The Ti Messenger Pearl is pretty well understood at this point, so this review is probably superfluous. I'm not completely satisfied with mine, but it is well worth owning.
Mine is 16#, 4 x 4, pin right of the ring, 3oz top and the CG above the centerline and out, mass bias in the strong position. Side weight is +5/8, and it needed a fair-sized weight hole. The concensus seems to be that 4 x 4 is an optimal layout for this ball.
I think the TiMP is a great ball for the middle range of conditions - light to medium oil. It is best on fresh backends. Under these conditions, it doesn't just "flare", it "leaps". It is capable of making its own backend, so I actually do not mind it on a bit of carrydown. With flying backends, however, I find it unplayable. I walk into a center hoping there will be enough oil to throw it.
The best thing about this ball is the way it hits and carries. It's the hardest-hitting ball I've ever owned. In the 3 1/2 months I've thrown it, I can't recall a light hit that didn't carry. It spoils you because you come to expect the rattling wall shot and the big swish even from deep inside. The tradeoff,
however, is that I tend to leave some shocking 4s and 9s. When I get into trouble with this ball is when it starts to get up in the kitchen a little. A little low is definitely better than a little high with the TiMP. It hits so well, I am always reluctant to put it away.
In my hands, it likes to be swung out a little bit. Probably my best line with it is standing 32, swinging the ball over 12 in medium oil. If there's enough oil outside, I transpose everything right 5 boards - stand 27, throw over 7. Straight down the boards, the backend is sometimes a little too much. I throw it too hard and ring 10s all night. It rewards the bowler with good speed control, penalizes the bowler without.
It's annoying to throw on really wet conditions. Knowing what it's capable of makes me want to over-turn it, and it just skates in the oil then jumps on the backend. It's also impossible for me to throw in the dry without over/undering.
The TiMP has vast potential. As I said, I'm not completely satisfied with it. I plan to buy another one for next year and make a few tweaks. At least part of the jumpiness is my own speed control issue. Hopefully, dropping down a pound in weight will help out with this. Also, in order to play it down the boards without such a struggle, I plan to try a slightly more controlled layout and take the side weight down very low.
My overall rating is a strong 8:
Control: 6. From the standpoint of control, it is really kind of an exaggeration of resin's worst features. Very sensitive to the state of backends, speed and angle of attack. You will definitely want a separate spare ball.
Versatility: 7.5. Light-medium oil covers probably 75% of what people actually see. However, this ball isn't much use on dry or anything wetter than medium.
Hit & Carry: 11. Just like the amps in Spinal Tap.
