Why is Tascarella the Bushka expert?

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I always see people going to him to get authentication of Bushka's, just started to wonder why? Did he work with George?
 
Pete knew George for a number of years, always was at his shop and eventually bought George's shop with all his equipment and all his supplies, etc.

Pete is the go to guy re anything Bushka.
 
There is no evidence anybody worked with George. Pete goes back many decades, acquired George's equipment and builds cues largely in George's style. As such, he has more knowledge than most, receives cues for evaluation, and has experience validating the cues. I think that's your main answer.

There are a few others here fairly versed on recognizing an original cue. It's not necessarily easy, but finish, joint collar material and build, point identification, wrap, butt sleeve proportions, bumper, inlay method for concentricity, and overall dimensions have to be taken into account.

But that's only a partial list. Hope it helps though.

All the best,
WW
 
hang-the-9 said:
I always see people going to him to get authentication of Bushka's, just started to wonder why? Did he work with George?
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Better answer:

Pete bought the equipment from Josephine Balabushka, except for the bandsaw. They took much of the wood ,but left a lot behind.

With the purchase, Josephine gave Pete all of George's notes including where to buy materials, dimensions, reasons for doing certain things. She also gave Pete several cues (the hidden treasure) in every stage of completion including un-turned Szamboti blanks, turned Szamboti blanks, and all major components prior to assembly.

There is no way anyone else could possibly have as much information, though certainly other cuemakers still have plenty of Balabushka information.

Incidentally, Pete started splicing his own blanks shortly after with much help from his brother-in-law, Jim Cannon.


Freddie
 
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He beat out Bill Schick although Shick said he went to NY and made a run but turned it down in the end.
 
Only Pete?

Cornerman said:
Better answer:
including un-turned Szamboti blanks, turned Szamboti blanks, and all major components prior to assembly.

There is no way anyone else could possibly have as much information, though certainly other cuemakers still have plenty of Balabushka information.

Freddie
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I thought Szamboti picked up some of the equipment too? Doesn't he do some authentication work as well?
 
Barry can identify his father's blanks better than anybody. I've never heard who made the most for GB; Gus, Burton, or Davis? Hercek has Spain's stuff, makes him an authority as well.
 
I'm gonna be the dumb one here, the color of money made balabuska a household name but what was the significance before the movie? What made his cues so special? I'm I wrong also thinking the collect ability is also from the film?
 
PRED said:
Barry can identify his father's blanks better than anybody. I've never heard who made the most for GB; Gus, Burton, or Davis? Hercek has Spain's stuff, makes him an authority as well.
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Add Brunswick. He built and started where most guys started doing Titlist conversions.

Ken
 
mvp said:
I'm gonna be the dumb one here, the color of money made balabuska a household name but what was the significance before the movie? What made his cues so special? I'm I wrong also thinking the collect ability is also from the film?
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For me, he was the "go to" cue maker for all of the champions of that era. Secondly, it was my understanding that he wouldn't build a cue for just anyone.

Ken
 
While I've been living in Louisiana for many, many years, I grew up in the Bronx. All through high school (66-69) and for several years after, I hung out in several pool halls in the neighborhoods. I remember when the older "pros" would start talking shit, they always stated that the best cues you could get was a "Bushka" or a Palmer. Now please note, these were the opinions in - my - neighborhood. I didn't shoot in Manhattan or Brooklyn. I didn't know much about pool in those days or what was in vogue throughout the city's pool community. But I heard Bushka and Palmer talked about many times. Having stopped shooting pool for close to 40 years before picking it up again, I can still remember those two names always being mentioned.
 
His cues were double the normal price at the time. He didn't make many so those he knew got first pick. I got mine by giving him about 150 and told him to make me a cue.still got it.
He liked me as I let him win at straight pool most times. Where Margo and those guys just run balls.
 
Balabushka

Pete Tascarella

What a super nice guy .
I got a email from him last night with all the specs to make a set of balabushka joint protectors.
He rattled off all specs , it was way cool .
I had never spoken or emailed him before I did tell him lunch is on me

He returned my email in just a matter of a hour or two .
It was nice to get solid and a straight answer from someone without the ( him haw ).
He even wished me the best on making these JPs .

My opinion of Pete Tascarella . He seemed nice and very professional........
 
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