Best if it is a piloted shaft that fits snugly with the joint. The length of the pin also varies quite a bit with the Hoppe Pros - if you are lucky you have a longer pin on yours. Not all 5/16x14 piloted shafts are 'equal' - Schons, for instance, are different and will not fit all cues - if I remember correctly, the pilot on the shaft is too wide for some non-Schon butts. So don't go buy a Schon shaft for it.