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Equipment Boards => Faball => Topic started by: chitown on May 06, 2008, 12:54:50 AM

Title: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: chitown on May 06, 2008, 12:54:50 AM: Does anyone know why Faball went out of business. I took about 7 years off from bowling in 97' and when I came back Faball was no longer. The last ball I bought from that company was the Violet 3-D high rev off set. That is still one of the best bowling balls ever made!

Edited on 5/7/2008 8:24 AM
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: Nodsleinad on May 06, 2008, 08:57:30 AM: Because you quite bowling and buying their product? ;-)

Nod
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LTBOCSFM
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: Eddie M on May 06, 2008, 09:31:36 AM: Ebonite bought them out I believe. And then commenced to making more Ebonite balls, but slapping a better name brand on them so they could sell more balls. Or something like that.
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Visionary Test Staff 07-08
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: rustylegacy on May 06, 2008, 11:50:30 AM: If you want Faball stuff get Visionary balls.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: scotts33 on May 06, 2008, 11:53:59 AM: quote:
If you want Faball stuff get Visionary balls.

I do!
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Scott
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: mrbowlingnut on May 06, 2008, 12:07:21 PM: I think the 2001 ball series nailed there coffin, losing Mo Pinel was also the end for them.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: gsback on May 06, 2008, 12:42:43 PM: I went back and searched as I know this topic was covered before. All I can find is this link, though I can't see anything on it.

http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=36640&ForumID=6&CategoryID=2

However, that topic seems to be more out of spite as a result of a Faball purchase. But there was talk about why Faball went bankrupt and all of that. I believe it was so out of their inability to react to the market more so than anything else.

I think once the industry started heading into Reactives, they failed, though the 3D and Sledge are my two favorite balls made.
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BR.com.....going down the toilet one nugget at a time!!

g thing is back....with a vengeance!!
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: chitown on May 07, 2008, 08:24:59 AM: quote:
Because you quite bowling and buying their product? ;-)

Nod
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LTBOCSFM

I was afraid of that happening! lol
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: chitown on May 07, 2008, 08:27:01 AM: quote:
I went back and searched as I know this topic was covered before. All I can find is this link, though I can't see anything on it.

http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=36640&ForumID=6&CategoryID=2

However, that topic seems to be more out of spite as a result of a Faball purchase. But there was talk about why Faball went bankrupt and all of that. I believe it was so out of their inability to react to the market more so than anything else.

I think once the industry started heading into Reactives, they failed, though the 3D and Sledge are my two favorite balls made.
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BR.com.....going down the toilet one nugget at a time!!

g thing is back....with a vengeance!!

I do remember hearing something about Faball not being able to compete when reactive coverstocks came out. I don't really understand how they couldn't compete since the 3-d violet was an awesome bowling ball!
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: LuckyLefty on May 07, 2008, 08:31:00 AM: Then the Crimson Sledgehammer was awesome. Another Sledgehammer was a DOG!(particle). I think the Hammer 3dMaxx was liked by many.

Then around the time of the 4D High Rev and Walter problems arrived....

THE END!

Now great stuff in the NO Mercy and Black Widow lines.
with Ebo and the name Hammer!

REgards,

Luckylefty
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: michelle on May 07, 2008, 09:54:18 AM: As I recall, and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, they did not realize the impact that the reactive resins would have and fell behind the curve by not spending the R&D time at the onset of the resin craze. Once behind, they never caught up, contributing to the demise...
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: KDawg77 on May 07, 2008, 09:55:46 AM: I think that's partly it because their reactives were bad until the 3D Offsets.
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Ken
Videos at http://www.putfile.com/k-dawg77
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Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: RandyO on May 07, 2008, 10:37:06 AM: There were other good reactive offerings from Faball.
The Nail Pearl and the Spike both had the same Neoflex cover as the Blazing Violet Offset 3-D, and they were excellent balls. I liked the Berry Razor, as it was a great ball when you needed to get a ball through crappy or worn heads.
Their very last urethane ball was a MONSTER that hardly anyone knew about because of the reactive frenzy - the RED RAZOR. I would KILL to get a NIB 15# Red Razor.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: KDawg77 on May 07, 2008, 10:41:46 AM: Yep Randy, but their initial reactive ventures were behind the curve of AMF, Brunswick, and Ebonite.
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Ken
Videos at http://www.putfile.com/k-dawg77
http://www.myspace.com/lefthandedhammerpride
http://khlthe2nd.bowlspace.com
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Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: pop_1 on May 07, 2008, 10:45:56 AM: I liked the Navy Reactive, Red and the Nova Pearl. I was definitely on the Hammer band wagon in high school.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: KDawg77 on May 07, 2008, 10:51:58 AM: pop_1, you're in the minority on the Navy reactive, but sometimes some balls work for the rare few and not for the majority.

I loved the Ninja Master, but few others did. The AMF rep told me that my feedback on that ball was rare. LOL
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Ken
Videos at http://www.putfile.com/k-dawg77
http://www.myspace.com/lefthandedhammerpride
http://khlthe2nd.bowlspace.com
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Edited on 5/7/2008 10:52 AM

Edited on 5/7/2008 10:53 AM
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: JMORRIS on May 07, 2008, 11:11:07 AM: I had success growing up with the urethane blue pearl, pink and purple Hammer's.

