Gus Szamboti 70's

[skins]

Here's an unfortunate situational comparison IMHO...

Take for instance inlaid SW cues. Many cant be touched for under 13k and many much more. I would think a big reason is the overseas market. They love their SW's. There's big interest in the US as well which keeps those cues solid money wise. Listen, I love inlaid SW's, hell all of them just about as much as anyone but I feel the OP's cue, a very nice semi fancy GS example, is MORE desirable yet what I'm hearing here is that some may not feel the same $ wise...:scratchhead:

I'd like to here from the Gus collectors out there....

 

[Chopdoc]

Here's an unfortunate situational comparison IMHO...

Take for instance inlaid SW cues. Many cant be touched for under 13k and many much more. I would think a big reason is the overseas market. They love their SW's. There's big interest in the US as well which keeps those cues solid money wise. Listen, I love inlaid SW's, hell all of them just about as much as anyone but I feel the OP's cue, a very nice semi fancy GS example, is MORE desirable yet what I'm hearing here is that some may not feel the same $ wise...:scratchhead:

I'd like to here from the Gus collectors out there....

I have to agree.

The number of Gus cues is static, you can still buy a brand new SW. And if you want it made to order just look for somebody selling their spot, you will find one.

The Gus is a different market, granted with some definite overlap into the SW market.

A Gus is by nature a more desirable cue in general as you say.

This cue is a very nice example, as you say. But there are others on the market that are fancier and/or less money. I think this cue needs the right buyer to hit the mark the seller wants. That narrows it down a lot, and real fast, even among Gus collectors.

I consider myself a student in such matters, not more. I am only a spectator willing to speak up occasionally.

If my finances changed a little and I were in the game in this range I can tell you there isn't a single SW I would be looking at before this Gus. But there are many that don't have that perspective I think. This cue needs somebody that needs this cue.



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[skins]

....This cue is a very nice example, as you say. But there are others on the market that are fancier and/or less money...

Where is there another as "fancy" AND in as nice condition as this for less $?

If my finances changed a little and I were in the game in this range I can tell you there isn't a single SW I would be looking at before this Gus.

THAT I agree with.

 

[Chopdoc]

Where is there another as "fancy" AND in as nice condition as this for less $?

I believe somebody posted one earlier in the thread.

Fancier...and in the price range.

I would have to go back and look.

As for condition, obviously unmolested condition is important to the purist. I don't remember if the cue I am thinking of was refinished. Obviously if it was it should be by Barry and no other. But they are only original once.

I did say fancier and/or less money. I did not say fancier and less money, nor did I say they were in as nice or original condition.

I am just saying there are options on the market. They come and go. You just have to wait. Being a true known player in this market will help a lot. You'll get the call if you are known to have cash in hand and are serious.

I think that patience may be more of an advantage to the buyer than the seller in this matter. The sale grows stale while the buyer waits for more options to come, and they will come, while the seller only has one to sell. But, I could be wrong. There is definitely strategy to be played by either position.

Personally, I would love to see somebody pick this up. Make it a done deal. And I would really prefer that it not disappear into Asia or the Middle East. I would love to hear somebody I know or know of telling how it plays. Take it out for a spin. A Gus is a player no matter how fancy. I gotta believe Gus felt the same. I don't think he made decorations, the man was at the apex and made damn serious cues to play pool.



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[skins]

I believe somebody posted one earlier in the thread.

Fancier...and in the price range.

I would have to go back and look.

As for condition, obviously unmolested condition is important to the purist. I don't remember if the cue I am thinking of was refinished. Obviously if it was it should be by Barry and no other. But they are only original once.

I did say fancier and/or less money. I did not say fancier and less money, nor did I say they were in as nice or original condition.

I am just saying there are options on the market. They come and go. You just have to wait. Being a true known player in this market will help a lot. You'll get the call if you are known to have cash in hand and are serious.

I think that patience may be more of an advantage to the buyer than the seller in this matter. The sale grows stale while the buyer waits for more options to come, and they will come, while the seller only has one to sell. But, I could be wrong. There is definitely strategy to be played by either position.

