OK, I admit it. I have the capacity to be a ball company fanboy. Back from 93 to 02, it was all about Ebonite, with a little Storm sprinkled in there. Then, I switched over to Track/AMF before the Ebo buyout. Then, I started throwing 900 Global.
Like any ball company, I have had some pieces that I didn't like so much. Out of the however many pieces I have had since C300 vacated San Antonio, I haven't liked some of them. I didn't like my Creature, or my Bounty very much. For whatever reasons, I didn't like how they rolled.
Out of the amount of bowling balls that I have drilled, however, I will say that 900/AMF have disappointed me the least. I drilled up some Track stinkers. I didn't like the Artillery, GP2, Rule, or the Blue Heat.
Ebo... you broke my heart too many times to count. Don't even make me bring up the Riptide.
So, for your viewing, I took snapshots of my current lineup, minus my Link and Titan, which are in the shop.
All pieces were punched at Competitive Edge Pro Shop in Woodridge, IL, by Paul Colombani, with help from Eddie Tumang.
The Break
The ball that started it all. Great weightblock, rolls great on almost anything. With this layout, I can pretty much start out playing the track, and keep moving in, bumping the oil line as far as I want. This ball is why I am going to pick up an Eagle.
The Break S75
What's that, you say? A Break with a Soaker cover? Gimme! With this layout, I can really open up the lane. If there's a sniff of dry to the right, send it there, and just pray you caught enough oil in the heads to push it there. Can be over under, but that's to be expected. Almost beats out my Break as best ball ever. Cover is still just as strong as when I bought it. Phil, you're a flippin genius.
Clutch Pearl
I picked this up from Tekneek, and punched it at Competitive Edge. Watched some vids, and decided I wanted it to push, then be controlled on the back. Ball has easy push, with a strong move, but not a flip on the back. Very controlled, with a great midlane look.
Clutch Solid
I drilled this with a wet dry house shot in mind. With my release, some balls tend to... not blend the pattern lol. By kicking the MB towards my track, and keeping the pin below the fingers, the ball is still plenty strong, but smooths out any wet dry I see. Where I have been bowling lately, can't use it except on the fresh. Can't move in too much with this layout, but that's not what I intended it for.
The Big Heist
The surprise ball. Got bumpers? You do now. I was surprised with how angular this ball is. Ball pushes better than anything else in the bag, due to the weaker (?) coverstock, but it just saves all the energy for the breakpoint. Not meant for the heavy, but once again, everything has it's place.
Hype Urethane
What's that? You still having a problem with over under? Put that resin stuff back in the bag, and throw the urethane! Ball is easily weaker than anything else in my bag, pending judgement of my Link vs it. Still flares a ton, and I don't have a heart flutter when I see it starting to change direction at 35 feet. Carry is good, due to the fact that my entry angle is better.
The Bank
After my experience with my Bounty (rolled very soon, and couldn't really move in with it, even when shiny.), I was worried about drilling a Bank. Not any more! Didn't put the pin down on this, so it would save something for the backend... and boy, it does. Great pop on the back end, great read of the mids, and hit is... well, money. If I didn't like this, there is no way I would have already ordered a Bank Roll.
I am excited about the direction in which 900/AMF is headed, and with a Bank Roll, Nuts, and a Hook on the way (Along with any little tidbits that Tekneek may have tucked away... i see you have more Big Heists and that Hype pearl, Steve... lol), I am looking to get myself back into competitive bowling.
Thanks for reading my long post, and good bowling to you!
The sky is falling
The end is near
The final warning
The sun disappears.
