Modified original Balabushka GB1 - Value ?

LeonD123

LeonD123

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,

A friend of mine is looking to sell his Balabushka GB1 and he would like to know its value.

Certificate: no
Modifications: yes - see pictures

And the signature/brand had been removed when restored.


2.jpg

1.jpg

4.jpg
 
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Maybe $250
As a modified production cue I wouldn't pay that much be he might get it
Probably better off keeping it to play with
 
cuesblues said:
Maybe $250
As a modified production cue I wouldn't pay that much be he might get it
Probably better off keeping it to play with
Click to expand...

Thank you.

He doesn't want less than 800$.

Seems like this might end like a Pawn Stars episode, a big disappointment for the seller. :grin:
 
The replacement buttcap looks a little crude to me, there may even be a small crack in it. can't tell for sure from the pics.

either way, I would agree with cuesblues that your buddy will prob be better off keeping it to play.

I don't think he gets anywhere near the $800 he wants unless he catches someone snoozing.

imo.

best,
brian kc
 
LeonD123 said:
Thank you.

He doesn't want less than 800$.

Seems like this might end like a Pawn Stars episode, a big disappointment for the seller. :grin:
Click to expand...

Or the buyer who paid $800.
Someone could pick up a really nice new one for that, and quie a bit less if you get one through your favorite bar or poolroom with a Cuestix International catalog.
Typically they will pass them through close to cost if you are a regular.

I just looked at the Cuestix price book and my $250 estimate is too high for that cue in that condition.
Full retail isn't cheap though.
The discount looks to be about 40%
 
LeonD123 said:
His cue being the first model from 30+ years old doesn't add any value ?
Click to expand...

No. It is a beat up production cue that he modified for the worst. He (and you) know this was not made by George Balabushka right? It is a just an Adams cue that acquired his name after his death and started making cues with his name. It wasn't "signed" by anyone. It was just George's name printed/lasered/whatevered on the finish.

Also, my first playing cue was a GB-1 Bought it about 18 years ago. When I bought it the butt cap was not ivory. To my knowledge ivory was never used in the production models.. It was a plastic type material. I still have the cue hanging up on my wall. Not because it is worth anything of monetary value, because it really isn't, but is the first cue that I can actually say I became a pool player with. It has sentimental value.

In regards to the cue you are trying to sell. The butt cap doesn't look appealing at all and has a crack in it. The pearl diamonds are misshapen. There are multiple dents on the butt of the cue so I'm sure there are more on the forearm. The shaft appears to have a crack under the ferrule as well.

The production line of Balabushkas were decent playing cues, but really had no value at all. I'd be shocked if anyone with any knowledge of pool cues would buy this for more then $200.
 
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There was no ivory butt cap. The shaft may be worth more than the butt at this point.

It is poorly repaired and poorly modified.

I would say 125....maybe 150 on a good day. If the shaft is in really good shape.

I have seen lots of guys that think an Adam GB was worth something unrealistic They were and are mass produced. If you want an old one they are regularly avaiable.

800? He is delusional.

He really thinks people will believe it had an ivory butt cap? Nobody that knows cues will.

.
 
FWIW
A few years ago a guy posted a $50 Viking, I said $100 to be nice.
Others said $30
The guy got really mad..."that's funny the guys at the pool hall told me it was worth $2000"

So $800 is understandable
 
The diamonds don’t look to bad, the buttcap is a little turn off but fixable. That price is not realistic but if you’d change the buttcap to delrin or closely match the buttsleeve wood and add a Hoppe ring it would be a pretty cool looking cue. The signature removal is a plus imo.
 
LeonD123 said:
His cue being the first model from 30+ years old doesn't add any value ?
Click to expand...

Not for that cue. If it was a actual Balabushka then yes, a production cue that is licensed use of a name no. And since that one is beat up, I personally wouldn't pay over $100 for it with the crap inlays and bad repair of the butt.
 
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I think hes dreaming.......it a reg cue at this point,nothing special. Not everybody plays with a steel joint,pin size for 2nd shaft or the thickness off the butt.......doesn't matter who could have made. Could be a buska..its got the look
 
Thank you all for taking the time to answer.

I’ll tell him the bad news ;-)

Ps: What does a real Balabushka look like ?
 
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LeonD123 said:
Hi,

A friend of mine is looking to sell his Balabushka GB1 and he would like to know its value.

Certificate: no
Modifications: yes - see pictures

And the signature/brand had been removed when restored.


View attachment 486675

View attachment 486676

View attachment 486677
Click to expand...

My opinion is that the only value that cue has in how it plays. If it has a nice clean hit and a good feel to it, then someone might pay as much as $200 (even $250) for it. Otherwise $100 is probably top dollar for a starter cue, a ball banger special!
 
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