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Author Topic: Reax Gusto Impressions (sport tourney recap)  (Read 1491 times)

Radical In RI

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Reax Gusto Impressions (sport tourney recap)
« on: June 20, 2014, 09:57:37 AM »
I've drilled 2 of the New Reax Gusto's. 

Ball #1 - Pin over bridge (for me that puts the pin at 4.5" from my PAP) no hole

Ball #2 - Pin next to ring finger (2" pin to PAP) no hole (may add one to tweak it)


I've used both balls on our House shot (White #2) and on 3 different sport certified conditions this past weekend.  (one long pattern, one short pattern, and the 2013 Masters pattern)

My benchmark ball right now is the Reax2 Solid drilled almost identical to the pin up Gusto.  On a our house shot compared to the Reax the Gusto is slightly weaker overall, but it clears the front better and there is a more defined pop on the back part of the lane.  The continuation thru the pins is excellent like all of the Radical line-up it seems.   The 2" pin Gusto is obviously a control drilling for me, but with the cover it still gives me that little something extra on the back part of the lane, but glides effortlessly thru the fronts.  I drilled this ball to use on the severe burn and I haven't quite seen that just yet.

Over the past weekend I bowled in our state Master's tournament on the above mentioned patterns.  The first block of 6 games was on a 44ft sport pattern.  The Gusto really shined later in the block when my Reax got into the over/under stage of the transition. The Reax would either check up early or miss the break point.  With the Gusto I was able to stay on the same part of the lane but it cleared the front part of the lane effortlessly and read the exit off the pattern alot better and provided that downlane motion I needed to carry the corners. I was squad leader with plus 142 for six games.

The 2nd 6 game block was on a 37ft sport pattern.  I started out of the gate with the Gusto and opened up 201 and 255 before the carry down started happening and it wasn't quite strong enough to get thru the pattern correctly.  I ended up plus 42 for those 6 games and was one of 6 people who finished plus on that pattern, with the high man being plus 70.  After the first 12 games I ended up plus 184 and was leading the field by 160 going into the top 8 round robin match play round.

The round robin match play round was contested on the 2013 USBC Masters pattern.  I used a combination of the Unleashed, Reax2 Solid, & the Gusto during the 8 game math play round.  Going in i was just trying to conserve my energy for later in the day as i had such a big lead.  I went 5-3 in match play and lead the 2nd place by about 200 pins after 20 games (qualifying & match play).  The field was cut to the top 4 players and i won the first 2 game match against the #4 seed.  The final match we went back to fresh lanes (unfortunately as the Gusto would have shined if we stayed on the burn) and ended up losing to another great player from my area.  In this tournament they paid the top 12 places and the last cash spot for 12 games was MINUS 72.  We have a lot of very talented players in our state, so that score is a testament at how tough the patterns were.

All in all i think the Gusto will be a great addition to the Radical line-up and for me at least, paired with the Reax2 Solid will make a great 1-2 punch.  The thing that amazes me with these balls is the continuation thru the pin deck.  I've used alot of different brands over the years and I can't remember seeing such a pronounced impact when the ball gets there.  Be sure to grab that Gusto now and also be on the look out for the new PHIL & MO spare ball and the Grease Monkey POW coming at you in early August.  If you're not using these balls you are truly missing out.