My understanding on the Rip'D Hybrid was that it was too much ball - not in the sense of too much ball for the lanes, but for another reason altogether.

A lot of people were getting the same performance out of the BWBG than they were with the Rip'D Hybrid. Both are hybrids, but you know what you are going to get with anything out of the Black Widow line, especially as it is, as Tamer put it, "that well oiled machine that will last", versus the Rip'D, which is the overpowered muscle car. You couldn't go wrong either way, but as good as the BWBG is, you can easily see it cannibalizing Rip'D sales just from the name alone.

Is it worth it? probably, but seeing that BWBG can get you the same results, you couldn't go wrong either way. Personally, I'd go BWBG, but that's me.

BL.

I did not see any Rip'd Hybrids all season, which is odd since the folks around here love Hammer products.

As for the Fierce Phobia, I was not impressed! Saw a few of them but there were a lot better options out there from other companies.

The Rebel Yell is another story. In the hands of fluffers it doesn't look good, but put it in the hands of a rev dominant player and this ball is MONEY!!

Phobias are great tournament balls. I might have to pick up a Solid.

The Rebel Yell is another story. In the hands of fluffers it doesn't look good, but put it in the hands of a rev dominant player and this ball is MONEY!!

Teammate I bowled with this past year is a speed dominant straight player and he loves the Rebel Yell. He ended up buying 2 more, drilled a 2nd with a different layout and surface plus stashed the 3rd one for later

I've liked my original Phobia more than the Fierce Phobia. I keep trying to find the right surface for the Fierce Phobia, the box is too strong and at 4000 it was flippy. I do like how it hits, I just can't seem to be consistent with it.

I’ve had the same thing with some equipment.
I’ve tried 500 or 1000 and then polish.
Still gets through the heads decent and has some teeth underneath to create some midlane. 
Definitely trial and error sometimes

I might try that, thanks.

Hmm, I've seen the incredibly strong Rip core look incredible.

1.  First at the Woman's US open in the hands of powerhouse bowler Sandra Gongorra(sp?).  Very wet in the late midlanes condition.  Not for her even with her speed.

2.  In leagues in my righty friendly house in the hands of a bunch of fluffers.  Both the Ripd Gold Hybrid looked great as did the RipD pearl.  Lots of early and mid rev up! In comparision to Black Widows this core revvd up very early and very hard.

3.  The Black Widow Gold on this jumpy shot still revs later and goes straigter for longer before it makes it's real smooth and strong move!

I don't think a person would be upset using any of the above as long as they realize exactly what they are looking for, and the differences detailed above!

Sincerely,

Luckylefty
PS The Pink BW in our wet/dry house with polish is a disaster as it is too jumpy at the breakpoint except by the fastest of bowlers!  One of the few bowling balls of reactive type I have not seen work on the right side in this Right side layup house shot. However, Strong and awesome on tour I agree!