Imagine if you could, the ability to see a top cue collection as a typical cue fanatic. Then being able to handle some of the most beautiful cues ever created. Next imagine being able to play with some of those cues. Well, that’s how I spent last night. Steve (Tikkler) was kind of enough to invite me over for the second time to visit. Steve’s son-in-law Chris was also there. It was great to see them again.
The night started off by seeing the cues he had delivered over the last twelve months. There were some big names as most have seen. From Black Boars to Hercecks to Gracios. Steve has a wide variety of cues by legendary makers through today’s most promising cue artists.
It was close to dinner so we decided to go to a local restaurant. Then we headed back to his house to grab a few cues to play with. That is when the fun began. We brought out at least 6-8 cues to play with and give each other our opinions. His pool room is the perfect size to entertain. My guess would be 24 x 32. He owns a Gold Crown I that he purchased in 1972. It has traveled the country with him over the years. We decided to play 3-way cut throat so we could all play.
I have not played with many cues by the very top cuemakers ever in my life. The first cue I played with was a Gus Szamboti Brazilian Rosewood bumper less Hoppe. Needless to say, the cue performs much better than my ability. I played several racks and finally realized what everyone raves about. Gus deserves every accolade ever given to him by our wonderful community. I asked Steve how he enjoyed playing with the cue and he said he has never played with it since he bought it. I was honored that he would allow me to play with before he did. But that is the type of guy he is.
Next was a George Balabushka Titlist with a stacked veneer butt. Another legend who deserves his reputation. This cue played so well I could not decide which of the two I played with so far I enjoyed better. But the Gus was slightly better in my opinion. Then I tried a Balabushka with a Szamboti forearm. Now this was getting tougher. I think if the tip was better, this may have “ranked” higher where I placed it overall.
At this point there were more cues than I knew what to do with. Which cue should be next? I thought for a second and smiled. As I made my way over to the 8 point Black Boar and a ferrule-less shaft I was getting a little giddy. I drooled over it for several minutes then headed to the table. I played with this cue for 3-4 racks and could not make a ball. For the life of me I could not figure this cue out. Steve decided to chalk a few brand new cues that had been previously unchalked! “Why not, I said. You could always have another shaft made if you ever sell any of them!”
The first of the unchalked cues was “Autumn” by Scott Gracio. At first it seemed a little heavy in the butt (that sounds funny when I read it). This cue was solid. The joint thoroughly intrigued me. The was a SS plate “resting” on top of the flat face ivory joint. I fired ball after ball into the pockets. After some of my cue orders come in, I will be contacting Scott for a cue. The next unchalked cue was a Herceck/Spain 5 veneer beauty. There was some of the most beautiful Brazilian Rosewood used on this cue I almost cried. As some may know, all of Joels’ cues are full spliced. Holy Crap! These cues keep getting better and better and better.
By this time, I was cue drunk. All gorgeous cues that play GREAT! All big names. What cue haven’t I tried yet. Ah, there it is. A Ginacue…Flawless. This cue was so precise I did not miss many balls at all.
All the while I kept looking at that Black Boar. Was it me? Of course, it had to be. I became determined to “learn” this cue. And boy did I. It seemed every time I stepped to the table - I was out. The Black Boar is cue perfection. The cue I played with was a “simple” 8 pointer with the ivory crown butt cap and the killer SS over ivory joint. I did not want to let this cue go. I was hoping that with all the confusion he wouldn’t miss it.
Too bad Chris didn't own the Black Boar Spider becuase he had a death grip on my ICCS Sugartree.
J/K Steve…:grin:
I want to thank you Steve for such a dream opportunity to be able to play with the cues most of us only dream about. It is an honor to call you my friend. Thank you for making me feel comfortable in your home.
Can you please post pics of my top my top 3 so it could stay in the Gallery? Let me just say, the difference between all of the cues I used was very marginal. They all played out of this world.
