Balabushka "Player's" cue??!!??

[8-ball Rat]

Morning guys,

The little boss (my 2yr old son) woke me up at 4am today...so I've had a couple hours in relative peace to let my mind wander. I know this is a different kind of question...and I know I could probably NEVER afford it anyway...but is there such a thing as a Balabushka PLAYER's cue? What I mean is, a Balab. cue that is actually used to PLAY the game, as opposed to sitting in a collector's display case? What would such a cue cost?

More to the point...I can understand that Mr. Balabushka is a "founding father" when it comes to modern day cues....but what makes them special in a PLAYER's eyes? Do they all really have that "magic" hit and feel...or is it more likely that they stay further toward the history/collectable side of the scale?

I can't imagine that there aren't (at least) a handful of cuemakers out there that make a cue that hits every bit as good as a Bushka...if not better. The first names that come to mind are Searing, Scruggs, Tascarella, Schick, Szamboti.......and Meucci (hahahaha...couldn't resist....and yes, it's a joke). They're all higher dollar cues, and all have EXCELLENT reputations when it comes to how their cues play.

Please enlighten me.

And, for those that have actually played with a Bushka...what cuemakers out there can really match up with Bushka when it comes to playability?

Thanks much, and looking forward to your opinions/experience.

Be good,

Rat (Mark)

 

[paulybatz]

Ive never played.....

Ive never played with one but everyone Ive talked to about 15 whom have all say the same thing. Yes, they do hit tremendous, and everyone who also owned one in the past 5-6 people Ive spoken to, its all at the list of their top regrets in life. Anyway, the closest you will come today is Pete Tascarella, he was George's protege and uses all George's equipment today.