BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: bowlingman817 on October 27, 2014, 11:04:11 PM
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Just received my November issue of Bowlers Journal and seen a review on a Hammer Viral. It has the vibe core along with the Black Widow cover. It is grayish or silver in color. My question is isnt that the same cover and core combo they just had on the Cobalt Vibe? Maybe its just a vibe but with a new name.
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Violent Reactive Coverstock?
What's specs?
Might have saved me from buying an overpriced Cobalt and maybe a quick sell my Infrared XR
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I think the Cobalt Vibe had the same cover as the Black Widow Pearl.
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In a 15lb it has the violent flip reactive pearl with a 2.51rg and .42 diff.
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Also seen they are coming out with a new Hammer Burgandy. Reactive cover with a 500/500 grit surface( no polish). Also has a modified vibe core( a little higher rg and a little lower diff).
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Also seen they are coming out with a new Hammer Burgandy. Reactive cover with a 500/500 grit surface( no polish). Also has a modified vibe core( a little higher rg and a little lower diff).
:O
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In a 15lb it has the violent flip reactive pearl with a 2.51rg and .42 diff.
i blieve that would be a pearl black widow sting coverstock
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Yeah not sure it just says black widow (2006).
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Hmmmmm.... interesting!
Maybe another ball in the works too, in which I cannot wait for!
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Hmmmmm.... interesting!
Maybe another ball in the works too, in which I cannot wait for!
Can you give us some hints so I know to save my money
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Also seen they are coming out with a new Hammer Burgandy. Reactive cover with a 500/500 grit surface( no polish). Also has a modified vibe core( a little higher rg and a little lower diff).
they should have made this with the core from the Bad Ass, as it would be the truest they could get to the original Faball core. The Vibe core to me was hit/miss in the Blue Hammer.
BL.
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Video up on youtube from bowlersmart with the Viral
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Hammer vids are up also for both balls. They both look fantastic!
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The Viral looks smoother than the Spike Black/Blue....
I like what I'm seeing so far... This might be my chance to get a "make up" on the Vibe line and the original Black Widow line at the same time ;D ;D ;D
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Cobalt Vibe was an incredible ball, Spike not so much. The Vibe core is very good with any shell.
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One of my friends told me that since I liked the Spike that I would have loved the Vibe(s). I missed out and showed him this and he told me to "GET THE BALL and I wouldn't regret it!!!" lol. He's a huge fan of the Vibe series and plans on getting a few of these when they come out. I'll more than likely take his advice and get one. If I like it enough I might replace my Spike Black/Blue with it.
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Viral
World Wide Release Date: 11/18/14
COLOR: Gun Smoke
COVERSTOCK: Violent Flip Reactive
FACTORY FINISH: 500, 1000 Abralon and Factory Polish
CORE: Vibe
WEIGHTS: 10-16 lbs.
RG: #14/2.51 #15/2.51 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.045 #15/.042 #16/.039
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Viral
World Wide Release Date: 11/18/14
COLOR: Gun Smoke
COVERSTOCK: Violent Flip Reactive
FACTORY FINISH: 500, 1000 Abralon and Factory Polish
CORE: Vibe
WEIGHTS: 10-16 lbs.
RG: #14/2.51 #15/2.51 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.045 #15/.042 #16/.039
Thanks for the info.
I'm more than 95% positive I'm getting this ball. ;D
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Price point on this ball is $94.95.
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On the the surface, this appears to be just a Cobalt Vibe but with more aggressive finishing?
The BowlersMart video looks really good and I love the "gunsmoke" color.
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the cobalt vibe has the violent reactive pearl cover on it from the black widow pearl this viral has the violent flip coverstock from the black widow sting.
i just noticed its not the violent flip pearl so i guess the pearl look is for cosmetics?
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I would love to see/hear how this compares to the Absolut Flip.
BL.
