Identification of a genuine Balabuska?

TwinkleToes

TwinkleToes

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Identification of a genuine Balabushka?

How does one go about finding out if he is looking at a genuine Balabushka cue? George didn't sign his cues, did he?
 
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Only entrust it to an expert as far as a true "certified" identification. There are lots of details on the web about it but those very familiar probably don't talk a lot about some of the details lest they get copied. Things like his A joint screw, his buzz ring, the blanks he used, his habit of putting masking tape around the bumper, and more are common knowledge. But honestly one could probably get a PhD on the matter and still not know everything.

There are probably only a couple experts I would go to. I'll let others with more experience say who they are.

What I will say is that we would love pictures. :smile:


Oh, and no, he did not sign his cues. If you found one signed and could prove he signed it, that would be a blockbuster IMHO.




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Pete is your best bet as mentioned already. I would not post the ways I would try to identify them as those things are best kept secret so we don't start seeing more fakes that are harder to dismiss.
 
He did sign his cues, but unfortunately you would have to cut the wrap off to find it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Two examples to view...

Here are two original cues, never refinished and as is from George.....
 

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cueaddict said:
He did sign his cues, but unfortunately you would have to cut the wrap off to find it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



I have heard that. And I have heard the contrary. I can't claim to know anything about it personally.


One thing I have always found odd is the number that I have seen on the web that are in such pristine original condition. These were playing cues. How is it that we see so many in such condition? Just thinking out loud really.

The couple that I saw in person thirty or so years ago back in Pittburgh were being played and they had numerous little dings on them, similar to my old JOSS.


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DogsPlayingPool said:
In the world of sports memorabilia the authenticity of a signature is often questioned. Why would this be any different?
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LOL! :thumbup:

Sports autographs and COAs are one of the biggest scams going!

The vast majority of COAs aren't worth the paper they are printed on as far as I am concerned.

For pool cues either the person who made it, their apprentice, or the greatest expert on their work is the best. In the case of the current topic I think everybody will agree who that is.

There are antique dealers, supposed "experts", that sell cues at auction that regularly misidentify them.




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I don't think everybody would agree on who that might be
there are only 2 persons I would even dream of sending a bushka to
Barry and Dennis Glenn

and its not because I am unfamiliar with the others
 
Threads like this never get old.... :p

JV (---- When I sell my last cue.. everyone gets educated.... ;)
 
measureman said:
He only signed the ones he made in Japan when he worked for the Adam cue company.
It's on the forearm.
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He must have forgotten to sign mine. :)

I have an Adam Japan Hall of Fame cue (Balabushka copy) without any markings at all. A signature on those cues make it look cheap, IMHO.
 
HawaiianEye said:
He must have forgotten to sign mine. :)

I have an Adam Japan Hall of Fame cue (Balabushka copy) without any markings at all. A signature on those cues make it look cheap, IMHO.
Click to expand...


What's funny is that genuine cue maker markings or signatures are generally extremely small.



And big gawdy fake signatures that make cues look "cheap" generally make the price go up! LOL!



Is anybody aware of any cuemaker that as a rule put big prominent signatures on his cues, big like the Adam Balabushka, Mizerak, and Rempe cues for example?



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