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Author Topic: Meanstreak Brawler  (Read 18699 times)

Ballreviews

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Meanstreak Brawler
« on: January 10, 2013, 11:18:55 AM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
Description: The pairing of Brunswick's new Medium RG Meanstreak core and the Hybrid Addaptive f(P+F) coverstock makes the Brunswick Meanstreak Bawler a perfect match with different styles of bowling. This pairing of core and coverstock also helps the ball go longer on the lane but also causes friction on the backend for a strong continuous arc.

Brunswick Meanstreak Brawler Ball Specs:
- Core Type : Meanstreak Medium RG Symmetric (14-16#) - The new Meanstreak Medium RG symmetrical core features a long and lean design to provide maximum energy retention. By increasing the mass around the equator compared to the original Meanstreak High RG core, the maximum RG is lowered further stabilizing the dynamics to increase the mid-lane traction of the core.
- Coverstock: Addaptive f(P+F) Hybrid - The Addaptive ƒ(P+F) Hybrid coverstock is Brunswick’s newest advancement in performance enhancing additive chemistry. ƒ(P+F) Hybrid describes our latest ƒormula which we combine our proven ƒ(P+F) solid with a pearl creating a highly versatile coverstock. This new formulation produces easy length through the heads and mid-lane, while maintaining traction on the backend for a strong continuous arc.
- Color: Blue Solid, Bronze & Gold Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Factory Finish: 500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- RG max: 2.584
- RG min: 2.536
- RG diff: 0.048
- Hook Potential: 150 (Scale 10-225)
- Length: 120 (Scale 25-235)
- Typical Break-point Shape: Angular 90(Scale Smooth Arc 10-Angular 100)
- Recommended Lane Condition: medium dry to medium oily conditions
- Ball Motion: With its Rough Buff finish, the Meanstreak Brawler skids easily through the front part of the lane, revving strong in the mid-lane for a strong continuous breakpoint. This combination of coverstock and core creates an extremely versatile motion on medium dry to medium oily lane conditions.

 

bowler001

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2013, 06:06:34 PM »
BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 3-4"

Starting Top Weight: 2.4 oz

Ball Weight: 15


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP: 4-3/4"

Drill Angle (after drilling): 70

Val Angle: 40

No X hole

BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 400

Ball Speed: 20 mph (at foul line)

PAP/Track: 4-3/4 right, 1/2 up


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Rough Buff (box)

LANE CONDITION

Length: 40'

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

A hybrid version of the original Nexus (P+F) coverstock…Im pretty sure there is still a stain from the puddle of drool I left on my computer desk when this ball was announced.

And as expected, this ball fits right in the lineup. It is a few boards stronger than my versa-max, yet longer and sharper than my Maxxed-out. It really fills a gap. I have quite a few original Meanstreaks with a variety of layouts as I really enjoy the motion it creates, and the versatility I can create with layout and surface changes. The Brawler adds to that so well with the ability to replicate that same motion on fresh conditions, and still make it through the transition. Then it’s a seamless switch to the original Meanstreak when the time comes.  I have the Brawler anywhere from 3-6 boards stronger than my original Meanstreak with a very similar layout, depending on the condition the amount of friction in the lane.

On a 40’ medium volume house condition, this ball gives me the world. I can miss in and it tips on the back, I can miss out, and it recovers. It really is that house shot ball with the added predictability you get with a symmetrical ball. I could imagine drilling several of these with different layouts and surface tweaks and combine it with my current lineup of original Meanstreaks to create very complete arsenal.

For the price point, this ball simply can’t be beat. Not only is it a long-awaited hybrid ball, but when it’s developed from one of the most successful newer coverstocks Brunswick has developed, you’re sure to have a winner.


frike300

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2013, 09:06:11 PM »
BALL SPECS

Pin Length:3-4

Starting Top Weight:2.5

Ball Weight:15 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP:65X5.5X40

CG to PAP:

X Hole (if there is one):None


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate:325

Ball Speed:16.5

PAP/Track:4 1/2 over


SURFACE PREP

Grit:Box

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):


LANE CONDITION

Length:41

Volume:Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


BALL REACTION

Length:

Back End:

Overall Hook:

Midlane Read:

Breakpoint Shape:


COMMENTS

Likes:You can change like to love.  This ball reminds me alot of the Versa max at first thought just on roids.  I see the same motion as my first versa, just about 4 boards more of it.  This ball clears the front with no effort on fresh and very little once the heads break down.  It has a good strond distict move at the breakpoint.  A good first choice out of the bag on medium oil and medium lenths for me.

