Post by: Juggernaut on January 11, 2010, 01:32:26 PM
But not so with A.M.F.. Heck, two great looking balls hit the market today, and hardly anybody even took notice. I checked with several reputable online shops, and didn't see them listed anywhere. Heck, as long as the HYPE's have been out, you still can't review them here on this site.
They're made by a really good company, one that makes balls for several different companies that are always out there in the forefront, but it seems as though A.M.F. always ends up like a red-headed step child, overlooked and ignored.
Just the other night in league, I was throwing my CODE and my ORBIT EXTREME, and a guy asked me "Where did you get those, I though they went out of business years ago".
Is A.M.F. actually a serious player, or are they just a flashy sideline ball for 900G?
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Good transactions list in my profile
ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!
Post by: LaneHammer20 on January 11, 2010, 09:51:38 PM
I would put any of my AMF balls that I have against any body else's stuff from any company.
I can't wait to get my hands on a clutch pearl
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What is sandbagging???
Post by: DON DRAPER on January 11, 2010, 09:54:46 PM
Post by: beachcomberjones on January 11, 2010, 11:12:06 PM
I think they have really transformed the line over the past two years and it will slowly gain more momentum in the industry but I think it will be a slow process, because you have to keep in mind the number #1 goal is to keep 900 global at the fore front as it is right now. Growing even that much bigger and more advanced that other companies without devoting too much energy to its smaller subsidiaries.
I'd love to see AMF turn into a proving ground for new 900 Global equipment, experimental core/cover combos etc... The day will come when they get the credit they deserve
Post by: stormed1 on January 11, 2010, 11:28:14 PM
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Arsenal: Mega Friction, S-75, Break Point x 2, Break x2,Clutch x 2,Maniac,Awakening,Lunatic,SX-1,Link,Hype urethane,Global Globe, 14# golden globe
http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/stormed1/My%20Arsenal/
Bowlingboards.com
Post by: Jay on January 12, 2010, 02:13:10 AM
It's true that AMF in particular probably doesn't get enough credit, but in most cases I think it's the pro shops not putting these balls in their customers' hands(the ones that don't know what they need). The people that know better probably just have their preferences and they don't include AMF.
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Justin
Bowling Boards (http://"www.bowlingboards.com")
Post by: stormed1 on January 12, 2010, 07:03:27 AM
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Arsenal: Mega Friction, S-75, Break Point x 2, Break x2,Clutch x,Maniac,Awakening,Lunatic,SX-1,Link,Hype urethane,Global Globe, 14# golden globe
http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/stormed1/My%20Arsenal/
Bowlingboards.com
Post by: Juggernaut on January 12, 2010, 07:09:24 AM
Professional bowlers hardly use them at all (Michael Haugen used them for a short while, winning a couple of tourneys), proshops have an almost "ho-hum" attitude towards them, and I find a lot of guys that don't even seem to know there still even IS an A.M.F. company out there.
I even had two of the top bowlers here above me ( I am in the top 5-6 in average ) tell me that I could do much better if I'd get some "real" bowling equipment. Naturally one of them uses Storm, the other Ebonite, and had NO CLUE what either of the balls I was using was designed to do, so I dared one of them to throw a few shots with my CODE ( which fit him really closely).
HE WAS AMAZED! He's a big fan of the Hammer RAW line, and said the CODE gave him a truer read of the midlane and a harder roll on the backend and carried as well as anything he had. Even said he might look into A.M.F. a little more now.
THIS IS GOOD STUFF FOLKS, as good as there is out there, especially when you consider that Phil Cardinale is the one behind it and has as much experience with what makes great bowling equipment as anybody in the industry.
I just wish the bowling community would take them seriously again. A.M.F. used to be the premier name in bowling equipment and, while it may never be the premier name it once was, it doesn't have to be bowlings "ugly duckling" either, does it?
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Good transactions list in my profile
ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!
Post by: LaneHammer20 on January 12, 2010, 08:05:11 AM
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What is sandbagging???
Post by: dizzyfugu on January 12, 2010, 08:41:30 AM
I cannot see any clear answer to this, and Juggernaut's quote "Where did you get those, I though they went out of business years ago" is pretty symptomatic.
It is IMO a zombie brand, ugly duckling, a milk cow in or even worse in 900 Global's brand portfolio. This is not intended as a bash, I just feel that this traditional brand is either neglected at will, or just is not "allowed" to shine on the market, in order not to interfere with the star brand 900 Global.
IMHO a sad status.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Post by: Juggernaut on January 12, 2010, 09:53:57 AM
I don't think it is so much neglected as it is purposefully kept in the shadows of its "big brother" company, 900Global.
I understand wanting your marquee, namesake brand to lead the way, and it does that very well, but, why even have a secondary brand if you aren't going to promote it enough for it to gain at least some significance? Is it merely to be used as a sounding board or experimental grounds for R & D, much as Columbia300 did with Nu-Line?
And why bother putting out really great stuff if nobody is ever going to know about it? Just go ahead and add another 900Global line and when you DO happen onto something great, just put it in there and let the A.M.F. brand remain in ignonimity, right?
There are several things I love about my A.M.F. stuff:
1. A.M.F. still holds the stigma of greatness for me. I can still remember when there were two kinds of bowlers, those who threw A.M.F. and those who wanted to.
2. The simplicity of the equipment while still giving great variety for bowlers of all types on all conditions. From strong symmetric to medium asymmetric and from particle to pearl, they have all the bases covered.
