Are Adams' Balabushka's Worth The Cost?

[J0HN0]

Adam Hall Of Fame cues

Apologies if I missed this previously.

But I've been sniffing around the net and can't find an answer, does anybody know if the Adam Hall Of Fame cues are full or half splice?,

I saw some really nice pictures (posted on here) of an Adam full splice with the wrap off earlier, and wondered about the construction of these.

Thanks,

MJ

 

[macguy]

I have been contemplating stepping in to an Adams Balabushka cue but have heard great variations in opinion of the quality of these cues. Some say that they may be the finest cues made (outside of the authentic Balabushkas) while others say that the construction and finish are not up to par for the price range. I can't actually shoot with one, as this is one cue I have never come across - so I am looking for opinions/reviews/experiences from you all to help with the decision. Thanks!!!

They are nice cues with nice simple designs. I think they are a bit over priced.

 

[hang-the-9]

Personally, i think a great non laminated shaft will improve your game, not hinder it. All the top players i know, do not play with laminated shafts.

I think most pro players and many others use LD shafts. Keep in mind that laminated and low deflection is not the same thing. If you just take a shaft and make it out of glued wood and do nothing else, it won't become low deflection just by that. It will change how it plays for sure, and may have lower deflection, but for a true LD shaft there needs to be some change at the tip area, either smaller ferrule, hollow ferrule or end of shaft, lighter material, etc...

 

[Type79]

A No LD Zone

I think most pro players and many others use LD shafts. Keep in mind that laminated and low deflection is not the same thing. If you just take a shaft and make it out of glued wood and do nothing else, it won't become low deflection just by that. It will change how it plays for sure, and may have lower deflection, but for a true LD shaft there needs to be some change at the tip area, either smaller ferrule, hollow ferrule or end of shaft, lighter material, etc...

For me, part of the intrigue in the game is predicting the squirt of the cue ball.

 

[trinacria]

I would say they are not. And, they definitely are not anywhere near the top of production cues, let alone the finest ever made.
They are usually ok, as Adam cues have been, for a good many years. As to being worth the money, it's a matter of opinion and you have mine.
I would suggest a Pechauer or a Joss, maybe even a Lucasi as being a better production line cue.

I personally like them. They are made in Japan and are decently built. You never hear of anyone complaining about them and you don't see too many for sale, so that says a lot. I actually have been to the guy who imports them office when I bought a century Adams, he's out of Long Island, NY, he's a fair guy and they are fairly priced and their style is classic. They have a nice subtle hit. Not too stiff and not too soft but more on the soft side. If you like them and at their price I don't think you'll be disappointed, but if it was me with the same price id buy a schon.

 

[trinacria]

Apologies if I missed this previously.

But I've been sniffing around the net and can't find an answer, does anybody know if the Adam Hall Of Fame cues are full or half splice?,

I saw some really nice pictures (posted on here) of an Adam full splice with the wrap off earlier, and wondered about the construction of these.

Thanks,

MJ

I have an Adams classic, which is the same cue really, same company makes them and mine is full spliced. I'm assuming theirs is as well.

 

[measureman]

I personally like them. They are made in Japan and are decently built. You never hear of anyone complaining about them and you don't see too many for sale, so that says a lot. I actually have been to the guy who imports them office when I bought a century Adams, he's out of Long Island, NY, he's a fair guy and they are fairly priced and their style is classic. They have a nice subtle hit. Not too stiff and not too soft but more on the soft side. If you like them and at their price I don't think you'll be disappointed, but if it was me with the same price id buy a schon.

I thought they moved the production to China?
I recently look at and hit balls with a new GB3. Nice cue and hit well.
$600 or so probably not worth it.

 

[Type79]

There are a few on eBay for under $500.

 

[trinacria]

I thought they moved the production to China?
I recently look at and hit balls with a new GB3. Nice cue and hit well.
$600 or so probably not worth it.

