Tascarella or Scruggs

[Dustry]

if you look closely at the plaque Tim is holding, it reads - Cue Maker of the Year 2009.
this was presented by the American Cuemakers Association.
for him to have received this award at 2009, was a very high honor indeed, considering the cuemakers available at the time.
(the fellow to right is cuemaker Ricard Black).

 

[Ascue]

I don't believe a bit of your story about a Tacsarella cue you described and no one else should either... I've owned over twenty, held over 100 and owned and seen around 30 of Timmy's cues and Tmmy's workmanship isn't in the same league as The Pete's... Sorry no debate it's fact...

Many of these people may have never even hit either. Ive only hit 2 scruggs sneakies. Neither hit as good as my Pechauer sneaky. And I wanted a scruggs awfully bad. Are the steel joint scruggs any better?

 

[Sev]

Never hit with a Task.
I do have a beautiful ebony Scruggs that feels and plays wonderfully.
It has what I am looking for.
It is all subjective to the individual.

 

[Thecoats]

Why would you think that?

And it's not "Old Pete;" it's "the Petes." Pete Jr. is pretty young.

I love Timmy's work, but if I could only have one, Tascarella is the easy choice for me.


Freddie

I have had at least a dozen of both and I feel the same way. Tascarella over Scruggs for me. I also agree that the steel capped ivory joint on a Black Boar is a special feeling cue as well.

 

[Ascue]

I have had at least a dozen of both and I feel the same way. Tascarella over Scruggs for me. I also agree that the steel capped ivory joint on a Black Boar is a special feeling cue as well.

Good to hear this. Im debating over 3000 for a decades old Scruggs or a brand new Tascarella Merry Widow. The Scruggs thing has become a huge rip off in my eyes.

 

[skor]

Many of these people may have never even hit either. Ive only hit 2 scruggs sneakies. Neither hit as good as my Pechauer sneaky. And I wanted a scruggs awfully bad. Are the steel joint scruggs any better?

I have a Scruggs with a 5/16x14 joint like on Schon cues (and many other brands). I like the Schon hit and feel better even when using the same shaft (I have a 314-2 and a Revo that can fit both). I also have a Jacoby with the same joint and I like that one also better than the Scruggs.
The Scruggs shafts that I have are a bit on the wippy side and I prefer a stiffer shaft like the schon's

 

[Ascue]

I have a Scruggs with a 5/16x14 joint like on Schon cues (and many other brands). I like the Schon hit and feel better even when using the same shaft (I have a 314-2 and a Revo that can fit both). I also have a Jacoby with the same joint and I like that one also better than the Scruggs.
The Scruggs shafts that I have are a bit on the wippy side and I prefer a stiffer shaft like the schon's

I thank you for that info. Im thinking the magic in a Scruggs is the lore.

 

[skor]

I thank you for that info. Im thinking the magic in a Scruggs is the lore.

Still nice and good cues. Built well. Mine is from 1990 and still in great condition.

 

[Chopdoc]

After struggling with this question for a while, I am still struggling.

I don't have either, but I have played with examples of both. And I do have a Scruggs shaft for my Joss that is my regular playing shaft, as well as a couple of Stroud shafts.

Scruggs came out of the Joss shop. Tascarella got Balabushka's shop. Lots of history behind both. Lots of knowledge.

I think the "smart choice" is the Tasc. There has been a bit of legend and lore about the Scruggs cues, but maybe the same about Tasc? Simply put, there is a lot of value in name and reputation. The "bigger" name is Tasc.

Every time I think about it I realize the original question was posted the month before Tim's death.

Can't decide. I wouldn't go by what anybody else said or what I think going into the situation. I wouldn't pick based on the name.

If this theoretical situation actually happened, I would play with each of the two and pick the one I like based on that.

If I couldn't do that, then it would be the Tasc, but I hate deciding.

 

[Sealegs50]

Good to hear this. Im debating over 3000 for a decades old Scruggs or a brand new Tascarella Merry Widow. The Scruggs thing has become a huge rip off in my eyes.

Buy whatever meets your values in a cue. If the value is maintained or increases over time, you win. If the market value goes down but you’re still happy with your cue, you still win.