Personally, I would love to see somebody pick this up. Make it a done deal. And I would really prefer that it not disappear into Asia or the Middle East. I would love to hear somebody I know or know of telling how it plays. Take it out for a spin. A Gus is a player no matter how fancy. I gotta believe Gus felt the same. I don't think he made decorations, the man was at the apex and made damn serious cues to play pool.



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The buyers are out there but they may be waiting to see what traction this cue can muster... Big mistake IMO. But then again I'm not as big a player as some and thats why I solicited the opinions of them. I think I may be holding my breath for a while on that though...I'm not naive to the desire of Gus's work nor the gamesmanship that a depressed market can produce.. A lot of it is usually behind the scenes though. That's why those who have been wanting a nice piece from Gus need to "jump" in while it's right in front of them.

Also, there's nothing I've seen available, in this thread or anywhere else, that is AS fancy and desieable for less $ IMO... If there was I think I might have to consider being drawn all over it and I'm saying that WITHOUT having any $ to spare.

 

[HighEndCues]

IMHO that's a pretty off chance. Everybody who is anybody in the cue world is somehow connected to what was posted here. Even if they aren't posting or lurking here, they know dealers that are here. Every dealer who saw this already addressed his client base regarding it, why would they not? But for dealers, there has to be meat on the bone. You are looking for a seriously maximum figure that seems to be beyond the market for the cue. The only way to realize that value is to sell to the end buyer. And I am pretty confident most of them have been contacted already. I am confident word of the cue for sale circled the globe. I promise that the cue has been seen by people that could pay your asking price without blinking an eye. But they didn't get where they are by doing that.

There is always a chance, as you say, an "off chance".

Personally, I love all the open discussion about the matter. Most cue sales like this are pretty private and the rest of us are not able to see much discussion about them from the various perspectives. I do enjoy it.

I will render no no opinion beyond what I already said, which is that an actual sale will determine the value.

I do wish you the best in getting everything out of it you want. I dig the cue. It is a fine example. :smile:

Very well said!!!

Understand that a large portion of the cue world are members here, or a lurker. Most of the dealers are here also, and they have touched base with most of potential buyers that don't come to this forum also.
Almost 11000 views over months!!
Seller states hundreds of messages he received.
Many offers the seller has refused, and $13500 is the best one.

I hear words like "hosed" and scratch my head. More free advise has been given out on this cue then any in resent memory. A quote in this thread that rings true "Pig's get slaughtered".

It is hard for me to imagine that someone on AZ offered $13500 and has followed this thread, and watched their offer being shopped for months. Hard for ME to imagine that buyer is still waiting for it!

It's not hard to devalue a cue. You might make potential buyer's feel like they don't want to the one holding the hot potato last.
Some very knowledgeable people have spoken, you might want to listen to them.

 

[skins]

.....It's not hard to devalue a cue. You might make potential buyer's feel like they don't want to the one holding the hot potato last.

Yes Ken it's not hard to "devalue" anything. Especially high end items in specific markets. As with anything high end there's only so many who have the readily available resources to aquire them on a normal basis so "their" public absence speaks volumes to me. It's an "aquire to sell in the future" market ie. "Dealers market"...

I'd like to hear from those who think as much about Gus's work as myself. So far my ears/eyes are starved....

..... I have to edit this post as it reads like some who would normally want items such as this are absent to devalue it. Thats not what I mean... The high end cue market, especially the Gus market, is a very select group and I believe those whithin want just as much a bargin as anyone else regardless of their ability to pony up the $ but are not actively trying to devalue... No disrespect intended..

 

[Chopdoc]

It is a very select group of buyers as you say.

And I would like to see them post as well. But those conversations is where this will get private IMHO.

I think to a point this thread has supported the escalation on this cue, but past a certain point it will not be openly discussed. It's just the nature of such business. And I think any serious buyer would risk driving his price up, and that's not smart business.

I'd like to hear from those who think as much about Gus's work as myself. So far my ears/eyes are starved....

I think it's unfair to assume that any others don't appreciate his work as much as you. Maybe they just don't say what you think they should. I think in general the respect and appreciation for his work is extremely high, and I have not seen anybody contradict that.

