Szamboti blank? Two cues from a friend of mine that might be looking for a new home. Bottom cue for sure is a Balabushka, but need help with the fancier one. Bumper is missing, and no specs yet. Any help is appreciated.
Chris
Chris
Help wanted - Balabushka or....
- Thread starter pooltableproCP
- Start date
dave sutton
Banned
i know g.b. used small buttsleeves like 2.5 in where gus used 3 in of wood. seems too big for that. points are really long too.
I don't know, the fancy cue's points look the right length to me (for it to be a Szam forearm). I would almost say for certain it is. If it isn't, the points are fantastic and the maker should be congratulated. I don't know what the cue is but I know I like it. In fact, I like them both. The bottom cue looks to have a Burton Spain forearm.
i have a nice home ..PM sent ..
pooltableproCP said:
Chris, both cues look a little suspect to me. Please take the bumper off the Balabushka, I would like to see the inside of the butt. The cue you suspect to be Szam also has some problems for me. Please supply some additional photo's of the forearm and the Butt. I can not place my finger on it but something looks wrong. Lay a ruler next to the points and the butts of both cues.
Thanks craig
dave sutton
Banned
manwon said:
i think we all agree u have 2 very nice cues. something is fishy to me also. the size is the problem. also the inlays look very "clean" i have came across a few bushkas and the mop didnt look like that to me. my cues we not in the best shape. both were very yellow. construction looks wonderful buttsleeve and points seem way too long though
Szamboti? Hard to tell without it in my hands. Points look proper in length, cut & color from here though. Obviously, aside from the missing bumper, the Delrin buttcap on the fancy cue appears to have been 'taken down' considerably! Even beyond the bumper recess that would've been found on his later cues. Can't tell if the buttscrew is alum or steel, but looks awfully bright considering the age and apparent war it's been through. Also, surprised the forearm looks so well preserved compared to the butt.
Agree that bottom cue appears to be a Spain blank (from here). Also agree that those inlays seem very crisp & clean for what is commonly seen. And again, like a friggin' parrot, agree with watching out for Verl's, and Richard B's incredible replicas! (Which would still be a nice addition to a collection)
You might want to fire off a couple of pics to Richard B., Bill S., and even Pete T. for their opinions. Nice cue(s) either way!
Agree that bottom cue appears to be a Spain blank (from here). Also agree that those inlays seem very crisp & clean for what is commonly seen. And again, like a friggin' parrot, agree with watching out for Verl's, and Richard B's incredible replicas! (Which would still be a nice addition to a collection)
You might want to fire off a couple of pics to Richard B., Bill S., and even Pete T. for their opinions. Nice cue(s) either way!
I dont know who made either of these cues but they both sort of look right but yet neither look right.If i were you id let Pete Tascarella and Barry Szamboti take a look at them. That way you would be 100% certain about their authenticity. Either way Bushka,Szam or not they are still nice.
I would have guessed Richard Black for the bottom cue....
I am thinking that there is too much grain in the forearms for them to be Balabushkas...
The inserts on the top two shafts certainly look like Richard Black's work... the bottom two do not... Maybe the shafts got switched (disregarding the one that obviously does not match)....
I am thinking that there is too much grain in the forearms for them to be Balabushkas...
The inserts on the top two shafts certainly look like Richard Black's work... the bottom two do not... Maybe the shafts got switched (disregarding the one that obviously does not match)....
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seeing close ups of the joint pins and under the brown bumper would probably help.....
I really appreciate everyone's input on these cues. I expect to have them in hand by July 6 so I can take my own pics of the weight bolts, as well as some comparative measurements. I agree with everyone that these need to be sent to Barry for a look see. The owner of the cues received these from a gentleman who is now deceased. At that time, there apparently was some assurance that these were both George B. cues. Like I mentioned - these are not my cues, but I want to see the right thing happen for everyone involved. All who posted up to this point get positive rep for taking the time to help me out, with a special thanks to Ken at kchighendcues and Bill at Cornerstone.
Chris
Chris
uhhh, wait a minute. After much time rethinking the issue, I am quite sure that both of the cues are copies of the lowest standard and both should be destroyed immediately so as to prevent future confusion. Chris, you are in luck! It just so happens, I run an 'enviro-safe cue disposal company' that I just started about 5 minutes ago. You should send them both to me for immediate collection, er, I mean, disposal 
Wow
Talk about a list of villans.
The top cue really looks like a Szam but then again the veneerrs and butt cap look more like a Black or Palmer cue.
The second cue looks right except it is to small but George was known to turn his screw ups down and sell them as ladys cues,but the forearm wood is wrong. The inserts are all not what you see on the earlier cues. And the quality of the work you see in the inserts is not there.
Measure the cues from the wrap to the bottom of the joint. Count the threads above the joint. Is any thing like 10 threads there? Are you looking at 12 3/4 inches? Is the joint od .837? Is the screw that holds the bumper in place a slotted screw? Is the weight bolt bevelled and about rusted to pieces?
These are some things that just get missed by copy cats!
I will not say as to Gus's or george's cues which measurements apply but this might keep you buisy for a while.
Also the way the ferrels are done is sometimes a dead give away. Post them also along with measurements mentioned.
Good luck
Nick
Talk about a list of villans.
The top cue really looks like a Szam but then again the veneerrs and butt cap look more like a Black or Palmer cue.
The second cue looks right except it is to small but George was known to turn his screw ups down and sell them as ladys cues,but the forearm wood is wrong. The inserts are all not what you see on the earlier cues. And the quality of the work you see in the inserts is not there.
Measure the cues from the wrap to the bottom of the joint. Count the threads above the joint. Is any thing like 10 threads there? Are you looking at 12 3/4 inches? Is the joint od .837? Is the screw that holds the bumper in place a slotted screw? Is the weight bolt bevelled and about rusted to pieces?
These are some things that just get missed by copy cats!
I will not say as to Gus's or george's cues which measurements apply but this might keep you buisy for a while.
Also the way the ferrels are done is sometimes a dead give away. Post them also along with measurements mentioned.
Good luck
Nick
Dang! Ole Nick here knows a lil' bit bout the Bushka's!!! (in my best Jamaican accent..."respect!")
You are absolutely right! Just take care of the shipping costs ($15,000 us)half fast bankr said:uhhh, wait a minute. After much time rethinking the issue, I am quite sure that both of the cues are copies of the lowest standard and both should be destroyed immediately so as to prevent future confusion. Chris, you are in luck! It just so happens, I run an 'enviro-safe cue disposal company' that I just started about 5 minutes ago. You should send them both to me for immediate collection, er, I mean, disposal
and they are yours to destroy!
dave sutton
Banned
Zeek said:
nice avitar...lol