Balabushkas

[pk249]

Are there any simple guidelines to tell the difference between Balabushkas produced during the three main eras: Titlist, Burton Spain and Gus Szamboti? I appreciate different blanks were used, however I wonder if some simple rules exist to distinguish between eras.

 

[PRED]

Are there any simple guidelines to tell the difference between Balabushkas produced during the three main eras: Titlist, Burton Spain and Gus Szamboti? I appreciate different blanks were used, however I wonder if some simple rules exist to distinguish between eras.

You must include John Davis blanked Balabushkas. No way to distinguish the other 3 without knowing how to identify the 4th.

 

[mikemosconi]

Are there any simple guidelines to tell the difference between Balabushkas produced during the three main eras: Titlist, Burton Spain and Gus Szamboti? I appreciate different blanks were used, however I wonder if some simple rules exist to distinguish between eras.

So you are asking if George used different cue construction methods based upon who made the forearm blank that he connected to the cue handle? I think that only someone like Pete Tascarella could answer that question accurately. However, why ask that question? Any alleged genuine Balabushka cue needs to be confirmed by only a few people still capable of doing that here in the U.S., regardless of the forearm blank. Unless of course the owner bought the cue from George B himself- there are still a few of those people around too. I would not spend the money on an alleged genuine Bushka unless it was verified by Pete; and I would want any current lettered Bushka reverified to make sure the letter was in fact married to the specific cue for sale and not a counterfeit remake- those have been known to be done too! Any decent cue maker could make a cue "look" like a cue described by Pete in a letter; using multiple cue parts from various sources.

 

[Cornerman]

You must include John Davis blanked Balabushkas. No way to distinguish the other 3 without knowing how to identify the 4th.

I know of no way to distinguish a John Davis blank from a Burton Spain blank in a Balabushka. Neither did John Davis. He made half of the Spain blanks of that era (and all of them when Burton quit the first time).