Post by: Whiskey 1966 on December 28, 2008, 06:35:41 AM
My favorites:
AMF
Columbia 300
Faball
Track
Ebonite
Storm
Roto Grip
Good, but not great: (I probably did not own enough of them)
Brunswick
Visionary
Horrid:
Carmen Salvino Incorporated. He just had to have his own company...they were duds.
Star Trak. Poor quality control. Poor Urethane. Lots of unmarked blem's and second's got into the marketplace. You never knew what was under the label.
Post by: srlunatic on December 28, 2008, 02:39:01 PM
Would go..
Roto-Grip
Track (Before Ebonite)
Faball
Columbia
Storm
Ebonite
AMF
Brunswich
--------------------
“Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a b@$tard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.â€
Post by: A_P_K on December 28, 2008, 03:13:33 PM
900 Global/AMF, (old Track and D/T)
Pretty Good:
Visionary, Lane 1, AZO/Lane Masters, Roto Grip/Storm
Good:
Morich, Brunswick, Columbia
Not So Good:
The rest
--------------------
The original Pin Krusher
Post by: neverbackdown_x7x on December 28, 2008, 04:02:08 PM
1. Track (Power Machine, Mean Machine)
2. Roto Grip (Epic Quest, Cell)
3. Columbia (Action, Power Drive Pearl)
--Good/O.K.--
1. Storm (Triple Xtreme, Sure Fire)
2. Ebonite (Complete NV, RXS300, SR300)
3. Lane #1 (Supernova XP)
--Not Good--
1. Brunswick (Riot Zone)
2. Hammer (Black Widow Solid and Bite)
Post by: noturcuzin on December 28, 2008, 04:05:04 PM
InSite
Banger
MoRich
900 Global
Brunswick
AMF
Non Favorites:
Storm
Ebonite
Lane Masters
--------------------
CHRIS FARLEY:1964-1997
JOHN CANDY:1950-1994
JOHN BELUSHI:1949-1982
"NO RESPECT, I GET NO RESPECT."-the great Rodney Dangerfield
InSite Bowling Products:2004-2008
Proud owner of all 5 InSite bowling balls.
Post by: nd300 on December 28, 2008, 04:12:35 PM
The ball of the 70's was the Columbia Yellow Dot Bleeder.Everyone threw it.The pros loved it,and many of them actually started cover adjustments but doing many tricks that few know about.Included in that list were runnign the ball under a cold water faucet to delay the reaction on dry or burnt lanes.Another trick was to have a bottle of liquid furniture polish in your bag.Again,too dry of a lane and you'd simply pull out the polish,a spare rag,and your ball wouldn't even wrinkle.
The early 80's was dominated by the Johnny Petraglia LT-48.A great ball in the heavier oil paterns of the day,especially sanded with 320 grit sandpaper.I threw my first honor score with it,a 700 plus series.
The later 80's saw the introduction of the Black and Blue Hammer balls,and the Angle series by AMF.The Gold Angle was the ugly mustard yellow ball that hit like nothing else in it's time.Personally,I raised my average 22 pins in one year because that ball carried the world.
Then came resin balls in the very late 80's and early 90's.That's when the fun really started.The Turbo from Ebonite,I believe if I'm wrong I apologize.A great control ball that got many people into resin equipment.
My personal favorite was the Teal Rhino Pro.Drilled 3 3/8th by 3 3/8th,it was a strong ball that recovered from anywhere I threw it.Several honor scores came from that ball before someone stole it
....After that,I went with whatever was the best ball out there.Any companyit didn't matter to me.Today,that's the same philosophy I have.Right now,there's a Cell solid,an Infinte One,an original One,a TNV,an NVS,a U-Pearl and a spare ball for ten pins.
I could see rating balls by their decade,timing or appearance in the bowling world,but to rate them as an "all time" list isn't appropriate,IMHO,because many younger bowlers will never have thrown on older oil patterns and never will get to throw the older equipment.Their opinions,while definitely valuable,are limited to their experience with the newer balls released within the last few years.
