BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: milorafferty on June 25, 2018, 09:43:13 AM
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Everyday it seems there is a new topic here about how fantastic some new ball is and we all(mostly) get geeked up over the latest and greatest. Include me in that group. ;D
This weekend I was reminded(yet again) that the older stuff is just as good as the latest shiny new toy. I pulled out my Sigma Sting(5 years old) that I had regulated to the shelf this past year and shot an almost effortless 750+ series. I have went back to my Roto Grip Cell(original, 10 years old) the past month or so and can't remember why I stopped using it. Just one fantastic ball. The last part of the league season, I went back to the Venom Shock(4 years old) and was very happy with what a great reaction it provides. Why did I ever stop using these balls? I have no idea other than I must have fallen for the "latest and greatest, you gotta have this one" scam the ball companies pull on us every month.
I suspect we all have perfectly good equipment that has become "obsolete" in our version of reality that is every bit as good as the latest new ball. Even the ball companies are bringing back the previous generation of balls and selling them as something new.
Now, for all you oldsters out there who will feel the need to tell me how you have been using your Manhattan Rubber, Brunswick Mineralite, Faball etc. relax, I get it, you were retro before retro was cool. But remember, there is a big difference between retro and cheap-ass tightwad. ;D
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I'm actually thinking of bringing my Lane #1 Dirty Bomb to play around with in my summer league. My fit has changed since then, but I should be able to get through some games with it just fine.
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I'm actually thinking of bringing my Lane #1 Dirty Bomb to play around with in my summer league. My fit has changed since then, but I should be able to get through some games with it just fine.
Yea, too bad Lane #1 couldn't do a remake on some of their old stuff.
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My Night Hawk SE is still in the bag and I never go anywhere without a Break core in my bag... does that count for something?
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My Night Hawk SE is still in the bag and I never go anywhere without a Break core in my bag... does that count for something?
Only if you knock down pins...
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My Night Hawk SE is still in the bag and I never go anywhere without a Break core in my bag... does that count for something?
Only if you knock down pins...
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Can you quantify how many pins I need to knock down?
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Can you quantify how many pins I need to knock down?
Let's keep it simple to start...
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;D
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Great post milo; I stopped falling for the jiba-jaba and I've been very successful in keeping balls from 2010-2015, and I couldn't be happier.
I'd rather get lessons at this point of bowling, than to keep forking out hundreds of disposable income, when after a couple dozen sets, you will have similar reactions like your older pieces anyway.
To each their own, not worth it any more for me.
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It's still 60 ft to success, rater it's a rubber ball, urethane, or a reactive ball; Take your pick, lanes remain the same length.
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Great post milo; I stopped falling for the jiba-jaba and I've been very successful in keeping balls from 2010-2015, and I couldn't be happier.
I'd rather get lessons at this point of bowling, than to keep forking out hundreds of disposable income, when after a couple dozen sets, you will have similar reactions like your older pieces anyway.
To each their own, not worth it any more for me.
+1, Done paying full price for latest releases when I end up throwing balls like my Hy-Road or Venom Shock when I need to score. Is mildly amusing as others have noted to watch people throw strike after strike in shadow bowling with their latest greatest hook monster and then watch them get into over/under hell by the end of the first game.
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Very relatable. Been taking my Mission mearly everywhere and having results. As long as I keep the cover relatively oil free, it performs as good or better than everything else that's newer. Did the same with my Wipe Out before it finally cracked. Threw that ball on long an short, brutally hard or walled lane conditions.
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I buy new balls knowing full well that I don't need them or that they are going to do anything different than balls that I already have. I used to collect toys and such and have them sit on my shelves. I used to collect comic books and never read most of them. Video games, movies, albums, etc.... Bowling balls are what I collect now and I do use most of them - at least once in awhile. But I do sell them off when I start getting too many.
