People seem to overlook this very simple fact. You can't name any CUSTOM cuemaker today with an equal clientele list.... this is what sets a cue apart.. when its well received by PLAYERS.. not deep pocket railbirds...
JV
JV
Why is Tascarella the Bushka expert?
- Thread starter hang-the-9
- Start date
One of the best threads in a LONG time on AZ. I truly enjoy reading the honest, insightful banter in this thread. Great Stuff! Pool has such a unique history and Gus, George, Ernie, John Davis, and Rambow all had such a tremendous influence. I find it very refreshing to read all your comments!! Thanks to all that contributed!!
What I was after was what is the criteria you use to judge and compare wraps and if you were making your assessment relative to the era in which they were made. Did he always use the same type of leather?
As far as my comment in regards to jigs and experience was sugesting that with modern jigs there are many makers who are proficient at leather wraps and I wanted to know why you feel that these legendary makers wraps are so superior? I understand that his cues and Ernie's are in a league of their own but the reputations seem to become larger than life.
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What other options were there really?
Okay, the fit of the seam, the feel of whatever leather he used, however he finished or burnished it. I've felt kangaroo leather that was similar, but my cuemaker had a hell of a time working with it.
As you see some posts above, Balabushka leather wraps often have a seam that disappears.
And to Jason'S post, I should have included Dennis among today's best, if not THE best.
The selection, the seam, the shoulders, how it lays, the treatment, all play a part not only with leather wraps but linen as well. George was a master at any wrap.
Id like to add, Pete has followed in George's footsteps...in every way. George, I'm sure, is extremely proud.
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Since nobody has mentioned it yet, I will. Balabushka cues were considered prized possessions and very desirable to collect, particularly after George's death. There was an extremely large demand for them overseas, namely Japan, where Japanese collectors were paying ridiculously large sums for the cues.
Noticing the high demand, someone started manufacturing imitations that were about as close as you could get to the originals, and through a syndicate of people, they were marketed overseas to Japanese collectors as originals.
When the scam was discovered, the demand for the cues dropped considerably and drove the prices down. The Balabushka market never fully recovered from the scam and the prices will never again be as high as they were during that time.
This is not to be confused with the present day 'Balabushka' which is a completely different cue.
Noticing the high demand, someone started manufacturing imitations that were about as close as you could get to the originals, and through a syndicate of people, they were marketed overseas to Japanese collectors as originals.
When the scam was discovered, the demand for the cues dropped considerably and drove the prices down. The Balabushka market never fully recovered from the scam and the prices will never again be as high as they were during that time.
This is not to be confused with the present day 'Balabushka' which is a completely different cue.
To name a few in the time period:
Tad Kohara
Ernie Gutierrez (Ginacue)
Dan Janes (Joss)
Bill Stroud (Joss and JossWest)
Gene Balner (Palmer)
Frank Paradise
Bert Schrager
Martin and Rambows were still available
A few examples:
Luther Lassiter played with a Martin, Gutierrez, and possibly a Tad, in addition to Bushkas.
Jack Colavita played with a Palmer in that era, Richard Black later on.
Joe Balsis played with at least one Tad in addition to others.
Pete Margo played with Palmers in addition to Bushkas.
Eddie Taylor used at least two Paradise cues.
Mosconi and Cranfield used Rambows in addition to Bushkas.
Jimmy Caras used Rambow and Palmer.
Boston Shorty Johnson used a Rambow.
Richard Riggie used a Joss. Tim Scruggs later on.
So, not a lot then. Add to it the fact that alot of the pro's were from NY and surrounding area. I wohld bet most Cali pros played with Tad or Gina.
Also, the $ in pool now is about the same or less than then, and the price of everything has went up, a normal pro cant afford a 5 - 8k cue.
This also saves me the time in emailing anyone my article is on the Tascarellas! Read up, everyone!
http://www.tascarellacustomcues.com/about.html
Freddie <~~~ seems like only ten years ago...
Always enjoy your articles Freddie.
I had read that one previously while running around Pete's site for fun.
I've shot with just about every cue that has come onto my radar as being a maker of note. Balabushka ( knew a guy that had 4 of them - Jack White), Szamboti, Paradise, Gina Cue, TAD, Corsair, Rambow (thank you Bob), etc... and I am grateful for getting the opportunity to feel and know what these instruments behaved like when I leaned into them with force and purpose.
