Some Questions for our Tad Experts

[Baron]

Hey guys - just picked up a Tad and had a couple of questions. When I got it a couple of things jumped out at me. The first thing is the joint - I haven't ever seen a Tad pin with the recessed part at the top like that. I called Fred and he said he believed Tad did do that for a short time, so I'm not too worried about it. The second thing, though, is that the shaft pilots are different sizes. Don't quite know what to make of that other than that one of the shafts is maybe from a different maker, unless they changed the size of the insert at some point. I only hope that BOTH shafts aren't from a different maker. Here are the pics - of course my first concern is that it's real, and then if anyone might have any insight they can provide on the shafts that would also be awesome.

 

[ghost ball]

I have not seen a pin like that either. I have a tad with a serial number close to yours and it has a flat pin top. All my tad shafts look like the one on the left, from early tads to 90's. But I am no expert. I would send the pictures to Fred. I think for sure the butt is the real deal.

 

[Baron]

Anybody else?

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Deleted, my info wasn't the most accurate available sorry.

 

[12squared]

I do not remember seeing any of Tad's piloted shafts where the pilot is all brass as the one is on the right. The thickness of maple to the collar material is not the same thickness either, so I would be concerned that they are not two Tad shafts unless the one was a repaired Tad shaft. Best idea is to send pics to Tad's shop as previously suggested.

 

[ghost ball]

The butt a and collar show classic tad finish wear, dead give away. So are the number styles with serialization. My guesstimate is that it was made in 91 or 92. Check with Fred and let us know what you find out. Oh, picture of the bumper would be nice.

 

[Baron]

Thanks everyone. I have the Tad shop's phone number but not their email. Would anyone have it handy?

 

[gutshot]

The shaft you have on the left looks like the right insert. See pics below...

 

[galipeau]

It's possible that Tad just messed up the tenon and just decided to install the insert without the extra length. Regardless, it's highly doubtful to make any discernible difference in play.Even cuemakers are human...


Either that, or it used to be from one of his big pin cues and the customer wanted that shaft for the steel jointed cue with the smaller pin. He would have just drilled it out, and installed the brass insert to fit the different cue. These are both hypothetical situations, but I think they are both likely.

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Pilots have very little to do with the hit of the cue, basically the vibrations or energy travels on the surface of the cue so as long as the joint faces are flat and make a good connection the pilot has basically zero relevance.


Neil

 

[Baron]

Yeah truth be told, I don't care what it looks like as long as I know it's an original Tad shaft. But I think I'll have to just send it down to Fred to be sure.