EVERY Storm bowler in my oppion should own the Hotrod Hybrid. GREAT ball. Hits hard and the roll is consistent along with the carry. I shot my first 700 with this ball and It ALWAYS helped me on those medium-dry conditions. I would highly recommend this ball with a 2-3 inch pin.

An arsenal depends on what you want to do.
A polyester spare ball is a must, it can also be used on totally dry lanes.

Then, I'd advise to either go for a 2 or 3 ball arsenal.

A mild peral reactive for medium-dry conditions is a good base. The HR Hybrid is a very good ball for this task, especially for a beginner, and it is not too expensive. The Tropical Storms can do the job, too.

Then, I would take a ball for medium-oily to oily conditions. For a 3 ball arsenal, I'd select a matte solid reactive or even a medium load particle ball. The Diablo or an Atomic Charge, drilled for earlier roll, shouel make a versatile base. If you only want 2 balls, have this one drilled for more length and maybe play with the surface, shining it up.

Then, finally, you can use something in between these balls, for true medium conditions. A Fired Up or a Screamin' Banshee should do this job, drill it for length and pop on the backend, and have fun.

As a beginner, I'd stay away from high performnace balls. I'd invest in such a ball if you have developed a feeling how you play and what you want the ball to do for you. Asymmetrical cores like the Paradigm's or in the X-Factors offer drillers special options to fine tune the ball to the player. If you are not that far, such a ball, if drilled not properly, can be an easy waste of money. You can be lucky that it works for you, but I'd rather advise to postpone such a ball when you have a solid game, can read the lanes and know by yourself where you see a further gap in your basic arsenal. Just be patient.

Hope this helps, it is just a rough personal advice.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany
Team "X": http://homepage.mac.com/timlinked/
"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

Excellent advice in the thread, I just wanted chime in on some extreme values that are out there:

I would highly recommend, Storm Hot Rod Line, Roto Grip Planets, and the Brunswick BVP line.  These balls are quite good and have a medium to light reaction ball choice in each of their lines, that has outstanding performance for very little money, and should be a fit.  

The high priced, high performance balls are generally marketed aggressively as "High Scoring" or "Powerful"; several ball companies are starting to market as a more politically correct "master" "pro" etc.  There is usually such a thing as "Too much ball, to control" for the condition or the level of bowler.  "Money don't necessary buy you love" if the shot, and bowler's level is not conducive to the performance of the ball.

On a setup medium high to high oil condition, of course, for Par (elite) bowlers, the high performance are used as viable weapons. Unfortunately, THS normally will not lay enough oil out, to accommodate a performance product such as these.

Take away the oil and it will generally deflate the ego of the performance ball marketing machine.  Then, a moderate performance to lower performance ball will shine.

Of course, this a generalization, depends on bowling styles, knowledge, and several intangibles. As in life, a balanced ball selection approach generally works better, there are chosen times to be aggressive and chosen times to be passive, IMHO.

A vote for the Storm Hot Rod Hybrid, a mixture of solid and pearl coverstock, "this is no turnip", it rolls beautifully and hits very hard.  Of course, I'm biased, I own one and love it.  Another ball that is very interesting, that I don't own, but probably will - the Roto Grip Saturn, I like what I see and like what I hear.  
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K-----------R
--*--------*--
----*---*-----
----EX-------
----*---*-----
--*-------*---
L-----------G      
The Bowling Ball Manufacturing Kingdom Scorecard (hint: they are all good)
Brunswick ***** (King)(Budweiser/Anheuser-Busch)[make Elite, Lane#1, MoRich]
Storm ***** (Prince)(Coors)[make Roto Grip, Dyno-Thane, Circle Athletics?(in transition  purchased by Columbia Industries)]
Columbia **** (nobleman)(Miller)[make Track, AMF]
Ebonite *** (jester)(Strohs)[make Hammer]
Visionary (no current rating)(wizard)(microbrew?)
Lanemaster (no current rating)(knight)(more microbrew?)
[Note: The end companies usually spec out their own balls]


Edited on 2/9/2006 8:17 AM

Edited on 2/9/2006 11:11 AM

If this is your first arsenal I would just buy 2 balls.  1 for heavier oil and one for light oil.  Drill them both with the same layout.  Once you get better you may see a need for a more complete arsenal.

I also agree with many of the above statements.  Stick with mid-priced equipment.  The high end stuff in my opinion is overrated.  Most of my arsenal is in the lower price range.  I do have a paradigm but that is the only asymmetrical ball I own.

Edited on 2/9/2006 10:32 AM

Storm arsonal for a bowler averaging under 185
1)Medium to medium heavy--->Dark Thunder box cover drilled pin under ring cg out 1"

2)Heavy---->Same ball scuffed with burgandy scotch brite

3)Light---->Same ball 2 minutes in the Lustre King

4)Spare ball--->any 14# plastic house ball that fits your hand

When your average is 185+ and you cannot find a shot on a particular condition no matter what you try,define that condition,research what balls are being marketed for that condition and make your second ball purchase.
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President and CEO Visionite Stormy Buzzwick LTD

Edited on 2/9/2006 9:44 PM