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I drilled my Viral last night exactly how I have my Flip (60 x 5 x 35) to see the difference, and I noticed that this is the perfect compliment to the Flip... I saw about 4 boards weaker than my Flip, so after league and changed the surface to 3000 with FF polish and love the reaction that I saw... it was about 6-7 boards weaker overall & was able to play in the friction a little more...
I am going to throw this a little more in the next week and provide a review then after bowling on a few different patterns. So far, I like what I see in this ball...
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Looking for a re-release of the Onyx Vibe. I think that was the best one made.
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Looking for a re-release of the Onyx Vibe. I think that was the best one made.
Check out the latest Infrared Vibe from BowlersMart (similar cover to the original Blue) - I took that ball to 3000 and it is pretty close to my original Onyx Vibe that is on it's almost ready to be retired...
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I drilled my Viral last night exactly how I have my Flip (60 x 5 x 35) to see the difference, and I noticed that this is the perfect compliment to the Flip... I saw about 4 boards weaker than my Flip, so after league and changed the surface to 3000 with FF polish and love the reaction that I saw... it was about 6-7 boards weaker overall & was able to play in the friction a little more...
I am going to throw this a little more in the next week and provide a review then after bowling on a few different patterns. So far, I like what I see in this ball...
If you had a choice between the Viral or either of the Spike(s) or the Nail which would you choose?
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yes, save up your money for the next Hammer release
it will be good.
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yes, save up your money for the next Hammer release
it will be good.
How good? I'm looking at a couple Blur's right now
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get 1 blur and wait for it
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It's the holiday season... Time for us to give up our money for new toys ;D
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I drilled my Viral last night exactly how I have my Flip (60 x 5 x 35) to see the difference, and I noticed that this is the perfect compliment to the Flip... I saw about 4 boards weaker than my Flip, so after league and changed the surface to 3000 with FF polish and love the reaction that I saw... it was about 6-7 boards weaker overall & was able to play in the friction a little more...
I am going to throw this a little more in the next week and provide a review then after bowling on a few different patterns. So far, I like what I see in this ball...
If you had a choice between the Viral or either of the Spike(s) or the Nail which would you choose?
My choice is easily... the Viral. I love the proven Vibe core and the Nail was one of those balls that did not work for me. The Spike is a great ball, but I prefer the Viral over the Spike!
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I enjoyed rolling this ball last night and it was pretty awesome on medium to dryer lane conditions. I drilled it 40 x 5 x 35 and scuffed the surface with 2000 Abralon Pad.
LANE CONDITION
Length: 42 FT
Volume: Medium to Heavy
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
PAP/Track: 5 3/8†x 5/16†up
Axis Rotation: 45 degrees
Axis Tilt: 20 degrees
Rev Rate: 400
Ball Speed: 14-15 mph
Dual Layout: 40x5x35
The ball get's through the fronts and a strong backend. This ball I intended for when the heads start to go away and backends have carry down. It's a great addition to my Hammer Arsenals.
Gil Salang
McCorvey's Bowling World #36
Pro Shop Technician
Hammer Staff Member
PBA Member
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I enjoyed rolling this ball last night and it was pretty awesome on medium to dryer lane conditions. I drilled it 40 x 5 x 35 and scuffed the surface with 2000 Abralon Pad.
LANE CONDITION
Length: 42 FT
Volume: Medium to Heavy
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
PAP/Track: 5 3/8†x 5/16†up
Axis Rotation: 45 degrees
Axis Tilt: 20 degrees
Rev Rate: 400
Ball Speed: 14-15 mph
Dual Layout: 40x5x35
The ball get's through the fronts and a strong backend. This ball I intended for when the heads start to go away and backends have carry down. It's a great addition to my Hammer Arsenals.
So I take it that this wasn't pulled out on the fresh? It sounds like this would be slotted at #4 in the bag behind, say an Absolute Flip, BW Legend, and a Pivot, with each one of those being roughly 2 - 3 boards right of eachother at the arrows.. So one would start the furthest left with the Pivot, then 2 right would be the BWL, then 2 right of that the Flip, then finally, the Viral?
BL.
