BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 11:25:28 AM

Title: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 11:25:28 AM
Have a friend that has a Black Urethane, Burgundy reacta-thane, and a first blood. He has fallen in love with the urethane look and reaction, but a new oil machine in our center has rendered his black urethane almost useless on the fresh and the burgundy isn't much better.  He has had success with the first blood, but it is a little too angular and jumpy for him.  He is looking at a couple of balls, but doesn't know which will fit best and provide that smooth urethane look.

His first option is to wait for the Urethane widow(if it exists), but he doesn't know how it will be.  How much more will the Urethane widow hook compared to the black and burgundy?

2nd option is the Rhodman.  It looks smooth, just not sure of the hook potential compared to the other balls

Other option is the Scandal.  Just how strong is this ball and how much oil does it need.  He is afraid of it burning up and not hooking, but the reviews I have seen says that ball has tremendous continuation for a strong cover solid ball.

Also looking at the gauntlet or rebel yell. What do you all suggest?
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: leftybowler70 on November 10, 2017, 11:27:03 AM
What is the typical length of his house pattern?
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: leftybowler70 on November 10, 2017, 11:27:49 AM
Also, where does he play at at the board/arrows?
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: SVstar34 on November 10, 2017, 11:38:26 AM
Impulse Solid or Rebel Solid if there's a decent amount of oil. Blue Vibe or Eruption Pro Blue if on the medium to lighter side
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 12:32:57 PM
The shot used to be pretty dry and around 15(or left of it) at the arrows  to 10 at the breakpoint on the fresh, right of 10 was just inconsistent reaction so no one went right of ten. Now with the new oil there is a puddle left of 8. Seems the shot is 12 at arrows to 9 or 8 at the break point now on the fresh.  Getting right is a bit drier with some bounce but it is still inconsistent.  one time its fine, the next jumps hard, and then sometimes does nothing.  I'd say the length is about 40 ft.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 12:35:29 PM
Impulse Solid or Rebel Solid if there's a decent amount of oil. Blue Vibe or Eruption Pro Blue if on the medium to lighter side

He is looking to stay with Hammer.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: HackJandy on November 10, 2017, 12:36:56 PM
The shot used to be pretty dry and around 15(or left of it) at the arrows  to 10 at the breakpoint on the fresh, right of 10 was just inconsistent reaction so no one went right of ten. Now with the new oil there is a puddle left of 8. Seems the shot is 12 at arrows to 9 or 8 at the break point now on the fresh.  Getting right is a bit drier with some bounce but it is still inconsistent.  one time its fine, the next jumps hard, and then sometimes does nothing.  I'd say the length is about 40 ft.

Puddle left of 8 you say.  Epoxy ball time and won't be a puddle in the track by middle of game 2.  If staying Hammer maybe Gauntlet.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: SVstar34 on November 10, 2017, 01:29:45 PM
Impulse Solid or Rebel Solid if there's a decent amount of oil. Blue Vibe or Eruption Pro Blue if on the medium to lighter side

He is looking to stay with Hammer.

Well i gave 2 options from Hammer. I havent seen much feedback on the Rhodman, i know what it's supposed to be but it's seemed like most people went the Impulse Solid route within EBI when needing strong and smooth.

I'd suggest the Rebel Solid if he's set on specifically Hammer. Scandal needs a lot of oil and even more maintenance.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: CoorZero on November 10, 2017, 04:10:11 PM
The Black Widow Urethane isn't going to be that much stronger than the Black Urethane. It's still urethane, and if what he has isn't working now then there's a high probability that it won't work later.

Staying within Hammer the Rhodman and Rebel Solid are the best bets. The latter is a touch weaker but has more down the lane... but if a urethane-like motion is desired the more rolly Rhodman probably fits better.

Scandal seems like it would be too much of a jump and the Dark Legend Solid might be too angular of a motion. The Diesel uses the same coverstock as the First Blood so I don't know if that would be enough of a difference if the latter isn't fitting the bill.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 07:43:56 PM
The shot used to be pretty dry and around 15(or left of it) at the arrows  to 10 at the breakpoint on the fresh, right of 10 was just inconsistent reaction so no one went right of ten. Now with the new oil there is a puddle left of 8. Seems the shot is 12 at arrows to 9 or 8 at the break point now on the fresh.  Getting right is a bit drier with some bounce but it is still inconsistent.  one time its fine, the next jumps hard, and then sometimes does nothing.  I'd say the length is about 40 ft.

