing since the revelation of the "plain jane" Barry. I'm sure you are not the only salivating at the prospect of getting one like that from Barry. Shall we play guess at what Barry would charge for it?
Kevin
That would be a good TV show, "Szamboti Search"
Become Barry Szamboti's apprentice!
Like Hells Kitchen, 15 people each week 1 guy is eliminated because he glued the Moori tip upside down, or made veneers with a marker...
Were can i sign up.
I am a amateur repairman, but would be a good apprentice, also because i live in Europe, so people would not easy come to my door for a cue because it is to far, and over here Szamboti does not ring many bells yet...
PM me Barry. :thumbup:
MH
HOB Weert
Become Barry Szamboti's apprentice!
Like Hells Kitchen, 15 people each week 1 guy is eliminated because he glued the Moori tip upside down, or made veneers with a marker...
Were can i sign up.
I am a amateur repairman, but would be a good apprentice, also because i live in Europe, so people would not easy come to my door for a cue because it is to far, and over here Szamboti does not ring many bells yet...
PM me Barry. :thumbup:
MH
HOB Weert
If you want on his list, then be honest & square with him. He doesn't need your money. He'll build a cue for you is if he likes you & thinks he'd enjoy building the cue, for you. He reads the forum & likely will know something about your character before giving you a definitive answer.
My take on it is that I build what I want to build, for whom I want to build, when I want to build. Nobody decides it but me. I have money & a life, I don't need to build cues. As such, i'm going to enjoy myself. I often see people flip the cues for rediculous profit & it makes me feel used, especially when they lied to me to gain my trust. Therefore, I closed off my list of people i'll build cues for & now will only do it for those I know & trust, and those who were already on the list. I do make exceptions if somebody is reccomended to me by somebody I know & trust, as well as for GI's. There are people i'd build for over & over whenever they please, but those kind of people don't ask.
So in essence, I can only give my thoughts as I relate to Barry. I know his situation isn't a lot different than my own. He does not need your money. If you want a cue from him, be honest & sincere. He may build a cue or may not, who knows? It'll need to be something he will enjoy building & for a person whom he enjoys building a cue for. I wish you the best of luck. Barry is a fine gentleman & if you get a cue it'll be something to keep. I have no doubt you'd enjoy playing with it.
My take on it is that I build what I want to build, for whom I want to build, when I want to build. Nobody decides it but me. I have money & a life, I don't need to build cues. As such, i'm going to enjoy myself. I often see people flip the cues for rediculous profit & it makes me feel used, especially when they lied to me to gain my trust. Therefore, I closed off my list of people i'll build cues for & now will only do it for those I know & trust, and those who were already on the list. I do make exceptions if somebody is reccomended to me by somebody I know & trust, as well as for GI's. There are people i'd build for over & over whenever they please, but those kind of people don't ask.
So in essence, I can only give my thoughts as I relate to Barry. I know his situation isn't a lot different than my own. He does not need your money. If you want a cue from him, be honest & sincere. He may build a cue or may not, who knows? It'll need to be something he will enjoy building & for a person whom he enjoys building a cue for. I wish you the best of luck. Barry is a fine gentleman & if you get a cue it'll be something to keep. I have no doubt you'd enjoy playing with it.
The world is a big place and collectors across the entire planet pursue Barry for cues. That is a lot of demand upon one person...a person raising a family and no doubt with some needs of his own. Given that demand will always exceed supply in his case, Barry is tending to the years of commitments he has already made.
I am proud to say I am friends with Barry. I don't have one of his cues either. He is a man of principal who puts in a full work week just like many of us. I dream of owning one of Barry's cues but I certainly don't fault him for running his business the way he does.
I am proud to say I am friends with Barry. I don't have one of his cues either. He is a man of principal who puts in a full work week just like many of us. I dream of owning one of Barry's cues but I certainly don't fault him for running his business the way he does.
i have only hit with one cue in my life that i said wow it was this cue.FSutton said:So I'm just wondering.....is it just plain impossible to get a cue from Barry Szamboti or to get on his waiting list? I called him a few months ago and he says he no longer takes orders. I asked him "So your never going to take orders again" and he said he wouldn't go as far to say that. I really want one of his cues. I don't want it to collect or to go out and resale. I want it to play with. In all honesty I don't even care about fancy or inlays. The cue that he just sent kamdaswani that BEM player is just awesome. I really like that. I wouldn't care if I had to wait 10-15 years...is there anyway onto that list or into the good graces of Barry? Barry if your out there I'll detail your car, mow your lawn... anything!? I promise I don't want the cue to resale or just to stuff in a box
There's been cuemakers I've been told it's impossible to get a cue from and they didn't take orders.. but guess what.... i ended up getting on those lists in the past and I got cues. I just hate to feed the aftermarket machine it just doesn't seem as special as actually talking with and getting the cue from the guy that made it. ....
okay guys.... flame on...
f:frown: