Original Bushka or Gus cue?

[jayman]

If you had the opportunity to choose first on a great deal between a Buska or a Gus with all things being more or less equal cue wise. Knowing the remaining cue was already spoken for, which one would you be more likely to grab? All things being more or less even, Personally I would most likely take the Bushka.

 

[pt109]

Szamboti

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

bushka for me

 

[Rusty in Montana]

I'd reach for a Bushka as well .

 

[mikemosconi]

It depends- if it were an early Bushka that was simply a titilist conversion; I would be more leaning to a Szamboti. However, it it were a later GB, with perhaps a Spain forearm and some nice pearl inlays and other work by George, then I would lean into the GB a bit more.

There are a lot of Palmer cues that sport a Szamboti front end, and some nice third catalog Palmers, like the model 12, actually look like they came from Gus himself, and they play like a Gus as well- it is a very economical way to appreciate Gus's work and spend perhaps $600 to $1200 as opposed to forking over $6000+

Either way, if you are into lighter cues for playability- say 18.5 ounces - you won't find that in many of either Gus' or GB original cues- many of them were 20 ounces and heavier, with shafts somewhere between 13 and 13,5 being common.

I sold my Gus Palmer simply because it was just too heavy to play and I don't like closet queens - but it was a great example of Gus' point work and the density of his BEM choice wood for the forearm - hard to find wood like that anymore for cues or baseball bats

 

[Cornerman]

If you had the opportunity to choose first on a great deal between a Buska or a Gus with all things being more or less equal cue wise. Knowing the remaining cue was already spoken for, which one would you be more likely to grab? All things being more or less even, Personally I would most likely take the Bushka.

I suppose if you had one of the two makers’ cues already, the answer might skew one direction.

“If all things were equal” - does that mean the Balabushka has a Gus blank?

 

[jayman]

I suppose if you had one of the two makers’ cues already, the answer might skew one direction.

“If all things were equal” - does that mean the Balabushka has a Gus blank?

It certainly could. Would that influence you one way or another in that case? Best of both worlds for some I suppose.

 

[Mr. Bass Man]

If in fact the bushka has a Gus forearm that makes this a very difficult decision imo as it would be one of George's later cues. Is the Szamboti a late or early cue?

 

[jayman]

If in fact the bushka has a Gus forearm that makes this a very difficult decision imo as it would be one of George's later cues. Is the Szamboti a late or early cue?

For arguments sake, whatever would make them each desirable to you personally so the decision would be more about choosing between the two most legendary cue makers in history leaving the other on the table.

 

[spktur]

Balabushka will bring a higher resale if you're just looking at money but the Szamboti will play better and have a nicer style

 

[triley41395]

Since I already have 10 Szam's and only 9 of George's cues I'd pick the Bushka so I could even thing's out.
What's today.....that's right April 1st

 

[Dan White]

- many of them were 20 ounces and heavier, with shafts somewhere between 13 and 13,5 being common.

Mine is 18.75 oz actually.

 

[Cornerman]

It certainly could. Would that influence you one way or another in that case? Best of both worlds for some I suppose.

If I didn't already have a Balabushka, I would go for the Balabushka.

But, here are the real choices for answers from AZBilliards:

a) Balabushka
b) Szamboti
c) It's not the arrow; it's the the archer
d) Buy a Balabushka Signature Cue and use the rest for lessons
e) It depends on what CF shaft you're putting on it
f) I don't know what these are. Are we ordering pizza or dessert???

 

[poolnut7879]

Have a bushka that I bought from the original owner who grew up in Brooklyn. Got all the paperwork from Tascarella and a letter of provenance from original owner. Would rather play with a $150 stick. Not saying that it plays bad but don't care for the specs on it. Butt is too fat and cue is too short. Just keeping for the value I suppose.

 

[mikemosconi]

Mine is 18.75 oz actually.

With original uncut shafts under 19 ounces for a GB or Gus was uncommon - are the shafts under 4 ounces?

 

[jimmyco]

Neither.

The great deal would have me running away.

 

[Dan White]

With original uncut shafts under 19 ounces for a GB or Gus was uncommon - are the shafts under 4 ounces?

I'd have to weigh them I'm not sure. They are original though.

 

[Ken_4fun]

I would rather have the Bushka.....

Then cry because I couldnt have the Gus too.

Ken

 

[Baron]

I’d go Szam. His aesthetic is more to my taste, plus he made quite a few 59-60” cues.

 

[measureman]

I’d go Szam. His aesthetic is more to my taste, plus he made quite a few 59-60” cues.

Me too, although the handful of Szams I played with I found too stiff for my liking.