As for the Sting, I loved that ball. I dropped down to 14lbs a couple years ago though, so I've ended up selling all my 15lbs equipment since then. 14 is just easier on my body as I get older and bowl fairly often. I'd love to have another Sting in 14. I did end up getting a Shock in 14 and it is even more ball than I remember it being. Although I have worked on my release the last couple of years and can rev up 14 easier than 15.
I'd love to have these balls again in 14:
Primal Rage
Covert Revolt
Sigma Sting
Not sure if the Rage LE is close enough to the original so I held off getting one. The Villain does seem to be similar to the Revolt. If the Rogue Blade is an updated Sigma Sting, I will have to get one.
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I buy new balls knowing full well that I don't need them or that they are going to do anything different than balls that I already have. I used to collect toys and such and have them sit on my shelves. I used to collect comic books and never read most of them. Video games, movies, albums, etc.... Bowling balls are what I collect now and I do use most of them - at least once in awhile. But I do sell them off when I start getting too many.
As for the Sting, I loved that ball. I dropped down to 14lbs a couple years ago though, so I've ended up selling all my 15lbs equipment since then. 14 is just easier on my body as I get older and bowl fairly often. I'd love to have another Sting in 14. I did end up getting a Shock in 14 and it is even more ball than I remember it being. Although I have worked on my release the last couple of years and can rev up 14 easier than 15.
I'd love to have these balls again in 14:
Primal Rage
Covert Revolt
Sigma Sting
Not sure if the Rage LE is close enough to the original so I held off getting one. The Villain does seem to be similar to the Revolt. If the Rogue Blade is an updated Sigma Sting, I will have to get one.
I'm the same way about collecting things. I have a room full of bowling balls, but I do buy and sell fairly often.
I have an extensive collection of Bourbon and Rye Whisky. And yes, I drink from the collection, otherwise what's the point? :-)
As for the balls mentioned, the Rage LE is similar to the previous one, a bit stronger overall with a more rounded shot shape than the more angular shape of the original.
For me, the Villain is nothing like the Covert Revolt.
I'm also looking forward to the Rogue. It could be a good thing to have.
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It could just be that with all the changes I've made since owning the Revolt - ball weight, release(s), etc., that the Villain ended up being similar. I don't have them drilled quite the same either. The Revolt seemed to be a tad smoother, but I feel they are close in motion and oil handling capabilities. Of course, I'd need a Revolt in 14 to see if they truly are similar. I can only go by what my 15lbs Revolt did back then and what my 14lbs Villain is doing now.
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Technology hasnt advanced that much in the last 15 years, especially in terms of attacking predominant house patterns. Also, if you look at the most popular balls they seldom are the biggest strongest hook monsters.
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Technology hasnt advanced that much in the last 15 years, especially in terms of attacking predominant house patterns. Also, if you look at the most popular balls they seldom are the biggest strongest hook monsters.
Yep so true. I will buy two Onyx Vibes and changes surfaces and they will give me 80% of what I need league bowling for the year.
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Give me 2 of anything with the Break weightblock and 1 Boost. Done.
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Technology hasnt advanced that much in the last 15 years, especially in terms of attacking predominant house patterns. Also, if you look at the most popular balls they seldom are the biggest strongest hook monsters.
Yep so true. I will buy two Onyx Vibes and changes surfaces and they will give me 80% of what I need league bowling for the year.
Testing this soon with an IQ Tour and Hustle Ink. Can't wait!
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i am putting together a 4 ball arsenal of older balls to bowl on older wood lanes near me. so far i have a columbia 300 piranha/c pearl. thinking of adding brunswick d2z, amf pro xsi, and original black hammer
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In the old ball line, just for grins and giggles I'm throwing:
1. AMF Nighthawk
2. AMF Hawk
3. EBO Savage
4. MoRich Ravage
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i am putting together a 4 ball arsenal of older balls to bowl on older wood lanes near me. so far i have a columbia 300 piranha/c pearl. thinking of adding brunswick d2z, amf pro xsi, and original black hammer
Visionary B/G Centaur? Just got one and I bet its something special on wood lanes. Sadly conditions I see have to keep the thing with quite a bit of surface to be useful.
