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Author Topic: Phaze II - Yes or no?  (Read 12947 times)

lefty50

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Phaze II - Yes or no?
« on: February 25, 2017, 03:37:05 PM »
I'll be the first to admit that there appear to be a LOT of good balls out there right now, making the value choice enough tougher than normal. Phaze II looks good on paper for my game. I would guess it's a step down from Alpha Crux and/or No Rules, with a strong back end (that's what I'm looking for). I need to change from early and smooth to later and stronger, like the Vandal I just picked up (nice ball). However, although I like what I hear, I bowled against another lefty with a Phaze and felt sorry for the poor guy wasting his money on that piece of junk. It's scared me away from the Phaze II right now, but should it? I'll take positive feedback of course, but really looking for the negative feedback, cuz I'm not hearing any...
Thoughts on it's value for a low rev lefty straight up the boards and/or minimal bend, and/or compared to original Vandal are appreciated!

 

lefty50

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2017, 12:56:30 AM »
Updating this one.... I bought the Phaze II today. For right now to finish league where I am, Phaze II is in the wheel house for my favorite specs numbers wise, and seems to be a good choice for the gap I've got.... We'll find out tomorrow, post results, and then start debating the Sure Lock or No Rules for Nats...
Thanks to all for the feedback in multiple threads. Definitely lots of good options out there and I'm sure more than one will end up refreshing the bag.

avabob

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2017, 06:14:29 PM »
It all depends on how the Phase II lane polishes.  I just drilled one, and out of the box it is the earliest heavy rolling ball I have owned.  Way stronger than my Alpha Crux which I just de oiled and resurfaced. 

lefty50

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2017, 11:37:40 AM »
After all the feedback, I thought I'd post an update. I bought the Phaze II Thursday, and threw a few frames with it on the other end of the house before league. PAP 5x1, It's drilled pin above and left of ring (lefty) with Cg swung a little out, and an 1-1/8 thumb positive weight hole. Unfortunate, but necessary....

It was dying out a little, but I figured it needed a little more oil.... Off to league, fresh THS. Used it in practice... it was waking up, but my Gamebreaker II drilled pin above and left of ring with Cg in palm had a better look, so I held off (proud of myself for the restraint...). Game 2 GB II is sliding past. I made all the adjustments, but it was time for a change. Went to the Phaze 2 10th frame of game 2. Game 3... 238. Phaze was earlier, stronger and recovered nicely, with each shot better than the last. Now we see how the next 3-5 games go, and see what the lane shine does to it.
First impression... not bad. I think I would have drilled it differently, but this has potential....

avabob

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2017, 12:40:10 PM »
I drilled my Phase 2 pin below the ring finger.  Finally used it in a tournament Sunday on a Viper pattern.  First 3 it was a bit touchy and I shot about 580.  Next shift I had a real good look at about 8 board and shot 667.  Starting to lane polish just a bit, but still early and smooth if I stay behind it. 

ReneGoulet

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #20 on: March 23, 2017, 03:03:48 PM »
hey just wondering the term "lane polish" you used, what's your definition for that term?
Disciple of Earl
ITB
Guru Mighty (PinUp)
Scandal Pearl (PinUp)
Jackpot $$$ Pearl (PinUp)
Alpha Crux (PinDown)
Pitbull (Pin in Middle Finger)
No Rules Pearl (PinUp)

avabob

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #21 on: March 23, 2017, 04:24:00 PM »
My definition is when a solid matte finish ball starts to get shiny and appears to almost be polished as a few games accumulate.  Most solids do this to some degree, but for some it has more extreme impact on the reaction than on others.

ReneGoulet

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #22 on: March 23, 2017, 09:06:34 PM »
Thanks for the clarification.  Simple ball cleaner to bring it back or scuff pads to rough it up?
Disciple of Earl
ITB
Guru Mighty (PinUp)
Scandal Pearl (PinUp)
Jackpot $$$ Pearl (PinUp)
Alpha Crux (PinDown)
Pitbull (Pin in Middle Finger)
No Rules Pearl (PinUp)

lefty50

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2017, 01:01:38 AM »
I'll wait for Bob to reply, but I was in that exact situation tonight at the lanes... My Phaze II has only 3-4 games on it, and was getting lane shine, so I had to face that same question. Because of the inconsistent results I have with sanding in many cases, I chose to clean it with  Hook-it... At least in my case tonight, I could hook the whole lane but it was inconsistent and very speed sensitive. I pulled out a GameBreaker 2 that gave me a much better look for tonight and will continue the experiment over the weekend. This ball just feels like one of those that needs a few games on the cover before settling in. We'll see.... Definitely will scuff it this weekend if there's enough oil to make the experiment worthwhile.

avabob

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2017, 09:54:45 AM »
I have about 20 games on mine now.  I haven't seen any taming down in reaction yet.   

lefty50

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #25 on: March 24, 2017, 10:18:28 AM »
Bob, if I'm reading it right, I think his question was more along the lines of the first action to take when you notice lane shine... Scuff or clean? Out of curiosity, are you saying you've seen no difference when it develops lane shine?

avabob

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Re: Phaze II - Yes or no?
« Reply #26 on: March 25, 2017, 01:03:10 PM »
It depends on the ball.  There is always some impact.  In some cases it is positive.  I didn't really like my original virtual gravity until it did shine up due to wear and oil absorption.  Similar wit my Lucid which was s pearl but came at a 4000 sheen from the factory.  On the other hand my Alpha Crux just kept going longer and longer with a less than ideal move off the breakpoint for me.  Resurfacing and oil extraction gave me a very temporary improvement. 

I don't do a lot of shell maintenance on balls.  I let them transition, and they seem to stay that way for quite awhile.  I think the Phase II will will maintain a good reaction and I don't intend to do anything with it.