-
FEATURES:
- Color: Green/Purple Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Vibe Symmetric
- Veneer: CT Reactive Pearl
- Surface: 800 Abranet, 1000 Abralon, 2000 Abralon, 4000 Abralon with Powerhouse Factory Finish
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- RG: 2.51
- Diff: .039
- Hook Rating: 11 (Finish-1, Cover-7, Core-3)
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Medium Dry Oil
- Description: Grape Vibe is the hottest new color in our Vibe series of bowling balls! With the new CT Reactive Pearl cover- stock, this Vibe is ready to get through the front of the lane easily and unleash a big backend movement when it sees the friction. Vibes have always been a huge per- formance winner for Hammer for years, and the Grape is certain to not disappoint.
-
LANE CONDITION
Volume: medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
Likes: This ball continues the Vibe history, more or less adding a new color
option. I don’t think it added versatility to the line like the Onyx
Vibe did, but it seemed that ball was a bit much in the low end series.
To be fair, the Storm Tropical Heats are lots of ball for the money as
well so I’m not 100% sure what the thinking is. Bottom line is that
this is a ball you can keep in the bag for lighter volumes or medium
volumes after a little bit of breakdown. Hammer has combined a cover
that provides easy length with a very predictable core and it works
well.
The ball's polished pearl finish is a little over/under on a fresh shot but after the shot has broken in a bit, the ball works much better.
If you are looking for a medium to dry condition ball or have
never thrown a Vibe (and you happen to like this color scheme more than
the Midnight Vibe, this is a good choice. I thought the Vibes might be
phased out soon, but it looks like it’s continuing so here’s another
iteration.
This is a very good second ball, when your fresh shot ball has lost its reaction or is simply too much ball.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Check out the full review and video at:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everything Bowling, coaching tips, ball reviews, General bowling discussions
USBC Certified Level I
-
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3-4
Starting Top Weight: 3 oz
Ball Weight: 15lbs
DRILL PATTERN
4 1/2 x 4 pin below bridge xtra hole on axis
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 400
Ball Speed: 17 mph
PAP/Track: 4 7/8 5/8 up
SURFACE PREP
Out of the box
Volume: 22 ml
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
For me this ball reaction fits right between the onxy and the midnight vibe. The grape vibe is about 3-4 boards stronger than the midnight. Compared to the Midnight vibe you will see a stronger midlane read and better continuation off the spot. This ball has great shelf appeal and great reaction on the lane. Another great addition to the vibe line.
COMMENTS
Likes: Continuation through the pin deck.
Dislikes: None
-
This ball continues the great value in the Vibe product line. From what I have seen in the short time period of throwing this ball, this ball fits between the Oynx & Midnight Vibe as advertised. It is about 1-2' sooner than the Midnight and about 2' longer than the Oynx, yet still has a strong backend finish to turn the corner when the lanes break down.
I have tried this ball with a 2000 abralon finish (no shine) and this ball still gets down the lane with a earlier movement & still has a strong backend with the surface prep. I then polished up the ball with FF polish and I love the reaction that I see now. For my ball speed and rev rate, I needed to put a little more teeth under the FF polish to achieve what I am looking for out of this ball - a strong rolling pearl Vibe to use when my Oynx is too much.
Lane Conditions:
USBC Nationals (41') at South Point bowling center
THS (39' - South Point & Gold Coast in Las Vegas, NV) - I will be bowling on more patterns in the near future (Megabucks) and will follow up with another review at a later date
Drill Pattern:
4 1/2" x 70 x 2 1/4" pin buffer
Bowler Specs:
Rev Rate: 475
Ball Speed: 19-21 mph
PAP/Track: 5" x 1" up
Pictures:
Mike "Plowboy" Thompson
Hammer Amateur Staff Member
"Nothing Hits Like a Hammer!"
A proud member of the Red Sox Nation!!
-
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3 1/2
Starting Top Weight: 2 1/2
Ball Weight: 15lb
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP:5 1/2
CG to PAP: 45 degrees
X Hole (if there is one):none
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate:400
Ball Speed:17 mph
PAP/Track: 5 5/8 7/8 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit: box
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): factory polish
Volume:medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):House shot
BALL REACTION
Length: The ball is very long. Longest of the Vibes
Back End: A lot of backend recovery
Overall Hook:medium
Midlane Read: Needs a little surface
Breakpoint Shape: Sharp continuation
COMMENTS
Likes: Another Great vibe in the Hammer Vibe series. Great length with a lot of continuation. The Grape vibe is a good compliment to the Onyx vibe. The grape gives you more length but turns corner like no other vibe has.
