Huge Big Authentic 1960s GEORGE BALABUSHKA Pool Cue w/ SPAIN Full SPLICE FOR SALE

half fast bankr said:
VERY NICE CLASSIC!!! Kev, I hope this cue has some crazy arse story behind it with you playing the role of Indiana Jones trying to rescue this cue from doom, lol!!!!

Concerning those notched diamonds:
I'm guessing that they are not directly inlaid into the sleeve because George hadn't yet perfected notched inlaying yet...? It would almost seem as if ole George had the diamonds laying around from his accordion making days and decided to try them in his new-found hobby, as this is no doubt one his earlier and fancier cues.

Also, what is the material they are set in? Looks like JB weld or something.

And, are you guys saying the overall square shape of the diamond itself is the rarity (as opposed to enlongated), or that it's inlaid into the circle inlay?

Lastly, Pete's LOA makes no mention of the 'inlays within inlays', nor does his illustration, for whatever that's worth.

Best of luck with the sale, and man there's gonna be a happy collector on Sunday!!!
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Yep those are way way pre-CNC inlays aren't they?

George hollowed out little round channels to house the square notched diamonds in, placed a goop he had made from the sawdust and some glue or epoxy or whatever George used (I'll bet plenty of folks here know) and set the inlays in the goop and let it set. Perfectly I might add.

When George handed you the cue back mid 60s, the way the inlays were set would not have been as apparent as it is now. 40+ years has aged the goop and the surrounding wood differently. If the cue was refinsihed it could go back to matching better as it did back in the day. I've seen old Palmers (they used the same process on some of their complex "flower" inlays) that have been refinished and you have to look pretty closely to see the method, and I'm sure that's the way this cue looked when it was new.

But seeing George Balabushka's methods and fingerprints is what collecting and appreciating his really groundbreaking mastery and contributions to the cue-making art is all about, and leaving this cue untouched is really the best way to afford this experience. Being able to see George's handiwork this way is just priceless in my book.

I'm so glad my consignor resisted all that pressure to refinish this cue, because this is what you want. This is what historical collecting is all about, and a cue can always be refinished, but it only can be original once.

Thanks

Kevin
 
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Very nice offering. Looks exactly like what your saying about the diamond inlays is true. He did not have the capability to inlay the diamonds perfectly at the time this cue was made.
Still would love to have this in my collection.
 
alstl said:
It may seem like an odd question but I'm curious what the balance point is.
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You know, its a question.

It might vary from shaft to shaft, but with the almost unused Balabushka made shaft (with a ferrule that would be considered more standard by today's looks - the longer whiter one - the shaft I would use if I was going to play with this stick) the balance point is 17 1/2 inches from the butt, about midway between the two prong inlays.

I don't want to wax poetic about the feel of this stick, as I think threads about subjective subjects like feel and hit seem a little silly when you are selling an item. But just holding this cue in your hand, on that old perfect Cortland wrap, you can feel the quality that made George George.

Thanks

Kevin
 
bobroberts said:
Very nice offering. Looks exactly like what your saying about the diamond inlays is true. He did not have the capability to inlay the diamonds perfectly at the time this cue was made.
Still would love to have this in my collection.
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Bob

Lets see:

Showman - got
Gus - got
Gina - got
Barry - got
Searing - got

what is it you might be missing?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Thanks and while we are on the subject of gratitude, Happy Thanksgiving

Kevin Brewer
818 317 0207
 
avmaster said:
I need a stakehorse so I can buy it...........:grin:
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I know I know.

The cue grows on you doesn't it?

The auction is at $5,225 with a little more than 2 days to go.

Anybody wanna hazard their over/under figure at this point?

Thanks

Kevin
 
$5,750 with one day to go.

I've got to figure that at the current bid price, there is plenty of value left in this aution.

We will see how it plays out for this very original classic Balabushka cue.

Thanks everyone

Here we go

Kevin Brewer
818 317 0207
 
Wow, I'm late to the party, didn't see this thread until tonight. Kevin, I can't believe you are selling your lifetime player!!:eek: :grin-square:

I've seen this cue in person and it is the business for sure. Best of luck with the auction and let me be the first to congratulate the buyer, in advance!!!
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Wow, I'm late to the party, didn't see this thread until tonight. Kevin, I can't believe you are selling your lifetime player!!:eek: :grin-square:

I've seen this cue in person and it is the business for sure. Best of luck with the auction and let me be the first to congratulate the buyer, in advance!!!
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Mitchell

Nah, you didn't see this cue. The Balabushka I had that night at Russ's is long gone, hitting balls with its new owner. This one is way better than that one.

My (current) lifetime player is a Gina and I will never sell that cue (OBO). I will keep it forever (OBO).

Thanks

Kevin
 
1 hour warning

The Balabushka auction ends in about an hour and it is bid to $6400.

All done?

All Bids in?

Thanks and good luck to all,

Kevin
 
kvinbrwr said:
The Balabushka auction ends in about an hour and it is bid to $6400.

All done?

All Bids in?

Thanks and good luck to all,

Kevin
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Keeping an eye on it. It's not every day an uncirculated fancy original Bushka like this comes up for sale.

Chris
 
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hangemhigh said:
I love the last minute or so of these kind of auctions. Would love to see MTPOCKETS4U show up.
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Tommy

Its a gut check for sure. The bushka I sold last week jumped hard in the last 30 seconds. So we will see. I've got a couple of favorites I'm hoping to see jump in to the fray but everybody plays it close to the vest so,

we will see.

Kevin
 
These SOB scammers never cease to amaze me. They have at least a dozen car ad's show up daily on my small town local craigslist so I know they've got a million around the country. If they got a real job and put half as much effort into that job, they'd be more wealthy than they would by all these lame scam efforts.
 
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