Here It Is The SILVER GINACUE

Imo

While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.

His domino, and titlist conversions are far from rare, as I have seen many, many all over the US. They are often touted as rare, but IMO, they are many more cues from that same era that would be more deserving of that title.

In my opinion, he is down the list of influences on cuemakers, too.

Rambo
Balabushka
Szamboti
Kersenbrock

Is Ernie a master cuemaker? Absolutely.

IMO, he is in the top ten, and respected. But the above list of cuemakers were REALLY influenced cuemakers. Frankly, if I was to say the most under reconginized cuemaker, I would say Kersenbrock. Every cuemaker using the big pin in the "SOUTHWEST" style should be giving him a percentage...:rolleyes:

Ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.

His domino, and titlist conversions are far from rare, as I have seen many, many all over the US. They are often touted as rare, but IMO, they are many more cues from that same era that would be more deserving of that title.

In my opinion, he is down the list of influences on cuemakers, too.

Rambo
Balabushka
Szamboti
Kersenbrock

Is Ernie a master cuemaker? Absolutely.

IMO, he is in the top ten, and respected. But the above list of cuemakers were REALLY influenced cuemakers. Frankly, if I was to say the most under reconginized cuemaker, I would say Kersenbrock. Every cuemaker using the big pin in the "SOUTHWEST" style should be giving him a percentage...:rolleyes:

Ken
Click to expand...
What about Harvey Martin, he was using a 3/8-8 in his early cues. He should be credited with popularizing the big pin.
 
thepavlos said:
What about Harvey Martin, he was using a 3/8-8 in his early cues. He should be credited with popularizing the big pin.
Click to expand...

You might be right, but that pin if I remember right is pretty much a standard pin, verses the one most recognize as a "Southwest" pin with the flat top.

Good point though and I agree.

Secondly, if you see a Tad and not think HM, then you miss that too.

Good discussion.

ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.
Click to expand...

I disagree with this. Just because a cue is a "catalog" cue so to speak does not mean it is a production cue. When you order a cue from Ernie, the build has not even been started until after you have placed the order, which you place to your custom specifications including veneer colors, joint material, wrap, wood selection, inlay materials, weight, balance point etc. Just because the overall design is not unique does not make it a production cue, It only means it's not a 1/1.
 
Ken_4fun said:
While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.

His domino, and titlist conversions are far from rare, as I have seen many, many all over the US. They are often touted as rare, but IMO, they are many more cues from that same era that would be more deserving of that title.

In my opinion, he is down the list of influences on cuemakers, too.

Rambo
Balabushka
Szamboti
Kersenbrock

Is Ernie a master cuemaker? Absolutely.

IMO, he is in the top ten, and respected. But the above list of cuemakers were REALLY influenced cuemakers. Frankly, if I was to say the most under reconginized cuemaker, I would say Kersenbrock. Every cuemaker using the big pin in the "SOUTHWEST" style should be giving him a percentage...:rolleyes:

Ken
Click to expand...


The only reason Ernie does those cues (such as a 14C) is because people ask for them.

He can build any cue you want including 1 of 1's.

Honestly I think all Szamboti's look pretty much the same... sure they might have different veneer colors and dots or peacocks in different places but it's usually the same basic design. That doesn't make them production cues though.
 
Ken_4fun said:
While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.

His domino, and titlist conversions are far from rare, as I have seen many, many all over the US. They are often touted as rare, but IMO, they are many more cues from that same era that would be more deserving of that title.

In my opinion, he is down the list of influences on cuemakers, too.

Rambo
Balabushka
Szamboti
Kersenbrock

Is Ernie a master cuemaker? Absolutely.

IMO, he is in the top ten, and respected. But the above list of cuemakers were REALLY influenced cuemakers. Frankly, if I was to say the most under reconginized cuemaker, I would say Kersenbrock. Every cuemaker using the big pin in the "SOUTHWEST" style should be giving him a percentage...:rolleyes:

Ken
Click to expand...


Sylvestor Stallone made cues?! (Who knew :-)

I think guys like Herman Rambow, Harvey Martin, Frank Paradise, Eugene Balner, George Balabuska, and Gus Szamboti were influential in that they were the first guys to make great, simply decorated, two-piece cues. Their influence is sort of like saying Henry Ford was influential because he made the Model T.

