BallReviews

Equipment Boards => AZO => Topic started by: dougb on May 03, 2011, 02:39:42 PM

Title: History of AZO?
Post by: dougb on May 03, 2011, 02:39:42 PM
I picked up an Ultima RP today and did some digging around on the ball and the company.  I couldn't find much on the ball outside of a few good reviews here.  Most of my stuff is 2-piece, so that's good.
 
On the company, I gather they used to be owned by Lane Masters/Legends and now by Storm?  Did they start off as an independent company?  And where does the Ultima RP fit into the history?
 
As always, thanks for your help!
 
 
 
Edited by dougb on 5/3/2011 at 10:41 PM
Title: Re: History of AZO?
Post by: charlest on May 04, 2011, 07:34:30 AM
As far as I recall, Lanemasters got "into the game" by buying AZO's manufacturing plant and their technology: cores and resin supplier, etc.around 2003. (One of AZO's initial "tricks" was to make the core out of urethane. I think this is what provided that AZO/LM "crack" sound when the balls hit the pocket.) LM's first 2 or 3 balls were relabelled AZO balls.
 
I'm pretty sure the Ultima was prior to this buyout. AZO then disappeared until about 3 years ago, when Storm bought the name and started producing AZO balls in Utah.Storm's AZO balls had/have no relationship in any way, as far as I am aware, to the original AZO balls or to Lanemasters manufacturing.
 
 


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Title: Re: History of AZO?
Post by: mainzer on May 04, 2011, 03:10:21 PM
The Ultima that you have is a amazing ball I had one for about a year and half  and it was very reliable.

 

The New Stuff that Storm has done was very underrated IMO. I owned the whole Tactics line and they were amazing all carried and hit like champs. I also has a Area and that was very good also.


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Title: Re: History of AZO?
Post by: dougb on May 04, 2011, 05:11:06 PM
 Thanks guys sounds like I scored a great and rare ball. Might be the best $10 I ever spent!
Title: Re: History of AZO?
Post by: dougb on May 04, 2011, 06:49:12 PM
Took the ball for a quick trip on my spinner and it cleaned up nice.
 
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/050311221634.jpg
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/050311221805.jpg
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/050311221707.jpg
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/050311221740.jpg
 
 

 
 
Edited by dougb on 5/5/2011 at 5:23 AM
Title: Re: History of AZO?
Post by: dougb on May 10, 2011, 12:16:47 AM
I played around with this ball tonight and it is incredibly smooth, predictable, and has great carry.  It does sound a little different when it hits the pins and it keeps them very low.
 
A great benchmark piece.  Now I need to decide if I keep or sell it as I have too many great benchmark balls!