Moving up from a House Ball...Where?

[MontyV]

Ok I'm finishing up a Vegas league next week with the Vegas Tournament landing on March 7th weekend.  Though I've been bowling off and on all my life this was my first league that I've entered in.  Now I'm hooked.  At the beginning of the season I purchased one of the house balls because I was comfortable with a particular one and another member suggested that I bought it so that I can be a bit more consistent with the same ball.

Now with the season coming to an end and many games under my belt now, I wanted to venture out and get a new ball.  I was looking for possibly some late models or discontinued balls since my budget is around $130 and under.  Was looking at used balls but then I would have to plug them and redrill which I'm not all to comfortable with.  I know some time back I saw a Brunswick Inferno that was being discontinued and the show was selling it for $120 drilled.  I should have bit then.  No need to dwell so I'm lookin now.  Any thoughts?  Also are balls on ebay a good deal or are they fake or something?  I saw new balls selling for like $60-$90 shipped.

[NicholasE]

Get an Ebonite Bash or Clash. Both you can pick up at a proshop for about $80 or online for about the same price. The bash is a great ball for a THS, I usually don't shoot much less then 225 with it on a THS. I think the high game so far with it was a 279 and I've only bowled with it for about 2 weeks.
--------------------
Throwing hambones since 2005.
www.myspace.com/nestes12

[MX 267]

Go to your local pro shop and ask.  They will help you and drill it for you.  If you buy it from them they are more likely to help you out more.  I just got my wife her first finger tip ball for $100.  Its a tropical storm, decent ball too.  I'm a fan of hammer balls.  Which if you get the Vibe series should be around the same price.

My .02 cents
--------------------
Hammer Sharp Blade
Hammer Toxic

I'm thinking I might take that new chick from Logistics. If things go well I might be showing her my O-face. "Oh... Oh... Oh!" You know what I'm talkin' about. "Oh!"

[DanH78]

Pick just about any entry/mid-level ball.  The clash and bash are good, Tropical Storm from Storm, Hammer Vibe.  Those are probably at the top of the list.  

Also, being new, at least for the first couple, buy from a pro shop.  You don't know exactly what you're looking for or what to ask for, so you may end up with a bad choice if you go online, whereas if you have a reliable pro shop, he can help guide your purchase and make sure you don't regret spending the money.
--------------------
It IS next year!

[Rileybowler]

Roto Grip also has a great what they call entry level series of balls but they are anything but entry , they are very good balls they are called the planet series ask your pro shop they are an excellent price , good luck and great bowling
--------------------
Carl

[MontyV]

Wow I didn't think I was going to get so many responses at once.  This is great.  I've always been an advocate of buying from Local Business but it seems that the ones that I have been too seem to not want to help me.  This is a real turn off for me no matter what kind of deals they can offer.  I'll try a few more or otherwise I'm forced to buy from an online dealer where I don't have to deal with the hassle.

Thanks for the info and keep them commin if anyone has any other suggestions.

[DanH78]

quote:Wow I didn't think I was going to get so many responses at once.  This is great.  I've always been an advocate of buying from Local Business but it seems that the ones that I have been too seem to not want to help me.  This is a real turn off for me no matter what kind of deals they can offer.  I'll try a few more or otherwise I'm forced to buy from an online dealer where I don't have to deal with the hassle.

Thanks for the info and keep them commin if anyone has any other suggestions.

post your location and how far you are willing to drive.  You might get a good recommendation for a pro shop.
--------------------
It IS next year!

[bowlingnut2008]

quote:Also are balls on ebay a good deal or are they fake or something?  I saw new balls selling for like $60-$90 shipped.

Just check the description and make sure that it says NIB (new in box) There are definitely some good deals on there from time to time. I have had good luck on ebay. If you're worried about if the person is reliable check and see if their feedback is high. Alot of the guys are +98%.

quote:Which if you get the Vibe series should be around the same price.

I have a cherry vibe. great ball, especially for the price. shot a 277 with it a few months ago.
--------------------
Bowl Big Or Go Home!

Ebonite Infinite One
Ebonite Total NV
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Brunswick Target Zone (red, black, white)

Edited on 2/26/2008 6:34 PM

[bltbyj]

Sent PM.

[MontyV]

quote:post your location and how far you are willing to drive.  You might get a good recommendation for a pro shop.

Corona, California.  I'm willing to drive around 45 miles.  I'm actually going into Downtown LA tomorrow so anywhere around there would be fine as well.  I drive alot so my range would be Los Angeles to Orange County to all of Inland Empire.