Lassiters Balabushka
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Do you know any of the description of the cue, he owned a number of cues over the years? I remember seeing him playing with a cue that had a gold piece inlaid in the butt. I asked to see it because I was a cue nut even as a kid and he handed me the cue and said, "Keep an eye in it I have to go to the bathroom". The thing I remember most was I laid it down on the table and it made a half turn. When I looked down the cue it was as crooked as hell. Didn't seem to bother him a bit though.
This was at Weenie Beanies place in Virginia. He had another that was a four point Bushka with a bunch of MOP dots inlaid in the butt sleeve, actually a common Bushka at the time, if there ever was such a thing. I saw him with that cue often, I am sure there are pictures of him using that cue around.
I owned a cue of his at one time that had a nine ball rack inlaid in the butt that was made for him by Bob Meucci. Do you know who did the auction in 2008?
If it is a Bushka I probably have pics of it. If it has been on the net, or I have come across in person. This was from ebay. Plain 4 pointer.
BTW, the only one I can think of that I have not seen, that was owned by the older top players is probably the heavily inlayed Balabushka that was owned by Irving Crane. I have seen it in poor videos, but not some good photos. That would be a real treat to see, as he is my all time favorite player...
If it is a Bushka I probably have pics of it. If it has been on the net, or I have come across in person. This was from ebay. Plain 4 pointer.
That cue in the picture does not look like a Balabushka with the segmented collars. Has a Szamboti or Joss look. Also did you ever see the Lassiter cue with the Gold piece inlaid in the butt? I remember he had a cue stolen at one time.
The segmented collars you see is lighting of the photo and actually nickel rings. When I blow it up on my pc, it is what it looks like to me. And no, never seen him with one with a Gold piece inlaid in the butt. Not to say he did not have one. I just don't know.
Did that fancy Meucci you saw have a rack of 9-balls inlaid in the butt sleeve all in correct colors numbers and all?
Lassiter balabushka
Years ago I owned a balabuskha that was owned by Lassiter.
I sold it in late 1990's.
I still ave a picture of it and when I bought and sold it.
If I remember correctly, it was not a real fancy stick but the shaft had a red line drawn on the ferrule. It was a small diameter - maybe 12 mm.
On the cue with the inlaid coin. Several years ago there was something posted about it being stolen. And I do not believe that it has ever been seen since.
This occurred many years ago.
Mark griffin
Years ago I owned a balabuskha that was owned by Lassiter.
I sold it in late 1990's.
I still ave a picture of it and when I bought and sold it.
If I remember correctly, it was not a real fancy stick but the shaft had a red line drawn on the ferrule. It was a small diameter - maybe 12 mm.
On the cue with the inlaid coin. Several years ago there was something posted about it being stolen. And I do not believe that it has ever been seen since.
This occurred many years ago.
Mark griffin
I was at the US Open in the early 70's in Chicago and Lassiter had a cue with the ferrule painted with red nail polish. He said it helped him see better. You may have a better version of what he was experimenting with back then. He was always thinking, he actually invented the Tip Tapper that Butera later sold.
You saw Lassiter taking it in and out of his pocket and doing something to his tip with it. Of course being the pest I was sometimes I wanted to see it. He showed it to me and it was a piece of a file he had broken off and ground down the edges smooth so it didn't cut his pants pocket. I didn't find it to be much of a coincidence to see Lou Butera come out with an improved copy of it very shortly after that was called "The Tip Tapper".
I haven't seen it mentioned but Lassiter played with a Martin cue quite often.
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I've seen Luther play with a Balabushka and he used his Martin often. He also had a Martin case that he sold to Billy Stroud at Johnston City around '71 or '72. ( There were a few who thought Billy had over paid, but, in reality, he got it at a great price.)There are lots of pictures of him with the Bushka and the Martin. In fact I believe it is the Martin he is using in the photos of him in his paper back book "Pool for Everyone", or something like that, (?).
My best friend
Has Lassiters Adams cue - it may have been a presentation piece dont know. He bought it from the Lassiter family and has Luther's name in the butt piece.
Has Lassiters Adams cue - it may have been a presentation piece dont know. He bought it from the Lassiter family and has Luther's name in the butt piece.
If you watch this youtube clip you can see the cue pretty clearly and it does look like an Adams at 6:08 minutes in. You have to stop the video at the right second. Take a look and see if that looks like the same cue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNVrYTIiAQE&feature=relmfu
Another thought, Lassiter won that legends tournament in 1983 with that cue. If you can dig up an old Billiard Digest or Pool and billiard Mag with the story of the tournament or if someone on here has it, it may have a picture of him posing with the cue since he won. If it is the same Adams cue it would enhance your friends cues value to say "This is the cue he won that championship with". He has the same cue in both tournaments 1983 & 84 so it was his playing cue at that time.
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delete double post
Adam Cue
I'll take some pics of it this weekend. Its a 4 pointer with MOP inlays. It has a silver band that says "Luther Lasiter". I tried to ID the cue in the video but its tough. I know the cue has a white with green fleck wrap - but who knows if it had been replaced. Its a really classic Adams. He also has Joe Balsis's cue as well.
I'll take some pics of it this weekend. Its a 4 pointer with MOP inlays. It has a silver band that says "Luther Lasiter". I tried to ID the cue in the video but its tough. I know the cue has a white with green fleck wrap - but who knows if it had been replaced. Its a really classic Adams. He also has Joe Balsis's cue as well.
I just looked at it and blew it up. There looks to be a silver ring at the top of the butt cap and below the butt sleeve with and MOP inlays. It looks out of proportion to the cue design and may be something added. Post those pictures for sure.
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Are you speaking of the one Denny Glenn has in this thread? Which brings up a question. How many did Lassiter own...
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=155077&highlight=lassiter+bushka