Puddle left of 8 you say.  Epoxy ball time and won't be a puddle in the track by middle of game 2.  If staying Hammer maybe Gauntlet.

Is the EPX the only epoxy ball still.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 10, 2017, 07:48:29 PM
Thanks for the advice on the rebel solid and rhodman.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: DFresh on November 11, 2017, 12:01:39 AM
I have a NIB 15# Rhodman that I'm looking to sell.  $125 shipped.  If you're interested, just send me a PM.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 13, 2017, 11:46:58 AM
Guess he is going to go out from Hammer, but still staying in the EBI family. He is looking at the Track Paradox black and then probably going to get the Widow Urethane as well when it comes out.  Any opinion on the Track Paradox black?  Yes, he knows it's the same as the original blue one.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: SVstar34 on November 13, 2017, 12:41:16 PM
Guess he is going to go out from Hammer, but still staying in the EBI family. He is looking at the Track Paradox black and then probably going to get the Widow Urethane as well when it comes out.  Any opinion on the Track Paradox black?  Yes, he knows it's the same as the original blue one.

Similar reaction to the First Blood but stronger overall by 3-5 boards probably. Maybe a hair smoother because of it
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 13, 2017, 12:54:36 PM
Guess he is going to go out from Hammer, but still staying in the EBI family. He is looking at the Track Paradox black and then probably going to get the Widow Urethane as well when it comes out.  Any opinion on the Track Paradox black?  Yes, he knows it's the same as the original blue one.

Similar reaction to the First Blood but stronger overall by 3-5 boards probably. Maybe a hair smoother because of it

Thank you.  I think he is going to put a smoother control drilling on it as well.  So it sounds like that is what he is looking for.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: J_w73 on November 16, 2017, 01:38:23 PM
He went with the Paradox Black. At first the ball didn't look that great out of the box and was angular and rolling out.  After it got some oil in the cover it started coming to life.  The ball is pretty much what he was hoping for.  Earlier and a smoother motion than the first blood, but maybe a little too big and too much overall hook.  Already a weight hole in it, so I'm not sure what he can do about that.  Maybe the cover will tame down a bit with some more games.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: HackJandy on November 16, 2017, 03:37:11 PM
He went with the Paradox Black. At first the ball didn't look that great out of the box and was angular and rolling out.  After it got some oil in the cover it started coming to life.  The ball is pretty much what he was hoping for.  Earlier and a smoother motion than the first blood, but maybe a little too big and too much overall hook.  Already a weight hole in it, so I'm not sure what he can do about that.  Maybe the cover will tame down a bit with some more games.

The don't re-release a ball if it sucks generally.  Still they would look less pathetic and reliving past glory if they were more upfront about it being a re-release.
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: SVstar34 on November 16, 2017, 03:54:30 PM
He went with the Paradox Black. At first the ball didn't look that great out of the box and was angular and rolling out.  After it got some oil in the cover it started coming to life.  The ball is pretty much what he was hoping for.  Earlier and a smoother motion than the first blood, but maybe a little too big and too much overall hook.  Already a weight hole in it, so I'm not sure what he can do about that.  Maybe the cover will tame down a bit with some more games.

The don't re-release a ball if it sucks generally.  Still they would look less pathetic and reliving past glory if they were more upfront about it being a re-release.

They did say it was a re-release of the original
Title: Re: Ball choice help
Post by: HackJandy on November 16, 2017, 03:58:30 PM
He went with the Paradox Black. At first the ball didn't look that great out of the box and was angular and rolling out.  After it got some oil in the cover it started coming to life.  The ball is pretty much what he was hoping for.  Earlier and a smoother motion than the first blood, but maybe a little too big and too much overall hook.  Already a weight hole in it, so I'm not sure what he can do about that.  Maybe the cover will tame down a bit with some more games.

The don't re-release a ball if it sucks generally.  Still they would look less pathetic and reliving past glory if they were more upfront about it being a re-release.

They did say it was a re-release of the original

And resubmitted to BTM for testing which surprise got the exact same numbers as the first time. I give Storm credit for not doing that with the Marvel Pearl but not for charging $160+ for a re-release.  But to each their own.