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Author Topic: Melee Cross  (Read 15098 times)

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Melee Cross
« on: May 29, 2014, 11:50:15 AM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Brunswick Melee Cross Ball Specs:

- Color: Teal Solid All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Melee Low RG Symmetric (14-16 Lbs.)
- Coverstock: Savvy Hook Solid Reactive
- Factory Finish: 500; 2,000 Siaair Micro Pad
- Reaction: skid through front, strong mid-lane rev, great entry angle, excellent pin action
- Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.537**
- Differential (Diff): 0.050**
- ** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
- Hook Potential: 190 (scale 10-250)
- Length: 120 (scale 25-235)
- Breakpoint Shape: Arc
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Oily
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal

 

UpstateProShopChris

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2014, 04:15:37 PM »
BALL SPECS


Pin Length: 3.3


Starting Top Weight: 3.8 oz


Ball Weight: 15 lbs 5 oz



DRILL PATTERN


Ball: 60 x 4.5 x 35


X Hole (if there is one): none



BOWLER STYLE


Rev Rate: 375 rpms


Ball Speed:17.5 mph



PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up



SURFACE PREP


Grit: 1000 Siaair


Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded



LANE CONDITIONS


Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house, 42 foot Scorpion, 35 foot Cheetah



Volumes: Moderate to Higher



Type: house




BALL REACTION


Length: Clean through the front with a strong midlane read



Back End: strong continuous arc


Overall Hook: aggressive


Midlane Read: strong


Breakpoint Shape: strong arc



COMMENTS


Likes: Strong move off of friction and smooth reaction



Dislikes: none

The Melee Cross is an excellent complement to the original Melee from Brunswick.  The teal machine is about an arrow stronger than the Melee on our house shot and its all in the midlane.  The Cross is also more aggressive and more angular down lane than the Meanstreak Beadown that preceded it.  The Melee Cross has worked well for me when I need a ball to step down from the Mastermind that will still read sooner than other options in my bag.  This ball is an excellent choice when you need a symmetrical ball that will create friction on slicker patterns.  I had no problem getting it to read the slickest part of the lane on Scorpion.  It seems to have a lot of versatility and is playable from most angles on the lane.  I can see it being the ball I start out with on our house shot in the coming fall leagues.  It also works well on higher volume shorter patterns when you need something to blend out the lane condition.  If your looking for excellent value and performance on oilier lane conditions try a Melee Cross!
Chris Garrett
Upstate Pro Shop
Greenville, SC  864-248-4737
Upstateproshop@charter.net

Brunswick Regional Staff
Vise Regional Staff

frike300

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2014, 07:05:01 PM »
Haven't used this ball a whole lot, but my first notice with it is, that it handles tougher shorter conditions really well.  I threw it on the short Blue pattern, and was really impressed with how it smoothed out the over under I saw with my asymmetric stuff.  It is a strong smooth reaction, but has enough pop off the spot to roll through the pins well.  For me it is about 4 stronger out  of the box  with the same layout I have on my regular Melee (pin under the middle finger and hole down).  This ball will continue to see a lot of use on fresh and more difficult conditions.

Mike Freundel
Brunswick Regional Staff

The views of this post are solely those of the writer, and not Brunswick Bowling & Billiards.

fatman_FUBAR

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2014, 08:15:06 PM »
When going into battle each weapon has its place.  Find out why the new Brunswick Bowling Melee Cross's place is in your bag in the latest installment of the Summer Ball Blast here at Lane Side Reviews.
http://youtu.be/hE_EIA1bZyg

Brunswick Melee Cross

BALL SPECS
Pin Length – 3-4"
Starting Top Weight – 2.7 oz
Ball Weight - 15lb 2oz

DRILL PATTERN
Drilled at 45 Degrees X 5” X 65 Degrees

BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate – 240 / 352 / 436
Ball Speed – 14.1 MPH / 18.6 MPH

PICTURE AND VIDEO LINKS

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10465443_815647471786911_5173916455771638476_o.jpg

SURFACE PREPARATION
Grit - Out of the Box
Type (Matte, Polish, Sanded) - Out of the Box

LANE CONDITION
Length - 41 ft
Volume – 18.30 ml
Type (Wall, Xmas Tree, Sport) – Kegel Main Street (THS)

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @ http://Http://www.Facebook.com/LaneSideReviews

Brunswick_fan_BrandonH

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2014, 09:58:32 AM »
BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 Lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4 1/2" x 55

X Hole (if there is one): No


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker

Ball Speed: 16.50 mph

PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box - 2000 Siaair

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 7 / 10

Back End: 7 / 10

Overall Hook: 8 / 10

Midlane Read: 8.5 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: 8 / 10 (More of a midlane roll reaction)


COMMENTS

Likes: The new core and cover combination makes it a little stronger than the Melee

Dislikes: None

The Melee Cross is a great addition to the Brunswick line that has a stronger midlane roll and it has that classic teal coloring. Comparing it to the Melee, the Melee Cross is stronger in the midlane and stronger in the backend. The Melee Cross will give your that smooth controlled reaction like the Melee, but continue stronger through the pins. I have used this ball on the 43 ' Tokyo sport pattern, and it gave me a strong midlane read and continuation to combat the heavier oil. I could see the Melee Cross being used for first out of the bag to help break down longer or slicker patterns. Check out the video from tamerbowling.com to see me throwing some shots : http://youtu.be/_w-tTUQ7i_E?list=UUjHcws-w_hDpcIZO9FQqnKw
Vise Staff Member