Dislikes:None at this time, but I am pretty sure this ball won't like heavier volume sport patterns.
Mike Freundel
Brunswick Regional Staff
The views of this post are solely those of the writer, and not Brunswick Bowling and Billiards


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Throckmorton

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2013, 05:56:55 PM »
BALL SPECS


Starting Top Weight:2.1 oz

Ball Weight:15 lbs

DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP:5.5 inches

CG to PAP:

X Hole (if there is one):


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate:350

Ball Speed:15

PAP/Track:


SURFACE PREP

Grit:box

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):


LANE CONDITION

Length:42 ft

Volume:50 ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):Kegel's Stone Street

BALL REACTION

Length:Great length, same as original Aura

Back End:More than original Aura

Overall Hook:Most of any Brunswick ball

Midlane Read:Solid and predictable

Breakpoint Shape:Angular

COMMENTS

Likes:This ball outhooks the original Aura by 5 boards on the approach and 3 with the eyes. Hits hard and carries the corners like no other.

Dislikes:None yet...


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UpstateProShopChris

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2013, 12:11:04 AM »
BALL SPECS


Pin Length: 3


Starting Top Weight: 3.1 oz


Ball Weight: 15 lbs 3 oz



DRILL PATTERN


Ball: 65 x 5 1/4 x 75


X Hole (if there is one): No Hole



BOWLER STYLE


Rev Rate: 375 rpms


Ball Speed:17.5 mph



PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up



SURFACE PREP


Grit: 4000 Siaair


Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Matte



LANE CONDITIONS


Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house shot and 40 foot house shot



Volumes:  moderate



Type: house




BALL REACTION


Length: Clean through the heads with a late strong smooth read of the midlane



Back End: strong arc


Overall Hook: moderately strong


Midlane Read: strong


Breakpoint Shape: smooth arc



COMMENTS


Likes: Controllable versatility and the hybrid version of the Nexxus P+F shell.



Dislikes: none


The Meanstreak Brawler is the new age version of Brunswick benchmark versatility.  I like many, had the pleasure of rolling the original Nexus P+F and found it not only to be strong on oil but smooth and versatile.  This ball brings that same smooth transition and versatility to a line already featuring great balls like the first Meanstreak.  This ball is a few feet sooner than the Versamax while featuring some of the backend recovery of the meanstreak.  The shape of the reaction going down the lane along with some of the bronze in the cover really remind me of the Absolute Inferno.  It had a wide range of use and this ball does also. The Brawler is powerful, versatile and not condition specific.  When the Maxxed out is too much the Meanstreak Brawler comes into play with more recovery than the Meanstreak or Versamax.  This ball has been useful thus far evening out some of the wet/dry transitions on the fresh house conditions I have encountered while still allowing me to chase the pattern left as they breakdown.  As long as the front part of the lane holds up this ball is in play and really takes care of business.  It has also been useful for reading lanes at the start of the night.  The Brawler is smooth, powerful, and consistent.  Because of these characteristics, this ball has seen a lot of use already and has found a place in my bag everywhere I go.  If your looking for a moderately strong ball that can be used in most situations check out the Meanstreak Brawler and you will be glad you did.
Chris Garrett
Upstate Pro Shop
Greenville, SC  864-248-4737
Upstateproshop@charter.net

Brunswick Regional Staff
Vise Regional Staff

baer300

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2013, 07:51:20 PM »
The Meanstreak Brawler is the newest addition to the High Performance line. This ball utilizes the Adaptive Chemistry coverstock. The MB uses a a Hybrid version of the cover found in the original Nexus. The cover is f P+F. I am slightly rev dominant and found the original to be a little smooth when playing deep. The MB is not the same way.