#1 - The Black Boar
#2 - Gus Bumperless Hoppe
#3 - Herceck/Spain 5 veneer with gold inlaid notched diamonds
Thanks again,
Christopher Dickey
The night started off by seeing the cues he had delivered over the last twelve months. There were some big names as most have seen. From Black Boars to Hercecks to Gracios. Steve has a wide variety of cues by legendary makers through today’s most promising cue artists.
It was close to dinner so we decided to go to a local restaurant. Then we headed back to his house to grab a few cues to play with. That is when the fun began. We brought out at least 6-8 cues to play with and give each other our opinions. His pool room is the perfect size to entertain. My guess would be 24 x 32. He owns a Gold Crown I that he purchased in 1972. It has traveled the country with him over the years. We decided to play 3-way cut throat so we could all play.
I have not played with many cues by the very top cuemakers ever in my life. The first cue I played with was a Gus Szamboti Brazilian Rosewood bumper less Hoppe. Needless to say, the cue performs much better than my ability. I played several racks and finally realized what everyone raves about. Gus deserves every accolade ever given to him by our wonderful community. I asked Steve how he enjoyed playing with the cue and he said he has never played with it since he bought it. I was honored that he would allow me to play with before he did. But that is the type of guy he is.
Next was a George Balabushka Titlist with a stacked veneer butt. Another legend who deserves his reputation. This cue played so well I could not decide which of the two I played with so far I enjoyed better. But the Gus was slightly better in my opinion. Then I tried a Balabushka with a Szamboti forearm. Now this was getting tougher. I think if the tip was better, this may have “ranked” higher where I placed it overall.
At this point there were more cues than I knew what to do with. Which cue should be next? I thought for a second and smiled. As I made my way over to the 8 point Black Boar and a ferrule-less shaft I was getting a little giddy. I drooled over it for several minutes then headed to the table. I played with this cue for 3-4 racks and could not make a ball. For the life of me I could not figure this cue out. Steve decided to chalk a few brand new cues that had been previously unchalked! “Why not, I said. You could always have another shaft made if you ever sell any of them!”
The first of the unchalked cues was “Autumn” by Scott Gracio. At first it seemed a little heavy in the butt (that sounds funny when I read it). This cue was solid. The joint thoroughly intrigued me. The was a SS plate “resting” on top of the flat face ivory joint. I fired ball after ball into the pockets. After some of my cue orders come in, I will be contacting Scott for a cue. The next unchalked cue was a Herceck/Spain 5 veneer beauty. There was some of the most beautiful Brazilian Rosewood used on this cue I almost cried. As some may know, all of Joels’ cues are full spliced. Holy Crap! These cues keep getting better and better and better.
By this time, I was cue drunk. All gorgeous cues that play GREAT! All big names. What cue haven’t I tried yet. Ah, there it is. A Ginacue…Flawless. This cue was so precise I did not miss many balls at all.
All the while I kept looking at that Black Boar. Was it me? Of course, it had to be. I became determined to “learn” this cue. And boy did I. It seemed every time I stepped to the table - I was out. The Black Boar is cue perfection. The cue I played with was a “simple” 8 pointer with the ivory crown butt cap and the killer SS over ivory joint. I did not want to let this cue go. I was hoping that with all the confusion he wouldn’t miss it.
Too bad Chris didn't own the Black Boar Spider becuase he had a death grip on my ICCS Sugartree.J/K Steve…:grin:
I want to thank you Steve for such a dream opportunity to be able to play with the cues most of us only dream about. It is an honor to call you my friend. Thank you for making me feel comfortable in your home.
Can you please post pics of my top my top 3 so it could stay in the Gallery? Let me just say, the difference between all of the cues I used was very marginal. They all played out of this world.
#1 - The Black Boar
#2 - Gus Bumperless Hoppe
#3 - Herceck/Spain 5 veneer with gold inlaid notched diamonds
Thanks again,
Christopher Dickey