Not sure, I bought mine 6 or seven years ago, while they were definetly made in Japan. Chinese products have impoved, but I doubt they have the same attention to detail and pride that Japanese have. i definetly also think they play well. The shaft on mine is tight grained but darker in color than standard shafts you get now.

 

[SWN99]

No, buy a different cue with points like a Schon or McDermott.

 

[n9neballking]

The most interesting part of this discussion is the lack of knowledge by so many people regarding Adam Cues. Here is a piece about the history of Adams Cues: https://www.poolcues.com/history-of-adam-cues
No two people in the history of cue making were more concerned about the quality of cue building then Richard Helmstetter and David Forman! Quite frankly, when these two built the Adams Cue Company, using Yuri Miki's Japanese facility, they WERE the highest of high end production cues.
For those of you who do not know Miki, he is now known as Mezz Cues. Adam Cues have always had a money back guarantee. You don't like the cue, send it back! Even Don Spetkar, who bought Adams Cues when Helmstetter, Forman, and Miki split up...still offers the same guarantee.
I really find it silly when someone says, "for that kind of money you could buy a custom cue"...as if the 29" below the shaft made all the difference in your pool game. Fact is, most good shooters and pros use "production" shafts, such as Predator, OB, Tiger, Mezz, Schon, Joss, and etc. BTW any LD shaft is a "production" shaft!
Ask your self this, what makes a custom cue "custom"? Even the most famous cue makers that ever lived Balabushka, Rambo, Balner, Paradise... used "production" cue blanks to make their "custom" cues. So did they really do anymore than decorate the production blanks?
Yes, I own and play with a custom cue. However, I use a "production" shaft, Tiger, on that cue and ALL the cues I play with. I also own the complete series of Adam HOF Willie Mosconi series of cues. and if I put one of those cues next to my $2500 custom cue...you could not tell the difference in quality. Since if I were to use one of those cues...it too would have a Tiger shaft on it!
Richard Helmstetter moved to Japan in 1968 to join with David Forman to form the Adams Cue Company. Here is one of the most famous of all Adams/Helmstetter cues: http://www.cornerstonecues.com/cue775.htm. Despite what it says here...this cue was made in Japan at the same facility were all the Adams cues were made.
My advice is first find a shaft with which you can play with consistently. Then find the nicest looking 29" below that shaft that will tickle your fancy and remain within your budget. Personally, cues with rounded points and inlays do NOT tickle my fancy, and of all the Production cues...Adams does NOT use rounded points!

bringing this thread back to life!

I agree with this wholeheartedly. And to be perfectly honest with you, i can do things with that standard shaft that came with it when i bought it about 14 years ago that a lot of people cant do with any type of shaft. To me, as long as it hits solid and has a nice nickel on it, I'll make it do what i want. And my bushka/helmstetter hits solid as a rock and looks great! what more could you want from a cue?

 

[justinb386]

I have been contemplating stepping in to an Adams Balabushka cue but have heard great variations in opinion of the quality of these cues. Some say that they may be the finest cues made (outside of the authentic Balabushkas) while others say that the construction and finish are not up to par for the price range. I can't actually shoot with one, as this is one cue I have never come across - so I am looking for opinions/reviews/experiences from you all to help with the decision. Thanks!!!

If I could afford to pay retail on a new Adam Balabushka, then I would not be looking for one of the new ones. They are currently made in China, I think. They used to be made in Japan, at the same factory that Mezz cues are currently being made (I do not know this, but it is just something I read on here in the past). The Adam Bushka replica's that were made in Japan by Adam/Helmstetter were very high quality, I think. The ones that are currently being made, in China, are probably not as good of quality as the ones that were made in Japan. If you can find one of the older ones (not sure when they stopped making them in Japan, but maybe around 5 years ago, as just a guess), then I would buy a good used one, that was made in Japan, because I think that those were probably much higher quality then the ones that are currently made in China. And yeah, I think that the Japanese Adam Bushka's were worth the money that they retailed for. They were very high quality cues. I do not know how good the quality is of the ones that are currently being made in China. Note to the experts. If I am wrong about anything I stated, then please feel free to correct me. I only know what I read and learn from this forum.