Ernie was the guy that came up with the Porsche.

Lou Figueroa
 
branpureza said:
The only reason Ernie does those cues (such as a 14C) is because people ask for them.

He can build any cue you want including 1 of 1's.

Honestly I think all Szamboti's look pretty much the same... sure they might have different veneer colors and dots or peacocks in different places but it's usually the same basic design. That doesn't make them production cues though.
Click to expand...

Please. Of course. Ernie ordered 2 grosses total of Titlist blanks, he used only 1/2 of the 2nd order, which makes for about 200 cues in his lifetime that are Titlist based. The domino, although the most popular of his Titlist designs, was only one of 3 basic designs (every single one custom ordered by the way, he does not build cues on spec, they are all sold and made to spec before he turns the wood) so lets say there were 100 Dominoes made in his 50 years as a cue maker. George made some 300 (I think) Titlist cues in his 16 years as a cue maker, so that "many many" claim seems maybe a bit speculative.

How many 4 pt 4 veneer Cortland wrap steel jointed plain butt cues did George and Gus build in their careers? Were those production cues? With standardization comes quality control. As you point out, custom means made to your specs. As yes, Ernie will build you a 1 of 1, just make sure to bring your checkbook (as you would for a Searing or Barry), however want a super quality cue built to incredibly precise tolerances to your specification and want it delivered for less than $5K and less than 8 years? Ernie is your man (I know I'm preaching to the choir here).

Thanks

Kevin
 
Last edited:
Ken_4fun said:
While I like Ernies cues, and I have owned a few. But I think he gets the reconition he deserves. He does alot of "production" cues, and always has.
If you can call a cuemaker up and order a 14C or whatever know what you are getting, to me, its a production cue.

His domino, and titlist conversions are far from rare, as I have seen many, many all over the US. They are often touted as rare, but IMO, they are many more cues from that same era that would be more deserving of that title.

In my opinion, he is down the list of influences on cuemakers, too.

Rambo
Balabushka
Szamboti
Kersenbrock

Is Ernie a master cuemaker? Absolutely.

IMO, he is in the top ten, and respected. But the above list of cuemakers were REALLY influenced cuemakers. Frankly, if I was to say the most under reconginized cuemaker, I would say Kersenbrock. Every cuemaker using the big pin in the "SOUTHWEST" style should be giving him a percentage...:rolleyes:

Ken
Click to expand...

Ken

Pay Kersenbrock (1972) that percentage and he will have to turn around and pay Tad (1962) Schrager (1964) and they will have to kick it down to Martin (1920s). Art is art, and derivative in its very nature.

Thanks

Kevin
 
Fatboy2 said:
I found out after I offered the $300,000 he had turned down $400,000. This I know for a fact. Had I known this before I made the offer I wouldnt have made the offer. The guy who maded the $400,000 offer is real and has one heck of a collection. I'm glad Ernie didnt sell it.

Thats all I know about the big $$ on that cue, right now I'm not in the same spot I was and wouldnt spend $300K on a cue now. That cue is Ernie's claim to fame, he is the correct owner.

best
eric
Click to expand...

Eric

Come on man, reach under you to that big pile of dough you are sitting on and buy this thing.

Ernie put your birth date on this this thing before you could speak. Its fate.
Sell some cars, buy the Silver Gina and be done with it. (until the Last Gus pops up).

Kevin
 
When I first saw this cue only one thing came to mind.....



















































































MY PRECIOUS!!!!!!


images
 
kvinbrwr said:
How many 4 pt 4 veneer Cortland wrap steel jointed plain butt cues did George and Gus build in their careers? Were those production cues? With standardization comes quality control. As you point out, custom means made to your specs. As yes, Ernie will build you a 1 of 1, just make sure to bring your checkbook (as you would for a Searing or Barry), however want a super quality cue built to incredibly precise tolerances to your specification and want it delivered for less than $5K and less than 8 years? Ernie is your man (I know I'm preaching to the choir here).

Thanks

Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin

ANY Production cuemaker will make you a 1 of 1. Just call them, (JOSS, SCHON, whoever).

Surely you dont want to compare Ernie to Gus or George do you? Really?
The CNC inlayed points of a Ginacue (new ones) really are a take away for me and most cue buyers that I know.

