Old Szamboti Cue Video

Very cool video. I had the pleasure of having several conversations with Gus from 1982-1984. Real generous with sharing his time and cuemaking outlook. He made 2 cues for me. One was an ebony Dufferin sneaky with 2 shafts, the other a rosewood on rosewood (coco I think) 4-point with flat-face ivory joint and ivory inlays. Didn't hang on to either cue, unfortunately. I often wonder where that 4 pointer is now. It was a bit unique. The guy I sold it to in 1985, John Skinner, was known to cycle though cues quickly. If anyone knows John, PM me with his number. Someone told me he's in Northen Cal, but he might not be playing anymore. Thanks

Martin


Jeff said:
I posted this in another section but it belongs here too.

He shows the parts in making one of his cues and shows a cue made for Steve mizerak.......says a cue like that would cost around $950.00.......

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j9EtqCqbUaE
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Cue Makers Opinions

Did you guys notice the forearm blank was still square. My guess is those grooves were cut on a radial arm saw held in a vice like fixture at a angle. I have known one other cuemaker who did all his that way. I think he got the idea from Gus. Thanks for posting this classic video on cue construction.
 
cueman said:
Did you guys notice the forearm blank was still square. My guess is those grooves were cut on a radial arm saw held in a vice like fixture at a angle. I have known one other cuemaker who did all his that way. I think he got the idea from Gus. Thanks for posting this classic video on cue construction.
Click to expand...
Palmer made them that way as well. Gus once made me an 8 point cue, 4 high and 4 low. I had a Gina like that and wanted Gus to make me one. He told me later he had problems with the cue and started over twice. Maybe he had to work out a way to make it. I am sorry to say I smashed the cue not long after getting it.

Nothing to do with pool, my wife had made a business mistake costing me $270,000 and I had the cue in my hands at the time when I heard about it. It had a lot of ivory inlay and Gus told me it was the most elaborate cue had had ever made. Wish I had that cue now, a piece of it went through the back of my hand and I still have a scar as a reminder.
 
cueman said:
Did you guys notice the forearm blank was still square. My guess is those grooves were cut on a radial arm saw held in a vice like fixture at a angle. I have known one other cuemaker who did all his that way. I think he got the idea from Gus. Thanks for posting this classic video on cue construction.
Click to expand...

At the time, it was fairly well known<by those who new it well>
that Gus cut his blanks on a Radial arm saw. Anyone know if
the idea came from Burton Spain, or maybe even Rambow.

Dale<remembering the good old days>
 
macguy said:
Palmer made them that way as well. Gus once made me an 8 point cue, 4 high and 4 low. I had a Gina like that and wanted Gus to make me one. He told me later he had problems with the cue and started over twice. Maybe he had to work out a way to make it. I am sorry to say I smashed the cue not long after getting it.

Nothing to do with pool, my wife had made a business mistake costing me $270,000 and I had the cue in my hands at the time when I heard about it. It had a lot of ivory inlay and Gus told me it was the most elaborate cue had had ever made. Wish I had that cue now, a piece of it went through the back of my hand and I still have a scar as a reminder.
Click to expand...
Yeah if it was one of hes most elaborate you could have recouped about 1/4 of your loss by holding onto the cue. I know that was a bad day for you. I can see why the 4 high and 4 low points were a problem as he was cutting them from a square. Your cue made him have to come up with a new method.
 
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