Thank you from Classiccues and Steve Klein

[classiccues]

We officially didn't have a booth this year. At least technically, however we were able to celebrate a legend and a person that just about every, no every, cuemaker owes a debt of gratitude.

We got the chance to make an ANNIVERSARY set of cues. A stunning set of 4 cues that show the artistry and thought that George imparted on a legion of successors. Cues that were heralded by the Champions of his era.

We were very happy for all the comments by people that have never seen these designs and had not seen a Balabushka. His era is long ago, and many people who knew of him are gone. None of the typical CDT crowd said anything to me, so I guess they all liked them. I mean I was in the booth the whole time and nothing got said to me.

I will answer some of the questions that did arise at the show, because I believe that people that did not make the show, probably have the same questions.

Why did we do it?
Exactly as stated. To remind an industry, to remind collectors of the person that really started to make cues art. Make them not only playable, but stylish.

Why these 4 designs?
They all show George's uniqueness. They show HIS designs and creativity, which many people still use today.

Why are they not marked?
Well they are. They are imbedded with SNAGG chips. So go ahead and pass one off, or steal it. There is no reason to write your name on something that is electronically marked.

Where were the cases? Who made them?
Well the cases took till Sunday to arrive. They are Ron Thomas cases. The best Fellini style case there is by an active maker. Just good ole made in the USA cases. I have attached a picture of the cases and the backends of the cues.

We honestly hope everyone has enjoyed them. We enjoyed the honor of reminding everyone who GB was and why he was important. It is important to periodically remind the newcomers, why people love cues, why they collect cues, and why they should revere those before them. I hope others recognize this importance. I hope to start seeing special displays, for certain cuemakers during shows, or collector functions. It is important to pass on the legacies so that the future of collecting can flourish and not get choked out by the negativity due to the forgetfulness of others.

We realize that there will be jealousy and pettiness, and certain people thrive on this negativity. In fact if they couldn't get attention by being negative they would be nobodies.

JV/MK

 

[pooldawg8]

Thank you JV & Steve for doing this. They were all jaw dropping gorgeous cues. I think I stopped by every other pass I made at the expo, just to get another look at them. The design of these cues made everything just flow from top to bottom. You guys knocked it outta the park with these builds. Thanks for sharing the beautiful cues
Jeff

 

[cueaddicts]

Wish I could have seen them in person....what masterful way to celebrate the master of the modern cue's life.

 

[deanoc]

i like the idea ,if you are doing the gold diamonds cue,
that will be the first time i have ever seen anyone attempt
it

best wishes on a great project
dean

 

[skins]

i like the idea ,if you are doing the gold diamonds cue,
that will be the first time i have ever seen anyone attempt
it

best wishes on a great project
dean

They did do the cue... It's pictured in the first post.. Well the sleeve is..

 

[Bavafongoul]

What a tease.....please pull back the drapery and let us see the rest of these cues' anatomies.....Wow.

Gotta say the GTB cue still rocks as #1 in my ratings and Steve Klein also has jumped up in my cue-maker ratings.

Now it's not because Steve Klein makes beautiful cues. Jeez, I already knew that from photos of his cues. I've gotten to play with a Klein cue
than was more than an ounce heavier than any of my cues and surprisingly, I still enjoyed the way the cue felt........that was a first time for me
because usually I find most cues too heavy. The Szamboti Tribute cue he made is balanced as well as any pool cue I've ever held or played with.

So Mr. Klein has jumped up several rungs on my cue-maker ladder. Now if I could locate one that had an ivory joint and was low to mid 18 ounces,
I think I could find room in my case for it. Joe & Mark.....thank you for undertaking such an innovative project and creating such magnificent pool cues.

Matt B.

 

[flyvirginiaguy]

Great set of cues. That red really looks good :thumbup:

 

[yally]

Please post the rest! Must see the Gold Balab!

 

[mia]

What a tease.....please pull back the drapery and let us see the rest of these cues' anatomies.....Wow.

Gotta say the GTB cue still rocks as #1 in my ratings and Steve Klein also has jumped up in my cue-maker ratings.

Now it's not because Steve Klein makes beautiful cues. Jeez, I already knew that from photos of his cues. I've gotten to play with a Klein cue
than was more than an ounce heavier than any of my cues and surprisingly, I still enjoyed the way the cue felt........that was a first time for me
because usually I find most cues too heavy. The Szamboti Tribute cue he made is balanced as well as any pool cue I've ever held or played with.

So Mr. Klein has jumped up several rungs on my cue-maker ladder. Now if I could locate one that had an ivory joint and was low to mid 18 ounces,
I think I could find room in my case for it. Joe & Mark.....thank you for undertaking such an innovative project and creating such magnificent pool cues.

Matt B.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=5151283&postcount=43

 

[Thomas Wayne]

[...]
Why did we do it?
Exactly as stated. To remind an industry, to remind collectors of the person that really started to make cues art. Make them not only playable, but stylish.