I will say that I tend to avoid value issues because almost invariably somebody feels like they got their dick stepped on, including people not even really involved. One or two words can set things off.

The seller said something about avoiding getting hosed. Many feel he can't get hosed because he is already hitting a good offer...but to him not realizing a few grand more would be getting hosed. That's cool, I get that. But the terminology can set people off.

Friendly polite conversations avoid:
1. Politics
2. Religion
3. Cue values :grin:


So far everybody has been pretty civil. And I am glad as anything else would chase the seller away from out merry little group.


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[skins]

It is a very select group of buyers as you say.

And I would like to see them post as well. But those conversations is where this will get private IMHO.


I think it's unfair to assume that any others don't appreciate his work as much as you. Maybe they just don't say what you think they should. I think in general the respect and appreciation for his work is extremely high, and I have not seen anybody contradict that........

I used to go to the Auburn Auto auctions just about every year with my brother who is a very well respected Chevy muscle car restorer. What I learned and what was so refreshing is how open most of the buyers I met were to discussing seller price and their potential bids. You always had a good idea where "Johnny" was or maybe how far "Tony" would go. I mean there was always a chance that someone lurking or just one the boys/girls may just have to have it though and may boost the end result but that's what made it interesting. The best part is many of the players didnt buy with the main thought of investment but more to just HAVE what they wanted so selling price wasn't their biddest hurdle....

That's what I meant about wanting to see those who appreciate Gus's work as much as I..... Those who talk desire first and market value fourth or fifth. That's how I've always felt about Gus's work.

If I had your $ I'd buy em ALL up :thumbup:

 

[Logdog]

My using the word "hosed" was in reference to the suggestion of putting it up for auction and being unlucky enough to hit a badly attended or uninterested auction and ending up getting "hosed" especially after all the buyer/seller fees. The word had nothing to do with the offers and advice I have received from many of the very nice people that have contacted me on this forum. Thanks again as many have gone into quite a long detailed explanation of their position in private message

 

[rdwell]

Gus

This post has been beat to death and I am not sure why. Will P hit it perfectly with his analogy and opinion. I love Szamboti cues and have a few. The market usually sets the price and something is only worth what someone is willing to pay. If I had that cue and WANTED to sell it and someone offered me 13,500 for it in this market I would hand deliver it. I also agree with Ken that if I offered a number on a cue and it was shopped I would pull the offer off the table. For the OP if you REALLY want to sell it get in touch with the 13,5000 guy and get it done. It is a wonderful cue so maybe you should just hold onto it.

 

[cubswin]

11K in views, I'd say the majority of buyers out there are aware of this thread, and have made the offers they are going to make.

It is a interesting conversation at least on the cue buying market in general.

 

[Chopdoc]

I used to go to the Auburn Auto auctions just about every year with my brother who is a very well respected Chevy muscle car restorer. What I learned and what was so refreshing is how open most of the buyers I met were to discussing seller price and their potential bids. You always had a good idea where "Johnny" was or maybe how far "Tony" would go. I mean there was always a chance that someone lurking or just one the boys/girls may just have to have it though and may boost the end result but that's what made it interesting. The best part is many of the players didnt buy with the main thought of investment but more to just HAVE what they wanted so selling price wasn't their biddest hurdle....

That's what I meant about wanting to see those who appreciate Gus's work as much as I..... Those who talk desire first and market value fourth or fifth. That's how I've always felt about Gus's work.

If I had your $ I'd buy em ALL up :thumbup:

I think it's all about passion. Some muscle cars are investments.

But most guys will pour 50K into a 20K car and love it the whole way along knowing they will never get that out of the car. If you pay somebody you can double those figures just to start...

I think for most of us the cues are about passion as well.

 

[cuesmith]

Another story I remember about this cue......I was at Starcher's Billiards in Akron, Ohio and I hadn't seen Gary Spaeth in a few years since I had moved. He was playing in a large tournament that Saturday and he somehow only had one shaft with him and he cracked the ferrule on it during one of his matches. He didn't know what to do and then he saw me in the bleachers and came over and said I had to let him use my Szamboti since he had always loved mine and knew how it would feel/play since he had a Gus also. So I said of course and he never lost a match that day. I went home that night with my cue and did not go back up to Starcher's on Sunday so I do not know what he did for a cue that day but it was fun to see him win every match he played with my Gus Szamboti Her sure could bank a ball. Of all the players I saw over the years the one that looked the most natural over a ball stroking a cue was Gary. You had to see it in person to appreciate it. He just looked like he fit the game perfectly and the high triangle he made with his index finger of his bridge hand was a thing of beauty.

