BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: AlonzoHarris on July 04, 2018, 10:22:45 AM
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A little fun yet interesting topic here. So what 1-3 balls would you consider at the top of your bag and when and why do they actually get to come into play. One thing I've noticed is people will have stuff at the top of their lineup that they never even get to throw. I've been that person before. I feel like I've found a pretty good setup now.
I'll start.
No Rules Pearl. First 2 games of league in my wood house. All 3 games of league in my synthetic house. Option for first out the bag on sport if I have it sanded to 1-2k. Easy length and very hard sharp turn on THS when I have the oil. Requires playing deep.
Phaze II. Not in league in wood house or maybe game 1. All 3 games of league in synthetic House but deep. Competes for first out of bag when sanded and if the NRP is too much off the spot. Blends heavier THS well. Smooth on sport but quick to show where the oil has depleted if it's gone in the mids.
Code Black. All 3 games of league both wood and synthetic houses. Later games of sport of sport to get in and wheel it with Polish still on it. Easy length and excellent recovery.
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Solid Assym-dont own one, planning on Quantum Bias.... Heavy THS on synthetics, 1st game ball
Hybrid sanded Assym-Roto Critical fresh 2000 grit, comes into play on tough sport shots that feature a decent amount of oil. Too strong for THS for me.
Polished hybrid Assym- HC fused haven't found it's sweet spot, ball hooks too much off the spot for me. On THS I get practice and 6 frames before bagging it. Getting better as u wear it out! Fresh oob is SCARY.
Solid symmetrical-Seismic Lynx 1000grit- heavy heavy patterns, where my target is in front me playing straight up.
Polished hybrid- Respect gets used as an all purpose polished symmetrical, from benchmark situations where I'm reading what's out there as the measuring stick, to standard up the boards reactions on THS
Moral of the story is the top end rarely gets used besides the Respect, and we need oil!
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I am one of the few that loves high end balls on THS (as opposed to the many who are simply sold high end balls for THS by bad PSOs). I have a high rev rate, but my very high speed still puts me speed dominant territory. I like to start fresh house shots with a medium sym, but when the lanes start to go, I prefer to ball up and move in. One of my two fall leagues is second shift, so I'm balling up and moving in very often.
Currently my 3 "big" balls are:
Brunswick Mastermind - old reliable. Kept at 2000 grit. Used primarily on heavier/longer sport shots these days, but used to see a lot of action from deep in a second shift league I bowl on a heavier THS. Great midlane chug on heavier oil.
Roto Grip Idol - similar midlane read to my Mastermind, but a much more continuous shape. The continuation on this ball has allowed it to replace the Mastermind as my deep ball on the heavier THS at my home house. With as much midlane and continuation as it's had, I've actually found it difficult to find a sport shot that this isn't too much ball for, but it's come into play a couple of times this summer when I've just needed pure hook from deep to get in with some more rev dominant bowlers blowing up the lane.
Roto Grip No Rules Pearl - more length than the Mastermind with an equally chuggy midlane into a strong but not snappy shape. Typically the second ball out of the bag on heavier sport shots, and first out of the bag on lighter sport shots or sport shots on higher friction surfaces. Similarly, this serves as my deep ball on higher friction house shots.
I recently retired my Intense and Gauntlet. Intense was overly chuggy, it simply hooked out on many shots and was unforgiving of small release mistakes. Gauntlet was the opposite, it didn't really want to chug in the midlane but didn't really want to continue on the back either. Both were fine if I had them at the exact time their reactions were useful, but I generally keep a fairly compact arsenal and these balls weren't versatile enough to warrant a spot in that.
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Brunswick Absolute Nirvana - only comes out for tournaments, the cover is strong and grabs. Generally patterns in the 38-45 range as long as there's higher volume
Track Paradox Black - mainly 40-50 ft patterns, still need some volume for it.
They just don't get used much. I'm considering selling my Paradox Black even though I like it to replace with a Creed Rebellion since I like my Creed so much.
Majority of my use goes to DV8 Creed, Freak Show Solid, Rack Attack Pearl, and Motiv Tag Cannon
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Forest Green Quantum. Ball is as strong as I would ever need (generally have to keep it polished) so probably won't race to buy the Bias.
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I am one of the few that loves high end balls on THS (as opposed to the many who are simply sold high end balls for THS by bad PSOs). I have a high rev rate, but my very high speed still puts me speed dominant territory. I like to start fresh house shots with a medium sym, but when the lanes start to go, I prefer to ball up and move in. One of my two fall leagues is second shift, so I'm balling up and moving in very often.
Currently my 3 "big" balls are:
Brunswick Mastermind - old reliable. Kept at 2000 grit. Used primarily on heavier/longer sport shots these days, but used to see a lot of action from deep in a second shift league I bowl on a heavier THS. Great midlane chug on heavier oil.
