Balabushka Tribute crafted from WW II Ebony Hoppe

jkmarshall_cues

jkmarshall_cues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
OK who built this one??

This is one SWEET looking cue up close. Figure 98 from page 329 of the Billiard Encyclopedia shows this (nearly ) exact cue built by George Balabushka himself.

The other pics speak for themselves. The ebony is very rich with figure while the veneers are the subtle dull shades of WW II era from the early Hoppe cues (I believe we used to import the dyes from Germany, but we had an embargo due to the War) . The pigskin leather wrap is nearly seamless. When you tighten down the shafts the last turn is snug and makes for fantastic feedback.

This cue has been saved and reborn to play again rather than sitting in a collector's case hidden from our sights.

The craftsmanship is AWESOME.

Thank you,
John




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It's a shame that "exact" doesn't mean what it used to. The cue in the Billiard Encyclopedia has the hi/lo alternating diamonds. This cue has the standard 4 diamond in a row patters with dots. Other than that, its a great looking cue. :D Looks like another -R- cue. I will say this though.. How come people split the titlist and add the rings, removing whatever magic might be in a full splice butt?

But it is very nice and has the classic feel... good luck, its a beaut...

JV (---really tired of seeing titlists made into shorty's just for the rings...
 
It didn't take long to guess it's Jerry Rauenzahn's work. Good job!!

You're right, my wording should have been "similar" or something like that, sorry, my bad.

I totally agree with you about the A joint and inserting ringwork, which really breaks up the full splice, but this cue was splitting BADLY, straight up the butt sleeve; and the thickness under the wrap where it meets the forearm was down to 0.930", which doesn't leave much room for a conversion, if any at all. To be honest, I didn't think Jerry could do what he did with this cue. It's a tribute to the craftsmanship he is capable of doing. It is old school, and I do appreciate Jerry's work.

Thanks for your comments.
John
 
jkmarshall_cues said:
It didn't take long to guess it's Jerry Rauenzahn's work. Good job!!

You're right, my wording should have been "similar" or something like that, sorry, my bad.

I totally agree with you about the A joint and inserting ringwork, which really breaks up the full splice, but this cue was splitting BADLY, straight up the butt sleeve; and the thickness under the wrap where it meets the forearm was down to 0.930", which doesn't leave much room for a conversion, if any at all. To be honest, I didn't think Jerry could do what he did with this cue. It's a tribute to the craftsmanship he is capable of doing. It is old school, and I do appreciate Jerry's work.

Thanks for your comments.
John
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John,
When they split that bad, I am sure Jerry did everything he could and got everything out of the cue he could. It's a great looking cue none the less.

Joe
 
What a great way to add new life to a diamond in the rough that was splitting so badly. A side benefit to adding a new handle is that it allows the points to extend farther up the forearm for a more contemporary look. JKM, did they core the ebony in the butts of those ebony Titlists, or are they solid? Have to be pretty heavy if they were solid. Very nice job on your part to make the cue, and on Jerry's for the work.
 
Can you tell me please

Mr John?
What are the 1st three veneer colors in your blank, outside in? Were they purple,aqua,purple?
I saw a pic a while back and I had to wounder.
Thanks
Nick :)
 
I wonder many years from now will these cue surface in the market and cause confusion.

I suppose to a collector he would be able to distinguish a real Balabuska from a tribute cue.

I think it will be a love hate relationship. People who will not pay for the real thing can console themselves with nice tribute while collectors who own them but keeps seeing a copy of their collection popping out all over the place will be hopping mad!
 
This ebony titlist was solid, however it was drilled through the center (actually it was off center and caused the cue to roll to the heavy side down and it weighed 22 oz) which was too heavy for me.


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This cue is slightly different than a real Balabushka and because it was retrofitted from a WW II early ebony Hoppe it wouldn't fool a true collector. It is nice, but you can tell it is made before George B ever started building cues. For me it was a great way to preserve an ebony titlist that could have been (or should have been) retired from play. I do have to say it does hit very solid and is a one of a kind cue thanks to the beautiful work Jerry -R-. Anyone that wants to restore a piece of history at a fair price should give Mr. Rauenzahn a try. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you,
John
 
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jkmarshall_cues said:
This cue is slightly different than a real Balabushka and because it was retrofitted from a WW II early ebony Hoppe it wouldn't fool a true collector. It is nice, but you can tell it is made before George B ever started building cues. For me it was a great way to preserve an ebony titlist that could have been (or should have been) retired from play. I do have to say it does hit very solid and is a one of a kind cue thanks to the beautiful work Jerry -R-. Anyone that wants to restore a piece of history at a fair price should give Mr. Rauenzahn a try. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you,
John
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John,
GB used any titlist he thought would make a good cue. Even old ebony titlists.

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Joe
 
O.K.Guy's

Give me the veneer colors in your cues. They are the same I see!
Nice!
Purple-Aqua-Purple-Maple?
It does look a little Bushky. I like resemblance to the old cues.
Thanks!
Nick :)
 
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nick serdula said:
Give me the veneer colors in your cues. They are the same I see!
Nice!
Purple-Aqua-Purple-Maple?
Thanks!
Nick :)
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Purple/Teal/brown and natural. But depending on the age of the cue, the colors could be watered down.

JV
 
Nick,

Sorry, I didn't mean to overlook your request. On my blank outside in is:
purple/ teal/ mahogany/ maple. I bought some mahogany veneers a while back and it's very close.

John
 
jerry does a great job with these restorations. i knew about this cue before so it would have been very unfair for me to guess.

also i think it was jerry that told me before they used water based dies and not they use acohol based dies that take a little better
 
This is killing me

That cue was more than likely put together by some guy named Rambo!
I know you probably have a few John but did that slip your mind. I know you lucked out and hit a buy it now as another Azer was telling the seller how to set a buy it now on the bay! Nice things I see do happen.
I just have to ask did that thought cross your mind? You know the Rambo thing!
Your buddy,
Nick :0 :)
 
jkmarshall_cues said:
OK who built this one??

This is one SWEET looking cue up close. Figure 98 from page 329 of the Billiard Encyclopedia shows this (nearly ) exact cue built by George Balabushka himself.

The other pics speak for themselves. The ebony is very rich with figure while the veneers are the subtle dull shades of WW II era from the early Hoppe cues (I believe we used to import the dyes from Germany, but we had an embargo due to the War) . The pigskin leather wrap is nearly seamless. When you tighten down the shafts the last turn is snug and makes for fantastic feedback.

This cue has been saved and reborn to play again rather than sitting in a collector's case hidden from our sights.

The craftsmanship is AWESOME.

Thank you,
John
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AWESOME CUE...... I REALLY LOVE HOW HE GOT THE POINTS TO GET UP NEAR THE JOINT COLLAR.
 
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