Auntj300bowl

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2014, 08:59:38 PM »
Bowler Style:
     Rev Rate: 275-300
     Speed: 16 mph
     PAP: 4 7/8 right by 1/4 up

Layout:
     80 x 4 1/2 x 55

Pattern:
     House Shot, Open Championship (2013)

Comments:
     Extremely impressed!!!! When I heard the Versa Max was discontinued I was very disappointing, but I was told to wait until next season because something even better will be coming.
     The Melee Cross uses the very popular and extremely effective original Nexus f(p+f) coverstock and the symmetrical Melee core. With this combination you see a strong midlane movement from the cover with extreme continuation all the way through the pin deck because of the elongated symmetrical core.
     On the house shots on wood lanes this ball is perfect. The ball doesn't over read the lane at all, it will pick up at about 30 ft and just strong arc the rest of the way. On the open championship pattern this ball is the first out of my bag. It is great to start because it doesn't jump off the end of the pattern because of the fresh backends. As the day moves along you can just keep moving left.
    Only dislikes about the ball are when you move to far left it will eventually quit on you and start reading too early and not finishing. Only other dislike is I have a very hard time keeping the cover dull, it seems to lane shine very quickly for me.
Jeremy Angevine
Poughkeepsie, NY
GT's Pro Shop
Brunswick/DV8/Radical advisory staff

Dwight Albrecht

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2014, 10:02:37 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:41 feet

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): House Shot


COMMENTS

Likes: Predictability and Power in one ball. I love how Brunswick made this ball look like the old Teal Rhino, a great throw back to the early days of resin technology, Brilliant! The Melee Cross evens rolls like the Teal Rhino, early and even factory sanded, long and smooth strong polished. The ball carries unreal. All styles of bowlers will love this ball, sanded for strokers or heavy oiled lanes, polished for crankers or dry lanes, extremely versatile. I have had more honor scores from my customers this year so far with this ball than any other ball on the market. Compared to the Ringer Solid, the Melee Cross is 3-4 stronger and has more back end reaction but still has that smooth motion like the ringer.

Dislikes: None

Dwight Albrecht
Albrecht's Sparetime Pro Shop
Brunswick Pro Shop Staffer


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

DFR

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2015, 08:11:57 PM »
PICTURES




BALL REACTION

Length: 6/10

Back End: 5/10

Overall Hook: 7/10

Midlane Read: 9/10


COMMENTS

Likes: The first thing that came to mind when I started throwing the Cross is that it will be the first ball out of my bag at every tournament.  This ball is truly an amazing benchmark ball for any bowler needing that dependable ball reaction.  The LRG core mixed with the solid reactive cover really provides a nice even rolling motion all the way down lane.  In my opinion, the balls greatest strength is the simplistic motion that it provides.  It gives me great looks on a variety of patterns and blends tricky over/under very well.

This will be a great asset to any bowlers arsenal whether you are a league bowler who wants a ball that is going to give them a consistent reaction week to week or a competitive tournament bowler that is looking for a great benchmark ball to tackle those tough conditions.

Dislikes: Having to explain that it is not a Rhino Pro Teal.  ;)
Ryan Council
Lindenwood Lion 2005-2010
Brunswick Regional Staff
bowlwithbrunswick.com

JVD DV8

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2015, 10:15:47 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: n/a

Volume: 24+

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): ths

COMMENTS

Likes: Versatility and predictability. This ball is by far the most versatile and predictable ball  I have ever thrown since the Versa-max. This ball helps even out the wet/dry a lot of people see on their typical house shots. Highly highly reccomend this ball as a benchmark ball for anyones bag.

Dislikes: you will have to make sure you stay up on keeping surface on this ball as it may become to angular as the out of box finish wears off and the ball shines up.

The views expressed in this post are solely of the writer and not that of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation.

Jon Van Dyke
Brunswick Advisory Staff

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

geofin800

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2015, 12:41:59 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:i have all 3 melee's ,,,,the balls just seem to carry. i start with the cross the nthe red one and finish with the jab,,,,, all just great balls. fit my game so well 

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2015, 01:59:43 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 40 ft.

Volume: Fairly heavy

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS, but with OB


COMMENTS

Layout:  pin 4 1/2" from PAP, with CG towards the grip center and just below the fingers.

Likes:  Surprised at how clean the cover gets the ball through the heads.  Very easy to rev up, and forgiving as the ball finds friction.  A strong and predictable turn back to the pins.  The color looks like the old teal Rhino, which stands out against all the multi-colored balls on the return.  Great carry!

Dislikes:  Nothing whatsoever.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

jpbowl300

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Re: Melee Cross
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2015, 02:54:41 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 34'

Volume: 26.05ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):  WTBA Stockholm


COMMENTS

This ball matches up really well on short sport patterns.  I shot 706 with this ball on Stockholm, it's drilled pin above ring finger and surface prep at 800 grit Siaair.  It comes off the spot very controllable, you don't have to be concerned about seeing the jumpiness you generally get on fresh short patterns until they transition. 

It's also been good for me on longer sport patterns where you really don't want to cover a ton of boards due to hang or inconsistent reaction.  A pretty versatile ball and worth a look.

Likes:  Great when controllability is needed

Dislikes:  None yet


Jeff Poholsky
Brunswick Advisory Staff
@jpbowl300


The opinions above are mine, and not of Brunswick Corporation.