Gus Szamboti For Sale

ribdoner said:
This cue, as others of this ilk, is worth what it sells for.

A great story would be to buy it for apprx 25k and then, a year or two from now, Mr. Morales shows up wanting his hi-jacked cue back.

B sure to cross t's and dot i's on a deal like this;) NOT implying this is the case but, what if????
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the cue is definitely not "hi-jacked". as far as dave's comment the name only guarantees pedigree and adds to the value of the cue. this
cue comes with a unique story between Gus and Al, condition, four original perfect shafts and the fact it is the first "railroad" cue. anyone
can talk to Al and he'll tell you. you all can come visit and see the cue. you can talk about it till their blue in the face but the fact's remain.
this is not a "plane jane" Gus and $10,000 would not only be an insult would be considered a "stock market crash" offer on this cue
period. the cue is worth what anyone is willing to pay and this cue is the cream of the crop and one of the most sought after cues around.
Gus's work has gone beyond "cue collecting" and entered the fine art world which brings "sky's the limit" pricing and first come CAN be
first served if the price is right.
this may sound a little harsh so i'll apologize now if it offends anyone but it's amazing how many "wannabees" show up talking negative
about certain cues when they can't afford them. not pointed at you RibDoner
 
forgive my opinion, but given the choice between this cue and a bushka, based upon the price ranges discussed, i take the bushka...every single day
 
As I learned last week, cue value and price is all determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. That's it.

It is much like baseball cards... there is actually a lot less value in a baseball card compared to a pool cue... there is no craftsmanship and little functionality and the historical value is questionable because pro sports are pure entertainment. But people go crazy and want to own these things and will pay any amount to get them.

I think people like the Dali Lama have it right... they believe that possessions weigh on a person... their cost is money, time, and stress... that is why they own few possessions... it keeps their mind clear and worry free so that they can enjoy life as much as possible.

It is sad to covet what other people have and not enjoy what you currently own... I think everyone needs to evaluate why they buy a particular cue... seems like bragging rights are ruling in this business right now....

I admit that I have been swept up in this frenzy too, but I have recently undergone a complete re-examination of what my motives are and I was a bit surprised at what I learned about myself...
 
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So is there a number that Al is looking to get? Please just spill it...this thing about calling seems like a waste of time if the number he is seeking is out of line. I'd rather just read the number here than call and be told to make an offer if I have no idea even about the ballpark area the owner is looking to be at.

Some of us have the money but not the time to deal with calling for best offer haggling.
 
I,too, agree that under normal circumstance,the name of the owner of the cue does detract from its value. As I said,"normal circumstance." You are all well aware that a sizable portion of fancier gus cues are going overseas and are not coming back. In the not to distant future,and perhaps now,an astute collector will "settle" for this variation and pricing will not be all that much affected. Simply put, "beggars can't be choosers", so to speak. Of course,when you are spending that amount of cash,you try to find something without blemish,but what if you can't???
 
Dont read more into what I said....

All -

I came up with 10K out of the air. I am not interested in cue. If I wanted it, I certainly could buy any cue out there, including this one.

My point is instead of playing "The Price is Right". Wouldnt it just be easier to take a stand and say I want $XXXX.XX for the cue. Not just on this cue but all cues on the site.

It is almost as bad as a freaking reserve auction. Just start it at the minimum price you will accept. JEEZ.

Chris and others, you are probably right but for me and my Palmer I specifically went out and found one WITHOUT a joe-blow name on it. Does it affect value, maybe. But, I know from comments I have recieved on mine there are alot of people, like me, that prefer not have the name.

JMHO, and LMFAO,

Ken
 
You missed one X. and the first X isnt a 1

Ken_4fun said:
All -

I came up with 10K out of the air. I am not interested in cue. If I wanted it, I certainly could buy any cue out there, including this one.

My point is instead of playing "The Price is Right". Wouldnt it just be easier to take a stand and say I want $XXXX.XX for the cue. Not just on this cue but all cues on the site.

It is almost as bad as a freaking reserve auction. Just start it at the minimum price you will accept. JEEZ.

Chris and others, you are probably right but for me and my Palmer I specifically went out and found one WITHOUT a joe-blow name on it. Does it affect value, maybe. But, I know from comments I have recieved on mine there are alot of people, like me, that prefer not have the name.

JMHO, and LMFAO,

Ken
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Another issue about desired prices is the following.

