George Balabushka

Patso44

Patso44

Underdog
Silver Member
I have a question about Balabushkas. I have seen his work in photos and up close but have never hit with one. To be honest, a lot of people have told me they play like shit. No disrespect to George but like to know the truth about his craftsmanship.


Let me know.


Patrick
 
Patso44 said:
I have a question about Balabushkas. I have seen his work in photos and up close but have never hit with one. To be honest, a lot of people have told me they play like shit. No disrespect to George but like to know the truth about his craftsmanship.


Let me know.


Patrick
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They play so bad that between 1962 ish and 1980 ish that they were used to win more championships than any other cue.

Seriously, who makes these statements? Now they may seem out of date when compared with todays cues. But this arguement has been going on for a while.

The question that needs to be asked is would you rather have the 12k in cash, or use a Balabushka. They are now collectibles, like a 71 Hemi Cuda. Playability is always subjective and opinionated anyways.

JV
 
Experience

I owned a Balabushka for quiet a few years 1966 Burton Spain blank....IT PLAYED INCREDIBLE.....PERIOD......END OF COMMENT......Ray Weeks
 
Patso44 said:
I have a question about Balabushkas. I have seen his work in photos and up close but have never hit with one. To be honest, a lot of people have told me they play like shit. No disrespect to George but like to know the truth about his craftsmanship.


Let me know.


Patrick
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Pat,

Here is one that plays like shit. LOL :help:

Rick

My CM friend Todd owns this cue and left it at my shop so I could not resist taking a pic of it this morning.

IMG_5181_zps015fe5e1.jpg

IMG_5182_zps9d32f109.jpg

IMG_5183_zpsf602afd7.jpg
 
Patso44 said:
I have a question about Balabushkas. I have seen his work in photos and up close but have never hit with one. To be honest, a lot of people have told me they play like shit. No disrespect to George but like to know the truth about his craftsmanship.


Let me know.


Patrick
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Maybe they tried the Japanese version.:eek:
 
Anything great is usualy copied, does not make it as good. Nice Pics, the box like ring work is very nice. What make is it? Looks familiar.
 
How cues play is really subjective. But factor in people are probably playing
with shafts that have been sanded and sanded and referruled and sanded again. (can you say not original taper). Also remember the tables and balls that these cues were made to play on. During George's hay day most people played in halls, not bar boxes. A well maintained Bushka will play with anything in the world. George's construction techniques are still sound and relevent today.
 
Awesome

I appreciate the truth. I was just getting clear about this controversy.

Thanks to all.

Rick the photo is classic!


Patso!
 
I tried one of Irving Crane's Balabushka (original) cues at a table. It played very neutral and felt stiff even after all these years. Crane called it his "magic wand" because he said he could not miss with it. For me in these years, it seemed a lot less helpful in putting English on a ball then a modern cue. Back in the day, they called it having a spine - a stiffer hit. It made it more important to stroke the ball well and know what you are doing. That is possibly why some may have considered these gems less then they are. However, it did what you told it to do, right or wrong and that means control at the table.

They did not amplify the hit so you could get to know what to expect each time. My Burton Spain cue is similar in that respect.
 
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Maestro said:
I tried one of Irving Crane's Balabushka (original) cues at a table. It played very neutral and felt stiff even after all these years. Crane called it his "magic wand" because he said he could not miss with it. For me in these years, it seemed a lot less helpful in putting English on a ball then a modern cue. Back in the day, they called it having a spine - a stiffer hit. It made it more important to stroke the ball well and know what you are doing. That is possibly why some may have considered these gems less then they are. However, it did what you told it to do, right or wrong and that means control at the table.

They did not amplify the hit so you could get to know what to expect each time. My Burton Spain cue is similar in that respect.
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Maestro,

Tap on all your comments and I sing from the same choir.

Mosconi from what I understand played with a Rambow but had a Harvey Martin Shaft that had a strong taper.

