Top Ten Fanciest Balabushkas?

[ShootingHank]

Thanks to everyone that posted pics! This is what I was asking about, not some troll's grudge against a legend of cue making. Even though George made a lot of plainer cues, it's nice to see some of his best work. Congrats to the owners, too!

Anymore big ones out there?

Actually there is an old thread here that showcased a lot of his cues. A little search will show this.

 

[Snooker Theory]

Here's two nicely designed Bushkas that I have; both very strong playing cues, btw.

To say you can't use a Bushka for todays game is a moronic statement of epic proportions. Its balls, and a table, that hasn't changed. There are people today that use Bushkas, Blacks, Szams, etc.. they are all not much different. If you believe that someone blindfolded cannot tell the difference between brands of cues, then you must also believe that those same cues would be adequate to play with today.

As far as fancy for George. It did not take much. Remove the golden Balabushka from the equation and then you have rings, and inlays. Fancy to George in 1965-1974 is cookie cutter today. But if you look around there are 1000s of cues made each year, based on Georges inlay patterns, and techniques by REPUTABLE cuemakers.

As far as this glues and adhesives nonsense. Please show me a Balabushka that exploded on impact.. Titlists.. still used today with no "glue" modifications, Burton Spains still used today, points aren't falling out, Gus Szamboti.. same.. The glue argument is so stale, if that is what you have to stoop to, to try and prove todays cues are better, you need a new argument.


JV

Kickin' Chicken and you ClassicCues
some amazing gems right there

Getting back on track, sort of... 21 ounces? My untouched "POS" bushka is just under 19. Can you tell which one is the bushka? It's not one of the 10 fanciest ever made by any stretch, but 28 inlays on an early titlist cue is something different.

The crappy camera lens distorted the shafts. They are not bent.
View attachment 508911
View attachment 508912

It can be hard to get back on track when someone sidelines a discussion, do you see what I am talking about now? This is how I feel when going through the aiming section reading a couple peoples posts. Of course if you think G. Balabushka makes crappy cues(or some aiming system is junk), voice your opinion, but make your own thread instead of derailing someone else's thread.(like I did here :embarrassed2

In regards to the OP, this isn't the fanciest cue by any means, but seen pictures and it has always stuck with me.

Above pictures from Cornerstone, http://www.cornerstonecues.com/cue875.htm

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Kickin' Chicken and you ClassicCues
some amazing gems right there



It can be hard to get back on track when someone sidelines a discussion, do you see what I am talking about now? This is how I feel when going through the aiming section reading a couple peoples posts. Of course if you think G. Balabushka makes crappy cues(or some aiming system is junk), voice your opinion, but make your own thread instead of derailing someone else's thread.(like I did here :embarrassed2

In regards to the OP, this isn't the fanciest cue by any means, but seen pictures and it has always stuck with me.

Above pictures from Cornerstone, http://www.cornerstonecues.com/cue875.htm

I like that design a lot - here's another one very traditional, not fancy but still nice and, yes, also plays great.

best,
brian kc

 

[Hunter]

When I first started this post, I had been looking for a Balabushka. I figured all I would ever be able to afford would be a plain jane with absolutely no frills.

While I was searching, I found a pretty fancy one that was priced higher than I planned on spending, but it just seemed to me to be one of the fancier ones I'd ever seen. I really appreciate the input you gave because it both showed us all some damned fine cues, and gave me an idea of how the cue I was looking at really stacked up to the price being asked.

I bought the cue and I think the extra I had to pay just might have been worth it. I put up some pics in the Cue Gallery, but since I started the talk here on the Main Forum, I figured I ought to put some pics here, as well, for those that might not frequent the Gallery. Thanks again, folks!

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

When I first started this post, I had been looking for a Balabushka. I figured all I would ever be able to afford would be a plain jane with absolutely no frills.

While I was searching, I found a pretty fancy one that was priced higher than I planned on spending, but it just seemed to me to be one of the fancier ones I'd ever seen. I really appreciate the input you gave because it both showed us all some damned fine cues, and gave me an idea of how the cue I was looking at really stacked up to the price being asked.