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My old balls still work,Hell it's all I got ;D
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In the old ball line, just for grins and giggles I'm throwing:
1. AMF Nighthawk
2. AMF Hawk
3. EBO Savage
4. MoRich Ravage
Now THAT is a bag!!
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I went on a buying spree this summer. A bunch of old Morich, Lanemasters, and discontinued Brunswick balls. The house I'm bowling in the fall is a drier house shot with a well defined bounced. I'm sure a lot of my older balls will see some play this year. I'm going to take a Morich Awesome Flip and Lord Field Crucial in a bag at all times. These old balls still roll really well on easy stuff.
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my high game last year was with a thunderflash I scored off of e bay,1999 release I believe
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Tonight I took a Trauma ER
Original Cell
Dynamic Power Particle
and a Mega Friction
Kid you not I dug them out from my bottom shelf in the garage. Didn't even know I had the Dynamic Power still.
I will tell you something. That Trauma ER is a hooking BEAST!!!(Smells good too-Wild Cherry) Next week I'm taking the other surprise I found in the garage-Intense Inferno!!!
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Wow your going way a ways; Enjoy!!
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My best series was with an intense inferno.I really wish I kept that ball
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I still have a couple of 14 year old balls in my bag. L/M THE NEW STANDARD and YEAH BABY.
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THS and bad topography=Older balls will still roll well. Newer lanes and less defined Patterns will warrant the newer or just updated shells. Not necessarily the hook monsters but just fresh covers
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I still have a couple of 14 year old balls in my bag. L/M THE NEW STANDARD and YEAH BABY.
You're tugging at my heart strings with those balls.
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I'm still rolling the original Lane Masters The Sting and The Buzz. A few years back pulled out my OG Night Hawk and Angle Evolution. I have a DZ Red Alert Night Flash fully plugged just waiting to drill and for fun I use my Dynothane Wayne Webb RX pearl
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i just shot 154 (not bad for me) with my dads old black diamond rubber. i played in between 10 and 5 and it rolled back kinda like urethane
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i just shot 154 (not bad for me) with my dads old black diamond rubber. i played in between 10 and 5 and it rolled back kinda like urethane
Nice. Throwing old pieces rules. Next time go see my folks probably going to grab my dad's old 16lb Amflite MagicLine rubber ball for kicks. Found a driller and a not well maintained house perfect for throwing it at. Perfect ball to experiment with side weight as well. Heard some of those super hard rubber balls make awesome spare balls.
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speaking of old bowling balls. Is the x factor ace a 2 piece? I was offered one in nice shape for the right price. 8)
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My original blue Track Triton works just fine on a THS with the right surface (currently at 600/light 2000 sandpaper, but that's actually overkill)...and a cloth that doesn't just spread oil all over ::)
It's actually a bit awkward because I joined a casual league expecting to average 160 and not 205 for the first week. Haven't bowled any fall league (Adult-junior) since 1996-7 and summer since 1999, and I found a score sheet that 168 was my average then, so my memory was a bit off. Really didn't even open bowl for a few years either, and now the game has changed quite a bit.
Actually none of my balls are new at all, the newest is a U2 Classic (not the real U2). That ball is just weird though. Also got a Blue Dot remake (blue dot not included ;) ) for $1 plus shipping on Ebay and a Combat Zone my ex found for free at a garage sale that I can throw with enough tape in the thumb, but really needs a redrill and new grips.
Worse, some pro shops actually don't want to redrill old balls, I've found out. I had my dad's Forest Fire Storm, which I loved throwing, but had to stuff cork and tape in the holes to try out because the guy said "Don't waste your money". Rolled pretty good for being drilled pin-in-palm because the pin-out was about 3/8". Eventually I gave it back though and started looking for something that would be it if it was made now, but probably most anything will work on that shot, I'm guessing.
