About Adam George Balabushka Pool Cue Range
George Balabushka was born in Russia on December 9, 1912 and emigrated to the United States in 1924.
Balabushka’s first job was as a wooden toy designer and maker in Manhattan. Unfortunately, Balabushka lost his middle finger in an electrical saw accident on the job, and made himself a replacement plastic finger from a wooden mould of such craftsmanship that even his friends did not realise his loss until long after the incident.
Balabushka was an avid billiard player, especially of the game ‘Straight Pool’, where he took part in many competitions. While running the room, he began repairing cues, and it was not long before the idea was sparked to build pool cues himself.
Because of the excellence of his product, Balabushka’s name quickly became well known amongst professional players.
Balabushka’s emphasis was on playing ability and fine craftsmanship. He was also an innovator in cue construction, cue finishes and cue design. His cues were not the elaborately decorated attempts at building art that so dominates the cue market today. Rather, most Balabushka cues are relatively plain and without grand flourishes. Many of his trademark construction techniques have become standard in the industry, such as the use of Irish Linen for wrap material and block style ringwork above a cue’s wrap which are eponymously named “Bushka rings”.
Although already well known and valuable to collectors, Balabushka and his cues became much more so after being prominently featured in Martin Scorsese’s 1986 film, The Color of Money (the sequel to the classic 1961 film The Hustler). In the film, Tom Cruise’s character, Vincent Lauria, is presented with a beautiful cue by Fast Eddie Felson, as played by Paul Newman. Vincent takes the cue, his reverence obvious, and breathlessly asks “is that a Balabushka?”. After this, Balabushka’s name became associated by the general public with highly-valued and rare cues.
Special features:
13mm, Le-Prof cue tip.
High impact ABS ferrule.
One selected, Canadian hard rock maple shaft.
American style professional taper.
Mirror finished stainless steel pilot joint (AD14N).
Specially selected birds-eye maple, exotic hard woods and veneers.
Stylish, simple high quality inlays and ‘Bushka’s’ block style rings.
High quality pressed Irish Linen grip.
Twelve coats of hand rubbed clear lacquerers.
High impact composition butt cap.
Noise subduing rubber bumper.
Available in 18-22oz.
Highest quality control standards.
Key Features:
Glue-on tip
Glue-on ferrule
Shaft made from Maple
Stainless steel pool joint
Joint protector
Joint collar
Inlay finish
Linen grip
Butt cap ring
Rubber buffer with screw
“When Bought With” Offers:
These items will allow you take care, and make the most, of your brand new cue.
Cuetec Bowtie Tip Tool
Cue tip Bowtie Tip Tool to shape and prepare your cue tip.
Cuetec Shaft Cleaner
Cuetec hi-tech shaft cleaner, the ultimate cue treatment cleans and conditions instantly.
Triangle Green Chalk x 12 pieces
Triangle green chalk, supplied in a box containing 12 pieces.
