[John]

I picked up my Balabushka GB-4 yesterday. Man, it it sharp! It looks much better in person than in the photos. Dark rosewood points and butt sleeve, so dark they look like ebony, but under good light you can see a reddish tint and the dense grain, with what looks to me like ebony and maple veneers. The butt sleeve has MOP dots, silver rings with white inlays and holly or maple ringwork. I was all that Larry said it would be. More, even. It's a work of art that also performs. It was just about the last one available anywhere.

I paid extra for the the full Fast Larry pro tour setup: 11.5mm pro taper, low deflection XTC ferrule, Talisman Pro hard tip and a Limbsaver. Also joint protectors and case. The shaft grain is very nice, straight and dense, 15+ rings per inch, 4.1 ounces. The taper has multiple angles, both cylindrical and conical. Fast Larry says this shaft is not whippy and is very strong and I believe it. The Limbsaver really works damping vibration. The cue has a very solid feel.

It's a cue I can never outgrow. The only problem is now I have no excuse for poor play. I can't blame it on the cue, that's for sure.

I got a great deal, too. I should have worn a mask, it was a steal. It was the $299 deal Fast Larry was running here and on eBay a couple weeks ago. He dangled those GB-4s out there for an incredibly low price and I just can't believe anyone who saw it could pass one up. Out the door price was under $400 with all the extras, incredible for this high quality cue set up like a pro's, for way less than anyone else can sell you a stock GB-4 for. If they even had one, which they probably don't. I couldn't be happier.

[Stroker in SC]

John Bales, on Jul 10 2008, 08:27 PM, said:

I picked up my Balabushka GB-4 yesterday. Man, it it sharp! It looks much better in person than in the photos. Dark rosewood points and butt sleeve, so dark they look like ebony, but under good light you can see a reddish tint and the dense grain, with what looks to me like ebony and maple veneers. The butt sleeve has MOP dots, silver rings with white inlays and holly or maple ringwork. I was all that Larry said it would be. More, even. It's a work of art that also performs. It was just about the last one available anywhere.

I paid extra for the the full Fast Larry pro tour setup: 11.5mm pro taper, low deflection XTC ferrule, Talisman Pro hard tip and a Limbsaver. Also joint protectors and case. The shaft grain is very nice, straight and dense, 15+ rings per inch, 4.1 ounces. The taper has multiple angles, both cylindrical and conical. Fast Larry says this shaft is not whippy and is very strong and I believe it. The Limbsaver really works damping vibration. The cue has a very solid feel.

It's a cue I can never outgrow. The only problem is now I have no excuse for poor play. I can't blame it on the cue, that's for sure.

I got a great deal, too. I should have worn a mask, it was a steal. It was the $299 deal Fast Larry was running here and on eBay a couple weeks ago. He dangled those GB-4s out there for an incredibly low price and I just can't believe anyone who saw it could pass one up. Out the door price was under $400 with all the extras, incredible for this high quality cue set up like a pro's, for way less than anyone else can sell you a stock GB-4 for. If they even had one, which they probably don't. I couldn't be happier.

Hello, I go by Stroker in SC. I have had my GB-4 since 1989. I got it when I was 17 and am currently 36. I recently learned that the GB-4 was a discontinued cue and was wondering if anyone had any information on the value of this cue, now or to possibly come in the future... This cue is as straight as an arrow and continues to be the best cue I have ever shot with. If anyone has any information please e-mail me at shawnkaraoke@yahoo.com Thanx.