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My original blue Track Triton works just fine on a THS with the right surface (currently at 600/light 2000 sandpaper, but that's actually overkill)...and a cloth that doesn't just spread oil all over ::)
It's actually a bit awkward because I joined a casual league expecting to average 160 and not 205 for the first week. Haven't bowled any fall league (Adult-junior) since 1996-7 and summer since 1999, and I found a score sheet that 168 was my average then, so my memory was a bit off. Really didn't even open bowl for a few years either, and now the game has changed quite a bit.
Actually none of my balls are new at all, the newest is a U2 Classic (not the real U2). That ball is just weird though. Also got a Blue Dot remake (blue dot not included ;) ) for $1 plus shipping on Ebay and a Combat Zone my ex found for free at a garage sale that I can throw with enough tape in the thumb, but really needs a redrill and new grips.
Worse, some pro shops actually don't want to redrill old balls, I've found out. I had my dad's Forest Fire Storm, which I loved throwing, but had to stuff cork and tape in the holes to try out because the guy said "Don't waste your money". Rolled pretty good for being drilled pin-in-palm because the pin-out was about 3/8". Eventually I gave it back though and started looking for something that would be it if it was made now, but probably most anything will work on that shot, I'm guessing.
Even one of the best balls on house shot sold today is 10 years old (Hy-Road). Lighter house shots do not need modern super soakers.
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My original blue Track Triton works just fine on a THS with the right surface (currently at 600/light 2000 sandpaper, but that's actually overkill)...and a cloth that doesn't just spread oil all over ::)
It's actually a bit awkward because I joined a casual league expecting to average 160 and not 205 for the first week. Haven't bowled any fall league (Adult-junior) since 1996-7 and summer since 1999, and I found a score sheet that 168 was my average then, so my memory was a bit off. Really didn't even open bowl for a few years either, and now the game has changed quite a bit.
Actually none of my balls are new at all, the newest is a U2 Classic (not the real U2). That ball is just weird though. Also got a Blue Dot remake (blue dot not included ;) ) for $1 plus shipping on Ebay and a Combat Zone my ex found for free at a garage sale that I can throw with enough tape in the thumb, but really needs a redrill and new grips.
Worse, some pro shops actually don't want to redrill old balls, I've found out. I had my dad's Forest Fire Storm, which I loved throwing, but had to stuff cork and tape in the holes to try out because the guy said "Don't waste your money". Rolled pretty good for being drilled pin-in-palm because the pin-out was about 3/8". Eventually I gave it back though and started looking for something that would be it if it was made now, but probably most anything will work on that shot, I'm guessing.
Even one of the best balls on house shot sold today is 10 years old (Hy-Road). Lighter house shots do not need modern super soakers.
Yeah, no point unless I switched to the sport challenge league. Probably an After Dark or Alley Cat would be fine if I got something new.
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Great post milo; I stopped falling for the jiba-jaba and I've been very successful in keeping balls from 2010-2015, and I couldn't be happier.
I'd rather get lessons at this point of bowling, than to keep forking out hundreds of disposable income, when after a couple dozen sets, you will have similar reactions like your older pieces anyway.
To each their own, not worth it any more for me.
Agreed. Still throw AMB Centaur Solid regularly.
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Not really Old but bought a new Brunswick Melee Cross as the shop I go to has had a handful leftover. Drilled it to occupy the smooth reaction spot on the mid-low end spot in my arsenal
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Not really Old but bought a new Brunswick Melee Cross as the shop I go to has had a handful leftover. Drilled it to occupy the smooth reaction spot on the mid-low end spot in my arsenal
Speaking of Brunswick from that hand to hand era may someday get me a Brute. Not because of the #s or performance but because of the cheesy graphic on the ball lol.
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Not really Old but bought a new Brunswick Melee Cross as the shop I go to has had a handful leftover. Drilled it to occupy the smooth reaction spot on the mid-low end spot in my arsenal
Speaking of Brunswick from that hand to hand era may someday get me a Brute. Not because of the #s or performance but because of the cheesy graphic on the ball lol.
Shop I go to has one. I was debating between the Melee Cross and Brute. I loved the Brute Strength but I wanted a little more core so went Melee
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is it good?