Is this an early Adam-Japan cue?

J

johnnyjumpjump

New member
Is this an early Adam-Japan cue or a recent Chinese knockoff?

If the provenance related to me is accurate, then it is OK, but a few things bother me:

the thin silver joint rings look thinner to me than I have seen in photos of other Japan Adam cues, the phenolic joint rings on either side of the silver rings look a bit out of proportion, and the joint pin has a rounded, rather than pointed, tip.

Maybe jayman, or another knowledegeable member, would have some time to offer an opinion.
 

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More pics.
 

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Definitely not an original. The rings give it away. That being said, I bought one off ebay a couple years ago not knowing this and it plays surprisingly well for the price I paid. I recently won an 80 player tournament with it and that's with original shaft that came with it.
 
WTD14 said:
Definitely not an original. The rings give it away. That being said, I bought one off ebay a couple years ago not knowing this and it plays surprisingly well for the price I paid. I recently won an 80 player tournament with it and that's with original shaft that came with it.
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They're ok cues but sellers on ebay are fkng people on them. Trying to get $600+ for cues that are worth maybe half that.
 
Thunder Thighs said:
So Universal was making Adam cues even while the Japan factory was operational before 2011? Just trying to get some clarity here.
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Yes, that’s correct. Adam Japan started outsourcing to Universal around ‘95 when the yen value made manufacturing in Japan less economical. Adam Japan still continued operation.

Cues that were made in China but carry the “Japan” sticker were finished or final assembled in Japan. Very gray as to what that meant. Final assembly could be popping the bumper on. Also I don’t know if Adam Japan contracted out to any other cue maker.

The late Robert Mallen acquired the rights to Adam (USA), Helmstetter, Balabushka in 2011. His company is the Balabushka Cue Company. His wife, Peggy, continues to have these built (2011 on have been in Taiwan). Sometime before 2011, Don Spetkar tried to have these cues built in Taiwan, but it didn’t work out.

The new Adam NY company (aka 3 Second) is not affiliated with the Mallens, David Forman, or Don Spetkar but have a connection with Adam Japan. The owner is Japanese, and was next to the Adam Japan booth. Adam NY does not do cues. They have a cool glove and a cool case.
 
Thunder Thighs said:
So Universal was making Adam cues even while the Japan factory was operational before 2011? Just trying to get some clarity here.
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That all said, this cue is an oddity. The sticker is older style, but the rings scream newer. Adam Japan had a booth at SBE. Need to dig up that card.

My contact at Adam Japan worked there from ~‘92-‘00. I also have gotten to know Peggy Mallen, so post 2011 is understood from the USA. So definitely a lot of gaps from my side. But I think current Adam Japan can fill them.
 
Cornerman said:
Yes, that’s correct. Adam Japan started outsourcing to Universal around ‘95 when the yen value made manufacturing in Japan less economical. Adam Japan still continued operation.

Cues that were made in China but carry the “Japan” sticker were finished or final assembled in Japan. Very gray as to what that meant. Final assembly could be popping the bumper on. Also I don’t know if Adam Japan contracted out to any other cue maker.

The late Robert Mallen acquired the rights to Adam (USA), Helmstetter, Balabushka in 2011. His company is the Balabushka Cue Company. His wife, Peggy, continues to have these built (2011 on have been in Taiwan). Sometime before 2011, Don Spetkar tried to have these cues built in Taiwan, but it didn’t work out.

The new Adam NY company (aka 3 Second) is not affiliated with the Mallens, David Forman, or Don Spetkar but have a connection with Adam Japan. The owner is Japanese, and was next to the Adam Japan booth. Adam NY does not do cues. They have a cool glove and a cool case.
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Very informative. Exactly the info I needed. Thanks.
 
Thunder Thighs said:
Where can we get Adam Japan cues now?
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The Adam Japan company now as far as I know can only sell the Musashi line of cues. I don’t believe they make an Adam cue anymore. I don’t know if that’s a legal thing or not.

(Edit: looks like they a couple other lines, and list an Adam Cue line as well. I’m told they cannot sell those to the US Market. And they have a Chinese company building this Adam line in Dongguan)

I can’t find any number for them from SBE. They have a website. I was going to get a hold of Allen Hopkins to see if there is a US contact. It might be the 3 second company (Adam NY). It is very confusing at this point.
 
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