 

[justinb386]

I would say they are not. And, they definitely are not anywhere near the top of production cues, let alone the finest ever made.
They are usually ok, as Adam cues have been, for a good many years. As to being worth the money, it's a matter of opinion and you have mine.
I would suggest a Pechauer or a Joss, maybe even a Lucasi as being a better production line cue.

For the retail prices that they go for, I think a Schon can actually be had for similar prices.

 

[justinb386]

Thanks for the opinion, Pushout. Since they are now almost impossible to find, as Adams is no longer making them, I might just stop pulling my hair out trying to find one.

Yeah, they are hard to find, and I am not even sure if you would be able to tell them apart from the ones that are currently being made in China. They look so similar to the ones that were made in Japan. I wonder if there could possibly be any old new stock still for sale online.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Balabushka-...670510?hash=item212326ddee:g:E~0AAOSw7ThUieLV

 

[justinb386]

Pick out a Balabushka style you like and have Jerry Rauenzahn make you a Balabushka tribute cue.

Here is a Balabushka Tribute he recently made for me: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=235854

That sounds like a great idea, but I imagine the cost would be at least 2 times the retail of any new Balabushka. I do not know though.

 

[justinb386]

Someone actually told you that they were one of the finest cues made??? Well that's someone who has zero knowledge of the current group of excellent cue makers in this country today. I used to play with an Adams cue when I was in my 20's. It was a good entry level cue in those days. Today, I doubt it would stack up too well with any of the high quality production cues being manufactured, let alone all the fine custom cues available. IMO an Adams cue (even a "Balabushka" model) is worth the two or three hundred they sell for. Any more than that and you're over paying. JMHO of course.

Yeah, I think the Helmstetter cues hit much better then that Adam Bushka cues.

 

[Chopdoc]

Yeah, I think the Helmstetter cues hit much better then that Adam Bushka cues.

Wow. Amazing.

IMHO they would essentially "hit" the same...with normal variation for production tolerances and variations in materials.

It's like saying one model line of Joss or Schon is so much different than another. They aren't.


Helmstetter or Bushka "signature" cues...both Adam...comparable quality. Comparable playability. Comparable "hit".


In cue for the dollar a Helmstetter blows an Adam Bushka out of the water. The Adam Bushka cue values are inflated only because his name is on them.




.

 

[HawaiianEye]

I think there are tons of Chinese-made cues being sold on ebay that are falsely advertised as being Adam cues made in Japan.

If you see one with thin silver rings in the joint collars, it is most likely not one of the Japanese cues...they have thick silver rings.

 

[Bavafongoul]

I think Jerry may be done as there were only orders that were pending.
At Christmas, he told me he was taking the RV to Fla for the winter mths
and he intended to visit some old friends on the road trip down and back.
He's a great guy and a very talented cue-maker but eventually all of the
greats approach retiring. Guys like Jerry R. , Richard Black, Bob Runde,
etc., have been wowing all of us for years with their cues. Nonetheless,
all of the great ones retire sooner or later.......I just wish it was a lot later.



Matt B.

 

[Chopdoc]

I think there are tons of Chinese-made cues being sold on ebay that are falsely advertised as being Adam cues made in Japan.

If you see one with thin silver rings in the joint collars, it is most likely not one of the Japanese cues...they have thick silver rings.

There are many Adam counterfeits.

On several occasions I have seen people state that such cues are not worth counterfeiting. Bull. I am quite certain there are a heck of a lot of them.


In addition there have been Joss, Schon, and others...but much less common.

Then there are those that capitalize on a similar name or logo, like "Shamrock" cues.



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