I recently purchased a used Break. Plugged it up and redrilled it using a RICO layout. After the plug work, I wet-sanded to 1500 and followed up with 3M Finesse-II.

First impression is very good. I used it at a house that uses a notoriously heavy THS and has squeaky clean backends. Even with the RICO layout, the backend on this ball is rediculous! I was able to play nearly 5 boards deeper with this ball than anything else I had toted in. I would be very afraid to throw this thing with a more agressive layout! I threw 5 or 6 warm up shaots and went right into league play. I shot 255 out of the gate and followed it up with 235, 209, and 249.

I have been struggling in this house due to the volume. This ball seems to have the right combination of midlane read and strong backend. The carry was very good (especially light hits). Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase, and cannot wait to try the Creature at my other local house (medium volume THS). I will report back with initial impressions on that ball after I get a few games on it.

My RICO Buzzbomb also works at this house, but is nowhere near as angular on the backend. The Buzzbomb seems to read a little earlier and is more arcing on the backend. It could simply be the difference in the two surfaces. My Buzzbomb is OOB, and the Break is sanded to a higher grit and polished.

I was always afraid of the RICO layout because I track pretty high. Man, was I late to the party. I also have a Complete NV that works at this house (also RICO layout). I only used it for a few practice balls to get a quick comparison, but the Complete NV will sit right in between the Buzzbomb and the Break.

I have used the Buzzbomb there twice, and this was the first time for the Break. The CNV was only thrown a few times out of curiosity. The Buzzbomb was doing better than anything else I had thrown at this pattern (prior to tossing the Break and CNV). That said, after the success with the Break, I may not try the CNV or the Buzzbomb there for a while. I am really impressed with the Break.

I am a die hard Sawhead, but I like to try other balls just for comparison from time to time. This is the first time I have seen something really different from anything else I own.
--------------------
Jon (in Ohio)



Edited on 3/4/2008 8:36 PM

Damn, Jon- now you went and did it.  Between your comments and the video by revTrex, I am just about sold on a Rico'd Break!  Doesn't hurt that I have have the same PAP as you do, based on your profile.  

I have been hesitant to try a Rico for a while for the same reason you mentioned- not sure if my style would work- but what better reassurance could there be than someone with the identical PAP having success?

I have been looking at both the Break Pearl and this ball for a while, but want to get some use out of my other new stuff first.


--------------------
~SprayNpray

-formerly known as SawFreak
-official house hack