Post by: The SuperHitMan on December 28, 2008, 04:20:39 PM
Faball/Hammer
Track
Storm
Second fav comapanies
Brunswick
Columbia
MoRich
Roto Grip
Companies I dont like
Ebonite
AMF
Lane 1
--------------------
Founder of H Phi H
Member of Hoss Central Inc
-Ive been called Cocky and Arrogant thorughout my career...Being humble is alright and all but I prefer to Shut my critics up and Shut'em Down and if that makes me Cocky and Arrogant then I am what I am- K.C.D
If THS is so easy why dont you have a 220+ average
BANKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care if my signature is long. Deal with it.
Post by: Necromancer on December 28, 2008, 05:04:57 PM
Excellent: Hammer
Good back in the day: Columbia 300
Decent: Brunswick
One hit wonder like Vanilla Ice: Ebonite
POS Overrated Trash: Lane #1
--------------------
Current Arsenal Gallery (http://"http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/mikecart1/Bowling%20Arsenal/")
H: Brunswick Fury, Columbia 300 EPX T1
M-H: Storm Shift Gravity, Hammer Black Widow
M: Storm X-Factor Vertigo
M-L: Storm Recharge
S: Viz-A-Ball White
Bench: Brunswick Target Spare Zone, Ebonite 14 Fun Ball
GEMS: Brunswick Quantum Helix, Brunswick Quantum Double Helix
2008-09 Year 215.000 2008-09 Tourney 177.360 Last Tourney 182.667
2006-07 League Champions, Southern Comfort Winner
2007-08 League Champions
2008-09 Three-Peat???, Courvoisier Winner
Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001
Post by: Pat Patterson on December 28, 2008, 05:12:31 PM
Lane Masters - Current ball company of choice
Storm - Used them since 1998 up until April 2007
--------------------
Pat Patterson
Post by: Whiskey 1966 on December 28, 2008, 05:33:46 PM
I could get an Ebonite Striking Motion, Hammer Sauce, Storm Virtual Gravity, or a Columbia Momentum Swing for less than $200 out the door.
But I don't want those!
I would love a blue Perfection Particle, but they are discontinued.
Post by: scotts33 on December 28, 2008, 05:40:00 PM
--------------------
Scott
Post by: keglerx on December 28, 2008, 05:41:27 PM
2. Storm
3. Track (pre ebonite)
4. Columbia 300 (pre ebonite)
5. Fab (Hammers)
6. AMF (Angles)
Didn't care for the newer Brunswick, aka - didn't match up,
but loved the older Brunswick (LT's)
Edited on 12/28/2008 6:50 PM
Post by: sdbowler on December 28, 2008, 05:42:15 PM
2. Track (Columbia days)
3. Lane #1
4. Visionary
5. Columbia
6. Roto Grip
7. Ebonite
8. Storm
--------------------
Kyle
Post by: Pat Patterson on December 28, 2008, 05:48:50 PM
Pat
quote]Pat, I would try Lane Masters if they were not so expensive! I would want a piece with no core wrap, just a two piece and with tax, my shop would charge $250 for one.
I could get an Ebonite Striking Motion, Hammer Sauce, Storm Virtual Gravity, or a Columbia Momentum Swing for less than $200 out the door.
But I don't want those!
I would love a blue Perfection Particle, but they are discontinued.[/quote]
--------------------
Pat Patterson
Post by: JessN16 on December 28, 2008, 06:07:10 PM
Matches (or matched) up to me almost every time:
1A: Storm
1B: Lane #1 (it's a dead-heat tie)
3: AMF (pre-Columbia buyout)
Matches (or matched) up to me more often than not, and I always watch these releases closely:
4. Visionary
5. MoRich
6. Track (during the Columbia years)
7. Legends/LaneMasters
8. Dyno-Thane
Average, neither great nor terrible:
9. Roto-Grip
10. Brunswick
Difficult to find a good match, and therefore I usually pass by:
11. Ebonite
12. Hammer (post-Ebonite buyout)
Rarely match up to me and I actively avoid:
13. AMF (during Columbia buyout years)
14. Columbia (all years)
15. Track (pre-Columbia buyout)
Have not thrown and therefore can't say:
900Global
AMF (post-900Global buyout)
AZO
Banger
Circle
Elite
Track (post-Ebonite split)
Motiv
Kinetic
Jess
Post by: Dan Belcher on December 28, 2008, 06:50:52 PM
Storm = good variety of reactions, above average pin carry (love that continous reaction shape), great customer service, good coverstock longevity, decent prices
Rotogrip = same advantages as Storm, and even lower prices, but fewer balls to choose from.