I have a personal friend who was one of the top players in the 50s-60s. Played in the world championships, etc. He was a superb gambler, and played all the top players, but he is not a big name to most of today's players. He has an original Balabushka that I may end up with one day. It is a simple Titlist window cue that he personally bought from George back in the late 50s-early 60s. The real problem right now is that he has an emotional connection to the cue and feels that it is worth at least double what it is really worth.

That may be an issue here.
 
Bamacues said:
The real problem right now is that he has an emotional connection to the cue and feels that it is worth at least double what it is really worth.

That may be an issue here.
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he should have an attachment to the cue it was made for him by arguably the greatest cue maker ever. there have only been around a thousand people that can say that. with the millions and millions of people who have been exposed to the pool and billiard industry that doesn't make the odds very good on many even being able to hold, play with let alone own one. i'll say it again Gus's cues have moved into the fine art catagory and will bring the most they can when exposed to all. that is the thought of Al. expose the item in all possible venues and take the highest bidder period. if you want the cue make your offer and see how it goes. these offers will eventually let the you and the seller know the "true" market value. the cue will sell and both party's will be happy.
 
It ends....

skins said:
he should have an attachment to the cue it was made for him by arguably the greatest cue maker ever. there have only been around a thousand people that can say that. with the millions and millions of people who have been exposed to the pool and billiard industry that doesn't make the odds very good on many even being able to hold, play with let alone own one. i'll say it again Gus's cues have moved into the fine art catagory and will bring the most they can when exposed to all. that is the thought of Al. expose the item in all possible venues and take the highest bidder period. if you want the cue make your offer and see how it goes. these offers will eventually let the you and the seller know the "true" market value. the cue will sell and both party's will be happy.
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Once they die the emotional attachment ends. The Balabuska, (and my Rambow) came from the estate sale of the Murphy collection in Lexington.
He owned a gus, bala, rambow, etc. not because they were expensive, but because they were the best available.

I expect cue prices to go back down. The coin market peaked a few years back, as did comics, baseball cards, etc.

Sorry but thats my outlook.

Ken
 
Wait a Minute Everybody!

Just to tell the other side of the value story....

Unless you are out there collecting Szamboti's and Balabushka's, believe me, you can't form an opinion on their value. I have seen these cues turn strong men weak and honest men into lying thieves.

Just look at the new Blue Book. The values in the BB were actually considered realistic to low. The average price on a Gus in the BB in 90% condition is $22,648. That is taking all 36 cues shown and dividing it into their value listed.

I don't collect Szamboti's or Balabushka's because I too think they are too expensive, plus I kind of like having a roof over my head. However, I lucked into a Szamboti and my friend collects them. I got involved with helping him determine values for trades, etc. A plain, simple, 4 point Szamboti with veneers and an ivory joint was valued at $9,000 - $10,000.

Examples of fancier cues from one of (if not THE) the foremost deceased cue makers increase the prices exponentially because of their rarity. This cue with the shafts and packaging probably will sell for big bucks at some point.

I, however, do not have the expertise to value the cue. While this is a great collectible cue, advertising it here is not the proper venue for getting a good price.

Chris
 
BillYards said:
As I learned last week, cue value and price is all determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. That's it.

It is much like baseball cards... there is actually a lot less value in a baseball card compared to a pool cue... there is no craftsmanship and little functionality and the historical value is questionable because pro sports are pure entertainment. But people go crazy and want to own these things and will pay any amount to get them.

I think people like the Dali Lama have it right... they believe that possessions weigh on a person... their cost is money, time, and stress... that is why they own few possessions... it keeps their mind clear and worry free so that they can enjoy life as much as possible.

It is sad to covet what other people have and not enjoy what you currently own... I think everyone needs to evaluate why they buy a particular cue... seems like bragging rights are ruling in this business right now....

I admit that I have been swept up in this frenzy too, but I have recently undergone a complete re-examination of what my motives are and I was a bit surprised at what I learned about myself...
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Yeah? Well mine is bigger/better/badder than yours . . . . .

Uh-huh. I learned that I don't have enough cash to throw around! :eek: :D

Just kidding. I hear your message. :cool:
 
I cannot believe that this cue is still available... Everyone knows that any Szamboti cue is well worth eleventybillion dollars...

Good looking cue, btw.
 