Dislikes: None
Brent Watson
Hammer Amateur Staff member
"Nothing Hits Harder than a Hammer"
-
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 4
Starting Top Weight: 3
Ball Weight: 15.5
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 5.25
CG to PAP:4.50
X Hole (if there is one): None
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate:450+
Ball Speed: 19
PAP/Track: 5.5 x .30
SURFACE PREP
Grit: Box
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):Polished
Volume:40 ml
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS mofified
BALL REACTION
Length: Easy and mid to long
Back End: Arc to flip
Overall Hook: Strong
Midlane Read: Reads controlled when pattern transitions
Breakpoint Shape: Arc for more forward roll and flip for side
The Grape Vibe is a welcomed addition. Having loved the Blue Vibe and thinking I would never find a true replacement, the Grape has risen to the top and is now an ideal replacement for those Blue Vibe Lovers. The Grape Vibe clears the heads and controls the mids with ease. The recovery was good. The ability of the cover to handle the push in the pattern and the burnout..made the read of transition very easy. Definitely much much better than previous vibes.
VISE AMATEUR STAFF
HAMMER AMATEUR STAFF
USBC SILVER CERTIFIED COACH
IBPSIA ADVANCED CERTIFIED
Pro Connection
Bowlers Map
DigiTrax
NOTHING HITS LIKE A HAMMER
"See my vise as it rolls down the lane....you can't it revs too much"
-
Hammer Grape Vibe
Weight: 15#
Top Weight: 3 oz.
Pin: 3-4"
Layout:
5" Pin Above the Bridge with CG in stable mid-grip position.
First Impressions:
Smooth steady backend reaction.
General Thoughts:
The Grape Vibe is a more smoother arching version of the Midnight Vibe which produces more on the backend than the Grape. If you need a ball with more length and backend, the Midnight is your choice; however, if you are needing less length and an earlier read in the front, the Grape Vibe is your weapon of choice.
This ball is less aggressive than the Onyx Vibe but is more aggressive than the Midnight Vibe.
Final Conclusion:
On medium broke down lane conditions, the Grape Vibe is an excellent choice. Bowlers who encounter broke down 2nd shift like conditions will see how much the Grape Vibe helps them through those rough nights when the lanes tend to be goofy.
Michael Price - Office Manager
McCorvey's Pro Shop Staff
Phone: (256) 539-1560
McCorvey's Pro Shop - VISIT OUR BRAND NEW ONLINE STORE!
http://www.mccorveysproshop.com/
Hammer Pro Shop Regional Staff
-
LANE CONDITION
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS
Likes:The original Blue VIBE has finally been matched! A nice compliment between the ONYX and the Midnight and still at a lower VIBE priceline. The CT Reactive Pearl around the proven VIBE core continues to make the VIBE line a great value for the money. And now with even more shelf appeal!
Dislikes: Not really a heavy oil specialist, but good backends of a THS will compliment most people's games.
NOTHING hits like a HAMMER
K Gmach
Hammer Amateur Staff
USBC Certified Coach
Go BREWERS!
-
BALL SPECS
Pin Length - 3-4 inches
Starting Top Weight - 3
Ball Weight - 15.4
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP - 4.5 in.
Pin 1/4 inches above my bridge, with cg kicked 1 inch right of vertical grip line
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate - 400
Ball Speed - 16-17
PAP/Track - 4 5/8 left and 5/8 up
PICTURE AND VIDEO LINKS
Pic
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=13eed10974
Vids
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-W...75408269205990
SURFACE PREPARATION
Grit - 4000 grit abralon
Type (Matte, Polish, Sanded) - Polished
LANE CONDITION
Length - 35 ft
Volume - medium
Type (Wall, Xmas Tree, Sport) - Xmas tree. House with guardian heads
BALL REACTION
Length - 5/10
Back End - 7/10
Overall Hook - 7/10
Midlane Read - 7/10
Breakpoint Shape - Ball picks up pretty early and makes a strong arc motion to the pocket
COMMENTS
Carry - Staying right of 25 the ball hits great, for me the ball didn't kick out the corners when moving any deeper.
Likes - For the price point, this is a great ball. Ball is super shined, which I like in my equipment
Dislikes - Technically, this ball is a low to mid performance ball. It just hooks too much when lanes get dry.
True to the Vibe series legacy, the ball hooks way above it's price point. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. If you are looking for hook potential on a budget this series never disappoints. I was looking for something weaker, and ended up needing to drill a 300c to fill that void.
Videos will be posted on my shops Facebook page.
The Dead Wood Pro Shop Staff
Not on any manufacturer staff, just a pro shop owner that wants the best equipment in my bag
DeadWood Pro Shop
9307 Boone Road
Houston, TX 77099
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Wood-Pro-Shop/175408269205990
-
LANE CONDITION
Length:
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
After asking the forums about their opinions about the Grape Vibe, I went and had one laid out Sarge Easter at 16lbs.
Likes: I like the strong reaction and consistent backend the GV provides. It goes long without forgetting to turn the corner. After throwing 10 or so games with it, I cranked out a 300. Fantastic ball.
Dislikes: None.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS