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Author Topic: Huge Gap in Columbia line?  (Read 12027 times)

TWOHAND834

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Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« on: March 03, 2021, 04:05:25 PM »
Hey guys!  So I am looking around on Columbia's site (which needs a major overhaul) and seemed to notice that there seems to be a big gap on the symmetrical side.  You have the Beast line and then most higher end asymmetricals.  They do have the Outlook Solid but that is it.  Even when I go to Bowler's Rant channel on youtube, it is filled with Storm/Roto with some Brunswick/Radical mixed in.  Last video was the Dynamic Swing about 5 months ago.  Anyone know what is going on with Columbia?  I know they discontinued the Outlook Pearl but dont see or havent heard if there is something to take its place in the mid-performance symmetrical line. 
Steven Vance
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Bowler19525

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2021, 08:04:01 AM »
The Chaos line and the Resurgence are still in their lineup.  Those balls are symmetrical and mid/upper mid performance.

TWOHAND834

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2021, 08:24:11 AM »
The Chaos line and the Resurgence are still in their lineup.  Those balls are symmetrical and mid/upper mid performance.

Ok.  I was kind of wondering because most online sites dont have these balls on them.  So it leads you to believe they have been discontinued. 

Buddies, Cheapbowlingballs, and bowling.com do not show these balls as available for purchase. 
Steven Vance
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Bowler19525

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2021, 09:33:56 AM »
I agree it is kind of strange.  Those were Kentucky balls, so it is kind of surprising they are still listed.  I would have also thought they would be discontinued.  Some sites have them, but the selection of weights is very limited.  Probably going to be discontinued very soon, which leads back to the original question of what will be released to replace them.

The most recent Columbia ball on the USBC approved list is the Dynamic Swing Pearl.  Almost makes one wonder if Columbia is sticking around or if it will eventually be phased out in its entirety.

SVstar34

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2021, 11:05:07 AM »
Almost makes one wonder if Columbia is sticking around or if it will eventually be phased out in its entirety.

I can definitely see Columbia as the first one phased out. Hammer obviously has the biggest market share of the 4 and I feel like Track would have the edge over Ebonite. (GB series aside)

TWOHAND834

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2021, 11:51:54 AM »
Also makes me wonder the situation of Kyle Sherman leaving.  He was originally Columbia and then moved to Brunswick even though technically he could already use Brunswick due to the merger.  Then obviously he bolts for Storm.  You have Osku but dont really ever hear about him.  Buttruff is Columbia but almost always uses the Purple Hammer on TV.  Really hoping that Columbia doesnt suffer the same fate that AMF did.
Steven Vance
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2021, 11:42:11 AM »
I contacted them and received a response.  They said the prior release being right before the pandemic had low sales numbers so they discontinued it pretty quickly (Outlook Pearl).  Apparently they have some stuff in the works they are looking to release this summer.
Steven Vance
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Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

Juan Fonseca

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2021, 04:52:44 PM »
The current C300 line up is a bit sparse. The website does need to be updated with the balls that are no longer made be moved to the Retired Balls page. The Authority (Pearl) and the Outlook Pearl have been put on closeout. For a Mid priced pearl, the Outlook is really good but didn't have enough visibility as with the Authority. Both balls were released on 3/19/2020, so bowling wasn't on a lot of people's minds. Those 2 slots should have replacements coming, but the Command and both Dynamics are great and should be looked at for most bowlers.
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billdozer

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2021, 08:36:21 PM »
Assyms are becoming more of a thing being weight holes don't exist. Roto added a mid price assym, and I would imagine all companies nwill carry the bare minimum symmetrical releases needed.

Also, we all saw managing 7 brands was gonna be tough. If anyone will shine through though, brunswick will figure it out.
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2021, 02:16:49 PM »
Well June 9th and still quiet.  Reminds me of the 80s back when they didnt release balls every month.  Meanwhile Utah still continuing to consistently release new info basically monthly from the Strobal family.
Steven Vance
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Bowler19525

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2021, 04:28:48 PM »
Only the Dynamic Swing Pearl and a new color Beast approved by USBC for them so far in 2021.  Really starting to think that Columbia300 is being "sunsetted".  I was kind of hoping we would see Brunswick do some vintage releases under C300 and bring back the Cuda/C, Pirahna/C, the Quakes, etc.

northface28

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2021, 06:53:56 PM »
I’m not even trying to be funny. I didn’t know Columbia made balls anymore.
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2021, 07:26:39 AM »
I guess if they are to become the next version of AMF, I would be surprised that they even released a new Beast.  Jacob did bowl 300 on TV with an Authority but not even sure the last time I saw a Columbia ball on TV (maybe the Chaos before they were acquired by Brunswick)?  Bowl Expo is in a week and a half and there is no buzz around Columbia at all.  I really hope they do not become the next AMF.  But if so, going to have to rethink what company I use in the future. 
Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

SVstar34

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2021, 12:13:11 PM »
Outlook Solid has been good for them. Command is interesting, I'd like to see it with a slightly stronger cover. I think the Dynamic Swings have mostly been a miss, the Pearl has been better than the original.

Columbia definitely seems to be the lowest of the pecking order. I feel like they need the Eruption Pro back in and a Chaos/Resurgence or Vintage line

Bowler19525

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Re: Huge Gap in Columbia line?
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2021, 12:46:59 PM »
There were some huge scores thrown in our house by people using the Outlook Pearl, but otherwise the only C300 balls you see are older Eruption Pros and Resurgence.

I had some decent success with the Impulse solid, but haven't thrown it for over a year now.

C300's glory days were the Ceramicore balls.  Those things were just money.  Now they don't really have anything notable to draw in customers.