HELP!!! Cue identification needed please.

Cuedog

CUE BALL INCOMING!!!
Silver Member
We have a few guesses here locally, but there is a few beers bet and I wouldn't want to try and influence you with my thoughts. It's approximately 30 years old or more. Who Made This Cue? Thanks.

 
Well, the forearm is similar to WICO's that were made in the late 1960's in Chicago by Bob Meucci. It has vinyl "veneers" without the seam, right? He made those then he moved on to BMC cues where he made more. While at BMC he sold a batch to Palmer. He also taught Gordon Hart at Viking how to make his own vinyl veneered blanks.

The cues used by National's cue operation also used these blanks, and National also made cues for others, like Gandy. Plus, the blanks were sold to custom cue makers, such as Doc Fry and Gus Szamboti.

Other than recognizing the forearm, the other work does not look familiar to me. The buttcap is a copy of Rambow's - that's about all I can say.

Chris
 
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Good Call

TATE said:
Well, the forearm is similar to WICO's that were made in the late 1960's in Chicago by Bob Meucci. It has vinyl "veneers" without the seam, right? He made those then he moved on to BMC cues where he made more. He also taught Gordon Hart at Viking how to make his own vinyl veneered blanks.

The cues used by National's cue operation also used these blanks, and National also made cues for others, like Gandy. Plus, the blanks were sold to custom cue makers, such as Doc Fry and Gus Szamboti.

Other than recognizing the forearm, the other work does not look familiar to me. The buttcap is a copy of Rambow's - that's about all I can say.

Chris

You are right about the WICO blank. I had a Gus Szamboti with a WICO blank many years ago. But this is not a Szamboti.

Bob Meucci would probably know what it is.
 
Thank you fellas for the descriptive replies. Tate, you touched on two of the makers that are in the area where the cue is located and are my two guesses. I'll hold back what I think until and if there are more responses.

Thanks again fellas. Please feel free to return to this thread if you think of anything else.

GOOD STUFF!

Gene
 
I do know but I have a G. Szamboti with the same style butt cap and rings at the joint. Butt still not sure.
G1.JPG
 
Cuaba said:
You are right about the WICO blank. I had a Gus Szamboti with a WICO blank many years ago. But this is not a Szamboti.

Bob Meucci would probably know what it is.
Why do you think it's not a G. Szam?

Gene
 
Clarification

Cuedog said:
Why do you think it's not a G. Szam?

Gene

I should not have said it was not a Szam. I should have said it does not look like one from your pictures. I don't like the shape of the joint screw, but it is not clear in the picture. Some things don't look right to me, but I would have to study pics of the one I had. Its been over 10 years and my pictures are at the office (I'm at home.) Also, the butt & butt cap look wrong, but I haven't seen a Gus that early for a while, so I may be mistaken. I'm thinking of the later Delrin with a black bumper, but I'm starting to remember that my WICO didn't have that.

If you could show good closeups of the joint, and the shaft inserts, it would help. Also, closeups of the butt cap.

The WICO blank Gus I had also had tape above the wrap. You can't tell from the picture, but it is to keep the veneers from coming out. For some reason those vynl veneers & points start lifting above the wrap. The tape is an easy way to keep them in place, so they don't peel all the way out.

Also, weigh the shafts. Let me know what they weigh, to the 10th of an ounce.

I can't verify your cue with pictures. But if you post real good pics, I can give a decent opinion.
 
Cuaba said:
I should not have said it was not a Szam. I should have said it does not look like one from your pictures. I don't like the shape of the joint screw, but it is not clear in the picture. Some things don't look right to me, but I would have to study pics of the one I had. Its been over 10 years and my pictures are at the office (I'm at home.) Also, the butt & butt cap look wrong, but I haven't seen a Gus that early for a while, so I may be mistaken. I'm thinking of the later Delrin with a black bumper, but I'm starting to remember that my WICO didn't have that.

If you could show good closeups of the joint, and the shaft inserts, it would help. Also, closeups of the butt cap.

The WICO blank Gus I had also had tape above the wrap. You can't tell from the picture, but it is to keep the veneers from coming out. For some reason those vynl veneers & points start lifting above the wrap. The tape is an easy way to keep them in place, so they don't peel all the way out.

Also, weigh the shafts. Let me know what they weigh, to the 10th of an ounce.

I can't verify your cue with pictures. But if you post real good pics, I can give a decent opinion.


The cue belongs to a very good friend of mine in a neighboring state. I will try to get it back for more pics within the next week. After getting it refurbished, it may be up for sale. Don't worry, I know who to go to for the work. Wish I could go to Gus himself, but I'll have to settle for the next best.

hemicudas said:
The SS joint is longer than any Gus I have ever seen.
The joint is as long as the one in Koinnkid's picture. Maybe my pic makes it look longer to you.

Thanks again fellas. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Gene
 
Reversal

Cuedog said:
Why do you think it's not a G. Szam?

Gene

Thank you for calling me out on this.

When I first looked at the pictures, I summarily rejected the cue, given the bad thumbnails and the longshot odds of it being a Szam. Everybody thinks they have a Szam or a Bushka, then they post pictures of obvious junk. I just assumed this was another one of those (and the pictures really aren't good.) I'm sorry.

Your question made me take a closer look. I blew up your thumbs on my 24" at the office. And I got pics of my old WICO Gus. The more I look, the more I like your cue.

I would need to see the cue in person to be sure, but after studying your low quality pics, It is my opinion that Barry will give it a thumbs up.
 
I can't believe this thread died after my last post. After summarily rejecting the cue (it really doesn't look like a Szam at first) I decided that I think it is a Gus. And I made that assumption based on 3 lousy pictures. I was sure the flames would start flying ASAP. But after four days, nobody has typed a word.

I'm assuming its because of one of the following:

A: You guys know its a Gus, so there is nothing left to say.

B: You all think I'm a total F'ing idiot, but you don't want to flame.

I'm curious what the consensus is, and I'd like to know what Barry says when he sees it.

Let the flaming begin.
 
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