I am looking for a NEW(or possibly used), old school "traditional style" cue with the color veneer points, etc and i looked at the Japan Balabushka's ($600 to $1350). They look really nice on a computer screen but that doesn't mean much. Does anyone have info on them or maybe another manufacturer?
Balabushka cues made in japan ! are they any good and worth the money ?
- Thread starter onlypool
- Start date
Good luck finding an ADAM Japan-made 'bushka style. Those cues have been made in China for some time. Still nice cues tho. I'd rather have a Schon or a US made custom if i was buying that style.
If there's any chance, get yourself to one of the tournaments or expos where there are cue vendors. At some of those, there are hundreds of cues to choose from. You can see exactly what they are like and maybe even shoot some shots with one.
Is appearance your main criteria? Do you plan to get a different playing shaft?
On the East Coast, the Super Billiard Expo is best, I think, Derby City -- coming up soon -- in the middle, and any of the huge national league championship in Vegas for the West Coast.
yeah. Thanks. Good suggestions. I definitely want something in my hand to see and feel. Yeah, i want that "points" look. It's a long story. I will probably get wood and a carbon shaft. I really, really like the feel of carbon but i don't have enough hours of use to be certain and then i'll have to find a brand of them i like. I almost know nothing of carbon shaft technology except my sweaty hands feel dry with carbon. why?why?why? I'm in SC and have no clue what tournaments or expo's are nearby. I may sound like a rookie but lets just say it's an illusion.
My Adam Balabushka is easily one of the best hitting cues I own. Having said that, the leather wrap was crap before I had it redone, and none of the ebony is anywhere near black.
Joss any day. Schon cues are overpriced now. I used to love the STL5 but, the price on these has just gone up, up, up. Just my .02 worth.
The Balabushka Adam tribute cues were great. If you can find one of the first ones that came out of the Helmstetter factory in Japan like this one that I bought in about 2004 you will have a fine cue. Here is a link to the one I had:
Nice Production cue-Tell me what you think?
Here is one of my favorite older cues. This cue was made in the Adam Factory in Japan about 6 years ago. It was a prototype for the BU-1 in the Balabushka collector set. It doesn't have the little picture of Mosconi on the butt cap nor does it...
forums.azbilliards.com
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I have a really nice pointed cue for you for $300
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If you can get a used one of those for say $400, it's worth getting. In the $600 range they are meh.
The Predator Willie Mosconi cues had some classic point designs but pretty sure they are sold out from retailers so you would need to find a used one. Since it's a Predator though there is a good chance you can find one with a Revo CF shaft.
As above, Joss is a pretty good deal with veneered points especially used https://josscues.com/product-category/Cues-above-800/
If you are in SC and near Myrtle Beach, and can wait for a few months, I should be there for work in May or so and can bring a few CF shafts if I am brave enough to risk the airline losing them hehe.
Ther are a few decent pool halls in SC, depending on where you are, which means there should be plenty of players that are hopefully friendly to check out what they are using.
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“Japan” Balabushkas (Adam Japan, imported by Adam NY / Competition Sports) were moved to China around 1997.
“China” Balabushkas (also Adam Japan and imported by Competition Sports but made at Universal in China) stopped being made there around 2011.
Current Balabushkas are made in Taiwan for the Balabushka Cue Company (Arizona).
They all hit well. I bought a used 2004 that I often used as my bar beater last year.
I have a Adam AH-12 Century that I bought in about 2008 at the Riviera BCA. Still play with it all the time with an OB shaft.
Points and sharp and colourful. Looks nice, plays great for me. I probably paid around $400 for it, maybe $375.
Getting a little warn after 15 years of fairly heavy use, but still looks nice.
Points and sharp and colourful. Looks nice, plays great for me. I probably paid around $400 for it, maybe $375.
Getting a little warn after 15 years of fairly heavy use, but still looks nice.
ok. can you send me some pics and the other details? thanks
Hey, thanks for that info. Several good tips. I'll keep in touch for your trip to MB.
Wow. Balabushka gets around the Orient. Anyway great info, Thanks
Hello. The Adam AH-12 Century is impressive. I bet it was REALLY impressive when new.
Hi Cornerman, I was wondering what your Balabushka Cue looks like (model ?) ... are you selling it?
sonny burnett
Registered
I nor my road player (contact me to get definition of "road player") had any problems playing the Japanese bushkas in the 90s after Dennis Kepley did his magic on new tips. If you like the feel and sound of the metal joint.
Zero problems with the shafts as expected with proper daily care.
Sorry I've never hit a Chinese version nor have I seen a Japanese version in a long while. TBH I doubt I could tell the difference.
We bought them just to get the conversation going in different pool rooms (yes, some states had up to 3 rooms and people actually wagered, some even bet it up big, playing $10 sets to 7!!)
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Zero problems with the shafts as expected with proper daily care.
Sorry I've never hit a Chinese version nor have I seen a Japanese version in a long while. TBH I doubt I could tell the difference.
We bought them just to get the conversation going in different pool rooms (yes, some states had up to 3 rooms and people actually wagered, some even bet it up big, playing $10 sets to 7!!)
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NFS
2003 GB10 - Made at Universal Cues for Adam Japan, commissioned and imported by Competition Sports.
Adam USA / Adam NY was renamed “Competition Sports” in ~1997.
Balabushka Pool Cues and George Balabushka pool cues and equipment
Balabushka pool cues,GB-1,GB-2,GB-3,GB-4,GB-5,GB-6,GB-7,GB-8,GB-9,GB-10,GB-11,GB-12,cues,cue sticks and Billiard supplies
www.discountpoolcues.com
sonny burnett
Registered
Beautiful classic design! Hope you aren't selling it.
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