Cue Components

[Matt_24]

Which "big name" cuemakers out there buy pre-fabricated components. Now...I understand certain things like bumpers, perhaps the joint, etc....but pre-fabbed forearms, etc?

I just heard a quote that there are many "well-known" cuemakers who do that and I'm curious who?

Bill Schick? No.

Black Boar? I actually heard that the early cues which are so popular were forearms which he purchased. I'm not 100% on this. His new stuff is obviously all his own.

Ginacue? No.

Richard Black? Not sure these days, but I know early on he did from guys like Gus Szamboti and others.

George Balabushka? Spain blanks, Titlist conversions, Szamboti blanks...any others?

Joss West? Not that I know of.

Frank Paradise? Didn't he use Eugene Balner blanks or did he make his own?

Southwest? No.

Rick Howard? I was in Rick's shop many years ago and saw various cue parts organized into their particular area of the shop. I saw forarms as well...and I honestly don't know if he made the forearms or not...I didn't even care about it enough to ask 7 years ago when I was there.

Tim Scruggs? He and Mike do all the work, and from what I remember there is another guy who does some of his machining periodically.

Dennis Searing? All his own..

TAD? All his own..

SHOWMAN? All his own...

Hercek? All his own....

Bludworth? All his own...

Tascarella? I'm not sure. Does he make his own?

Mottey and White? Pretty sure they do their own.

I know this isn't an all inclusive list of cuemakers...and I could be wrong in some of my answers so please correct me and add on to my list. I always enjoy learning more.

I guess the point of this thread is to see who uses big pre-fabbed parts, and perhaps the cue collectors can express their opinions on this practice? Personally....Bushka made some beautiful cues and I guess he never made his own blank?

So, share some info, thoughts, and opinions. I have a feeling this thread could get interesting.

 

[ScottR]

Which "big name" cuemakers out there buy pre-fabricated components. Now...I understand certain things like bumpers, perhaps the joint, etc....but pre-fabbed forearms, etc?

<snip>

Bushka made some beautiful cues and I guess he never made his own blank?

So, share some info, thoughts, and opinions. I have a feeling this thread could get interesting.

Just to address two people you mention . . .

I'm pretty sure Pete Tascarella makes his own blanks using equipment that he bought from Mr. Balabushka's estate; leading me to believe that George made some of his own.

 

[Matt_24]

You may be right, but from what I've ever heard......Gus did not make his own blanks. Tons of beautiful titlist forearms, Burton Spain, Szamboti, I think "maybe" Balner.....but I'm curious to hear from one of our more knowledgeable Bushka experts. Jimbo, Classiccues, Tate.....thoughts?

 

[Cornerman]

Just to address two people you mention . . .

I'm pretty sure Pete Tascarella makes his own blanks using equipment that he bought from Mr. Balabushka's estate; leading me to believe that George made some of his own.

Nope. Pete Tascarella was very clear to me saying that there was no indication that George ever even tried to make a spliced blank. Not in his equipment. Not in his notes.

Pete makes his own blanks today.

Fred

 

[Cornerman]

You may be right, but from what I've ever heard......Gus did not make his own blanks. Tons of beautiful titlist forearms, Burton Spain, Szamboti, I think "maybe" Balner.....but I'm curious to hear from one of our more knowledgeable Bushka experts. Jimbo, Classiccues, Tate.....thoughts?

For shame!!! LOL!! I'm sure you meant "George," not "Gus."

Fred

 

[Matt_24]

For shame!!! LOL!! I'm sure you meant "George," not "Gus."

Fred

Oh sh*t! What a mistake!

I must now bow my head in silent reverance to the memory of Gus Szamboti.....but in my defense, I would suspect that if I HAD to mistake Gus's name.......he would prefer I call him George (after George B). LOL

 

[ScottR]

Nope. Pete Tascarella was very clear to me saying that there was no indication that George ever even tried to make a spliced blank. Not in his equipment. Not in his notes.

Pete makes his own blanks today.

Fred

Just goes to show that inferring is a slippery slope. Thanks for straightening me out, Fred.

 

[Matt_24]

Oh...I guess you couldn't just take MY word for it, HUH???????? When I tell you something about Gus Balabushka and George Szamboti...you need to listen! (Obviously, just kidding)

 

[JoeyInCali]

Last I heard, over 30 cuemakers use Prather short-splices.
Hundreds use full-splice blanks.

