This is a link to Part One:
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I asked Gus when he started making cues. Gus, a Tool and Die Maker and or Machinist said the wife of a co-worker asked him to make a cue for her husband, he charged her $20 to make it.
I asked what happened to the cue and he said, "I got it back and put it through the band saw because I did not want a bad Szamboti out there". Imagine what Gus's first cue would be worth even if it was cut into pieces.
Gus also said when he was ready to start making cues full time he took out the business card ad in the National Billiard News and in nine months he had enough orders that he would not be able fill all the orders in his lifetime. Gus never advertised again.
Gus had the long gone belief of keeping his word.
When he took an order he would give you a price and honor it even though he knew his cues could be re-sold for much more than the price he had quoted.
I do not remember how it came up but Gus said the best hitting cue he ever made was an ebony butt with ivory inlays.
I do not remember Gus telling me who bought the cue but if anyone out there knows who has this cue please let me know.
I would like to ask the owner about the hit.
My Visit to Gus Szamboti Basement Shop in Penndel Pennsylvania
I was in New York for business when a friend from New Jersey offered to pick me up and drive to Penndell Pennsylvania to visit his good friend, Gus Szamboti, the best cue maker of his time. When Gus answered the door the first thing he said was, "I understand you want to make cues". I stupidly...
forums.azbilliards.com
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I asked Gus when he started making cues. Gus, a Tool and Die Maker and or Machinist said the wife of a co-worker asked him to make a cue for her husband, he charged her $20 to make it.
I asked what happened to the cue and he said, "I got it back and put it through the band saw because I did not want a bad Szamboti out there". Imagine what Gus's first cue would be worth even if it was cut into pieces.
Gus also said when he was ready to start making cues full time he took out the business card ad in the National Billiard News and in nine months he had enough orders that he would not be able fill all the orders in his lifetime. Gus never advertised again.
Gus had the long gone belief of keeping his word.
When he took an order he would give you a price and honor it even though he knew his cues could be re-sold for much more than the price he had quoted.
I do not remember how it came up but Gus said the best hitting cue he ever made was an ebony butt with ivory inlays.
I do not remember Gus telling me who bought the cue but if anyone out there knows who has this cue please let me know.
I would like to ask the owner about the hit.
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