It's like anything else you use to interact with an activity. A guitar, car, club, racket... we all have our own style and the really great craftsmen out there can eliminate the variables and get right down to providing the basics that make a solid instrument that is true and consistent. This is what these legends did. They knew it and stuck to their guns.
As I have been exposed to these cues over the years, it's helped me to recognize what I do and do not like. I really believe that the ancient relics should never ever be squirreled away to never see the light of day. I think they should be in pool halls being played and played HARD. So everyone can experience these things and know what's what. I have a cue now that I wouldn't trade for the world that I pretty much got for free. I traded a cue I won in a tournament decades ago LOL. It was made by a local cue maker. It fits who and what I am at a pool table.
I hope others can experience these cues too. If you have some of these cues... dig em out and play them if you aren't already doing so. Let that 20 year old newbie hear the "ping"... I guarantee it will make ya smile.
Lesh
I had read that one previously while running around Pete's site for fun.
I've shot with just about every cue that has come onto my radar as being a maker of note. Balabushka ( knew a guy that had 4 of them - Jack White), Szamboti, Paradise, Gina Cue, TAD, Corsair, Rambow (thank you Bob), etc... and I am grateful for getting the opportunity to feel and know what these instruments behaved like when I leaned into them with force and purpose.
It's like anything else you use to interact with an activity. A guitar, car, club, racket... we all have our own style and the really great craftsmen out there can eliminate the variables and get right down to providing the basics that make a solid instrument that is true and consistent. This is what these legends did. They knew it and stuck to their guns.
As I have been exposed to these cues over the years, it's helped me to recognize what I do and do not like. I really believe that the ancient relics should never ever be squirreled away to never see the light of day. I think they should be in pool halls being played and played HARD. So everyone can experience these things and know what's what. I have a cue now that I wouldn't trade for the world that I pretty much got for free. I traded a cue I won in a tournament decades ago LOL. It was made by a local cue maker. It fits who and what I am at a pool table.
I hope others can experience these cues too. If you have some of these cues... dig em out and play them if you aren't already doing so. Let that 20 year old newbie hear the "ping"... I guarantee it will make ya smile.
Lesh
Not a lot? Add to the list, Craig Peterson, Abe Rich, Frank Stellman, and Doc Frye.
In that time era, pool was pretty obscure, but still over a dozen desired makers other than George, though he was obviously the most desired.
Not a lot? Sometimes I just shake my head at what I read from juniors.
" Well said....
I had the opportunity of trying a MINT CONDITION BUSHKA'
A collector had purchased and was showing to a local maker here in Tulsa...
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST STEEL JOINTED CUE I HAVE EVER HIT
"Asking price was 20 K...
"worth every dollar IMO
Growing up and playing in Philly, Doc Frye was the man in these parts. Met up about a year ago with his grand daughters husband. They were out here from Colorado and wanted some info on Doc and the rooms he sold his sticks in. I took him around to a couple of rooms. It turns out Doc's lathe is at Pete Fusco's room "The Spot" in Trevose Pa. Doc built his cues in his home in Langhorne Pa., not far from Trevose. Doc was a pharmacist by profession and had a pharmacy in Philly.
Not surprised to hear that. Doc made very nice cues, somewhat in the Paradise style, but in his own too. To keep it on topic, not quite as sought after as Bushkas, but no doubt a lot of serious players in the Northeast put their hands on a Doc Frye cue. Nice to hear a substantive post.
All the best,
WW
Another thing - you say pool was obscure? Really? The glory days of pool, when you couldn't walk 2 blocks without seeing a poolroom in NY - late 60's early 70's
Not the 20's but still
Jason
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Doc's butts were bumperless and he was famous for putting a shiny new penny in the butt end. He also made a "bell tip." on some of his cues. The ferrule sort of flanged outward and the tip was larger. I spoke to a guy a couple of years ago that sold his Doc Frye a few years before I spoke with him. Said he got $2200 if I am not mistaken. There is a very wealthy guy in Florida that supposedly has a nice collection of Fryes. This guy in Florida also collect cannons too. I kid you not.