My first one is drilled 60x5x80 with a hole 2" down on the VAL. This layout allows me to play straighter during the fresh. I can still chase the oil line left without loosing hit. I can only go so far though before I have to change balls. I could avoid changing balls by simply getting around the ball more but the Ringer is usually a better option. When compared to a Meanstreak drilled 30x4.5x70 with hole on PAP, the Brawler is still smoother and about 2ft earlier with about 2 boards more hook.

My second one is drilled 30x6x40 with a hole on my PAP. As with my pin down I can start with this ball and chase the oil left. The difference is that with the pin up, I can use this one longer. I can usually finish a block with this unless I run out of lane. Compared to a Meanstreak drilled 55x5x35 hole on PAP, they are very similar with hook potential. The Brawler is earlier and smoother. Not much though.

The Meanstreak Brawler is another great benchmark type ball. If you loved the Versa Max like everyone else does, the Brawler will be cleaner a little sooner but more continuation.
Adam Baer
Track Regional Staff
Vise Regional Staff

BrunsLang

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2013, 11:37:50 AM »
Ball Reviewing: Meanstreak Brawler
Ball Surface:  OOB
Layout used:  55 x 5 7/8 x 40

How did the ball roll & react:  The first thing that I noticed about this ball was its unbelievable midlane control.  I never saw this ball wiggle down lane once like I did with the original meanstreak.  Personally for me the most important characteristic of a bowling ball is midlane control and how it comes off the spot down lane.  It comes off the spot with a continuous roll to it.  This is definitely the first ball out of my bag.


Did you compare this ball to another ball? If so which one:  It’s exactly what you guys said.  Right in the middle of the Meanstreak and Maxxed Out.  It’s about 5 stronger than the original Meanstreak and pretty close strength wise to the Maxxed out, just not as sharp on the backend.  The one issue I had with the Maxxed out was that it went a little too sideways at times.  The Brawler give me more midlane control compared to the Meanstreak and a more controllable backend motion than the Maxxed out.

Strengths & weakness’s of the ball:  Midlane control, midlane control, midlane control!!.  I love the hybrid cover which is something I’ve been waiting for.  Has no issues getting down the lane and storing energy.  Benchmark ball all the way
Brunswick Regional Staff

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

BrunsWolf

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2013, 09:17:45 PM »
Bowler’s Stats:
Right handed
18.5 mph
450 rpm
7 degree tilt
35-45 degree rotation

Ball 1 Layout:
50 by 4.5” by 85
No hole
Taken to 2000 grit

Ball 2 Layout:
50 by 5.5” by 50
No hole
OOB Surface

Purpose:
The original Meanstreak works very well for me on medium volume patterns and patterns ranging from 35’ to 40’ in length. I drilled the original a little stronger than normal to tame the backend reaction. This made the ball really versatile for me (I believe the most versatile ball in my bag). In the Brawlers, I wanted to extend this versatility into the stronger range of my arsenal.  Even though I drilled these before the Nationals patterns being released, I knew that the hybrid cover and new core would allow plenty of versatility. The two drillings used I suspect will allow for a wide range of shapes by using surface changes to match up to the patterns. Ball 1 was drilled and scuffed accordingly to promote a smooth continuous reaction in the midlane while Ball 2 was drilled to mirror the layout of the VersaMax that I used at Nationals for all 9 games last year.

