I picked up a 3.5 from Buddies Pro Shop, through their pre-order program. I shipped a ball to Chris to pull my specs/match my fit. I wanted something that would get some length, but have a strong, pronounced break point. Decided to go with a 5.5" pin to pap (pin above and between fingers) and a strong MB (about 1.5" right of thumb). The ball showed up a couple days after the ball release. The ball fit (match compared to the ball I had sent) was absolutely dead on. I was really surprised how close the two balls actually felt. Chris must have spent some extra time getting the bevels just right. Really a great job and 100% recommended to anyone.
I started throwing this ball with the box surface. I made several trips to the local lanes with hopes of throwing this ball. The first couple times to the lanes, there was some oil out there, but no where near enough for this monster. Trying to make this ball work, I could loft the gutter, hit 25-28 sending the ball as wide as possible. Even with this angle, I was really having some difficulty keeping the ball right of the head pin. Just incredibly strong.
On a later trip to the same house, I met up with the lane man and struck up a conversation. After a few minutes, I persuaded him to lay down a fresh house shot (older wood lanes) prior to throwing. I started out with my Plasma Cell (with is a quite strong ball itself) and had a good line playing 15 out to 5. I pulled out the 3.5 and immediately moved 5 left with my feet. I crossed 18 at the arrows, sending the ball towards the same 5 board break point. The 3.5 never made it there! The ball reacted about 10 feet earlier than the Plasma Cell and just barely caught the head pin on the way by. After throwing a couple more shots, I talked to the lane man again and had him come back and put down some more oil in the heads. This seemed to help push the ball a little further down the lane and I ended up finding a reasonably good shot crossing 20 at the arrows and sending the ball out to the 5 board. With the box surface, it was at least 10 boards stronger than my Plasma Cell. For me, it was to the point that the ball was so strong, it would be almost unplayable 95% of the conditions that I would typically run into. I wanted to pick this ball up for heavier oil.. but WOW.
After some debate with myself, I decided to make a surface change on the ball. I hit the ball with 1000 grit Abralon, followed by 2000 grit Abralon, followed by 4000 grit Abralon. I left the surface at 4000 grit, with no polish. I was looking for less overall hook without a really flippy backend (as I typically get with polished equipment). Back to the lanes... nearly a fresh shot, lots of oil. Started with my Plasma Cell and was playing 15 out to 10 at the break point. Good reaction, but it I missed a little outside at the break point, the ball wouldn't make it back to the pocket. I pulled out the 3.5 with the new surface and threw the same line... crossed over. The ball did get more length than previously, but still really strong reaction. After a couple adjustments, I was able to move further inside and play 20 at the arrows out to 10 at the break point. Here, the ball got good length, made a strong move down the lane and tossed pins everywhere. About 5 to 6 boards stronger than my Plasma Cell and about 10-12 boards stronger than my AMF Clutch Pearl (with a 4000 grit polished surface).
The 3.5 seems to be a good VERY strong ball. Anyone having issues with getting a ball to react, should take a look here. I could see this ball (on the right conditions), performing very well. For me, this ball, even with the mild surface prep), will likely stay in the bag on all but the oiliest of conditions.
S^2
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After an 18 mo. hiatus, I''m back...
