When I listed this birdseye older Tad shown in the link below, I had no doubt the cue and two of the shafts were original, however, I received a lot of e-mails from people asking about a serial number, authentication, ect.
I was alarmed to learn from Fred that there are some pretty good fakes out there. I decided to drive to Tad's shop today near Knott's Berry Farm here, about an hour away, to let them look at the cue, to make sure that it's authentic. Fred and Tad are really nice people. They graciously took the time to accommodate me with my visit.
They said this TAD is from about 1977 or 1978, made just right before they started putting on logo's or serial numbers.
The two Tad shafts are original with ivory ferrules, one original to the cue and one made by Tad at a later date. I think that eventually these older Tad's will all be in collections. If it was a fancy one made during the same period, I would not be selling it.
That these older Tad's are still straight is a testament to Tad's patience and insistence on using the best wood he could buy. He also will not cut shafts during the winter here. FYI Tad is self taught.
Chris
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180079197305&rd=1&rd=1
I was alarmed to learn from Fred that there are some pretty good fakes out there. I decided to drive to Tad's shop today near Knott's Berry Farm here, about an hour away, to let them look at the cue, to make sure that it's authentic. Fred and Tad are really nice people. They graciously took the time to accommodate me with my visit.
They said this TAD is from about 1977 or 1978, made just right before they started putting on logo's or serial numbers.
The two Tad shafts are original with ivory ferrules, one original to the cue and one made by Tad at a later date. I think that eventually these older Tad's will all be in collections. If it was a fancy one made during the same period, I would not be selling it.
That these older Tad's are still straight is a testament to Tad's patience and insistence on using the best wood he could buy. He also will not cut shafts during the winter here. FYI Tad is self taught.
Chris
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180079197305&rd=1&rd=1