On the lanes:
On my fresh 39’ medium volume (20 mLs) house shot, the Brawlers gave me the arc and reliability I was banking on. I started out with Ball 1 due to the layout and surface promoting straighter angles through the front part of the lane. This Brawler looked best crossing the arrows at 16-17 and being sent out to a breakpoint of 8-9. Despite me roughing up the surface, the Brawler ignored the fronts and gradually read the midlane and backend for a smooth and controllable arc. Brawler #1 is drilled most similar to my original Meanstreak. Although not identical in layouts and surface (Brawler taken to 2000, original at 4000), Brawler #1 was a 3 board move inside with my feet that corresponded to a 2 board move inside with my breakpoint compared to the original Meanstreak. This allowed the scuffed cover to see more oil through the lane whereas the original Meanstreak is a little weaker and loves being flung out to the dry boards. Compared to Brawler #1, Brawler #2 was a 2 board move inside with my feet coupled with a 1 board move outside with my breakpoint. The OOB surface and weaker drilling saved more mojo for the end of the pattern and allowed me to open up my angles more through the front part of the lane. Both Brawlers where extremely cooperative with user errors. Hybrids really give you the best of both worlds in a pearl ball and a solid ball. Send a shot wide into friction and the pearl helps push through the friction while the solid promotes a gradual reaction off the spot (as opposed to overreacting and going through the nose). Pull a shot inside and the solid gives you enough read at the end of the pattern and the pearl gives a little pop at the backend to get the corners out. When I compared Brawler #2 to my identically drilled VersaMax, I found the Brawler to let me stand 2 boards deeper and target 1 board further inside. The shapes of these 2 balls were similar just with Brawler #2 starting up about a foot sooner with slightly less angle. That being said, there’s still plenty of angle in this ball to let me stand left and send it right without the worry of leaving any corners. First time out with this ball I was absolutely sawing out 10 pins from inside of 4th arrow, even with the pin down 2000 grit Brawler!
Overall Thoughts:
The Meanstreak Brawler is the model benchmark ball. Mid RG cores offer versatility, as do hybrid covers. Put them together and you have a highly versatile ball that is going to prove itself on a variety of conditions from a variety of angles. This is now the first ball (specifically Brawler #2) out of my bag to help me read the reaction shape/strength needed for the condition at hand. For me, it sits exactly in the middle of my arsenal in regards to both overall hook and the shape of the reaction. Also, both of my Brawlers have been useful on combating the over/under of my house shot. I’m exicited for the USBC Nationals patterns to be released to hone in my desired surfaces of these two pieces. As versatile and reliable that these balls are continually proving themselves to be, I have no doubt that they will be my go-to pieces in Reno, and other tournament conditions where consistent midlane reactions are a must. This is a special ball and is one that deserves to be the benchmark ball in your arsenal. I suspect that the Brawler will see the most play of any ball in my arsenal this year and I firmly believe that any style of player has a need for this ball. For 99% of players, this is going to be the ultimate go-to ball when you need a dependable motion and the ability to play across as much of the lane as your game can allow.

Good luck and good bowling!
Jared Wolf
Jonesboro, AR
Brunswick Advisory Staff

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

GreatWhite

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2013, 03:42:48 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS/Sport 39' - 44'


COMMENTS

The Meanstreak Brawler has one of the best color schemes I have seen on any cover from Brunswick. The blue, bronze, and gold compliment each other perfectly, both as It's rolling down the lane and as it is waiting for you to buy it off the shelf. However, the Brawler not only has a great color scheme, it rolls amazing as well. Whenever my Meanstreak is going too long, and my Aura is reading just a little early, this ball fills the gap. On my normal house condition it is a very strong reacting ball. I have noticed that when I get the Brawler out onto the lane, it does a good job of saving energy and reacting hard off the friction down lane. Once this ball hits the pocket, it throws pins everywhere. I believe the Brawler is the perfect ball when I need to ball down from my Paranormal Aura on heavier conditions. This ball is a must have!

Barry McKee
Brunswick Advisory Staff
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not the Brunswick Corporation.

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JoneseR

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Re: Meanstreak Brawler
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2013, 09:56:32 AM »
Ball Roll - This ball quickly found a spot in my bag as I have fallen in love with this new Brawler!  The hybrid cover get’s the ball through the heads.  However, the ball reads the lanes pretty early in the mid-lane, which makes it very controllable.  However, when this ball starts to make its turn, it does not stop! I would describe the backend reaction as being very strong arcing.

Comparison - I compared this ball to my Aura, as they are both drilled exactly alike.  I liked the overall reaction/length of the Aura; I just wanted more backend with this Brawler.  I got just exactly what I wanted!   The Brawler fits in between my Maxxed Out and Versa Max.  Very controllable as my Maxxed out with a very predictable and strong backend reaction of my Versa Max.

Strength: This ball has unbelievable shelf appeal!  The solid blue with bronze/gold pearl makes this ball very attractive.  The benchmark type ball reaction is also very beneficial.  This allows me to be able to use this ball to get a good read of what is on the lane.

Weakness:  Is that a trick question?

Go talk to your local pro shop about how a Meanstreak Brawler can fit into your bag!!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

Jason Jones
Brunswick Staff
Bloomington, IL