How thick is thick? I just looked at the GB-2 I've had since 2002 (when they were definitely Japanese made) and the rings above and below the joint are maybe 1/16th to an 1/8th of an inch, with thicker black rings on each side.
Are Adams' Balabushka's Worth The Cost?
- Thread starter PoolHawk21
- Start date
How thick is thick? I just looked at the GB-2 I've had since 2002 (when they were definitely Japanese made) and the rings above and below the joint are maybe 1/16th to an 1/8th of an inch, with thicker black rings on each side.
justinb386
Banned
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I assume that is the only way to tell them apart.
Below is a thread I started a while back on the same subject.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=430663&highlight=Adam+cues+Japan
justinb386
Banned
The Bushka cues did use a different joint (the piloted 5/16x14 joint) then any of the Helmstetter cues (which used something like or similar to a flat faced 5/16x18 joint). I also think the Helmstetter cues were made in a different way. The butt was made a little shorter, and the shafts were made a little longer, to give them a more forward balance I think. To me, the cues hit very different. To me, the Bushka cues had a much stiffer hit (maybe kind of like a Schon for example). I do not think the Helmstetter cues hit nearly a stiff, but I loved the hit of them. Maybe I am thinking this due to the taper that was in the shafts that I had on the Helmstetter cues I had over the years.
Thanks. The joint rings on mine are like the one on your HOF cue. Pretty sure it isn't a knock off. Plays well, regardless.
justinb386
Banned
Are they any thicker then this one?
Attachments
I own examples of all of them. I don't believe any of what you are saying.
For sure you can't tell the difference between a 14 pin and an 18 pin in the "hit".
There have been a great variety of Helmstetter cues made including 18 pin, 14 pin and wood pins. Flat faced, piloted, steel collar, and otherwise.
You are making broad sweeping statements on a sample size and experience that is far too small.
.
.
justinb386
Banned
I think it is true that the Helmstetter butts were made a little shorter then normal (like maybe around 28.5 inches), and the shafts a little longer then normal (like maybe around 29.5 inches, or a little longer), to give them a better forward balance I think. I would be very surprised if I ever seen a Helmstetter with a piloted 5/16x14 joint.
So you can tell what fraction of an ounce is in front of the joint versus what is behind?
There is a member here, a collector, that offered a $10,000 challenge for people that claim such nonsense.
Nobody could take him up on it.
As far as what would "surprise" you, you actually posted one! http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=339935
And here is one: http://www.shootersbilliards.com/rh9-helmstetter-pool-cue.html
EDIT: And here is a nice wood pin Helmstetter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ADA...549311?hash=item3f789dd53f:g:b5UAAOSw4DJYiSD9
EDIT: Here is a Helmstetter you advertised for sale with a piloted 14 pin: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=257061
Apparently you can't even keep track of the specs of the cues you have bought and sold yourself.
.
Last edited:
The Helmstetter Balabushka series, the subject here, was made with piloted 5/16 X 14 joints. In fact, the tenons were quite large in that series, pictures are easily searchable.
Where do you come up with this constant mental masturbation of yours...
I don't think he considers those Helmstetters.
I think he believes the factory re-tooled to produce special cues called Helmstetters.
I don't even think he realizes that some of the the Balabushka cues were available from Adam without the name on them for less money. :wink:
And I don't think he realizes that the cue dimensions changed over the years for all of the Adam lines.
.
justinb386
Banned
You got me again. I was so sure that all the Helmstetter out there had either a piloted 5/16x18 joint, or some sort of flat faced joint.
Yeah, I can't even remember details about all the cues I ever had. I had them for too short of a time to remember.
I think I know something, and it turns out that I am rarely ever right, lol.
justinb386
Banned
Okay, I was wrong, and I have a horrible memory. At least I think I was right about one thing. Adam made the Helmstetter butts a little shorter then average, and the shafts a little longer then average. They must have done that purposely, and for a reason. It might be 1 reason some players choose a Helmstetter instead of an Adam.
At least you're right about not being right. There's something right about that, right?
They are a very decent cue. The Japan made ones are of excellent quality. Piloted 5/16x14 pin, and a good hit. I had an adams century made in the same place for about five years and I loved it. I don't think the price they ask is warranted, the lower priced ones are fair, the ones running in the one k range aren't. But I never heard of anyone being disappointed from one.
Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums
Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums
Just played pool last weekend (he's new to pool) but just joined a league. He bought a $900 Bushka (no manufacturer listed on cue) I was very surprised how nicely made it was. The shaft seems to thick...it's 13mm, but not much taper.
But the inlays (dice cue) and the wrap were as nice as you'd seen on any production cue. Obviously the design was great.... but the quality was really good.
The only thing I hated about the cue was the "buska" signature on the forearm. Is Lucasi the company making these Bushka's now ???
So, for $900 he got a very nice looking cue, that appears to be built very well.
But the inlays (dice cue) and the wrap were as nice as you'd seen on any production cue. Obviously the design was great.... but the quality was really good.
The only thing I hated about the cue was the "buska" signature on the forearm. Is Lucasi the company making these Bushka's now ???
So, for $900 he got a very nice looking cue, that appears to be built very well.
I just bought a gb3 a week ago and love it. I dont know if it was made n Japan or china ...and really dont care. The fit and finish is superb but I am not a cue expert.
The tag on it said Adams / helmstetter . It has rings that look close to the one in the pic above.. I would not know if it was the thin one or thick without comparing them side by side but I can say I have had cues with thinner rings than whats on this cue. It has the piloted joint also.
And last but not least I like the feel of it and it plays just fine.
The tag on it said Adams / helmstetter . It has rings that look close to the one in the pic above.. I would not know if it was the thin one or thick without comparing them side by side but I can say I have had cues with thinner rings than whats on this cue. It has the piloted joint also.
And last but not least I like the feel of it and it plays just fine.
n9neballking
Registered
i noticed this when i was doing some research yesterday into finding something similar looking that i might have turned into a jump/break to match my shooter. other than buying an adam gb-1 and chopping it up, ive had no luck. but it is interesting to see that the company has moved/been sold, again.