BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Brunswick => Topic started by: Brickguy221 on May 02, 2012, 12:46:56 PM
-
I bowl in a house with Brunswick Pro Anvil Synthetic Lanes that are very well maintained. the lane conditions are usually THS with the oil varying from medium light to medium heavy, depending on when a person bowls on them. Normally on the medium light oil, the heads are a bit worn and spotty but still have some oil and of coarse on that condition there is some carry down.
My question is .... Can the Nexxus and Versa-Max be drilled for a 2 ball arsenal to successfully cover these conditions? (I have a plastic ball for RH corner spares that I am happy with)
My health permitting, I hope to buy 2 new balls before fall leagues. I currently throw all Ebonite plus a Storm Nano of which I really love. I am seriously thinking about dropping back to 14# balls and I am looking at Brunswick and "maybe" Storm for my next purchases. I have been really impressed with what I have seen in the 3 balls in the Nexus line up plus the Versa-Max.
-
Unless you're a power player you could probably drill BOTH of these balls the same and adjust the surfaces as necessary. Depending upon what Brunswick releases this summer these are the two pieces I'm going to buy for next year and this is what I'm intending to do.
-
Thanks Don ...
I am not a power player. Just an old 75 year old stroker/tweener man. I once was looking at the original Nexus solid and Nexus Pearl, but since then now looking at the Nexxus and Versa-Max if they will work for me on the conditions mentioned.
-
I like the choice. The Nexxus P+R handles the volume while the Versa Max is outstanding for the down-and-in shot. My Versa Max is the first ball out of the bag many nights. It just reads the lane and hits. Nothing "eye catching" for those who prefer skid/snap, but an eye catcher for those of us who like control on the wet/dry house shots.
-
The Nexxus and Versa Max are a great two ball combo. The Nexxus for heavier oil volumes. What makes it great is the length you'll get from it and the recovery downlane. It does not burn up early like most high end heavy oil balls.
The Versa Max is super clean through the front of the lane. As the heads burn up on the house shot, this ball would easily allow you to stay right in whatever your comfort zone it. It has plenty of backend as well.
I have a Nexxus and two Versa Max's (one pin up and one pin down) that go everywhere with me.
-
On a house shot those two would be plenty. I partiuclarly like the Versa Max on house shots because I can play it a little straighter through the heads than a lot of balls. As a result the versa max tends to flush up higher in the pocket even when it has a hook stop reaction off the dry.
-
Don, Clay, Andyman, Avabob ... with my already leaning towards the Nexxus and Versa-Max, you guys have me sold on those two balls. As soon as I get ready to buy them, I will be back asking for layout - drilling help.
Again, many thanks.
-
Great choice Brick!! I agree with the others and I have been changing to 14lb and have found the change to be great!! The Nexxus and Versa-Max are awesome and great compliment to each other!!
-
I just ordered a Nexxus for oil and already have a Wicked Siege which sounds pretty close to the Versa-Max from what I've read. The Wicked Siege is extremely versatile - great from med/heavy sport patterns as well as the short patterns (as long as there is oil - can't see it working on short house shots), so I'm hoping for a similar reaction (except for more oil) from the Nexxus.
-
Strider,
You will find that the Nexxus does handle more oil then the Wicked Siege. The Versa Max, for me, is for straighter lines through the heads, and a much more controlled move late. My Wicked hooked a bunch once it sniffed friction.
-
I like the advice given here, we have some good people on the boards still.
Versamax is one of the best bowling balls around, always the first ball out of my bag.
-
Just caught this thread. I have a Nexus and ordered a Versamax last night, and it will be in Monday.
Nexus is drilled pin down, 5x4, great for the first game or so. Would you guys recommend drilling the Versamax the same way to play behind the Nexus. The pin down Nexus is a beast. I can not imagine controlling it with my ball speed drilled any stronger pin up.
-
I like the advice given here, we have some good people on the boards still.
Versamax is one of the best bowling balls around, always the first ball out of my bag.
Nick, it is a bit early yet as I haven't got my 2 balls yet as I am waiting to see if I am going to have to have some surgery and if so, I won't buy until after surgery. Should know something by the end of May.