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I drilled my Viral last night exactly how I have my Flip (60 x 5 x 35) to see the difference, and I noticed that this is the perfect compliment to the Flip... I saw about 4 boards weaker than my Flip, so after league and changed the surface to 3000 with FF polish and love the reaction that I saw... it was about 6-7 boards weaker overall & was able to play in the friction a little more...
I am going to throw this a little more in the next week and provide a review then after bowling on a few different patterns. So far, I like what I see in this ball...
If you had a choice between the Viral or either of the Spike(s) or the Nail which would you choose?
My choice is easily... the Viral. I love the proven Vibe core and the Nail was one of those balls that did not work for me. The Spike is a great ball, but I prefer the Viral over the Spike!
Plow, how does the Viral compare to the Cobalt Blue Vibe? Thoughts please
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Let's say that the Viral has replaced my Cobalt Vibe in my tournament bag. This ball handles the transition better, which I loved my Cobalt Vibes. The Viral is about 2 boards stronger overall than my Cobalt, but it does turn the corner a little harder too.
I am going to drill another one soon to replace my Nail & my orange/blue Spike from my arsenal. Just received my Burgundy Hammers today & will drill 1 of them up tomorrow with the same drilling as my Viral to see the difference between the 2 balls.
Hope this helps...
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Please let use know how those two compare with similar drillings. Im really intrigued by the burgandy.
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Let's say that the Viral has replaced my Cobalt Vibe in my tournament bag. This ball handles the transition better, which I loved my Cobalt Vibes. The Viral is about 2 boards stronger overall than my Cobalt, but it does turn the corner a little harder too.
I am going to drill another one soon to replace my Nail & my orange/blue Spike from my arsenal. Just received my Burgundy Hammers today & will drill 1 of them up tomorrow with the same drilling as my Viral to see the difference between the 2 balls.
Hope this helps...
Good to hear, thanks. I also like that the Viral can be had for less and find better specs then the Vibe right now.
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I just pre-ordered the Viral.
Thanks for all of the informative input from everyone in this discussion.
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Bowlingman817 - check out my mini review on the Burgundy Hammer that I drilled & threw last night. This could be one of my favorite balls of 2014 from Hammer. Really love the reaction this ball provides on the lanes!
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What condition was the Widow sting good on? This is the same cover that was on the No Mercy Whup'n and that ball was listed for medium to heavy oil. It did have a really strong mass bias core though. The Whup'n was one of my favorite balls and I was looking forward to this ball. I'm not so sure now that I hear that it seems pretty weak.
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Just received mines in the mail today. Will drill tomorrow morning and then hit the lanes. I see this as an awesome re-enlistment present to myself lol.
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After a little over a week with the Hammer Viral I wanted to give my initial thoughts on the ball. I am thoroughly satisfied with this ball from all aspects. If this is what I've been missing out with by not using the Vibes before they were discontinued I am more disappointed in myself. I used this ball on the THS, a sport shot, and through some practice sessions.
On the THS during league play I usually start with my B.W. Legend but during the warm ups I realized that it was way too much ball. I decided this was the perfect time to use the Viral. The ball was very smooth and gave me a nice controlled arch into the pocket vice a snapping motion. I assume this is because of the drilling on the ball. Throughout all the games I was able to stay with this ball and just move and make minor adjustments with my hand position and ball speed to continue use.
I don't know what sport shot was put out, but on the fresh my Viral wasn't the best choice. After the first game though I switched to my Viral and it took over for the rest of the night. It continued to provide a nice arching motion and handled transition well.
During my practice sessions I only bowled with the Viral and my Black/Blue Spike to see which I would carry in my bag and which would be put on the shelf as an alternate. Both balls provide length but I prefer the motion that the Viral offers me.
Overall, so far I am happy with this purchase and hope to continue to find success with this ball. I didn't expect the Viral to be able to handle lighter oil or shorter patterns as well as it did since the cover stock came from a former Black Widow but it seems to match up with me well and offers me a very controllable motion.