I bought the cue and I think the extra I had to pay just might have been worth it. I put up some pics in the Cue Gallery, but since I started the talk here on the Main Forum, I figured I ought to put some pics here, as well, for those that might not frequent the Gallery. Thanks again, folks!

wow!!! glitter bands, railroad tracks, the whole enchilada...

you got a killer bushka, Hunter.

congrats!

 

[Snooker Theory]

Wow, nice find Hunter! Congrats!!!!

Kicken Chicken, thanks too! Those are my favorites right there.

 

[PRED]

When I first started this post, I had been looking for a Balabushka. I figured all I would ever be able to afford would be a plain jane with absolutely no frills.

While I was searching, I found a pretty fancy one that was priced higher than I planned on spending, but it just seemed to me to be one of the fancier ones I'd ever seen. I really appreciate the input you gave because it both showed us all some damned fine cues, and gave me an idea of how the cue I was looking at really stacked up to the price being asked.

I bought the cue and I think the extra I had to pay just might have been worth it. I put up some pics in the Cue Gallery, but since I started the talk here on the Main Forum, I figured I ought to put some pics here, as well, for those that might not frequent the Gallery. Thanks again, folks!

You bringing that to the Derby?

 

[Hunter]

You bringing that to the Derby?

Probably not doing the Derby this year... :frown:

 

[Hunter]

I like that design a lot - here's another one very traditional, not fancy but still nice and, yes, also plays great.

best,
brian kc

Great cue there, Brian! I would certainly consider it a fancy one!

 

[Hunter]

Wow, nice find Hunter! Congrats!!!!

Kicken Chicken, thanks too! Those are my favorites right there.

Thanks, ST!

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

To say you can't use a Bushka for todays game is a moronic statement of epic proportions. Its balls, and a table, that hasn't changed. There are people today that use Bushkas, Blacks, Szams, etc.. they are all not much different. If you believe that someone blindfolded cannot tell the difference between brands of cues, then you must also believe that those same cues would be adequate to play with today.
JV

Does this mean Georges cues stand up to the playability of cues today? I might be misunderstanding the concept of what you meant. Georges quality was superb in his day and the way his cues have stood up for half a century proves that. That statement though is like saying the Indy 500 is tires and an oval, todays cars blow the doors off the old ones. I have never owned a Bushka but have hit balls with a few, theyre sweet without a doubt but if every cue on the planet lost 100% of its value overnight, how many people are gonna be scrambling to find a Bushka to play with over a modern cue. It all comes down to personal preference I guess, I personally would never trade my cue for any Bushka I have picked up if it meant thats what I had to play with forever.

Heres a quick story thats sorta relative to the topic. I have a few friends that played a lot during the Johnston City era and when George was THE guy when it came to a custom cue. If I had $40 for every time they have told me about the Bushkas they "could have had" I might very well have enough to own my first one. One such time was when Hubert Cokes came to Johnston City with a trunk load. These guys were playing with Viking cues at the time and never dreamed of trading one for a Bushka. One buddy of mine did in fact swap Hubert for one which was still in the original box from George. The cue he swapped wasnt a Viking but a Joss. Long story short, he gives Hubert the Joss and like $80 and when he opens the box later on its a Bushka but it has Daddy Warbucks name on it What an epic find, by todays standrads but back then its like getting a cue that says Nick Varner on it today.

And to the OP, thats a sweet ass cue you picked up. It seems Bushkas are like locusts...they come out in mass quantities every 17 years. Ive seen several as of late that ive never seen before

 

[pocket]

Is this thread for stickered or stickerless Balabushka cues?

 

[Matt_24]

Correct. Today’s Corolla is superior than an early Corvette from the standpoint of performance and efficiency.

Balabushkas are horrible for today’s game. I mean a 21 plus ounce log? Nobody plays with that and the heavier and bigger specs were tailored for the games they played at the time. Worthless for today’s application of the game.

Wrong. Many Filipino monster players like a 21 ounce and 13 mm cue. Many of the amazing Taiwanese players like a heavy Southwest Style cue and 13 mm shaft. I like a heavier cue because it helps me keep a lighter cue and let the cue do the work. So....with all due respect, you're assessment is incorrect.