what are some of the best ways to identify a gus szamboti?i ran across a cue that looks extremely similar to the one in the picture i posted.can probably get it for under a grand but i do not want to waste a grand either. is there any markings anywhere to identify for a novice collector?
how to identify a gus szamboti
- Thread starter scottshot230
- Start date
Research by becoming familiar with as many types of Gus cues as you can find. If you can only get access by pictures, then I suggest you download every picture of a Gus cue you can find and become so intimately familiar with it that you can name all the veneer color schemes in the points and fancy rings that he has ever used, how many threads on the joint pin past the joint, etc etc... That will help you make a more informed decision, but nothing ever beats having an actual Gus cue in your hands and becoming familiar with it first hand! And that's only aesthetics, haven't eve gone into other details yet...
the cue i saw had identical joint collars ebony four point with green and black veneers and maple windows with a darker colored wood between the windows.white with green spec cortland wrap.
Many of the forearms Gus made had long Veneered Points, in many cases the tip of the point were at least 4 inches or longer if measured from the bottom of the stainless steel joint. Like Babushka cues the Butt Caps were made from a strong plastic type material called Deleon, and they were unfinished because finish doesn't stick to this material. If the butt cap was not Deleon they were Ivory, Gus used a 5/16-14 stainless steel pin for his cues, and the joints were piloted. Almost all original Gus Zamboni shafts had Ivory ferrules, unless other materials were requested.
Some of this may help, good luck and never forget without authentication from an expert many people are fooled. Many famous cue makers made similar cues while Gus was making cues with out intentionally trying to create a fake. Some people since that time have modified some of the intentionally to deceive buyers, even Gus son no longer offers letters of authenticity.
Take care
thanks for the info. i'll do some research before i throw out a price. the cue was inherited from a collection of nice cues.either way it is a very nice cue and for a reasonable price i shouldn't take much of a beating.from your info it seems to fit the bill so far,but as you said many cues are similar.the new owner does not play often and has no knowledge of cues.i would be willng to offer a fair price if authenticated.where do you suggest for cue appraisals?
Barry told me once that his dad always wrapped in the opposit direction
of other cue makers when using I.L.
of other cue makers when using I.L.
Buy it
That cue looks well worth a g-note.If it is authenticated it will be
worth much more.
I bought a counterfeit Balabuska once but for the right price.The
cue was well worth the money.
ps-I also bought a Tad-looking cue once for $200.It turned out to
be a real Tad...the seller was a tad upset...
That cue looks well worth a g-note.If it is authenticated it will be
worth much more.
I bought a counterfeit Balabuska once but for the right price.The
cue was well worth the money.
ps-I also bought a Tad-looking cue once for $200.It turned out to
be a real Tad...the seller was a tad upset...
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I have seen several Gus's with windows and there was one thing I never was entirely sure about until I could see it myself. Gus most of the time cut the windows for the butt sleeve from a wood that had 1 main figure, like 1 bird's eye in it. It was weird to see and especially read but as far as I can tell it is pretty much true.
So if the cue has tons of figures in the windows you may be on the wrong track but this only - of course - shouldn't be the deciding factor.
As someone has said it already, I think that you should look at as many pictures as you can, check out the black joint ring heights below the stitch rings - they appear to be taller than on other Gus-like cues from the past like on JW's for example.
The length and the evenness of the points is also a major factor, you don't really see short points on Gus cues or forearms.
I wish I could tell you more. Anyhow, if you won't take it for 1grand then I will, a nice old windowed JW is worth a grand too.
I would take it.
So if the cue has tons of figures in the windows you may be on the wrong track but this only - of course - shouldn't be the deciding factor.
As someone has said it already, I think that you should look at as many pictures as you can, check out the black joint ring heights below the stitch rings - they appear to be taller than on other Gus-like cues from the past like on JW's for example.
The length and the evenness of the points is also a major factor, you don't really see short points on Gus cues or forearms.
I wish I could tell you more. Anyhow, if you won't take it for 1grand then I will, a nice old windowed JW is worth a grand too.
I would take it.
What he said.
thanks for all the help.will be a few days before i see the cue again,but i'm steering towards making a offer.will post some pics if i can get my hands on it.thanks again
:scratchhead: Never seen a Zamboni with an Ivory ferrule, and I looked through their entire site :
http://www.zamboni.com/
Of course these are Frank Zambonis.
Dave :rotflmao1:
One question. Earlier posts mentioned Gus wrapped his cues in the opposite direction from everyone else. So I am taking that he normally wrapped them Counter- Clockwise as it is headed to the back end of the cue.