Sir Bowls-a-lot,
I don't know whether this will confuse the issue or not.
D Scott Johnson,
My experience differs slightly from yours; maybe you can try what I tried.
I've had the New Standard (herein after called, NS) for a while. I can't use it in my leagues as it's far too strong. I've used it 4 or 5 times at a place that has plenty of oil. I go back and forth from its stock 800 grit matte (fairly smooth) finish) to a light polish via Legends own polish. A light application makes a bigger difference inlength with this ball than other balls in my experience. I like both but figure the 800 grit can handle (true, as far as I can tell) medium-heavy oil in an easy manner. The polish allows it to go down almost to medium oil levels. (I said, almost)
I recently got the Yeah Baby! (herein after called YB) and the Absolute Power (called the AP). The AP is technically a Lanemasters, not a Legends ball, but I liked its review in BTM better than the Legends equivalent, the SatisfaXion, as it seems to handle a wider range into the lighter oil territory than the SatisfaXion. (FYI as near as I can gather, Legends is the premium brand or level of the Lanemasters company; while the "Lanemasters" brand is a step down, but not in quality.)
So, I had the NS & the YB balls drilled identically with a 4"x5", pin next to ring finger, CG in grip center, both having a 3" pin-CG distance and one starting with 3 oz top weight, the other with 2 3/4 oz.
On this medium heavy oil pattern, using the same target and the same starting position (what they actually are makes no difference), the YB did go longer and hooked more, but left an incredible number of weak 10 pins. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. The tighter line allowed the NS to make the stronger turn and harder finish. I tried the tighter line with the YB but it hooked too much.
Then I tried the AP. Drilled a little stronger, same pin position, but CG at 3.5" from PAP. Box surface condition. Standing about 5 boards further towards the outside, hitting the same breakpoint, this ball just crushed the pocket. As hard as the NS hits, this was more hitting power. (part of this was the shorter CG position, I'm sure.) And both BTM and BJI said this ball was for medium lights to "as much as" medium oil patterns. Duh!
Anyway, back to the YB/NS controversy.
I was perplexed by the YB's 10 pins. Its famed power was just not there. So I tried a last ditch effort before heading home and trying a surface modification. I moved 5 boards deeper with my feet and tried a slightly stronger release with maybe 50 revs more but more axis tilt, as I normally do for a deeper line. Well, WOW!
Now, I saw what I had only heard about the YB! - POWER at the pins, like no body's business. CRUSH does not begin to describe what it did.
I guess it needs oil, for a good distance.
I can only guess what it might need if I had tilted the core's angle, like I did on the AP. A 4x4 or 3.5x3.5 might need even more oil.
Based on what I had read before doing this FIRST test (this was only the first), I had planned on polishing the YB!, after I had verified the differences between it and the NS. Now I am no longer sure. I still don't see the oil needed to use either of these in my league, and the AP is drilled to strongly. More tests to finalize this difference need to be done.
Still, I remain amazed and happy at all thre balls.
As of this moment intime, I consider the NS a control ball and a YB a ball to open up the lanes and to conquer carrydown. With the AP, I am still undecided, but also very happy, so far.
Edited on 1/18/2005 5:26 PM