Roto Grip Idol - similar midlane read to my Mastermind, but a much more continuous shape. The continuation on this ball has allowed it to replace the Mastermind as my deep ball on the heavier THS at my home house. With as much midlane and continuation as it's had, I've actually found it difficult to find a sport shot that this isn't too much ball for, but it's come into play a couple of times this summer when I've just needed pure hook from deep to get in with some more rev dominant bowlers blowing up the lane.
Roto Grip No Rules Pearl - more length than the Mastermind with an equally chuggy midlane into a strong but not snappy shape. Typically the second ball out of the bag on heavier sport shots, and first out of the bag on lighter sport shots or sport shots on higher friction surfaces. Similarly, this serves as my deep ball on higher friction house shots.
I recently retired my Intense and Gauntlet. Intense was overly chuggy, it simply hooked out on many shots and was unforgiving of small release mistakes. Gauntlet was the opposite, it didn't really want to chug in the midlane but didn't really want to continue on the back either. Both were fine if I had them at the exact time their reactions were useful, but I generally keep a fairly compact arsenal and these balls weren't versatile enough to warrant a spot in that.
Hank have you taken the NRP to 2000 and tried it on some longer heavier stuff as first ball out?
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I just throw whatever ball feels the best off of my hand that day. If I need more hook, hit it with a worn out 2000 pad, if I need more length, I hit it with a worn out 4000 pad and CTD-Wow Factor TR.
I have about 16 balls between the trunk and the house and the only thing balls that come into play the last two months are Eruption Pro Blue and Hustle HYB. If those balls start to flat ten and I need more angle, I go to All Out Show Off or the Badger. I have about 10 balls that have a combined 10 games on them.
Sad.
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I am one of the few that loves high end balls on THS (as opposed to the many who are simply sold high end balls for THS by bad PSOs). I have a high rev rate, but my very high speed still puts me speed dominant territory. I like to start fresh house shots with a medium sym, but when the lanes start to go, I prefer to ball up and move in. One of my two fall leagues is second shift, so I'm balling up and moving in very often.
Currently my 3 "big" balls are:
Brunswick Mastermind - old reliable. Kept at 2000 grit. Used primarily on heavier/longer sport shots these days, but used to see a lot of action from deep in a second shift league I bowl on a heavier THS. Great midlane chug on heavier oil.
Roto Grip Idol - similar midlane read to my Mastermind, but a much more continuous shape. The continuation on this ball has allowed it to replace the Mastermind as my deep ball on the heavier THS at my home house. With as much midlane and continuation as it's had, I've actually found it difficult to find a sport shot that this isn't too much ball for, but it's come into play a couple of times this summer when I've just needed pure hook from deep to get in with some more rev dominant bowlers blowing up the lane.
Roto Grip No Rules Pearl - more length than the Mastermind with an equally chuggy midlane into a strong but not snappy shape. Typically the second ball out of the bag on heavier sport shots, and first out of the bag on lighter sport shots or sport shots on higher friction surfaces. Similarly, this serves as my deep ball on higher friction house shots.
I recently retired my Intense and Gauntlet. Intense was overly chuggy, it simply hooked out on many shots and was unforgiving of small release mistakes. Gauntlet was the opposite, it didn't really want to chug in the midlane but didn't really want to continue on the back either. Both were fine if I had them at the exact time their reactions were useful, but I generally keep a fairly compact arsenal and these balls weren't versatile enough to warrant a spot in that.
Hank have you taken the NRP to 2000 and tried it on some longer heavier stuff as first ball out?
I took it to 2000 for nationals (I bowled in March). I still used it as a second ball for D/S, which was heavy and medium-longish. I still used my Mastermind (@1000) first and switched to my Gauntlet @ 1000 when I decided I didn’t like the shape of the Mastermind. I finally switched to the NRP around the middle of game 2 and saved my doubles set with a 280 game 3.
I keep it at 2000 now after that. I’d say it’s still a second ball on true heavier oil, but it can be a good first ball on long-but-ighter patterns (which is pretty common of longer patterns anyway).
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My bag is currently lacking in mamy areas, but I plan to make changes in the upcoming months. My current top ball is a No Rules Pearl that stays at 2000. I use it on more fresh medium and cliffed patterns. Rarely have had to take it to 1000 for the past couple months of having it, but it does need it for the true heavy stuff.
In the past, I've had a Haywire and a Lock covering the top of my bag. I saw more use out of the Lock and actually widh I had another to drill. I usually don't need stuff like a Sure Lock unless there is a ton of volume in the middle and a good amount of friction right. For my game, a No Rules Pearl and either Phaze II/Code X/Idol would cover my top end rather well. Usually a benchmark piece with surface covers me on the fresh and has more usage.