Morich = I'm not a huge fan of the Brunswick coverstocks, but the cores give a different look than any other equipment. A little too condition-specific, prone to leaving corner pins if the lanes aren't just right. Price is a little too high usually.
Ebonite = Very condition-specific equipment for me. Either I'm carrying the world, or not carrying the corners at all. The ball tends to straighten out after the breakpoint more than I'd like, except with the Pin Slasher which I'd be tempted to buy if it didn't overlap my current gear so much.
Brunswick = Just too darn rolly. I can't carry the corners with their rolly equipment, and their skid/snap equipment is too over/under.
Post by: Juggernaut on December 26, 2009, 05:10:18 PM
Currently, A.M.F. (900Global poured) is my weapon of choice. I like Phil's philosophy of making equipment by relying on time tested combinations for reliable performance while still pushing the envelope with new innovations at the other end, making for a company that doesn't release much junk, just balls that work well in conjunction with each other. If it doesn't work/fit, it doesn't get released.
Visionary is on the scale with them as well. They research many options before releasing a new product to make sure it fits into their existing lineup without "wasting" a new release. Very durable with great performance characteristics as well from the family that brought you the original Faball HAMMERS.
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile
[THIS SPACE FOR RENT]
Post by: David Lee Yskes on December 26, 2009, 06:39:26 PM
Storm is #1 its all I throw now..
I did have 1 Roto Grip ball back in 2002 "Fuel" which i had for about 3 weeks till it was stolen
but it was a awesome ball beside that, I had a couple old 3D offset hammer balls that i hated!!!!!! back in like 97 ??? idk but i ended up selling them back to my cousin lol.
before that, in 96, my first resin ball was a Columbia Beast which was drilled up 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 and was actually a good ball for the old heavy oil conditions.
And before that, all I had was a Red, Blue and Purple urethane Hammer.
But if I had to rank them it goes like this
Storm
RotoGrip
"old" Columbia
Hammer
I would chop off my right hand, If i even was to throw anything made my Brunswick!!!!!
--------------------
" Lift Your Skirt Grab Your Balls and Learn How to Bowl " http://coolluvr4u1976.bowlspace.com/
Post by: dark_rising76 on December 26, 2009, 06:57:35 PM
Track- Machine line were one of my favorites
Ebonite
Good/Very Good:
Storm
Columbia
Motiv- GT1 is great, hope the QZ1 is just as good.
Alright:
Roto-Grip- Liked the Quest alot, hated the Cell.
Bad/Suck:
Hammer- Cannot match-up with their stuff
Post by: Gunny on December 27, 2009, 07:44:23 AM
matches my game best.
900 Global
AMF
Roto Grip
Brunswick
Track
Ebonite
Hammer
Visionary
Morich
Storm
Columbia
Post by: lenstanles703 on December 27, 2009, 08:35:43 AM
Visionary-Small company but ball lines have great choices-Ogres
Brunswick-Great cover stock (mid line) but moved sob-Nemesis,Rampage
Storm-Xfactor was great, most balls too jumpy off dry for me
Ebonite-Matched up well to some of their stuff-Tiger good,Big One bad
Columbia-Didn''t match up well at all except white dot
Track-Particle DEATH! 50 games max.- Arsenal Aggressive Particle
Lane 1- No Match at all-Pearl Uranium Buzzsaw
--------------------
"We are all one"
Visionary test staff member
Edited on 12/27/2009 9:38 AM
Post by: JOE FALCO on December 27, 2009, 09:10:12 AM
Global .. Break's
Visionary .. Ogre's
Hammer .. Jigsaw
Storm .. Fast
Rotor Grip .. Cell
Lane 1 .. keep trying
MoRich .. LevRg's
--------------------
J O E - F A L C O
RIP Thong Princess/Sawbones
Post by: kidlost2000 on December 27, 2009, 09:44:02 AM
I think some people just match up a little better with some things then others. Some companies go through runs of great equipment, then ok stuff then back to really good stuff. I really enjoy getting to try it all. Its usually just a ball here or there that I may not like or get the reaction I was looking for but may have great success with everything else.