I loved playing with a Gina cue. I got it new, (I didnt order it), and it played great "out of the box", meaning I didnt have to change a thing including tips.

I can appreciate someone saying nice things about a cuemaker because they are somebodys friend or know them, but come on.

As far as the Kersenbrock deal, I never owned one, never talked to the guy, but the list of cuemakers that are using the EXACT same pin or one so damn close its basically the same pin is a long list. Are they using the same pin type that Martin used, no, not even close. Are there a long list of cuemakers using a pin similar to the Martin pin? No.

Obviously Tad was greatly influenced by Martin, but IMO, Martin would never use the inlays and work that has made Tad famous.

I stand by my original group.

Rocky Balboa, I mean Rambow
George
Gus
Kersenbrock

One other thing, and I dont know who has the picture of the show where the MASTERS of CUEMAKERS, it had Tad, Ernie, Stroud, Schick, and another(cant remember now) all in one shot. Little help here guys, I think it was at a show.

Best of rolls,
Ken
 
Last edited:
Ken_4fun said:
Surely you dont want to compare Ernie to Gus or George do you? Really?
The CNC inlayed points of a Ginacue (new ones) really are a take away for me and most cue buyers that I know.
Click to expand...

I think it would be more appropriate to compare Gus and George to Ernie. He did everything those guys did and 10 times more.

The CNC allows him to take cue making to new heights... do you really think he couldn't make a simple Szamboti style cue? He could make those all day with one hand tied behind his back... it would be boring to him.


Ken_4fun said:
Kevin

I can appreciate someone saying nice things about a cuemaker because they are somebodys friend or know them, but come on.
Click to expand...

I'm not a close friend of Ernie and while I understand this is mostly a matter of opinion and personal preference I'm honestly a little baffled that you or anyone else could ever think those guys are heads and tails above what Ernie has done. It's just ridiculous to me...
 
Last edited:
How many short spliced non CNC Ernie cues have been made? Not Titleist or any other produced blank, but a blank that Ernie made himself? I've seen lots of older Gina's and don't remember ever seeing one. I find the CNC points a big turn-off myself, but I think Ernie and Bill Stroud do it better than most. Not a knock on Ernie in any way, just curious if any of the west coast Gina folks have any insight into this.
 
pathman said:
How many short spliced non CNC Ernie cues have been made? Not Titleist or any other produced blank, but a blank that Ernie made himself? I've seen lots of older Gina's and don't remember ever seeing one. I find the CNC points a big turn-off myself, but I think Ernie and Bill Stroud do it better than most. Not a knock on Ernie in any way, just curious if any of the west coast Gina folks have any insight into this.
Click to expand...

Ernie has never spliced a cue, either in his first generation or 2nd generation of cue building. He doesn't believe that adding a splice of 2 woods and a bunch of glue in the butt adds to the structural integrity of the product. Ernie is a guy that knows a little bit about engineering, and wood, and lots of his 40+ year old sticks are still around, so who knows?

Thanks

Kevin
 
Last edited:
pathman said:
How many short spliced non CNC Ernie cues have been made? Not Titleist or any other produced blank, but a blank that Ernie made himself? I've seen lots of older Gina's and don't remember ever seeing one. I find the CNC points a big turn-off myself, but I think Ernie and Bill Stroud do it better than most. Not a knock on Ernie in any way, just curious if any of the west coast Gina folks have any insight into this.
Click to expand...

I love JW cues, but the newer ones are CNC which is a turn off for me too. IMO going from spliced to CNC is a downgrade.

Another GOOD thing about Ernie and his cues is his delivery. I think it is about a year, maybe sooner.

He seems like a straight shooter, too.

Ken
 
Last edited:
Murray Tucker said:
How do you tell the difference between inlays done on a cnc vs. those done on a pantomill?
Click to expand...

No kidding. I like your work by the way.

I think the distinction he was trying to make is between inlayed points and spliced points, being both a traditionalist and advocating innovation simultaneously.

BTW you might enjoy this. Ernie tells me that in the 60s when he was cutting the spaces for inlays by hand, he could make the pocket for a French diamond inlay in under a minute. He was making 100 cues a year even then.

Thanks

Kevin
 
Last edited:
I had a guy ask me to repost my pics of this cue (I had deleted by old stuff off the server).

So here you go.

Thanks

Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top