 

[Matt_24]

Joey, He was asking about "big name cuemakers". I seriously doubt there are over 30 "big name" using Prathers blanks.
"Hundreds use full-splice blanks."? Big name makers?

I don't see a maker on Matts list that I think would even consider using a pre-made blank or forearm.

Newer cuemakers, yes! Happens all too often, but I've always wondered why they won't admit it.

Oh, forgot...they couldn't truthfully call themselves a "Cuemaker" could they!

The only reason I would respectfully disagree is because BUSHKA didn't make his own forearms and he is of course..who he is.

I would think that part of the "thrill" of being a custom cuemaker is to make your own parts, inlays, etc. Creatively, I would think one would find it limiting to only have a selection of Prather parts......but if great ones such as Szamboti and Spain were around to supply you, I can understand being very satisfied with the selection they offered. I find the subject pretty interesting. Thanks for all of the inputs.

 

[Ken_4fun]

More than that.............

Last I heard, over 30 cuemakers use Prather short-splices.
Hundreds use full-splice blanks.

If the truth was known, I would say ALOT more. I find it kinda funny as most people look down on prather cues, and say how great some cuemaker is and I know that they are using prather parts.

I dont even try to explain,

Ken

 

[bogey54311]

some of the makers you have on your list as making their own, are wrong.

i'm not sure if i want to smoke these guys out on a public forum though.


chris G

 

[Chris Byrne]

I have built several cues on customers prather blanks and havent had any problems with them. I still make my own point blanks but would be willing to use prather forearms if a customer had one they wanted used. I see it being about the same as converting a titlist to a custom cue. I know a titlist is converting an old cue into a modern one but it is still a cuemaker using someone elses forearm and possibly butt section to make a cue.
I only see a problem if the cuemaker takes credit for making the blank and really didden't.

 

[pooldogue]

some of the makers you have on your list as making their own, are wrong.

i'm not sure if i want to smoke these guys out on a public forum though.


chris G

Geez , Bogey i cant understand why you wouldnt want to do that !!!!!!!!

 

[pooldogue]

On another note i know a cuemaker that frequents this forum that i know personally who makes ALL his own splices..............

 

[skins]

......but if great ones such as Szamboti and Spain were around to supply you, I can understand being very satisfied with the selection they offered.

Szamboti for sure but Spain?? i always thought Spain blanks were second rate compared to Gus's among others of the time and even allot of today's full splice and half splice makers. Burton was a strange but intelligent guy. i just don't think his attention to the aesthetics of the splice were attended to like many others then and now.

 

[zeeder]

Szamboti for sure but Spain?? i always thought Spain blanks were second rate compared to Gus's among others of the time and even allot of today's full splice and half splice makers. Burton was a strange but intelligent guy. i just don't think his attention to the aesthetics of the splice were attended to like many others then and now.

If Spain's blanks were no good how come Joel Hercek's cues are so highly regarded? After all he is Spain's protégé is he not?

 

[skins]

If Spain's blanks were no good how come Joel Hercek's cues are so highly regarded? After all he is Spain's protégé is he not?

yes, joel's blanks are some of the best in the world but i'm not talking about him i'm talking about burton? he had a great construction concept that joel uses today but it was burton's aesthetic execution that was laking. joel doesn't have that issue. his attention to the details are what makes his blanks great. allot of blank makers today know that if their blank looks bad they are not going to be able to command a decent price. i think because of the influx of new makers and also new tools and machinery it almost makes it paramount that your blank better be good or you won't sell.

 

[zeeder]

yes, joel's blanks are some of the best in the world but i'm not talking about him i'm talking about burton? he had a great construction concept that joel uses today but it was burton's aesthetic execution that was laking. joel doesn't have that issue. his attention to the details are what makes his blanks great. allot of blank makers today know that if their blank looks bad they are not going to be able to command a decent price. i think because of the influx of new makers and also new tools and machinery it almost makes it paramount that your blank better be good or you won't sell.

I see. As someone new to cues I've only seen a couple pictures of Spains but I've read Joel's website so I just assumed that Burton's cues were the nuts back in the day as well.

 

[skins]

I just assumed that Burton's cues were the nuts back in the day as well.

maybe for playability but aesthetics, no. skips are the nut's today!! but then again i think you already have a clue to that one.