It also helps I buy online and drill my own equipment. Makes it a lot more affordable then going through a pro shop.(for me)
--------------------
" men lie, women lie, numbers don't "
Post by: SleepOnIce on December 27, 2009, 11:40:55 AM
Hammer - Aside from the Black Widow Bite, I've loved every ball I've purchased from them, which has been a lot.
Good:
Ebonite - Had 2 that I liked (Matrix and Bash), one that I used for 3 weeks before giving it away (One Pearl).
Columbia - Liked the Super Beast, but it's the only ball I've tried from them.
Brunswick - Had fun with the older Zones, tried a Sidewinder recently and didn't like it.
Other:
Storm - Probably just a bad ball matchup on the two balls I've purchased from them (T-Road Solid/Street Rod Pearl). Probably going to try a Hy-Road sometime.
--------------------
BLARGH
Rob Stone Supporters of America!
Post by: shiftuneTNV on December 27, 2009, 11:51:00 AM
1 Hammer
2 ebonite
3 track
4 columbia
5 visionary
6 storm
7 roto grip
8 900global/amf
9 morich
10 the worst of all the companies brunswick
--------------------
Hammer90
Nothing Hits Like a Hammer
Post by: tdoty814 on December 27, 2009, 12:03:03 PM
1 Storm
2 Roto Grip
3 Ebonite
4 Hammer
5 Brunswick
6 Lane #1
7 Track
--------------------
Travis
Marks Proshop
Post by: brett_dubbin on December 27, 2009, 12:05:37 PM
Close second, Storm, had some real good looks a couple seasons ago and even up to this season, but then the equipment started getting very over/under for me, combo of balls/drillings, and me just getting better in my physical game, but I still have a Dimension, and like it for tourneys.
Close behind Storm: Hammer. I threw basically the whole raw series up until the Burn came out and liked them all a bunch, still have a toxic and Doom here at home just in case I ever want to throw them in Summer league or something. Had 3 Widows, a Widow Pearl, they were decent THS balls for me, and Maybe my favorite Hammer was my Blue Vibe, I miss it.
Middle stuff that I neither loved nor hated, Big B ( I have had several, just ok for me ), Ebonite ( loved the one, my favorite ball of juniors, but outside of that, not much impressed me ), Lane 1 ( I actually had like 6 throughout juniors and liked them on the old wood, but when we went to brand new synthetics, couldn't get any carry at all, but good balls IMO ), L/LM ( only had a Sting and Sure Strike, I actually really liked them both, but my Sting got chewed up by the lane machine 2nd game I had it, and at the time I was transitioning into Storm, so never had any more. )
Honestly can't say I have hated anything I have thrown, i have seemed to have a decent look on almost anything I have owned depending on the oil of course. Only ball I could never really get a look out of was my Tornado, got it for when they went to real crap, and only used it when everything else hooked, but just couldn't get any look out of it even on super dry lanes, I have a neptune now and I just pick the speed up as needed, heck of a lot more ball than the Tornado.
Sorry for the Depth, but I wanted to be thorough.
--------------------
Brett Pro Staff is "Loaded" with Incentives.
TIDWAP... Assemble!!!
Post by: south fl bowler on December 27, 2009, 12:46:56 PM
lanemasters
columbia
track
brunswick,,,,,in that order
not so good with
storm,,,,dont match up well
ebonite,,,ball death
haven't used enough of the other companies to rate them
Post by: Doug Sterner on December 27, 2009, 12:50:32 PM
The Faball Hammers...Blue, Black and Red Pearls all gave me the hook and hit that I needed while I was in college and could not make the U-Dots and Angles work for me.
The Faball 3-D OffSet High Rev, Crimson Sledgehammer and Jackhammers....quality first generation reactives. Just excellent pieces. The Blade series was one of the best available at the time.
AZO....their first couple of balls were great....the Armageddon solid and pearl were great. I was one of the few who liked the Fatman as well.
Ebonite....Tidalwave Wipeout Sparkle...one of my favorites ever....Playmaker is a quality piece today (just wish it held the reaction for more than 35 games). Not much else good to say here.
