Show Your Topping (High-End) PLAYER Cue

billiardcue said:
Yes I swap using them but I use the Szamboti more than the Hercek, both cues are very similar in play and feel. I don't use a different cue for different games.

Using them as break cues means shaping the tips more often but a small price to pay for only having to carry one cue in a Fellini or Ron Thomas case.

If I am going to play in a tournament that has long races I have the original Sledge Hammer prototype given to me by Mike Gulyassy and I will use a larger case and bring it.

Mike Gulyassy played with the Hercek for a week a few years back and told me afterwards that he had been making cues for 17 years, played on the Camel Pro Tour for several years and was on the Mosconi Cup team twice and the Hercek was the best playing cue he had ever used. I thought that was a pretty good endorsement for the cue.
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Excuse me for the late reply but I had been away from home for some time and did not have any time to post.

That story about Mike trying your Hercek cue is a great read, thanks! I wonder how that cue would play in my hands... I hope one day I'll have the chance of giving it a try. Anyways, congrats for you for owning these two incredible cues and I wish they will serve you for a very long time. Finally, I totally agree with you carrying your cue in such a case, I cannot describe how much I love my 'setup' with my black leather 1X2 Whitten.

Thank you for posting and... bump for more.
 
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Heres old faithful.....
 

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That is a very nice TS cue! I love those rings below and above the wrap!

Bump for more high-end playing cues :) I know there are more out there.
 
I've been playing with this Balabushka for the last few weeks in a local bar room 8-ball tournament and last night strolled across the winner's side to win the tournament.

Normally I only use one cue but I am giving this one a break and using a break cue, don't want to crack a 40+ year old original ivory ferrule.

Wonder when the last time a Bushka won a tournament?

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I doubt most people would count my playing cue high end but i wouldn't really want to play with anything much fancier than this. Four point, 5 ring TS with a big pin ivory joint, I can't really describe how well this cue plays, it's just magic.

subdude1974, those are some really, really nice cues.

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Dick: I have seen that Balabushka cue on your site and I found it incredibly nice. I wonder what would be the weight of that cue... not that it really matters as with the balance that cue should have it could be 25 ounces and still play like a 19 oz. cue.

Deep: that is one of my all-time favourite Scruggs cues period. I love those colors!
 
poohkiller said:
Dick: I have seen that Balabushka cue on your site and I found it incredibly nice. I wonder what would be the weight of that cue... not that it really matters as with the balance that cue should have it could be 25 ounces and still play like a 19 oz. cue.
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The Bushka is 57" long - butt weighs 16.1 ounces - shafts are 3.7 and 3.8 ounces - total weight is 19.8 and 19.9 ounces - balance point is 17.5" from the bottom.

You are correct about the balance, weight distribution is also a factor.

I typically play with a cue almost an ounce lighter and I have no concept of the difference when using this cue, Balabushka understood balance and weight distribution.

I do notice the 57" length when having to stretch for long shots but that is a small price to pay for being able to play with such a great old classic cue.

Too many people discount a particular cue because of its total weight without first trying the cue. They don't know what they may be missing.

I learned many years ago that total weight is a small consideration when choosing a cue, balance and distribution are much more important.

If someone wants to try a cue I won't tell them what it weighs until after they have used it and if I hit balls with a cue I don't ask what it weighs. If the cue is not to your preconceived specs you may not like it before you hit the first ball with it.
 
I couldn't agree more with you about this weight issue. I have had a few remarkable players hit a few balls with my Capone cue and have them guess the weight. What they all said was that "wow it's perfectly to my liking as I like _____ oz. cues". They all thought that the cue weighted what they like while - naturally - sometimes it didn't weight what they thought. Either way, they liked it. I believe that unless a cue is extremely heavy (20.5 oz. or more) or extremely light (below 18.5 oz) with proper balance the weight plays considerably small role.
 
Jeffrey Gale said:
The butterfly is a Steve klein, both have a G-10 pin with a solid ivory joint, my favorite setup.

Here's a few of the Schick for ya. I like playing with this cue also, it hits nice. I hope the Capone is treating you good, you deserve it.

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Very cool tip on the pin... Ivory of course?
 
Yes, that ivory pin is a 'trademark' of Bill Schick, he uses that on his high end cues only. I believe that it was him who first used it (I wonder if I am correct) and since many began to put a little tip on the pin as well - I believe I have seen Gilberts with it.
 
Pair of Gilberts

Not really "high end" but I love the way the cue plays and had the j/b made to match. Pics kinda suck but you get the jist.
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I found this thread while searching for something and thought this would be a great thread to "resurrect"...hope nobody minds...and some more chime in...
 
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