Lépine
1279
My estimates
So I haven't been in the market for Balabushkas for very long; however, I think I am up to speed.
Basically, if it is a player level cue with zero inlays:
- A Titleist Blank cue is about $6K - $8K
- A Burton Spain Blank cue is about $10K - $12K
For cues with 4 to 8 mother of pearl inlays:
- Titliest blank cue will be about $8K-$9K
- Burton Spain $10K - $15K
Fancy level ( fully inlayed points, Balabushka Riings, 4 or more colored veneers, acrylic windows, ivory inlays, more than 12 mop inlays)
- Titleist blank. $12K minimum
- Burton Spain blank $15K minimum
High end which is fully loaded design for a George Balabushka ( mint condition, box, papers, historical)
$20K minimum and can go upwards to $30K average and extreme cases $50K to $80K
I have yet to find an actual GB that sold for over $80K publicly. There could be private sales that reach the $100K level, but I have not found information on any.
ChatGPT is entertaining, but I think the value of Larry Liciotti's Balabushka is about the $40K mark based on the $55K sale of the Mizerak/Lisciotti George Balabushka.
A verified Gus Szamboti blank all bets are off. Only a few dozen Balabushka with Szamboti blank exist and can easily to the right person go into the $50k region. A blank forearm if it exists costs $15k
Story of Larry Lisciotti "The Prince of Pool" and Roadrunner and one of his Balabushika cues.
Well There's a little more to the story about that George Balabushka that I was able to try out. It has a most extrodinary history. It belonged to a former world champion and one of the famous Roadrunners. ...
I remember that issue . . .
. . . of Sports Illustrated and reading the story. All I can say is 'wow'. Wow! ...
You've got . . .
. . . the Mona Lisa of cues. That should tide anyone over! If I ever pick up a vintage cue, it'll be the Tad whose owner I'm acquainted with. And I wouldn't have it restored . . . it would stay in its natural state as long as I would be its caretaker. 🎱 ...
TADs really hold their value and yes, don't refinish it.
I think the serial numbers below 1500 or there abouts is considered guraranteed that Tadao Kohara made most of the cue and Fred was assistant. Any TAD with no logo and no serial number is 100% only Tadao K. worked on that cue. Most are not in original fin...
Let's just say it would be nice to own a Balabushka 😉
Here is my rather uncommon common TAD. The TAD-M1 is the first TAD everyone who plays a TAD must get. They show up on eBay all the time. Serial numbers ideally should be as low as possible for a collector. 1500s and below with original shafts of course. ...
In other words, never . . .
. . . throw a game. Integrity is everything. Larry must've been a fierce competitor.
Uhh . . . if I were in Larry's shoes that night . . .
. . . I'd think real hard about throwing that game. ...
That's how they become great
..."Who Dares Wins" -- British SAS (Special Air Service) the orginal commandos ...
Larry Lisciotti vs Tom Jennings. Two 1976 World Straight Pool Title Champions (Two Different Professional Associations in 1976).
Readable text after screen shot. It was still early in the match, but Tom Jennings was 140 balls ahead as Larry Lisciotti stared at the table. Fourteen balls sat in a tight cluster that was shaped roughly like the continent of Africa. Inside the pack, at ...
More fun with ChatGPT
So apparently, An authenticated George Balabushka that is evaluated as mint original condition and was owned by a very famous pool player during the golden years of billiards might be worth more than a cup of Starbucks. ...
Makes me wonder what my pal who owned a Balabushka . . .
. . . (and still owns a Tad) got for his. He said 'big money' but I didn't press for particulars. 🤑
My estimates
So I haven't been in the market for Balabushkas for very long; however, I think I am up to speed. Basically, if it is a player level cue with zero inlays: - A Titleist Blank cue is about $6K - $8K - A Burton Spain Blank cue is about $10K - $12K For cues w...