Szamboti Cue

I recently have in my possession one of Gus's early maple window cues that was in incredible original condition. I bought it because of its "collectable" value and the cue makers history. It certainly doesn't play any better than any of the cues that are available today that's for sure...especially since most of Gus's cues are on the heavy side (20oz+). That being said I agree with most of the guys on the forum and that the seller should state the owners asking price and be done with it. There is certainly someone out there with the dough to buy this cue...whether there is the previous owners name or no name on the cue.

Regards,
Tonyboy59
 
Name on a Szamboti, doesn't mean a thing UNLESS you want one without a name. Palmers have names, and there are a ton more of those then Boti's. IMHO you need to focus on this cue and what are the good points and bad and compare them. IMHO Good: Its got extra shafts, its got the Szamboti stitch ring, its black, red, black white a true SZAMBOTI configuration, ivory railroad tracks and a name block. The bad, if there is any, would be the name. But in this case, I wouldn't hold it against the cue. I think its a great cue, if you need a Boti.
Also I learned from experience, never a knock a guys asking price when inquiring about a cue like this. Why? Because once he sells it, its GONE. Thats person has to realize this. So you get what you can, while you can.
While the baseball card and comic market in general tanked, graded ie; premium cards, still command a ton of money. Thats why the more premium a cue is, the more its going to command. Especially when talking the deceased cue makers. This cue is pretty nice, would it be a PSA 8, PSA 7 who knows, but the man is entitled to ASK what he would like.

Joe
 
classiccues said:
Name on a Szamboti, doesn't mean a thing UNLESS you want one without a name. Palmers have names, and there are a ton more of those then Boti's. IMHO you need to focus on this cue and what are the good points and bad and compare them. IMHO Good: Its got extra shafts, its got the Szamboti stitch ring, its black, red, black white a true SZAMBOTI configuration, ivory railroad tracks and a name block. The bad, if there is any, would be the name. But in this case, I wouldn't hold it against the cue. I think its a great cue, if you need a Boti.
Also I learned from experience, never a knock a guys asking price when inquiring about a cue like this. Why? Because once he sells it, its GONE. Thats person has to realize this. So you get what you can, while you can.
While the baseball card and comic market in general tanked, graded ie; premium cards, still command a ton of money. Thats why the more premium a cue is, the more its going to command. Especially when talking the deceased cue makers. This cue is pretty nice, would it be a PSA 8, PSA 7 who knows, but the man is entitled to ASK what he would like.

Joe
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thank you! and by the way from one card collector to another i would grade this cue at PSA 8
 
cuejoey said:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME ? that or more ! ooohhhhhh my God.i am not making fun of this i just want to try to understand how ANYONE thinks or Anyone else can buy a cue with someone's name on it.it would be different like the cue for sale with Mosoni and Mantles name on it................i just cannot fathom that kind of money .i watch the Barrett Jackson car auctions and see cars that sold for about $5,000.00 when i was a kid and now fetch over $200,000.00.after being on this forum for years i see there are some very serious colectors.BUT every now n then i just shake my head and wonder about some of these prices.i guess it's like anything else if u want it bad enough u will pay it ..IF u have that kind of money...but this particular cue with some guys name on it ? again i am NOT tring to degrade anything or anyone...i am only trying to understand why.
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I can't believe the prices on those old muscle cars. The sellers are smart to take the money while those cars are hot. Look at the old Dussies and other luxury cars from the 30's, they were at a premium and some are now barely breaking $100,000. The generation that remembered those cars as kids are dieing off and the muscle car generation is now trying to relive the good old days. In a few years it will be the high rev'ers.
 
paulybatz said:
You missed one X. and the first X isnt a 1
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I have sold some gus's(about 7) and 20-30000 on this cue wouldnt shock me at all!The higher number depends on the buyer and in asia this cue is priceless. Its like anything else,some people have tons money and this is just pocket change to them,its nothing to get upset about.I hope it finds a good home.I'm a bargain hunter too,but I dont pretend to be with the big boys when it comes to these kind of cues. Like Tate said,my roof iover my head is more important.If anyone really likes this cue I am sure skip weston could make it for 2500 or so!!!:D
 
i_maycotte said:
forgive my opinion, but given the choice between this cue and a bushka, based upon the price ranges discussed, i take the bushka...every single day
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Me Too ! now if i just had the money .LOL
 
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