If memory serves, Jon, a standard driver shaft is in the region of 45-46 inches give or take. Remember this is the total length of the shaft, not just the bit you can see. There might be an inch or so in the clubhead itself. If you have measured the total length of the club then it is a bit short. As for the 48 inch driver shaft this is a custom option most shafts are manufactured at a length of 46". Remember longer shafts are harder to control so take care when deciding on too long a driver shaft, theres no sense gaining 10 yards to lose 30 cos it lands in the hay.

The lead tape might be because the shaft is shorter. Shortening a shaft by an inch lowers the swingweight by 1 point, I think, (TeachingPro, please correct me on this if im wrong). It does sound like a lot of lead tape if its all the way round the back of the club though.

Strip the tape off and see how the club feels. If it is too light then you can just replace the tape or change the shaft out. If you want to keep the Aldila (great shaft) get a reputable and skilled clubmaker to whip it out in one piece and put it in one of your fairway woods. You can get an Aldila NV from Golfsmith for $80. I would say at 6'3" you do not really want to be playing with anything less than a standard sized driver. It wont really make a lot of difference but you may find that it only goes as far as a 2 wood now.

Good luck,

D.