My friend bought a Red Reactive new when it was released. Hated it. Traded it to me, I hated it. It sat in my basement for years until I throw it out last summer.

He also had a Navy reactive that he liked, Vespi made it look good back in the day, but I was never interested after my experience with the Red.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: 300jd on May 07, 2008, 11:16:00 AM: at the time
i had a red dull hammer
blue pearl hammer

truly good memories with balls
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member of the fos
long live lane 1 and thier great products
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: gsback on May 07, 2008, 01:50:31 PM: quote:
As I recall, and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, they did not realize the impact that the reactive resins would have and fell behind the curve by not spending the R&D time at the onset of the resin craze. Once behind, they never caught up, contributing to the demise...

I believe that was the issue. I don't know any place that has the exact order of the ball released, but I think the reaction varies from ball to ball, person to person.

I've heard nothing but bad things on the bulks of their reactives and I believe that mainly comes from the Red, Purple and Navy Reactives. I believe those were the ones that really tanked and gave Faball a bad name. That was in early 90s (1994 from what I can find).

Now I don't have all the dates as there's little out there without visiting bowlingballreviews, which actually has an extensive list. But I do agree that the covers for the bulk of the 3Ds were great. After that it seemed to go downhill as there wasn't much to brag about. The Black 2001 was good, but the Blue 2001 and Tour weren't good. I liked the Truck when it came out and still have one. I've thrown entirely too many of the ones starting with the 3Ds and beyond, that's for sure.

Knew RandyO would be here pulling for the Razors!! I liked the Ice Blue....real smooth!! Never got my Berry drilled though....sad.

Nod, it's not Chitown that caused that demise....it would be Barry!!

Chi, I do still have plenty of used ones here if interested!!

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BR.com.....going down the toilet one nugget at a time!!

g thing is back....with a vengeance!!
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: stormed1 on May 13, 2008, 06:55:50 PM: I had great success with the blue reactive back in the day. It was weak compared to the other companies balls and was perfect for heavy handed players.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: charlest on May 13, 2008, 07:06:31 PM: While their failing to recognize the significance of reactive resins was probbaly the major fault that brought them down, I remained astounded that they could not recover their position or at least a tenable place in the marketplace by means of Mo Pinel's incredible series of balls staring with
the 3Ds (not the offsets), the 4Ds, and then the 3 D Offsets (the first major step into practical use of asymmetric cores influencing a ball's reaction.)

For medium oil, the Crimson Sledgehammer was a legend in the making. To find a new, undrilled one today, will make you a rich man in pots and brackets.

Mo's last great ball, the Truck, remains an impressive weapon that Ebonite had to force to be approved by the PBA. it slipped by the bean counters when Ebonite bought the Hammer name. I still have a 15 lb one that's as dynamic and powerful as any ball made today (and I include the LevRg and the Cell and the Twisted Fury in that list).

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: KennyRambo on May 13, 2008, 07:14:16 PM: Could it have anything to do with Walter Ray's big contract? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they still owed him money. Anyone remember how much they were paying him? I heard it was something rediculous, like $100,000? Not sure though.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: AdrianS on May 13, 2008, 07:17:52 PM: I thought Mo Didn't want them to use his cores, so no more 3 or $D's then things went downhill
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Time for some REAL bowling!!!
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: charlest on May 13, 2008, 07:20:53 PM: quote:
Could it have anything to do with Walter Ray's big contract? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they still owed him money. Anyone remember how much they were paying him? I heard it was something rediculous, like $100,000? Not sure though.

Once a company goes bankrupt and "dis-incorporates", all contracts are null and void. These are not personal contracts so no one person owes WRW anything, but I bet it sure left a bitter taste in his mouth, figuratively speaking.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: charlest on May 13, 2008, 07:23:34 PM: quote:
I thought Mo Didn't want them to use his cores, so no more 3 or $D's then things went downhill
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Time for some REAL bowling!!!

Nope. I believe he didn't care, so long as they paid him.

He is a shrewd business man. The rumor was he was paid $xx for each ball made, BEFORE expenses.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ (http://"http://home.mchsi.com/~s-cross-7-28-71/FAQ.htm")
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: nextbowler on May 13, 2008, 11:27:00 PM: They went out of business simply the same cause that other companies go out
of business. No profit equals no money to continue.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: Retro Bowler on April 04, 2009, 03:27:21 PM: quote:
I liked the Navy Reactive, Red and the Nova Pearl.

I did not like my Navy reactive
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: notsohotshot on April 04, 2009, 11:38:20 PM: For one thing management thought that reactive cover was a fad and was the last company to make one and it was not very good and from then on they were so far behind everybody else that they went out of business.
Title: Re: Why did Faball go out of business?
Post by: KingofKings696 on April 04, 2009, 11:59:37 PM: Now look at the trends urethanes are slowly popping out here and there visionary, Lane 1 and Im sure other companies will sooner or later pop one out. I also still love my red pearl sooo much it is actually my savior for the cheetah(struggled to keep ball right and this ball did it smooth but with a small pop on the backend you always knew what the ball would do upon release.