[...]

We honestly hope everyone has enjoyed them. We enjoyed the honor of reminding everyone who GB was and why he was important. It is important to periodically remind the newcomers, why people love cues, why they collect cues, and why they should revere those before them. I hope others recognize this importance. I hope to start seeing special displays, for certain cuemakers during shows, or collector functions. It is important to pass on the legacies so that the future of collecting can flourish and not get choked out by the negativity due to the forgetfulness of others.

[...]

JV/MK

Those are very altruistic motives and I applaud the idea of them. I also believe it is important to honor the early makers - especially George Balabushka.

Unfortunately, even if every single SBE attendee actually viewed these cues, and every member and visitor to this forum, and every visitor to your commercial cue dealership learned/learns more about George Balabushka and about the history of cuemaking... that's still a tiny, TINY fraction of the American public. And let's face it, educating only those persons already immersed in the pool world about any subject has historically never really increased interest in pool by the general public.

However, for the past many years the Glenn family has been building a huge collection of cues, pool-related memorabilia, and other related ephemera for future display in a "brick & mortar" Billiard Museum. I can think of no greater tribute to the memory of George Balabushka, and no greater contribution toward your stated intent of educating future generations than for you to DONATE this collection to the Glenn family's effort - or, at the very least, provide them on "permanent loan" (as is often done with museums).

Now that would truly be something right there.

TW

 

[mia]

Why are they not marked?
Well they are. They are imbedded with SNAGG chips. So go ahead and pass one off, or steal it. There is no reason to write your name on something that is electronically marked.

This one seems a bit odd to me. I mean, if someone were to ever try to pass these off as the real thing, what could does a SNAGG chip do since it can't be seen? Someone would have to know about the existence of the tribute cues and then find out about this thread in order to find out if the cue they hold in their hands has a hidden chip/signifier on it.

Also, are they going to be for sale?

 

[Busboy]

Wish I could have seen them in person....what masterful way to celebrate the master of the modern cue's life.

What he said

 

[Type79]

Kudos

More stunning work by Steve on a grand and worthwhile project.

I love this sort of thing. It is not the work of a Xerox machine, it is painstaking, excruciating attention to detail by an experienced cuemaker with guidance by a knowledgeable pair of cue experts.

 

[classiccues]

This one seems a bit odd to me. I mean, if someone were to ever try to pass these off as the real thing, what could does a SNAGG chip do since it can't be seen? Someone would have to know about the existence of the tribute cues and then find out about this thread in order to find out if the cue they hold in their hands has a hidden chip/signifier on it.

Also, are they going to be for sale?

Well, since they will be in the hands of collectors, the fact there is two or three, and I hear more threads in other forums dedicated to these, I do not foresee an issue with them getting passed off as the genuine article.

There will be enough press to cover the cues, in fact I hear they might be going in a magazine with the anniversary story. Plus they might be marked in places no one has looked, or can see. :wink: I have no fears that these will ever be offered as the genuine article.

Isn't everything for sale?

JV

 

[classiccues]

Thomas,

Whether you believe the reason of why we built them or not, is of no concern to us. Although your point about the gen pop “And let's face it, educating only those persons already immersed in the pool world about any subject has historically never really increased interest in pool by the general public.” Is spot on.

“However, for the past many years the Glenn family has been building a huge collection of cues, pool-related memorabilia, and other related ephemera for future display in a "brick & mortar" Billiard Museum”

This is the third or fourth discussion by a different person wanting to front a brick and mortar pool museum. I think we can all agree as you have stated, and I agree that the only interested parties in pool, are already interested in pool. A brick and mortar museum will have similar gen pop attendance as the SBE anyways. The idea to us, the people in pool is fantastic. But let’s not kid ourselves on who will go there.

Also museums tend to prefer the genuine article. The Glenns have more than enough of the genuine article to create a museum. Plus I am sure he would rather have the cues that inspired this set. However Mark and Denny were in talks at the SBE because Denny did want to get some things that Mark had, and since Mark is a team player, he agreed to provide them to him at no charge. We have donated numerous items that Denny has never seen, or not been able to obtain, in over 40 years, at his request. Items that Mark has had, that Denny needed for the project.

But your recommendation is duly noted.

JV

Those are very altruistic motives and I applaud the idea of them. I also believe it is important to honor the early makers - especially George Balabushka.

Unfortunately, even if every single SBE attendee actually viewed these cues, and every member and visitor to this forum, and every visitor to your commercial cue dealership learned/learns more about George Balabushka and about the history of cuemaking... that's still a tiny, TINY fraction of the American public. And let's face it, educating only those persons already immersed in the pool world about any subject has historically never really increased interest in pool by the general public.

However, for the past many years the Glenn family has been building a huge collection of cues, pool-related memorabilia, and other related ephemera for future display in a "brick & mortar" Billiard Museum. I can think of no greater tribute to the memory of George Balabushka, and no greater contribution toward your stated intent of educating future generations than for you to DONATE this collection to the Glenn family's effort - or, at the very least, provide them on "permanent loan" (as is often done with museums).

Now that would truly be something right there.

TW

 

[Bavafongoul]

What a great exchange of opinions which was handled so tactfully and graciously by JV whereas I feel Mr. Wayne's suggestion, albeit well intended,
should have been sent as a private message (PM) to the guys at classic cues instead of posting his idea for donating these valuable, expensive, limited
edition cues on this thread, especially since he hasn't hasn't any skin in this project aside from what appears to be his admiration for the project & pool cues.

Joe did a wonderful job of replying in a very straight forward, cordial manner to Mr. Wayne's post. I applaud Joe's civility and candor because I think Wayne's
suggestion was out of line being posted for everyone to see or comment about........just like I am doing right now. Joe & Mark can arm wrestle each other to
see whom picks first as far as the cue world is concerned. These admittedly very special pool cues are their gemstones and as such, I just appreciate being
able to view how great these special theme cues turned out.

Matt B.

 

[mia]

Joe did a wonderful job of replying in a very straight forward, cordial manner to Mr. Wayne's post. I applaud Joe's civility and candor because I think Wayne's
suggestion was out of line being posted for everyone to see or comment about........just like I am doing right now.

Nothing out of line about it. This is a forum which, by definition is a place where thoughts, ideas, and views can be exchanged. Thomas idea wasn't an insult. It was a suggestion. And the implication that no one would say a single contrary thing had Thomas not chimed in is foolish. What makes you and so many others think that a forum like this is ONLY for people to agree about anything and everything?

 

[Bavafongoul]

Mia..... Mr. Wayne can get off his ass and build a cue to donate to the museum if it's important to him but you cross the line when you presume to tell someone how to spend or donate their hard-earned money, i.e., pool cues. Mr. Wayne should have had the decency to suggest a 'donation" by JV and MK discreetly but publishing this on the Forum was not the way to present his "opinion"....that's just how I see it, He should have picked up the phone and discussed this with the guys privately instead of behaving awfully cavalier with other people's money.

Matt B.

 

[Thomas Wayne]

Mia..... Mr. Wayne can get off his ass and build a cue to donate to the museum if it's important to him but you cross the line when you presume to tell someone how to spend or donate their hard-earned money, i.e., pool cues. [...]
Matt B.

I realize you have an ax to grind with me, Matt - and have had for a long time. Obviously that is what motivates you to post, rather than any pretend "outrage" over my perfectly reasonable suggestion.

As for "getting off [my] ass", I have donated many pool cues to worthwhile charities and events, INCLUDING the Glenn effort - so maybe you should consider having a tiny clue about what you're talking about before attacking me over what you are only guessing I may or may not have done.

As for me "telling someone how to spend or donate their hard-earned money", what I offered was simply a suggestion for a public venue. I completely support the Glenn project, and believe it has the best chance of becoming a fully realized museum that will educate the general public and future pool enthusiasts for many generations to come. Unless I am way off base, that does seem to be pretty identical to the entire reason JV (et al) claim to have built these copies of Balabushka's work.

In fact, if anyone is suggesting that they might have some other, more pecuniary-based motive it would seem to be YOU. For myself, I am perfectly willing to take them at their word that they built the collection for the purpose of educating the public about the history of George Balabushka and his work. It they don't feel the Glenn project is a good choice there's always one of the many divisions of the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. In fact, given that a donation to that institution would be tax deductible, it might very well go a long way toward assuaging your great concerns over their (JV's and Mark's) financial interests.

But above all else I am absolutely sure that selling this collection to some collector, only to have him or her bury it away out of the sight of future generations would be the very antithesis of their stated goals. The actual choice of venue is far less important than the undeniable need for such an invaluable historic tribute to be on permanent public display somewhere.

TW

(PS: There's nothing wrong with suggesting to someone how and where they might donate their "hard-earned money". Newspapers, magazines, and television are all inundated (literally) with just such pitches for hundreds of charities, and I seriously doubt you express such fervent outrage against any of them. Just pointing that out in case you thought you were fooling anyone here.)

 

[cueman]

In fact, if anyone is suggesting that they might have some other, more pecuniary-based motive it would seem to be YOU. For myself, I am perfectly willing to take them at their word that they built the collection for the purpose of educating the public about the history of George Balabushka and his work. It they don't feel the Glenn project is a good choice there's always one of the many divisions of the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. In fact, given that a donation to that institution would be tax deductible, it might very well go a long way toward assuaging your great concerns over their (JV's and Mark's) financial interests.

TW

My wife lived near DC when we got engaged. She showed me around some of the Smithsonian museums. We asked about the cue collection that they had on display and was told than no museum in their system has a billiard cue display. So it sounds like you guys donated cues just to have them locked away after a short run on display. If I am wrong about this please let me know the museum location we can view the cue collection in. I hope the Glen Museum will come to pass and prosper.