I’ve owned a Scruggs and played with at least one Tascarella that I still want to own. But I’ve also played with several of each that didn’t make me envious.

 

[Chopdoc]

Buy whatever meets your values in a cue. If the value is maintained or increases over time, you win. If the market value goes down but you’re still happy with your cue, you still win.

I’ve owned a Scruggs and played with at least one Tascarella that I still want to own. But I’ve also played with several of each that didn’t make me envious.

Value?

I'm still stressed with the notion that some level of hell would require me to have only one cue. LOL!

If that were the case it would be my Joss anyway.

 

[fjk]

I have had (and still have) several of both. In terms of quality and craftsmanship, they are very close (IMHO). Years ago, a Tasc might cost you double what a comparable Scruggs would. That gap has closed to being similar now (and rightfully so). In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either...both amazing cues and excellent purchases choices.

 

[skor]

Value?

I'm still stressed with the notion that some level of hell would require me to have only one cue. LOL!

If that were the case it would be my Joss anyway.

Lets see some images of that Joss that will be buried with you

 

[Chopdoc]

Lets see some images of that Joss that will be buried with you

Sorry for poor pictures.

 

[skor]

View attachment 836013
View attachment 836014
View attachment 836015

Sorry for poor pictures.

NICE!!

 

[classiccues]

Well if you want a new Scruggs you will have to resurrect Timmy like you resurrected this thread.

JV

 

[Benelli]

I have two steel joint Tasc's and one ivory joint Scruggs, which is also a 3/8-10 MOD, and nothing I own hits like that Scruggs. It has some of the best transmission of any of my cues, and the hit is soft, not jarring, very, very unique...

I know everyone likes to make the comparison to Tasc and Balabushka, but their cues hit very differently. My 72 Bushka is hands down the best cue I own, and if I could play with it every day, I would. Don't get me wrong the Tasc's are nice and I love that damn ping but they don't communicate hit the same way at all. They are very different cues...

I'm picking up a mid 80's Joss West this weekend, excited to compare that to the Tasc's and my late 80's/early 90's Richard Black's

 

[fjk]

I'm picking up a mid 80's Joss West this weekend, excited to compare that to the Tasc's and my late 80's/early 90's Richard Black's

Some people love the way a JW hits. To me, they play very, very stiff (at least the ones I have owned). If you like that kind of hit, then you'll love the JW.

 

[Ascue]

After struggling with this question for a while, I am still struggling.

I don't have either, but I have played with examples of both. And I do have a Scruggs shaft for my Joss that is my regular playing shaft, as well as a couple of Stroud shafts.

Scruggs came out of the Joss shop. Tascarella got Balabushka's shop. Lots of history behind both. Lots of knowledge.

I think the "smart choice" is the Tasc. There has been a bit of legend and lore about the Scruggs cues, but maybe the same about Tasc? Simply put, there is a lot of value in name and reputation. The "bigger" name is Tasc.

Every time I think about it I realize the original question was posted the month before Tim's death.

Can't decide. I wouldn't go by what anybody else said or what I think going into the situation. I wouldn't pick based on the name.

If this theoretical situation actually happened, I would play with each of the two and pick the one I like based on that.

If I couldn't do that, then it would be the Tasc, but I hate deciding.

I have two steel joint Tasc's and one ivory joint Scruggs, which is also a 3/8-10 MOD, and nothing I own hits like that Scruggs. It has some of the best transmission of any of my cues, and the hit is soft, not jarring, very, very unique...

I know everyone likes to make the comparison to Tasc and Balabushka, but their cues hit very differently. My 72 Bushka is hands down the best cue I own, and if I could play with it every day, I would. Don't get me wrong the Tasc's are nice and I love that damn ping but they don't communicate hit the same way at all. They are very different cues...

I'm picking up a mid 80's Joss West this weekend, excited to compare that to the Tasc's and my late 80's/early 90's Richard Black's

I'd like to hear about that jw

 

[deep]

Tascarella - The best hitting Steel jointed cue I have played with.
Scruggs - Big pin, ivory joint, the best cue I have ever played with, nothing has come close.