What makes a pearl cover different from a solid one is the pearlization additive.  Basically finely ground mica is added to the coverstock.  This makes it stiffer than the solid version and gives it that pearl translucence.  This stiffer cover deforms less, creating a smaller footprint on the lane than a solid cover, leading to a cleaner reaction through the heads.  The polished finish that most pearls come with (you could really count on one hand the number of pearls that come sanded from the factory) is what gives them that snap on the backend.

The amount of pearlization added can make a difference in ball reaction, just like varying the particle load in a particle ball.  Until recently it was easy to tell what was a pearl and what was a solid, but Lanemasters, 900 Global/AMF, and others have begun to blur the visual line between pearls and solids, adding enough pearl to make it look like a pearl but without giving it that pearl-type reaction.

SH

Well I think for me the pearl balls work best for me if the heads and mids are getting burnt. One problem though is most pearl balls you will have an over under if you can't hit the same mark twice even on a THS.

I have a Ebonite Bash that works extreamly well, (not even sure what it is, heard couple different ways on that one) but it gets through the first 35ft of the lane and makes a good turn down lane but if I get it out past the 10 board its flying back so i have to be a little more accurate with it but when Im on that ball is golden.

I also have plenty of solids as well. I have a couple Total Shock and Awes that I polished one which gives me a great look on a used up house shot whent he bash is flying off the dry, its more controllable but I have to play much deeper because it starts a lot more early even with polish but its just a light coat on it.

So a pearl is a very good addition to make to your arsenal just understand that it can be very condition specific at times, just as any other ball.
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Throwing hambones since 2005.
www.myspace.com/nestes12

Pearls seem to give the most backend!  As stated above they are great for crankers.  The awesome revs Jimmy Keeth used one Ebonite pearl for most of his last season on tour(now deceased).
 
Storm reps have told me and others in a seminar that pearls are really great for wood!

As stated above....many companies are making softer pearls when the hardness standards were changed a few years ago to lessen the overunder talked about above.  Also many companies these days are using only 4000 abralon on their pearls to lessen the overunder.  Finally....light load pearl particles like the awesome revs reduce the over/under.  But these pearl particles seem to struggle a bit when carrydown comes around.

Another thing discussed above is the new hybrid coverstocks....part solid part pearl.

I remember also once Mo Pinel I believe stating that he did not really in general understand the use of pearls on synthetics implying that high grit surfaces on solids would be better(this is how I remember his talk anyway).

Two observations.
1.  Many people by putting the pin up on pearls I believe increase the over/under.  I'm noticing on tour more players with pearls....say Wes Malott are instead putting pins over and under their MIDDLE finger(correction to previous post) for length with control.
2.  It also seems to me that more success with pearls is had by playing outside....say like Parker Bohn the other day in the motel 6 with his Absolute inferno.  

REgards,

Luckylefty

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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

Edited on 5/5/2008 12:03 PM