Tony Zinzola - Cue Review

This is what happens when you piss off your cuemaker. I couldn't take anymore emails from Ross asking when he's getting the cue, so I decided to put an end to it:

ross.jpg



Actually ...

If you notice the little spot towards the end of the point in the picture. There are a few more. I'm going to have to check with a few who saw the cue when it was originally finished, but I don't think they were there. It's almost like the wood is rotten in those spots.

I debated all day if I should send him the cue or build a new forearm. I spoke to Ross about it this morning and he asked me to send the cue and if he didn't like it, he'd send it back. It annoyed me enough all day that every time I looked at the cue, I would swear the spots are growing. That part is probably all in my head, but the bottom line is, I don't want him having the cue like this.

I already have new veneers glued up and another curly maple forearm all cored and ready for points. I'll have the points in the forearm tomorrow and the forearm re-attached to the rest of the cue over the weekend. Then I'll have to wait a bit before I work on it again, but it's not going to be a huge amount of time before he gets the cue.

You honestly wouldn't believe the sense of relieve when the cue went through the band saw. Now I don't have to debate the situation anymore.
 
Hey, Tony,
This must be what you spoke to me about, huh? It was clearly bugging you.
This is a good example of why I try to choose a cuemaker that makes me feel "if he's satisfied to let it leave the shop, I'll probably be happy with the result". I'm never comfortable asking a maker to do, or provide, anything he doesn't feel right about.
Ross only "thought" he was Tony's strongest critic...
 
Tony Zinzola said:
This is what happens when you piss off your cuemaker. I couldn't take anymore emails from Ross asking when he's getting the cue, so I decided to put an end to it:

ross.jpg



Actually ...

If you notice the little spot towards the end of the point in the picture. There are a few more. I'm going to have to check with a few who saw the cue when it was originally finished, but I don't think they were there. It's almost like the wood is rotten in those spots.

I debated all day if I should send him the cue or build a new forearm. I spoke to Ross about it this morning and he asked me to send the cue and if he didn't like it, he'd send it back. It annoyed me enough all day that every time I looked at the cue, I would swear the spots are growing. That part is probably all in my head, but the bottom line is, I don't want him having the cue like this.

I already have new veneers glued up and another curly maple forearm all cored and ready for points. I'll have the points in the forearm tomorrow and the forearm re-attached to the rest of the cue over the weekend. Then I'll have to wait a bit before I work on it again, but it's not going to be a huge amount of time before he gets the cue.

You honestly wouldn't believe the sense of relieve when the cue went through the band saw. Now I don't have to debate the situation anymore.
Click to expand...

OMG! That cue was so nice, but I am sure it will be even better when you do it over, shows that you are doing the right thing much like Doug Patrick did when his cue had an issue. I really like your classic styling Tony and signature ring work, perhaps one day I will own one but by then who knows how much they will be priced at. :o
 
Pink ivory Cue

I;m the one who bought this cue from Tony.There are enough pics. of this cue on the other thread that i don;t have to post more pics.I had Tony cut off the butt and make it into a hoppe style with ivory and a ivory joint with ivory ferrules.I also had him put a black leather wrap on it.Seam perfect. The cue was supposed to arrive last Friday but due to Fed x screw up it came Saturday.The cue looks much better in person then in the pics.It also has a real smooth hit.I am waiting for JPs to be sent.Tony does not like to make them but I will wait patiently.
All in all He is starting to reach into the upper crest of cue makers.
I would not hesitate to buy another cue from him again.
 
He posted in the wrong place....

He is talking about the PINK IVORY cue....Nice post but wrong thread.


Hey Mr. Zinzola...

The cue was really rotting??? Show us better pictures, I'm not sure I have seen that before....:confused:
 
Bob, for a cue that nice - we can forgive you for posting in the wrong thread...
 
I don't see the problem. Ross is a rather short fella! Perhaps you could just slap a joint and a pin onto the top of the post-bandsaw butt section! Should be perfect for him!
 
True, but he probably towers over me. The new forearm is already built, so I guess he can wait a few more weeks.
 
All kiddin' aside, I'm sorry you wound up having to wait, Ross. Wood has ways. Better right than quick - but I'd be bummed about it if it were me.
Upside, I'm sure Tony will have it in fine form when he ships it.
 
on the topic of rotting wood:

i had a McDermott D-26 back in 85 that I had used for probably 4 or 5 months, I had been playing serious pool for about 8 months at the time, so I was green and new to the game. I dogged a $50 9ball hill/hill, it was in the jaws so I lost. This was the first and last time I ever threw a cue on the floor(thats why I told the stroy, i'm not as embarassed cause i was a newbie) the cue rolled away in 2 pieces, there was about 30-40 rail birds and none of us could believe what we saw, the cue breaking apart like the Space Shuttle did in 86-two different directions. I didnt smash it on the floor like aa tennis player might smash his racket, I threw it down in discust.

When we looked at it there was a clean break 3/4" below the joint ring, it was black in there, it appeared to be a large mineral deposite, when we put the cue back together it was totally inviasble, you wouldnt know it had a problem, when you opened it up it looked like a tweekers teeth, all black and rotted. Its amazing it didnt break while I played with it or when it was on a lathe as there was very little holding the cue together.


We sent it back to McDermott and they gave me a new cue, It couldnt be fixed, I suppose I could have been made into a shorter cue or something.

my point is Tony did the right thing here. Who knows what was inside, Tony you should make a cut where the problem is and see how deep that really goes into the cue.


To this day I have almost never(what ever that means lol) thrown a cue on the floor-unless it was a joke-we smashed up some warped house cues onetime. There is one exception, I did throw a break cue down once this past year, I dont like that break cue-not my Sugartree(which is my official break cue)
 
Fatboy said:
oTony you should make a cut where the problem is and see how deep that really goes into the cue.
Click to expand...

I did make a cue here. It goes all the way down to the core wood. It is also a lot bigger than the few small holes that were there. There is now a huge chunk that just flaked out. It took no effort. I just basically scraped it with a razor blade and it fell out.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I did make a cue here. It goes all the way down to the core wood. It is also a lot bigger than the few small holes that were there. There is now a huge chunk that just flaked out. It took no effort. I just basically scraped it with a razor blade and it fell out.
Click to expand...

In my own defense, you originally told me that it was just the wood figuring that bothered you. I'm glad you chose to do what you did.

Looking forward to updating this thread in a few weeks or so with a full review.

I'm going to go play with a Webb or 2 now.... :grin:
 

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Bushka used straight maple-problem solved. Black Boar core drills BEM for the same reason, you never have a issue with straight maple-and I believe it plays better. BEM looks nicer, thats about it.
 
Fatboy - It was cored. I have only made two cues that weren't cored and both were straight grain maple. The rot went all the way to the core.

Roscoe - It was the figuring that was bothering me. I was pretty sure the spots weren't there before I finished the cue. I double checked the old photos and didn't see any spots. I'm glad I cut the cue.

Fatboy - Get me those Veneer Colors for the Rosewood on Rosewood Cue. I emailed you photos for the Ebony Cue.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I did make a cue here. It goes all the way down to the core wood. It is also a lot bigger than the few small holes that were there. There is now a huge chunk that just flaked out. It took no effort. I just basically scraped it with a razor blade and it fell out.
Click to expand...


Let's see pictures of that rotten crap!! Inquiring minds want to know/see. :)
 
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