Since the original black widow came out I have purchased most every ball in the line. Each new release in the widow line has always been popular in my area and I've seen a lot of people have a lot of success. However, I have not been having the same luck. For me, I'm mediocre at best with the gas mask in the widows. Then I tried the Jet Black Taboo and that ball was money for me. Unfortunately I sold my JBT as it had seen better days. I can't find anything for the life of me that rolls like that one did for me. Did the coverstock really make that much of a difference? I usually leave my equipment OOB unless I really think I'm on to something.

It is quite possible that the coverstock made the difference for you. This is especially true if all balls were drilled with the same layout. Also surface prep is quite important as over the life of this core Hammer used many different technique to produce their OOB finishes. As far as a possible replacement goes, I would try a BW Legend resurfaced to match factory finish on the Taboo.

I would think that the Red Legend is more angular when it makes it move on the backend. But it is extremely clean through the fronts. The one thing of note though is that the Red Legend has a pearl coverstock while the Jet Black has a reactive coverstock.

Hope you find a good replacement!

I actually had the deep purple too and it was ok, it hooked quite a bit and it was pretty smooth. At that time though I think I was using my roto defiant for the type of roll I got out of the purple taboo. As for the red legend, I have put some thought into getting one, however, I was hoping to find something with a solid coverstock just in thinking that a solid coverstock would be easier to replicate the roll of the JBT..but I will keep the red legend in mind. In the mean time I ordered a ALFS and a Bad Intentions in my search to replace my beloved JBT.

I'm not a Hammer guy, but would be curious to know.....

DId they happen to switch the orientation of the core?

Example I use to bowl with the Rhino Pro, and did not like it.
I bought the T2 and loved it.  Both had the same layout, both
had a lightbulb core, but I found out the core was flipped 180 degrees in the T2.

Just curious if they did something similar here.

I think you will find the new Red Legend pretty close to the Jet Black Taboo in clean thru the fronts, but the Red Legend has a little more pop in the backends with the Pearl cover. I have drilled up a lot of the Red Legends in my area for all styles of bowlers & they all love how clean it is thru the fronts with a nice backend recovery!

I would recommend the Red Legend as a replacement for the JB Taboo if you cannot find another.

Agreed. I have both balls myself, drilled exactly the same way. But there was something about the JB Taboo that was really forgiving for me. The Red Legend is very similar, not quite the same.

 Or wait.  Heard some say there is a solid cover red widow coming. Bill O'Neill was supposedly using one just a couple of days ago, but hadn't been announced/released publicly yet.

Oh,,,,in our Wet/Dry House that JBT is JUMPY!

Only the best lofters and high speed guys can keep that explosive pill into the pocket ball after ball!

For a strong wet dry the original Black Legend looks very smooth and yet strong!

Regards,

Luckylefty