Ok,
So after a day of playing and who knows, maybe 100 racks?, here is my determination...
First let me say what I determined I pretty much determined after about a rack with each cue. What was I waiting for? I wanted to get new tips on each cue. Initially I was shooting with the stock tips on each. The Tad came with the stock Tad multi layer tip. The Josey appeared to be a triangle. Can't say for sure. Tech that replaced it said the same. He also said the tip was defective. Which was refreshing. Here is my first and second impressions.
Let's start with the Josey...
As I mentioned I purchased this cue to replace my daily player. My daily player is a TAD-1. Plain maple, with rings and inlays at the butt. You have all seen them. I have owned that cues onc since the early 90's. Purchased new. It's due for a refinish. Definitely played. Even after about a 15 year hiatus. The Josey was the intended replacement. Is it just me or do all big pin cues play dull? I have 3 of them and none of them are alive. The Josey initially played like I was hitting marbles with a marshmallow. I figured that out within the first 3 hits. I held judgement till I replaced the tip. The choice of tips? Kumi Clear Medium. I like my tips a little on the hard side. This is why I didn't want to post judgment immediately. I am sure I will catch flack for this but the Josey hit like trash! I couldn't tell the difference between this cue and the $35 house cues I have with Moori Hard Tip on them. Actually it was probably worse! After the tip replacement it was better. Was it on par with what I would expect from a custom cue maker? Not even close! Today's cue makers are putting way too much emphasis on look and not playability. Especially for a player cue! Now I might be talking myself out of a sale here but, this cue is going up for sale immediately. Such a shame. It's such a beautiful "player" cue, yet falls short of being a solid player at $700+. That's a discounted price!
Ladies and gentlemen, I have not had the opportunity to play with a few of the top dogs in the big pin arena out there. Those being such as Southwest, Sugartree etc. Someday maybe my opinion will change. Till then these cues all play dull. Believe me, I am looking for something to change my opinion. Till then I think the big pin concept is all hype and will continue to play with my steal joint cues. Which by the way I played my fair share of terrible playing steal joint cues. Not impressed and I don't get the migration to this cue manufacturing format. What do I know right?
On to the TAD. Let me mention that before I purchased the TAD cue shown I purchased and sold a TAD-1-Z with a big pin. That cue outplayed any big pin cue I have ever played with. Including my Gilbert. I had to reluctantly sell it in order to fund this Tad. The purchaser wrote me back telling me how happy he was with it. Now, Tad cues are expensive, rare and difficult to get a hold of. Even more at times than the current wish list cues of Southwest with there 8-10 year waiting list. The Tad played and plays wonderful. Actually exceeded my expectations. For those who have said or wondered if the quality of Tad cues has fallen off since Tad passed away and his son Fred took over, I can assure you it has not! The cue has the sound, feel, balance and feedback that is what I had hoped for. Granted it is about 7 times the price but my goodness do these cues play. They play a ton and really come alive when you need that shot. Hit it hard and it's like a drunk mid western fight! It says hit me harder. They just perform. Perfect balance! Crisp hit! Unique sound that can be heard across any pool hall. It's all part of the feedback that a good or great cue should give. It's not a piece of wood. It's a surgical device for performing a certain job. Although it might not be in everyone's budget, should you have the means, you should pick one up and play it. These cues are not like others. Sure they are beautiful! But, these cues were designed to be played. I am not a collector. I play all ranges of cues.
So for what it is worth there is my 2 cents worth.
Now back to breaking in this new tip!