Honest 'Bushka Replica Dealer
Patrick Johnson
I went to a couple of Internet sites advertising the Adam/Balabushkas
and emailed them asking innocently about the meaning of the
"Certificate." I received one response (so far), from a company called
Alco International (http://www.alcobilliards.com), and have copied it
below, not because of the negative comment about Adam's advertising
methods, but because this seller took the trouble to explain clearly and
even to recommend against the 'Bushka on the basis of its quality vs.
others in the same price range. However, I do think it's interesting
that some retailers of the Adam 'Bushkas don't like their advertising
either.
I hope they won't mind my copying this email here. It reflects well on
them.
Pat Johnson
===
Mr. Johnson,
I don't have a copy of the certificate. But the facts are: George
Balabushka died in 1975, so if he is
still signing cues today there are a great many people who'd like to
talk to him!
I quote the Blue Book of Pool Cues:
"Do not confuse original George Balabushka cues with those that have his
signature on the forearm.
These are licensed reproductions currently made by Adam Custom Cues."
Adam Custom Cues makes: Adam, Helmstetter, and Balabushka cues. All 3 of
these are made in
Japan. I suspect the certificate attests to the fact that these
Adam/Balabushkas are authorized
reproductions.
Personal opinion:
The Adam/Balabushkas, while they may be good cues, are still Japanese
cues. And expensive ones
at that. Understand that when you buy a new Balabushka today, you are
not getting a Balabushka.
You are getting a Japanese made cue with a decal of George's signature
on the forearm. Now if you
happen to be in love with one of their designs, and don't care about the
signature, then by all means
get it. But don't buy it because you believe you are getting a
"Balabushka".
I tell anyone who asks that in that price range I would recommend
something from Schon or Joss.
Probably explains why I don't sell many 'bushkas....but as far as I am
concerned, what Adam does
is borderline fraudulent advertising, and I will not go along with that.
All our Schon and Joss cues are
handmade. They are excellent examples of the finest in the art of cue
making. And there is nothing
fake about them.
For your reference I have included our Balabushka, Schon and Joss price
lists below. And our
"standard" quote response message follows. Please take a moment to read
it.
Thank you for your interest, and if I may be of further assistance
please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Rack 'em!
Andy Holoubek
Principal
********************
Thank you for your interest. Much appreciated!
FCISA
Pat Johnson writes, (snipped for brevity)
>I went to a couple of Internet sites advertising the Adam/Balabushkas
>and emailed them asking innocently about the meaning of the
>"Certificate."
Try the Manufacturer for an actual copy of this , Adam custom cues ltd.516 593
5050 or 800 645 2162
.>I received one response (so far), from a company called
>Alco International (http://www.alcobilliards.com), and have copied it
>below, not because of the negative comment about Adam's advertising
>methods, but because this seller took the trouble to explain clearly and
>even to recommend against the 'Bushka on the basis of its quality vs.
>others in the same price range. However, I do think it's interesting
>that some retailers of the Adam 'Bushkas don't like their advertising
>either.
It is fairly obvious this retailer does not have even one of these cues in
stock or else they would certainly have the certificate !
>I quote the Blue Book of Pool Cues:
>"Do not confuse original George Balabushka cues with those that have his
>signature on the forearm.
>These are licensed reproductions currently made by Adam Custom Cues."
>Adam Custom Cues makes: Adam, Helmstetter, and Balabushka cues. All 3 of
>these are made in
>Japan. I suspect the certificate attests to the fact that these
>Adam/Balabushkas are authorized
>reproductions.
Again the "certificate" comes with each cue.
>Personal opinion:
>The Adam/Balabushkas, while they may be good cues, are still Japanese
>cues. And expensive ones
>at that. Understand that when you buy a new Balabushka today, you are
>not getting a Balabushka.
>You are getting a Japanese made cue with a decal of George's signature
>on the forearm. Now if you
>happen to be in love with one of their designs, and don't care about the
>signature, then by all means
>get it. But don't buy it because you believe you are getting a
>"Balabushka".
>
>I tell anyone who asks that in that price range I would recommend
>something from Schon or Joss.
>Probably explains why I don't sell many 'bushkas....but as far as I am
>concerned, what Adam does
>is borderline fraudulent advertising, and I will not go along with that.
>All our Schon and Joss cues are
>handmade. They are excellent examples of the finest in the art of cue
>making. And there is nothing
>fake about them.
Schon and Joss are fine cues but production cues like Adam nonetheless.
>I hope they won't mind my copying this email here. It reflects well on
>them.
They should mind and you should know better.
Gary Freeborn
MARK
On 07 Jun 1998 13:35:10 GMT, fc...@aol.com (FCISA) wrote:
>Pat Johnson writes, (snipped for brevity)
>>
>>I tell anyone who asks that in that price range I would recommend
>>something from Schon or Joss.
>>All our Schon and Joss cues are
>>handmade. They are excellent examples of the finest in the art of cue
>>making. And there is nothing
>>fake about them.
>
>Schon and Joss are fine cues but production cues like Adam nonetheless.
>
>>I hope they won't mind my copying this email here. It reflects well on
>>them.
>
>They should mind and you should know better.
>
> Gary Freeborn
I am assuming you are refering to Joss East, as for JOSS WEST or one
of Bill Strouds Cue's here is an enlightened opinion. I have been to
Strouds Shop, and that is just what it is (a shop), there is no mass
production of any cue, almost everyone is different. At the time of
my visit there was only one person (Bill Stroud) and no apprentice
making his cue's. If you can get him off the golf course and into the
shop you might see more of his cue's around. If you go by production
numbers Joss West is about one of the Hardest cue's to buy new. I
would put my money on a Joss West in a second befor a Joss East.
Please dont get me wrong, Joss East and Schon are fine cue's but there
are thousands of them floating around the country. IF you really want
a rare cue thats hard to find and hits the ballls with the best then
pick up a Joss West if you can get one.
FCISA
><HTML><PRE>Subject: Re: Honest 'Bushka Replica Dealer
>From: mm...@worldnet.att.net (MARK)
>Date: Sun, Jun 7, 1998 11:14 EDT
>Message-id: <6le9tf$k...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>
Exactly what is your point?
What is it you are responding to?
There is no company called Joss East, it is Joss Cues Ltd.
There is no company called JOSS WEST though you are closer ,it is Josswest.
I was in Bill Strouds shop recently when I picked up my new cue from him and
he does indeed make them himself and has an apprentice who helps with the
simpler things. Bill is very dedicated and is entitled to play golf as much as
he can get away though I expect most of the time you will find him in the shop.
Bills current creations start at about $2500.00 according to what I have seen
and puts them out of the reach of many but certainly a bargain compared to some
of the junk high dollar cues being made today. Do you have one of Strouds
cues?
I have a Josswest available from around 1979 it is plain maple ,irish linen
wrap SS joint JE(W on end) logo two sfts ,perfect condition and I would sell it
for $700 not a penny less, I will NEVER sell the cue I got from Bills hands to
mine and look forward to acquiring another in the near future from him.
Gary Freeborn