Rick
 
Maestro said:
I tried one of Irving Crane's Balabushka (original) cues at a table. It played very neutral and felt stiff even after all these years. Crane called it his "magic wand" because he said he could not miss with it. For me in these years, it seemed a lot less helpful in putting English on a ball then a modern cue. Back in the day, they called it having a spine - a stiffer hit. It made it more important to stroke the ball well and know what you are doing. That is possibly why some may have considered these gems less then they are. However, it did what you told it to do, right or wrong and that means control at the table.

They did not amplify the hit so you could get to know what to expect each time. My Burton Spain cue is similar in that respect.
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Straight Pool was king during Bushka's time and his cues were great for that game where accuracy is more important than cue ball action. But we also must remember that many nine ball world championships were won with them. I agree with your statements about them not adding as much English as many of the modern cues. But accuracy is more important than cue ball spin to many players. And many top players have such strong strokes that they do not need any extra help with English, Draw or Follow from their cues. I like a cue with a little more action than my Balabushka gives.
 
I've hit with half a dozen Balabushka's and I own two of them. The ones I've held all felt very special in your hand, and were balanced perfectly. Every one I've played with, played great. Just my experience.
 
skierlawyer said:
I've hit with half a dozen Balabushka's and I own two of them. The ones I've held all felt very special in your hand, and were balanced perfectly. Every one I've played with, played great. Just my experience.
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I have hit balls with both of these cues and given the time frame they were made in and the limited materials and glues that were available during that time period these cues hold up very well to modern cues.
The hit is solid and the balance very neutral.
I could easily play with one of these two cues on a regular basis and not feel that I was missing anything compared to a "modern" cue.
 
Patso44 said:
I have a question about Balabushkas. I have seen his work in photos and up close but have never hit with one. To be honest, a lot of people have told me they play like shit. No disrespect to George but like to know the truth about his craftsmanship.


Let me know.


Patrick
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Do you think they would be one of the most sought after, and collectible cues in the world, if they played like sh!t? Idk who's been telling you lies, but i doubt they'd know a good hitting cue, from a hole in the ground:embarrassed2:
 
Oh come on now guys. You can't keep the secret forever.

Yes, Balabushka was a fraud. The cues play like shit. If you find one at a flea market I will be happy to take it off your hands cheap. You can use the money to pick up a nice Lucasi or something.

I just like shitty cues so if you see me playing with the thing it's just because I have a strange affinity for shitty cues.




.
 
Chopdoc said:
Oh come on now guys. You can't keep the secret forever.

Yes, Balabushka was a fraud. The cues play like shit. If you find one at a flea market I will be happy to take it off your hands cheap. You can use the money to pick up a nice Lucasi or something.

I just like shitty cues so if you see me playing with the thing it's just because I have a strange affinity for shitty cues.




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I have had my shitty Balabushka for over 25 years. I always run into people wanting to buy it off me. It's amazing how many players love a shitty cue.
 
something to consider

seems funny to me, but when today a builder such as myself uses a blank made by someone else we get our asses ragged for not being a BUILDER but a CUE ASSEMBLER. a balabushka is one of the most desirable cues on the planet, but he did not make his own blanks, he was just a cue assembler using spain burton, titlist and zamboti blanks.
 
Chopdoc said:
Oh come on now guys. You can't keep the secret forever.

Yes, Balabushka was a fraud. The cues play like shit. If you find one at a flea market I will be happy to take it off your hands cheap. You can use the money to pick up a nice Lucasi or something.

I just like shitty cues so if you see me playing with the thing it's just because I have a strange affinity for shitty cues.




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I've got one of his rare SIGNED cues that I picked up at a flea market. You can have it for the low low cost of 4 grand. :)
 
PaulieB said:
I've got one of his rare SIGNED cues that I picked up at a flea market. You can have it for the low low cost of 4 grand. :)
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The signed ones are not so rare.See them on E-Bay a lot.
Saw one just last night and there was no mention of Adam cue company-makes you wonder.
 
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