Would his cues be superior to all other cues?
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If G. Balabushka were making cues today.
- Thread starter bigshooter
- Start date
You always have such a firm grasp of the issue. What is it like to live in your mind?
Interesting. I don't know if he would be a custom cue maker or own a production shop and enjoy more time fishing.
Or he could have ended up like Dan Janes. Have a strong production line and still do custom builds as well.
Who knows?
Or he could have ended up like Dan Janes. Have a strong production line and still do custom builds as well.
Who knows?
He would be equal to the current top tier classic makers IMO: Hercek, Szamboti, Tascarella etc.
I think at the top of the pile, there is little to zero difference to the quality/playability etc. There will be some preference things, but I doubt anyone will be saying "man that szamboti is so much better built than Hercek". Sure you might prefer the hit of one or the other, but the quality is in the same ballpark.
I think when George built cues, the industry was in its infancy which explains the comments about quality of glues/finishes etc from that time. The top guys were experimenting and learning still.
You can also look at it like the question - Would Mosconi dominate cue sports today like he did in the past. My answer is no, he would not dominate 90% of the events like he did back then but he still absolutely be a top top tier players. The depth of top tier players just keeps increasing in number. The same can be said about cue makers IMO.
Short answer: yes he would be at the top of the heap along with a handful of others.
Ian
I think at the top of the pile, there is little to zero difference to the quality/playability etc. There will be some preference things, but I doubt anyone will be saying "man that szamboti is so much better built than Hercek". Sure you might prefer the hit of one or the other, but the quality is in the same ballpark.
I think when George built cues, the industry was in its infancy which explains the comments about quality of glues/finishes etc from that time. The top guys were experimenting and learning still.
You can also look at it like the question - Would Mosconi dominate cue sports today like he did in the past. My answer is no, he would not dominate 90% of the events like he did back then but he still absolutely be a top top tier players. The depth of top tier players just keeps increasing in number. The same can be said about cue makers IMO.
Short answer: yes he would be at the top of the heap along with a handful of others.
Ian
You always have such a firm grasp of the issue. What is it like to live in your mind?
I was looking for something to vote on. You said vote, but offered no poll.
JV
I was looking for something to vote on. You said vote, but offered no poll.
JV
I had second thoughts about posting this thread and tried to back out at the last second. I was surprised to see it listed.
Bigshooter tries not to be a stirrer of pots.
Hey we all have opinions, and thats ok, its what makes the world go round.. We won't agree on everything, like your case advertisement.
JV
JV
Hey we all have opinions, and thats ok, its what makes the world go round.. We won't agree on everything, like your case advertisement.
JV
I have nothing to do with any of those companies except for the fact they all treated me very well. Your mileage may vary.
I know I am just making a point. Even though I may not agree with your choices, kudos to your product endorsement, more people should promote a good experience, instead of only promoting bad ones.
JV
George made more cues than today's makers that have really long lists. Barry and Hercek and Searing make like 12 cues a year max. George (who didn't have to spend any unsightly time making forearm splices) made (if the numbers are to believed more like 75 a year.
That being said, if Fast Eddie still handed a Balabushka to Vince, his cues would be off the hook hot.
Kevin
If George were still in business and alive, for that matter; I believe he would be operating similar to Ernie Gutierrez.
To keep making cues with that type of craftsmanship, you could never pump cues out there door like production companies.
Production = Quantity over Quality
Cuemakers = Quality over Quantity
To keep making cues with that type of craftsmanship, you could never pump cues out there door like production companies.
Production = Quantity over Quality
Cuemakers = Quality over Quantity
George would have had more time to perfect his cues. Using new products and technology that wasn't available in his time.
So in keeping up with the times, his cues would have no doubt remained a superior product.
Much like Gina Cue as someone mentioned.
So in keeping up with the times, his cues would have no doubt remained a superior product.
Much like Gina Cue as someone mentioned.
He'd also be doing it longer than Ernie, which is next to impossible. Ernie started in his early 20s and is 71 now.
So the question is, would George have a CNC machine?
Kevin
This depends on whether or not he has adapted to modern construction methods and the cues people are playing with today.
"If he were still around..." Then I do believe he would. CNC's don't take the craftsmanship out, they aid in the process. As noticed with Ernie's cues.
I agree, I don't necessarily think all CNC use is bad.