Balabushka GB Series

dareads

dareads

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was wondering what the prevailing opinion is on the GB Series Balabushka cues. I am looking to spend about $400 for a new cue and some of the lower end of the line fall into that range. I know there are a ton of cues that fall under my price range, which makes the decision a very laboring, time consuming mission. :confused: I just noticed last night that there were some GB's in my price range. So what do you all think of them?
Thanks
 
I believe they are made by Competition Sports, an import company that also produces the newer Adams and Helmstetter cues, along with some others. They are generally considered along their higher level cues, and the ones I have seen and sold personally exhibited pretty good quality and workmanship, for an import. They are not to be confused with original Balabushka cues and have nothing in common with them except for the name and the laser engraved signature on the forearm. I am sure some of the other dealers who handle that line of cue can provide better information.
 
I would post a separate thread wanting to buy a custom for $400 or under. You will probably get a nice selection to choose from, most of which will be sneaky petes in the 250-400 range, possibly even with 2 shafts.

I would probably opt for that. You would get a cue that hit really well, and would retain most of its value if you select the right maker.

I'd probably try to find a Scruggs sneaky for that price. They come up pretty often on ebay, but I would try to find one on this forum. These guys have been dealing for a while, at least most of them have.
 
A Scruggs sneaky for $400 is definitely wishful thinking...I been seeing them go for $600+ for the last few months.

I would really recommend an Espiritu for the price range you are referring. They play similar to a Schon, but they are custom cues and really hold their value well.

A custom sneaky is also a good idea from Bob Frey, who used to make sneakys for Scruggs. They can be had brand new for $400 from http://www.cuesnthings.com/cues/sneakypete/

JMO,
Shorty
 
I would post a separate thread wanting to buy a custom for $400 or under. You will probably get a nice selection to choose from, most of which will be sneaky petes in the 250-400 range, possibly even with 2 shafts.

I would probably opt for that. You would get a cue that hit really well, and would retain most of its value if you select the right maker.

I'd probably try to find a Scruggs sneaky for that price. They come up pretty often on ebay, but I would try to find one on this forum. These guys have been dealing for a while, at least most of them have.
 
Shorty said:
A Scruggs sneaky for $400 is definitely wishful thinking...I been seeing them go for $600+ for the last few months.

I would really recommend an Espiritu for the price range you are referring. They play similar to a Schon, but they are custom cues and really hold their value well.

A custom sneaky is also a good idea from Bob Frey, who used to make sneakys for Scruggs. They can be had brand new for $400 from http://www.cuesnthings.com/cues/sneakypete/

JMO,
Shorty
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For $600, the Scruggs typically have a bit more work (SS joint, TS in the butt cap, and even an ivory joint) while I have seen the simple wood to wood with TS between the points go for little as $350 on fleabay.
Bob Frey is the best bet and the best price being that these are Scrugg cues in the early days.
 
Shorty, if you look on the completed items on ebay right now and search scruggs, the last sneaky pete sold for $305.

There is one on ebay right now in the $425 range. May sell for more, who knows.

I would expect more than a plain sneaky for $600.
 
I guess I was looking more at the ones I was interested in...SS joint, in good condition with a straight shaft and such.

Shorty
 
Thank you all so much for the replies. It seems that most of you do not look favorably at the GB's. I have looked at some customs, but to keep the warden off my back I am trying to keep the spending down. I just don't know if I want a sneaky for that much money. This is actually the first cue I have ever purchased, so the money seems like a lot to me. Hal recommended the Schons which I have heard good things about. Just got to stay away from the LTD series. It could spin out of control real fast and end up going to a dollar amount I am not comfortable with. I would ideally like to keep it under $400, but I might be able to work the birthday angle and get the warden to be ok with a little more.
 
dareads said:
Thank you all so much for the replies. It seems that most of you do not look favorably at the GB's. I have looked at some customs, but to keep the warden off my back I am trying to keep the spending down. I just don't know if I want a sneaky for that much money. This is actually the first cue I have ever purchased, so the money seems like a lot to me. Hal recommended the Schons which I have heard good things about. Just got to stay away from the LTD series. It could spin out of control real fast and end up going to a dollar amount I am not comfortable with. I would ideally like to keep it under $400, but I might be able to work the birthday angle and get the warden to be ok with a little more.
Click to expand...

Not every purchase has to be an investment. Buy what you like and what you want. You have to play with it. If you like a GB series, and that is what you can afford, etc, get the one you like and enjoy it. Best of luck.
 
I just sold a GB8 2 months ago.

I bought it off of a buddy who was hard up for some cash just to help him out, I sold it a week later as I have enough cues laying around and really don't care for the look of the Balabushka's in general.

But it played like a champion.

I was actually very impressed how well the cue played. It was more of a soft to medium hit, not too far off of the way my Schon plays.

Nice cue for the money, but in the $400.00 range, you have a truck load of options.

A boring sneaky pete being one, albiet not the best for everyone. Especially those, like me, that prefer a wrap....

My $.02
 
Jedi V Man said:
I just sold a GB8 2 months ago.

I bought it off of a buddy who was hard up for some cash just to help him out, I sold it a week later as I have enough cues laying around and really don't care for the look of the Balabushka's in general.

But it played like a champion.

I was actually very impressed how well the cue played. It was more of a soft to medium hit, not too far off of the way my Schon plays.

Nice cue for the money, but in the $400.00 range, you have a truck load of options.

A boring sneaky pete being one, albiet not the best for everyone. Especially those, like me, that prefer a wrap....

My $.02
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My final comment on this issue...I have not played with one of these cues, but I have a good friend in the DC area who is a real estate tycoon...no BS...retired at 45, worth 10s of millions. Owned a big name commercial realty construction company. He plays with a GB6 and says it plays extremely nicely. He is a very good level player, not the best, but a low level 7 in APA, so decent. He could own any cue he wants, but this one is the only one he has.....doesn't invest in them, says he only needs 1 to play with. That doesn't prove or say anything, necessarily, except different strokes for different folks........
 
dareads said:
Thank you all so much for the replies. It seems that most of you do not look favorably at the GB's. I have looked at some customs, but to keep the warden off my back I am trying to keep the spending down. I just don't know if I want a sneaky for that much money. This is actually the first cue I have ever purchased, so the money seems like a lot to me. Hal recommended the Schons which I have heard good things about. Just got to stay away from the LTD series. It could spin out of control real fast and end up going to a dollar amount I am not comfortable with. I would ideally like to keep it under $400, but I might be able to work the birthday angle and get the warden to be ok with a little more.
Click to expand...

I have one .. it's being used by one of my friend who is an experienced pro. He loves the hit. He plays with 314 shaft and he likes the hit better with GB series than his Joss cue.

It looks nice for the money (mine was slightly less than $400) .. nice "bushka" looking inlays and sharp points. The forearm is straight grain without too much figuring (that's my only complaint) ... but overall, it's nice cue for the money. To resell to recoup the cost is another story though ... I don't it will retain the value of a true custom cue.
 
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