Author Topic: Benchmark Ball (Read 2350 times)

Motogp69 · « **on:** March 28, 2008, 12:04:07 AM »

Out of the current line does Storm make a good benchmark ball? My pro shop guy recommended a Rival to me, but I'm trying to stick to Storm and Brunswick stuff. So any of your thoughts on what ball and why would be much appreciated.

Thanks

MelvinBrunsTrack · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2008, 08:08:45 AM »

Just my 2 cents. I have been bowling for 15 years. Never limit yourself to all the companies. All of them make great bowling balls.

Gazoo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2008, 08:47:32 AM »

SureFire! Doesn't seem to get alot of love, but is very smooth and can cover most league conditions except for the extremes.

Motogp69 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2008, 08:53:13 AM »

Oh I don't, I'd be willing to try almost anything usually, but I just don't trust Ebonite made covers at the moment so that eliminates Hammer, Ebonite, and Columbia. As a college student and married my budget is much thinner these days so I don't have the resources I had before to take the chance that my purchase might not last. I just spent 375 on 2 balls that are now paperweights, and were as before I worked in a shop so that wasn't that big of a financial loss I've never experienced this with Storm, Rotogrip, Brunswick, or Morich equipment.

TWOHAND834 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:09:46 AM »

If you dont trust the Ebohambia stuff, maybe try one of the Legends or Visionary balls. The Ogre Solid sanded up to 2000 abralon would be a great choice. Solid reactive cover that does not roll at your feet and yet gives a smooth, but continuous roll from the midlane through the pindeck. I have heard some good things about the Legends lines but dont know enough about them yet to give a suggestion. If you go to the Visionary forum, there is a video about the Gladiator that shows the Ogre Solid in action. He shows the layout on the ball and rolls it pretty well to give you a good look at what the ball does. I am just not sure if Storm has a "true" benchmark ball. One more thing, the VBP and Legends stuff do not die after 50 games. I have quite a few VBP balls that have 200+ games on them and very little oil came out of the cover when put into a revivor machine.
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Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator

If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!

andrae1982 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:22:25 AM »

Motogp69

What two balls were you referring to that are now paperweights? I'm in the same boat as you. Married and just getting started with life. Not alot of money to pay for bad purchases.

JPRLane1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:24:08 AM »

T Road Solid
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Motogp69 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2008, 10:41:02 AM »

First off I don't want to seem like I'm a lifelong ebonite basher. I grew up in Jason Couch's bowling alley and up until a 2 months ago, mostly every ball I've ever owned was a Ebonite ball. My favorite balls of all time are the Nitro R2, Red Wolf, and the V2 (like most people).

The two balls the died on me were a Gamebreaker and a Black Widow Pearl. But take note that I have a Cherry Vibe, and an Angular One that both still hook like they're brand new. I just can't take the chance with the hit and miss on the life of their covers at the moment so I'm moving back to Brunswick and Storm made equipment for the time being.

I'm just trying to build a tournament arsenal to get back into real competitive bowling, and with a smaller source of fund I don't have the ability to risk something I purchase being a bad ball.

I was actually curious what everyone's thoughts were on a benchmark ball? I thought I'd of heard about the Special Agent from someone considering how much use it gets by the pro's, but I know the T-Road pearl was very popular where I used to live so I would imagine a solid version would be a great ball as well. I know this is the storm board, but if anyone knows of any Brunswick ball that would fit the bill that'd be fine to.

greenefam · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2008, 11:51:59 AM »

All the way up until the release of the Rapid Fire I always recommended the Thunderstruck Solid as a benchmark ball. Today I'd go with the Rapid Fire.

The problem for me with both the Special and the T-Road Solid (both good balls) is in my opinion solid balls designed for medium oil conditions are the best benchmark balls. The Special and the T-Road are just a bit too strong for that unless you sand them to 4000 or polish them.

CHawk15 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2008, 12:01:50 PM »

I would say T-Road Pearl with the right drilling could definitely be a benchmark ball. But I would think that perhaps the Rapid Fire or the Sure Fire might work better.

themagician · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2008, 12:12:03 PM »

I've got a buddy that has been using a Thunderstruck Solid as his benchmark, the ball is a solid reactive, with a nice arcing reaction for him. He keeps it at 2000 grit instead of the factory polished finish to get a little more reaction. Its a mid priced ball and it really is a good one, rolls great and hes had it since it came out and I really haven't noticed any loss in performance.
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http://www.absolutebowling.com NO TROLLS

Author Topic: Benchmark Ball (Read 2350 times)

Motogp69

Benchmark Ball

MelvinBrunsTrack

Re: Benchmark Ball

Gazoo

Re: Benchmark Ball

Motogp69

Re: Benchmark Ball

TWOHAND834

Re: Benchmark Ball

andrae1982

Re: Benchmark Ball

JPRLane1

Re: Benchmark Ball

Motogp69

Re: Benchmark Ball

greenefam

Re: Benchmark Ball

CHawk15

Re: Benchmark Ball

themagician

Re: Benchmark Ball