TAD KOHARA
FANCY EIGHT POINT
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This is one of the great traditional cue of all time. The design epitomizes the work and look of Tad cues. I don't think any other cue is so recognizable and perhaps well known. For those not familiar with Tad cues, here's a little background.
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Tad is extremely well-known by cue collectors around the world. His cues are in great demand in Asia, rivalled perhaps only by Ginacue. However, what is unique about most of his cues is the LACK of ivory, which means that - especially in recent years - his cues can be easily exported out of the U.S. Almost all of his inlay work, joints and butt caps are made from linen-based materials rather than ivory. Contrary to what you would think, this has had no negative effect on their value or demand.
Because so many of his cues have been exported, they are a bit more scarce in the U.S. However, they are much better known on the west coast than across the rest of the country. You just don't see a lot of them on the east side of the mountains.
In recent years, it is said that his son is doing most of the work on the cues, but that has been a very gradual transition, so it has not affected their value. The quality of the work has never declined.
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This particular classic Tad design starts with a simple maple nose with eight points - four long, four short - of ebony. The butt sleeve itself also starts with ebony, but is so heavily inlaid that the base material is really insignificant. The butt sleeve here is classic Tad.
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Describing the inlay design in a Tad butt sleeve is like trying to catch smoke in a bottle. I'll just let the pictures do the talking - in this case, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
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Almost everything about Tad cues is very traditional. He wraps this one in Cortland linen, something you don't see much of these days. He uses a standard piloted stainless steel joint. His ring work of maple and ebony checks is used on almost all his cues. Buying a Tad is like buying a Mercedes - the basics haven't changed much, but it's still a great ride.
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This one weighs about 19.4 ounces, and comes with two 13mm shafts. It's still in NEW condition, and doesn't appear to have been played. It appears also to have Tad's own custom tips. Finding an older Tad like this in original and such excellent, mint condition is a rare find.
PRICE: $5800
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| This cue is all "Tad." |
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