CHRIS NITTI
NATIVE AMERICAN "NAVAJO" CUE
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If you've followed this website at all you already know that I am one of Chris Nitti's top fans. I love the way his cues play, their consistency and the meticulous work and fine finish that he puts into every cue. He is known primarily as a "players" cue maker, and although that is true, he occasionally makes something really special, and when he does, it's frequently a monster. This cue is one of those.
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This stick was made for the 2009 "Native American" Special Collection at the International Cue Collector Show in Santa fe. Of the 11 cues that were submitted that year, we have managed to buy six of the best for resale to our customers. That collection was sold as a package, so this is the first opportunity to buy any of these cues individually. Personally, I think this is one of the best of all.
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In the letter from Chris that accompanies this cue, he said the Navajo Indians were his inspiration for its design. Simply put, this is a four point cue made from amboyna burl and birdseye maple. And that's where the simplicity ends. This is one of the most complex cues Chris has made. Keep in mind Chris is an "old school" cue maker, using only pantagraph, not CNC. Every inlay requires a pattern to be cut, the inlay cut, and the pocket routed. All by hand. Just imagine the hours, days, weeks, and months that went into this cue.
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What I like about this stick is how well it all comes together. Sometimes a cue maker can put tons of work into a cue, and in the end it might have been better with less. Not this stick. Everything about flows together and it is drop-dead gorgeous. (Please note: Chris also made two other cues based on this same design, but they lack a great deal of the work that is in this one. They don't have anywhere near the inlay work, silver work, fancy joint protectors, etc., that this cue has.)
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I have seen most of Chris' high-end cues, and owned a fair number of them, and personally I think this one may be his best. And that's saying a lot.
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Just look at this butt sleeve. This inlay pattern of turquose, ivory and red coral is magnificant. Then, he frames it at the top with one of the prettiest ring patterns I've ever seen. The butt cap features a Navajo drum with ivory, turquoise and sterling silver weave. I especially like the turquoise inlays actually going into the ivory cap - very unique work. I'm so glad it photographs well, because to describe it in words is virtually impossible.
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The forearm is a masterpiece in itself. Four long points of amboyna burl, all framed with delicate yet brightly colored veneers. They are really beautiful. Then, above the points, midway toward the joint are four thunderbird images in red coral with ivory and sterling silver accents. This is a unique touch and really well-utilizes what is normally wasted space.
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He adds a beautiful brown textured leather wrap that was the perfect selection for this stick.
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The joint collar is a Navajo drum made of ivory, amboyna burl, turquoise and a weave of sterling silver.
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At the base of each point he inlays an ivory "mountain" silhouetted against a turquoise moon.
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This selection of blue, yellow and red veneers was perfect for this stick. The colors all tie in beautifully with the colors of the other materials used elsewhere.
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He uses the same concept at the joint that he uses in the butt cap, with the silver and turquoise, with the turquoise actually being inlaid into the ivory joint.
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Under the rubber bumper, he engraves the identifying information for the cue, including the reference to the ICC(S) 2009, when it was made, and his cue "number."
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Chris includes a signed letter of authenticity with this cue, detailing the design and types of materials used.
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I love the inlaid rings he places above and below the wrap. He uses ivory rings with an Indian style weave of colored wood veneers. Chris is one of the few cuemakers I know of who would attempt to do this kind of time-consuming pantagraph work.
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A few more images of this magnificent cue ...
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He builds it with his favorite joint - a flat-faced wood to wood joint with a stainless steel radial pin. This will insure it will have the same great hit as all his cues.
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I love finding these older cues that are still new and unplayed. The wood in these shafts has taken on a brown color, showing how well they have aged. I always believe these older shafts play the best.
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As you would expect with a cue of this stature, he adds a set of beautiful custom joint protectors. The one for the butt is of amboyna burl with inlaid teepees of ivory and wood veneers. The two for the shafts are also of burl, with ivory caps on top.
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This stick comes with two shafts of top quality maple with ivory ferrules and Moori tips. It weighs 19.3 ounces.
PRICE: $8800 PLUS SHIPPING
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