My Balabushka
- Thread starter Paul Schofield
- Start date
Paul what cue do you play with now
Just found this post!!!!!! That's what I get for not frequenting the "Gallery" section enough.
What a stunning cue. Awesome history, original owner with 6 shafts and the original box!!!
What more could you ask for......
Congrats for enjoying it all these years Paul :thumbup:
What a stunning cue. Awesome history, original owner with 6 shafts and the original box!!!
What more could you ask for......
Congrats for enjoying it all these years Paul :thumbup:
My playing cue
I have just begun playing again this past year. You can see the cue I play with by doing a search for "Sneaky Paul" Szamboti in the Cue Gallery. I posted a picture of the cue on January 1. Gus Made a sneaky Pete for me in the mid 70s.
maxeypad2007 said:
I have just begun playing again this past year. You can see the cue I play with by doing a search for "Sneaky Paul" Szamboti in the Cue Gallery. I posted a picture of the cue on January 1. Gus Made a sneaky Pete for me in the mid 70s.
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What would it bring?
I have been contacted by many collectors inquiring if the Schofield Balabushka is for sale. It is not for sale but it has not stopped me from wondering what this cue would bring. I have not asked for any offers.
I am isolated and have been disconnected from the pool world for decades. What would this cue (box,case, shafts) bring in a room present with cue collecting's most serious buyers?
I have been contacted by many collectors inquiring if the Schofield Balabushka is for sale. It is not for sale but it has not stopped me from wondering what this cue would bring. I have not asked for any offers.
I am isolated and have been disconnected from the pool world for decades. What would this cue (box,case, shafts) bring in a room present with cue collecting's most serious buyers?
Any chance of better pics?
Its very hard to say, I would guess the sky is the limit if someone "had to have it". Its about as good as it gets as far as a Bushka, but I have a hard time with 125k unless it could be proven it was his last cue.
Last I heard his widow still had his records and order books.........now those are priceless and would reveal a lot as to this cue's place in history
In short, its just too neat to sell
Last cue?
I am quite sure that My Balabushka is NOT the last cue. By the date on the box, it most certainly is some of George's last work. The cue is flawless..just down-right perfect.
I am quite sure that My Balabushka is NOT the last cue. By the date on the box, it most certainly is some of George's last work. The cue is flawless..just down-right perfect.
I read somewhere, a while back, that this would actually be a Mr. Tanner of Dallas, Texas. Whom, so the description goes, Mrs Balabushka sent him a letter describing it as the last cue George shipped, and died not long after returning home from the post office.
Though the internet has been known to be wrong
But ANY of them is awesome :thumbup: They are magic to hit with. The ones I have shot with anyways. I am sure refinishing, un-original shafts etc... might blow it for some though...
Finish
I was recently asked about and educated about Balabushka's finishes. When I got the cue it appeared that the finish had a yellow cast to it. It probably was a shellac which is an old time and inferior finish (done with dried excretion from the lac bug liquified with alcohol). I played with the cue for a year or so and managed to nick and scratch the finish. I decided to have the cue refinished by Gus Szamboti and put the cue away. The cue came back with a clear finish of lacquer and it never looked better. It probably saved the cue. I have recently been told that this was a real stroke of luck. Many of George's cues warped over the years because of the finish he used. This cue is as straight as an arrow and hits as solid as a cue can hit.
I was recently asked about and educated about Balabushka's finishes. When I got the cue it appeared that the finish had a yellow cast to it. It probably was a shellac which is an old time and inferior finish (done with dried excretion from the lac bug liquified with alcohol). I played with the cue for a year or so and managed to nick and scratch the finish. I decided to have the cue refinished by Gus Szamboti and put the cue away. The cue came back with a clear finish of lacquer and it never looked better. It probably saved the cue. I have recently been told that this was a real stroke of luck. Many of George's cues warped over the years because of the finish he used. This cue is as straight as an arrow and hits as solid as a cue can hit.
Cliffy, She passed away a couple weeks ago. Wonder where the records will wind up now.
eaglemanmike
WTB--A New Stroke !
Awesome.....
What an awesome piece of History.......... Wish I could say I was the proud owner.....
What an awesome piece of History.......... Wish I could say I was the proud owner.....
Mr. Schofield,
again congrats on your cue, i'm very interested in it should you ever want to sell it, I can wait 20 years its ok. No rush. and thank you for the info on finishes,
eric
kiss up!
i want that "sneaky paul" gus he plays with!
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=125779
this is a very nice cue,one of the best,but it is not the last cue George ever made,that cue was sold to Jack Potter living in Oak Cliff Texas at the time. It had oval racetrack in mother of pearl. Mrs Balabushka asked someone to get it back ,but it was too late, I eventually obtained the cue and it is now residing in the Glenn collection.
Jack Potter gave Dennis a lond letter ,confirming this and was not paid a cent to do so ,he was glad to help and I am certain it was the last one shipped by George, I had a hoppe style that was due in 1 month from this time and it was going to cost me $135,with no inlays but with a Hoppe ring if that gives you any idea what they cost new.
I haven't read the post completely so if this contradicts another story,there may be a way to reconcile the two,such as it may have been the cue that belonged to a family member and was delivered after George had passed away.
At any rate this is one of the finest,and I would love to have it
DEAN
Jack Potter gave Dennis a lond letter ,confirming this and was not paid a cent to do so ,he was glad to help and I am certain it was the last one shipped by George, I had a hoppe style that was due in 1 month from this time and it was going to cost me $135,with no inlays but with a Hoppe ring if that gives you any idea what they cost new.
I haven't read the post completely so if this contradicts another story,there may be a way to reconcile the two,such as it may have been the cue that belonged to a family member and was delivered after George had passed away.
At any rate this is one of the finest,and I would love to have it
DEAN
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