Meanwhile, any suggestions on the drilling of the 2 balls. I have revs on the low side of medium and 15 MPH speed and play just inside the oil line to on or a wee bit outside of the oil line. Would you suggest the Nexxus drilled Pin over RF, slighted the bridge or something different there and maybe the Versa-Max the same or maybe the Versa-Max Pin under RF and slighted the bridge and CG out 3/4" to 1" or so?
Just trying to get a feeling here in case I decided to rush my purchase of these 2 balls.
-
Nexxus - 50x5x35 without an x-hole if you can. Depending on your PAP, that'll put the pin up over the bridge for most people.
Versa - Honestly, the best I've seen roll have been 4.5-5" above the fingers without an x-hole. If you're trying to play the inside when there's friction to the right, this ball will be very usable a lot of the time.
-
I throw a strong drilled P+R in box and a mild drilled Versa Max box with a medium drilled Nexus Pearl in the middle, making for the greatest 4 ball arsenal I have ever had (bowling competitively for over 15 years). Of course I also have a Punisher and Dry/R below those for a nice 6 ball arsenal!
The thing about it is with the P+R and the Nexus Pearl, they're both so versatile I could see going a totally different route by either drilling a stronger pearl and scuffing it up a bit, or shining up a P+R. I'm not sure I'd like a strong Versa Max, strong high RG solids have never done much for me. Versa Max is what I turn to when the Nexus is too strong in the back and I want a very specific amount of hook, I killed it in singles at nationals (for me) bowling on that 2nd/3rd shift block primarily using that ball the second half. I actually used the pearl before that because there was so much carry down that it tamed the backend enough to make it look almost like a urethane ball!
-
Nexxus - 50x5x35 without an x-hole if you can. Depending on your PAP, that'll put the pin up over the bridge for most people.
Versa - Honestly, the best I've seen roll have been 4.5-5" above the fingers without an x-hole. If you're trying to play the inside when there's friction to the right, this ball will be very usable a lot of the time.
Nick, I haven't checked my PAP for a long time, but it used to be 4 3/4 x 1/2 up. Based on that, my Nano is drilled ( I think ) 60 x 4 1/2 x 45 with no weight hole and pin is over RF and almost slighted the bridge, so 5" as you suggest would probably put it over the bridge. Ball gets good length and moves strong on the back end.
4.5" and over fingers on the Versa-Max would be close to the Nano Drilling? Would the Nano drilling be ok on the Versa-Max?
I have new ball fever bad and may have to go ahead and buy at least one of the two before I see my Dr. on May 22 and if I did that, it would be the Versa-Max first and then the Nexxus after.
I really appreciate your input in helping me here.
-
i have a nexxus and versa drilled same when nexxus becomes too much i can go to versa square back up and keep going, so yes it would be a nice 1-2 punch
-
I drilled my Versa Max with the ring finger taking out the pin ( 5 in to PAP ) and an extra hole on PAP. It gives me a hook stop look that really flushes up solid when I can get to the right on house shots, or need to control the back end. Not so good if I have to go away from the pocket. I like the Nexxus with the pin up, right of ring finger. Also 5 in to PAP but no extra hole.
I am a medium speed senior stroker with about 275 RPM.
-
Brick,
In our house the Versa Max out of box is tearing it up for guys who perceive a very strong wet dry. Either slow speed or rev dominate.
One slow speed guy in our house was using urethane and pinging for a couple of years(he is REAL good). All of sudden he switched to Versa Maxx and is claiming he has the control but now the hit!
To my eyes the Versa Maxx reminds me of a higher flare version of the smooth moving Walter Ray MVP which cannot handle my house shot though it moves very smoothly off the side to side wet dry.
On the senior pro tour a guy named Walter seems to like them.
http://news.pba.com/post/2012/05/02/PBA-Senior-Don-Carter-Memorial-Open-presented-by-Ebonite-Match-Play-Rounds.aspx
I understand most of the above tournament was spent shifting back and forth between the Nexxus and Versa Maxx.
One interesting point, I heard he was using the Versa Maxx duller than box polish. Another interesting point I heard he was using the Versa Maxx at the 5th arrow for a fall back shot and KILLING it! The pin was up over his ring which I think fits his up the back roll pretty good!
Either he is real good, or those are great balls, or both!
Regards,
Luckylefty
PS I liked the look of the Versa So much that I actually purchased one....gulp,...NIB! 2nd NIB ball in years! Haven't decided how to drill it yet! It's lookin at me! Well? it says...