Logdog, Do we know each other? From your story, I would think we've crossed paths. I was Gary's stakehorse and best friend up til he passed in 2000. I also had the dubious distinction of being a pall bearer at both Joey & Gary's funerals. Made many a trip to Starchers and all over the country for that matter with the Spaeths.

Sherm

 

[WildWing]

Selling with an auction house poses too much risk for me with buyers fees of 15% and sellers fees of an additional15% meaning if someone wanted to pay $18,000 they would only bid $15,600 and then after my seller fee I would only get $13,300 and I would be right back to where I am now with an offer of $13,500. There is the off chance that an auction house might produce a buyer that pays significantly more than a cue forum or ebay but it could also turn out to be a poor auction for whatever reason and then I would really get hosed. Thank you for your suggestion and taking the time to comment

You are correct. With auction houses, you are probably back to $13.5K.

If the money's important, sell it for that offer. This post is getting to the half-year mark, and if this forum hasn't done it, I still think the big auctions are the alternative.

On the other hand, you own a pretty fancy Gus. There aren't too many around, and I would hang onto it, and play it now and then.

Personally, I would hang onto it. This cue would not leave my collection.

All the best,
WW

 

[jazznpool]

Interesting thread. I love Gus Szamboti cues and have nothing but respect for his raising the bar of cue crafting standards. He made 2 superb cues for me in 1983. For this point in time, the market has shown itself, whatever that may be. This Gus is beautiful cue with his signature veneer dash deco rings that I still love to see. The black dots at the tips of the points do not enhance this cue but this is a personal taste matter and only my opinion. To the OP, thanks for bringing out this Gus cue conversation piece.

 

[Logdog]

Interesting thread. I love Gus Szamboti cues and have nothing but respect for his raising the bar of cue crafting standards. He made 2 superb cues for me in 1983. For this point in time, the market has shown itself, whatever that may be. This Gus is beautiful cue with his signature veneer dash deco rings that I still love to see. The black dots at the tips of the points do not enhance this cue but this is a personal taste matter and only my opinion. To the OP, thanks for bringing out this Gus cue conversation piece.

Interesting.....The black dots at the tip of the points might be my favorite part of the cue. That's why they sell chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream. Everyone likes something different. I took this cue back to the bank a few weeks ago but before I did I screwed it together and did a few practice strokes and I must say that I was struck by how fantastic this cue feels in the hands. I would imagine all Szamboti's do. It actually had an effect on me to the point that I almost went to a pool room for the first time in 20 years but sadly there are none around here so I let the impulse pass. I was nowhere near a top player but I was a good player. My personal bests were 88 in straight pool, 5 racks in 9 ball and 13 in 3 Cushion Billiards and as I look back on it all I had a lot of fun. It appears that I will be keeping this cue for now based on the offers I have received but I thank everyone that has helped me in this process. Who knows, maybe I will get the urge again and buy a used Gold Crown and play here at the house.

 

[skins]

Interesting.....The black dots at the tip of the points might be my favorite part of the cue.....

I'm right with ya...

Love me some dots :smile:

 

[joe scherber]

Been watching this tread for some time.My take is nice classic cue with sentimental value. If its really for sale the owner is going to have to "get real".The 13,500 offer is realistic. 18,500 is wishful thinking/pie in the sky and isn't likely to happen/why would it. I love the cue except for the dots-szambotis are way cool and a class of their own

 

[Logdog]

18,500 is wishful thinking/pie in the sky and isn't likely to happen/why would it. I love the cue except for the dots-szambotis are way cool and a class of their own

Just to be clear, I am asking $18,000 and not $18,500. As you stated, that is above the offers I have received but I wanted no confusion. After all $500 is $500. I am glad you love the cue and am again puzzled that someone else doesn't like the dots