Ebo-Hammer....The midrange and low end Hammer balls are still some of the best on teh planet...Doom, Anger, Burn, Psycho, Onyx Vibe, Emerald Vibe....just awesome.
Brunswick....not their biggest fan but I have thrown some of their pills very well...Danger Zone, Punisher, Blast Zone, Black Phantom, Diamondback. The new releases are showing a lot of promise...(C-System, Diamondback, WildCard)
MoRich....loved my Ravage and I still have my Pioneer...perhaps the new releases will bring MoRich back into mainstream since they are not super-critical to drillings as the balls ahve been in the past.
However, hands down, my favorite comapnies....
Lane #1....have had tremendous personal success with their equipment, the key here is to get the right ball (pin and top wt) and have a guy drill it who knows the balls AND your game.
900 Global/AMF....yes I lump them together due to the way their lines complement each other. They have a solid benchmark ball (Lunatic), heavy oil balls (Bounty Hunter and MegaFriction), lighter condition balls (Hype and Link) and a great group of medium condition balls (BHP,Breakpoints,Clutch,Sideways).
Storm...shot my only 300 with an X-Factor, higher series with an El Nino X-it, loved my Firepower, Too Hot was a great ball, but the Eraser was my go to ball.
Of all the ball companies out there I think Storm (and their sister company RotoGrip) has done their homework and has become the easiest ball company to sell. They have shelf appeal, perform well and have enough variety in their lines to cover every conceivable lane condition. Their success on the PBA Tour hasn't hurt their "sell-a-bility" either.
The Top 5 in my mind right now (based on personal experience and sales):
1. Storm/RotoGrip
2. Lane 1
3. AMF/ 900 Global
4. Brunswick
5. Hammer
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
For Real Time Interactive Bowling Conversation:
BowlingChat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Post by: Krakken on December 27, 2009, 01:14:53 PM
Storm
Roto Grip
Columbia
--------------------
ROTO GRIP, There is NO Substitute
Slow Feet, Soft hand = Lots of strikes
Post by: BOWLGNUT on December 27, 2009, 02:41:59 PM
Post by: Locke on December 27, 2009, 02:59:31 PM
1. Roto Grip
2. Brunswick
3. Storm
4. FABall
5. Columbia 300
6. Ebonite
7. Elite
--------------------
They call me the thread killer...
Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it
The Cell Pimp
Post by: Xcessive_Evil on December 27, 2009, 05:39:02 PM
1. Pre-ebo Track
2. Storm
3. Roto Grip
4. Ebonite
Worst (for me):
1. Post-ebo Track(Excluding the Kinetic Energy)
--------------------
www.youtube.com/track8401
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Phoenix_RsX/Arsenal/
Edited on 12/27/2009 6:40 PM
Post by: DougS on December 27, 2009, 08:41:14 PM
Edited on 12/27/2009 10:01 PM
Post by: six pack on December 27, 2009, 08:58:51 PM
Old Track-
Brunswick-
Old Hammer-
New Hammer-
EBO-
Old Lane 1-
MoRich-
Old Storm-
New Storm-
in general I've matched up well with most from all and not so well with all.it still seems like a gamble to me.
--------------------
The harder I try the harder they fall
Post by: Rileybowler on December 27, 2009, 09:01:53 PM
Hammer
Brunswick
Track
Lane1
--------------------
Carl
Bless the LORD o my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name
Post by: n00dlejester on December 28, 2009, 09:39:46 AM
Storm: I like it, and I match up well with their generally weaker coverstocks
Roto-Grip: I hated it. I've thrown a few balls by them, and I found them to be very very touchy with my game.
Ebonite: Their stuff seems very consistent. I've thrown these balls least of the three brands, but what I saw have gotten me interested in them. Whatever my next new piece will be, it's going to be an Ebonite ball.
--------------------
Proud Supporter of Rob Stone
Obviously, you aren't a golfer.
Some stayed in the foothills, some washed logs like teeth.
Post by: s1nger1 on December 28, 2009, 09:51:51 AM
900 Global / Dyno-thane
Okay
Columbia 300
Old Track
AZO
Bad
Brunswick(Had one zone that was a good ball)
Ebonite(Ball never last)
Storm(Never had a ball match up good for me)
No Exp. with
AMF
Hammer
Roto-Grip
Mo-Rich