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Right now, until I drill a metric ton of stuff, my original On with 2000 is the top of my bag, with the Black Ops being right below it. Planning on a Continuum and DCT pearl on top, with a Sumo SE just below that for a different shape, but most of my time will be spent with my 2 Tacticals, Badger and HB.
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Right now, until I drill a metric ton of stuff, my original On with 2000 is the top of my bag, with the Black Ops being right below it. Planning on a Continuum and DCT pearl on top, with a Sumo SE just below that for a different shape, but most of my time will be spent with my 2 Tacticals, Badger and HB.
But the Truth Tour is so good :(
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Top 3 right now:
1. Hammer Rip'd Solid with a pin up double thumb layout. Other than some sport shots and practice, this is rarely used.
2. Hammer Rip'd Hybrid, pin up with p3 hole, shine knocked off. Definitely more versatile than the solid, but still mainly used on sport and in practice.
3. Motiv Villain with pin down control layout. This ball was amazing at the end of our winter season. But since provincials took place here and spring/summer hit, it hasn't seen much use. As with the above, sport and practice mainly.
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Right now, until I drill a metric ton of stuff, my original On with 2000 is the top of my bag, with the Black Ops being right below it. Planning on a Continuum and DCT pearl on top, with a Sumo SE just below that for a different shape, but most of my time will be spent with my 2 Tacticals, Badger and HB.
But the Truth Tour is so good :(
No, no, you're right, Truth Tour is gooooood, but right now, in that spot, you would be hard pressed to get my X out of my hand. I am going to order one, and put it somewhere in the lineup, though.
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1. Motiv Jackal Rising. This is my go to ball. I start with this ball and go down from there.
2. Motiv Forza GT. When the Rising rolls out or the lanes are dryer, here we go. On Kegel's Stone Street, this balls kills the pins.
3. Motiv Hydra. Just got it, but I can tell it's going to be great when the lines dry up.
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1. Hyper Cell Fused
2. All Out Show Off (polished)
3. Rebel Tank urethane Pearl
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As of last season....
HyRoad Nano pin down.. She is smooth and powerful and great on the flat patterns I usually see. If she starts hooking more then ten boards I put her away as that means flat tens are coming. Not much adjusting needed as this ball is either on or off.
Street fight pearl. An absolute sleeper this ball was after reading all the bad feelings this ball left with so many bowlers. reaction can be smooth on the flatter patterns or a nice strong but not to crazy move off the friction. Drilled pin down I find it a great compliment to the HYN.
The Honey Badger. This one is pin down also but don't let that fool you.Can you say Yo-yo? when the right side tracks up I'm 4th-5th arrow with this beast! very strong but not flippy backend. Downside is I can leave some really funky splits with too much angle.
and I know you didn't ask but in the number 4 slot and probably my most important ball in the bag is my avalanche pearl urethane pin up. great spare/dirt ball,just point and click ;)
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Idol with lane shine, Hyper cell fused and an All out Show Off if needed :)
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in bag at this moment
1 Rip'd Hybred
2 Pure Adrenaline
3 Mission Unknown
4 Black Widow Urethane
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In my Bag #1
1) Black Quantum - light/medium keep this shined up a ton with a pin up drilling
2) Intel - Medium and control
3) Method - Heavy/Medium Heavy
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Wed bag
X pin down @2k
Chemical X pin down @ 4k+polish
Bost Hybrd pin down @ 4k + polish
Taboo spare
Fri bag
Respect pin up OOB
Protocol pin down @ 2k + polsh
Compass pn down @ 4k
Shadow Ops OOB
14# bag (eDream On xperiment)
Dream On pin down @ 2k
SpecialOps pin up OOB
Shadow Ops oob
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The very top of my bag:
1. Hyper Cell Fused with a double thumb layout at 500 wet sanded
2. A Sure Lock with a p3 balance hole that alternates between 500 and 1000 wet sanded
The Hyper Cell Fused was an experiment to see what would happen if I laid out a ball with the Nucleus Core with a double thumb balance hole. At 500, I have found the ball is completely unusable for anything less than 25.0ML of oil - so obviously no house shots. I have only used it a handful of times and have not been completely thrilled with the ball motion. But like I said, it's an experiment and I am not fully done testing...
The Sure Lock has been a winner, mostly at 1000. It is usable on many patterns for me except for really short patterns and house shots.
For the most part, my sport pattern bag is looking like this:
Sure Lock
DDT
Hyper Cell Fused (polished p2 hole - not to be confused with the double thumb monster)
IQ Tour Solid
The Crow
Plastic
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Currently, because its summer league:
1. 15lb GB3, pin up, cg kicked right at 50* OOB
2. 15lb Blue Paradox, pin up over middle finger..cg kicked right, 2000 no polish
3. 15lb Red Alert SE, pin up and right of ring, surface fluctuates between 800 & 1000
depending on need at the time
4. 15lb Mag035, pin up and stacked, OOB (my "Get me out of Trouble" ball)