win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment  (Read 1887 times)

A_P_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1835
First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« on: September 15, 2003, 12:03:19 AM »
Friday night I had the privelege to use my Sonic Solid in actual ABC competition.  Yes I said privelege because that ball helped me when the lane conditions down right stunk!

I signed up for a scratch/match play league to see if I could hang in with the big boys because I need to boost my confidence during tournament play.  The lanes were terribly oiled, a blocked pattern with hold area outside and DESERT insides.  Everyone was struggling to say the least....and high game of that night was 243...for the set.

I started practice with my Too Hot and watched as it flew off the lanes within ten feet of my release.  Stayed with it and adjusted some more to stay in the track area as long as I could.  Needless to say I couldn't get one more ball in the track, because it was SCORCHED.  When league started I attempted to use my Sonic Pearl but it is drilled a little too strong for the track also.  Feeling a bit confused because my man was running away with the game I pulled out the Sonic Solid and made a huge move left.  I generally play up the boards but wasn't allowed to that night, so on a whim I started with my slide foot on 35 throwing the Solid X out to 20 letting it go to 15 and move back into the pocket.  

I finally got lined up and continued to assault the pocket with powerful strikes.  Man, this ball hits and carries beautifully.  I came from behind and beat my man the first game.  

Throwing the same line I beat my man again with the Solid X.  I'm up two games to none but lost the third because the carry wasn't there no matter how I adjusted.  I managed to keep it close and take the set as well.  

So, my first impression of the Sonic Solid is an outstanding piece of equipment.  This ball offers control from every angle, it is very even, smooth, and powerful at the same time.  

I'm very glad I purchased these two balls from Roto Grip and look forward to picking up some others in the future.

To all you RG staffers/members out there.....great job!


--------------------
In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.

Edited on 9/15/2003 8:55 PM
<b>The original Pin Krusher</b>

 

A_P_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1835
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2003, 01:50:12 PM »
back up for more people to see/read
--------------------
In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
<b>The original Pin Krusher</b>

TECH SUPPORT

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 982
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2003, 03:03:02 PM »
I just ordered another one of these.This time I am drilling it for my self.How strong is this ball compared to a plastic ball.I would like to know how you have yours drilled also.I have a lot of hand in my natual release so much that some times I can swing the lane with my blue dot.The one I drilled for my friend has yet to see any action so I still have no idea on how this ball will react.I want to use this on a second shift house shot on travel league.So far every house has been scorched for the second set.I live in the gulf coast area of texas "la porte".I am thinking 5-1/2x4 or 5-1/2 x 4-1/2 I cant use stacked drillings on flying lanes.Let me know what you think
--------------------
I have taught you every thing I know and you still dont know DICK.

A_P_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1835
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2003, 09:34:18 AM »
Confucious (I don't feel right calling you A DICK)......

My Solid X is drilled 4x4 stacked, it weighs in at 16# with around a 3" pin out distance. (closer to 3.5")  I don't remember the top weight of the ball.

First off let me say that this ball is considerably stronger than plastic and will definitely move in the "SCORCHED" part of the lanes.  

Since I removed the inserts from my equipment, I've hand to tone down my rev rate also, but this ball won't jump off the lanes by any means.  On the shot I spoke of I threw the Solid X using a high track more or less just rolling the ball.  It only moved a total of five boards in it's belly, but during that time it was extremely even and smooth.  The Solid X gives me the ability to "Forsee" the direction of the ball.  (I'd say it's predictability is so high I wouldn't call it reading the lanes.)  

Even when I increased my rev rate to compensate for lack of carry, the ball only covered a few more boards.  The overall result of the path was the same, control, even, and smooth.

I'd say with your high natural rev rate the 5.5x4.5 will be great because of the hi RG and low DIF it would only arc down the lane.  There is really no flare potential from this ball so it will never be "jumpy".  You may be able to swing the lane as well with the Solid X, but I don't see control being an issue with this ball.

If you can take some hand out of your release, it is also possible to play the scorched track area.  During the few times I played that area to cover spares I noticed the ball would move only five or six boards there as well.  Keep in mind at this point I wasn't putting anything more on the ball since the lanes did all the work for me.

The one thing you will notice contrasted to your Blue Dot is the Solid X hits like a run away train on steroids.  You won't lose any hitting power or too much carry because of the lower DIF.  I hate ten pins and I left only four all night playing slide foot on 35.

The bottom line with the Solid X is it offers a ton of control in the times you need it.  I currently own both with the Pearl X being a bit stronger than the Solid X.  I may even purchase another Solid X and drill it 5x5 for even drier conditions.

--------------------
In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
<b>The original Pin Krusher</b>

A_P_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1835
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2003, 01:48:12 PM »
bumping up for A DICK to read.
--------------------
In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
<b>The original Pin Krusher</b>

TECH SUPPORT

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 982
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2003, 02:02:49 PM »
Ok thanks for the bump.I ordered a 3-4 pin @ around 3.5 top light 15# "more ballspeed if needed" I got a good deal on this ball thats why I bought it so fast before seeing it in action.The friend I drilled the other one for will try it out tonight and I will see what his does.I drilled a scout reactive black and purpleish maroon once and it was supposed to be for dry lanes but it hooked to much on a fresh wet dry "stored to much energy at the break" and burned up on a desert.I didnt want to go through that again.Thanks for the info.Have you changed the surface any.
--------------------
Why?  Because I'm A DICK

A_P_K

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1835
Re: First impression of Roto Grip's equipment
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2003, 02:09:05 PM »
I haven't changed the surface on my Solid, but the driller decided to change the cover of my pearl with his buff job.(plug and redrill)  I had to polish the pi$$ out of it to get it anywhere near stock.  All I can say is the pearl version is more aggressive than it should be.

I could polish the Solid X as well to get better length on "scorched" lanes.  Not that length isn't a problem, but it would prevent the ball from evening out some in the mids.

Because the RG is way high it won't move in oil.  I tried to play a second shift with decent oil and it barley moved.  You may get it to move a few boards because you have more hand than I do, but the reaction will not change.  It will still be even, smooth, and controllable.
--------------------
In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
<b>The original Pin Krusher</b>