3. Phil Cardinale'sknowledge and experience in ball technology, backed up by Eric Thomas' customer service and relations. There are a few companies that have great reputations and responsiveness, and I have found Eric to be quite helpful and responsive, even though I am just "one guy" asking questions.
4. They march to their own beat. While much of the bowling ball market keeps making the next great "hook machine", A.M.F. turns out balls that aren't nearly as specialized and can be used by a wider variety of bowlers. Sure, they have their own monster aggressive ball, but not every new release is designed to simply outperform their last one.
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Good transactions list in my profile
ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!
Post by: RealBowler on January 12, 2010, 01:06:55 PM
I know that other than when I was travelling through Richmond (VA) and stopped at one of the AMF centers, I've never seen an AMF ball in any pro shop that I've ever been in. I've asked about them and always seem to get the same reply - they don't sell, so we don't stock them. Some shop owners even just come out and say they don't stock them because "the other guys" give them free balls.
You don't see a lot of reviews on here, but it seems that the same people post mini reviews or videos. Not sure if they are staff members or just AMF faithful?
The stuff is usually easy enough to find online and they've put out a lot of new equipment in the past year, they seem to be content to do it quietly.
Post by: 9orbetter on January 12, 2010, 03:51:34 PM
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We all can hit the pocket,just carry the damn corners
www.coachscornerproshop.com
Post by: Brickguy221 on January 12, 2010, 04:07:23 PM
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."
Brick
Post by: FBM357 on January 12, 2010, 05:40:32 PM
quote:
(Realbowler: lack of marketing). Exactly, when i was throwing my Heist, others thought it was a Track Rising or and old Columbia Cuda. great equipment if you matchup with core/cover and proper drill for what you are looking to use it on....9
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We all can hit the pocket,just carry the damn corners
www.coachscornerproshop.com
The CODE ... The CODE ... THE CODE!!!!!! ...
Yo, Congrats on 1st Place!!!
Post by: ggtrey on January 13, 2010, 02:41:12 PM
Its a shame, because AMF has some really really good balls out right now and if people could just get passed the name and the history of the early 2000's, they would be very very happy with our equipment.
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
Post by: ggtrey on January 14, 2010, 10:49:43 AM
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
Post by: Artimust on January 14, 2010, 12:09:27 PM
I did have a Mutant Cell drilled up last week, and the owner of the bowling center came in to the proshop. He looked at my Mutant and asked a little bit about it, but then he saw my Clutch and he started to ask a lot of questions and I told him that I really like the AMF/900Global equipment and recommended that he look into them.
Post by: charlest on January 14, 2010, 12:20:03 PM
quote:
I think that AMF is being over shadowed by the name of the company. People associate AMF bowling balls with that of AMF corportation known for closing many bowling centers down and/or just not keeping them up to good standards.
Its a shame, because AMF has some really really good balls out right now and if people could just get passed the name and the history of the early 2000''s, they would be very very happy with our equipment.
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
I believe this is and will continue to be a big factor.
Thankfully AMF balls are under the control of a different corporation, 900 Global.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Edited on 1/14/2010 1:26 PM
Post by: charlest on January 14, 2010, 12:25:27 PM
quote:
Greycat... unfortunately people dont carry much AMF equipment, but they should... the balls are really good right now. ...
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
George,
Where I agreed with you previously, with this one I take umbrage.
Please realize that for a long time, there have been many GREAT AMF balls. Under Columbia300''s umbrella, there were a lot of very good bowling people designing AMF balls. The Nighthawk was as good a resin ball as have ever been made and I''ll stick with that opinion til my dying day. The whole Nighthawk series were more than good. I have an original Titan that is also a great ball.
While I agree the 900Global staff are doing right by AMF now, don''t look down on the last 10 years of AMF balls. Not every one was a gem, but that can be said of every company.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Edited on 1/15/2010 7:50 AM
Post by: ggtrey on January 14, 2010, 10:45:02 PM
quote:quote:
Greycat... unfortunately people dont carry much AMF equipment, but they should... the balls are really good right now. ...
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
George,
Where I agreed with you previously, with this one I take umbrage.
Pleasse realize that for a long time, there have been many GREAT AMF balls. Under Columbia300''s umbrellaa, there were a lot of very good bowling people designing AMF balls. The Nighthawk was as good a resin ball as have ever been nmade and I''ll stick with that opinion til my dying day. The whole Nighthawk series were more than good. I have an original Titan that is also a great ball.
While I agree the 900Global staff are doing right by AMF now, don''t look down on the last 10 years of AMF balls. Not every one was a gem, but that can be said of every company.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
I absolutely agree with you. I had a bunch of AMF balls, from nighthawks, to nighthawk torques, to angle evolutions and so on. I never said they didnt have good balls, I think AMF has always been a great competitor in the bowling world. Especially in the era of Bob Learn Jr, RPMs, bullwhips and such, they have always had good equipment.
Under the 900 Global umbrella, the balls are flat out awesome. I can only hope that more people will realixe how good these balls are and give them a chance!
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com
Edited on 1/14/2010 11:48 PM
Post by: ggtrey on January 14, 2010, 10:46:45 PM
I did infact say "if people could past the early 2000's, that is my bad lol. But you are right, every company has had a period of time where they balls might not have been the best.
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George Gohagan III
900 Global/AMF Staff
www.900global.com
www.amf300.com