DRILL PATTERN

Drill Angle: 60
Pin to PAP: 5
VAL Angle: 60

X Hole (if there is one): P2.5


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate:400

Ball Speed: 18mph

PAP/Track:4-3/4" RT, 1" UP


SURFACE PREP
 
Grit: 500/Royal Compound (box)

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sheen


LANE CONDITION

Length: 40'

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


BALL REACTION

Length: 9.5/10

Back End: 9.5/10

Overall Hook: 8/10

Midlane Read: 6/10

Breakpoint Shape: Angular


COMMENTS

The Braniac is a great addition to the very successful mastermind series and this is a true skid-flip shape for this series. The overall hook potential is slightly less, but considering this is intended for more length and angularity on certain conditions, that’s not surprising to me.

I drilled my Brainiac 60x5x60 (pin ended up in middle finger),which is one of my favorite layouts, and while I like to take advantage of the ball’s angularity , I prefer to do it without sacrificing versatility. Therefore, I chose the larger 60 degree VAL angle with the 60 degree drill angle; it still creates plenty of skid, and the 5” pin helps reduce the flare, so I still see a very clean, angular ball, but some predictability as well.

When testing this ball, I found it to be 4-5 weaker than my Mastermind Einstein. The Einstein definitely saw the lane a little earlier and hooked more overall. When compared to the Mastermind Scholar, I too had it about 4-5 weaker than the Scholar, but their breakpoints were very similar. Both had similar length and angularity, but the Brainiac simply hooked a little less overall.

After tossing the Brainiac on a variety of conditions, I found my preferred time to use it was on medium volume patterns with medium/long length or in transition when some friction is starting to develop. An example of this transition would be if you chose to start wiht something a little hookier on a fresh condition, such as an Einstein or Scholar, as the lanes break down, you could switch to the Brainiac and continue striking. This would also be a good ball at bowling centers that see more friction in general.

Overall, the Brainiac works as intended, it fills a gap in the Mastermind line, and makes ball changes within that line much easier allowing me to maintain my strike line without having to make big moves with my feet. 

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

BALL SPECS


Pin Length: 4"


Starting Top Weight: 3.1 oz


Ball Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz



DRILL PATTERN


Ball: 60 x 5 x 35


X Hole (if there is one): No Hole



BOWLER STYLE


Rev Rate: 375 rpms


Ball Speed:17.5 mph



PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up



SURFACE PREP


Grit: 4000 polished


Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): high polish



LANE CONDITIONS


Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house shot and a shorter sport pattern



Volumes:  moderate



Type: house and sport




BALL REACTION


Length: Clean through the heads with a strong angular backend



Back End: skid snap


Overall Hook: long and strong


Midlane Read: very little


Breakpoint Shape: skid snap



COMMENTS


Likes: Ability to create angle and great recovery as lanes breakdown, length, and ability to create area



Dislikes: none


The Mastermind Brainiac is the longest and strongest of the balls in the Mastermind series.  It is a foot longer and more angular than the previously released Mastermind Scholar, while covering a similar number of boards.  I find it to be a 2 and 1 move right on our house shot and several feet longer when comparing it to the Mastermind Einstein.  The Brainiac works best for me when the lanes start to break down and I need to open up my angles and throw the ball to the right.  I believe it is the longest most angular Brunswick ball to date.  Our house shot really has the tendency for most balls to burn up when the ball gets out past seven or so at the breakpoint. This is the only ball I have tested that seems to eliminate the burn spot and allow me to get the ball to return from the out of bounds.  The new composite coverstock seems to do this in spite of the fact that you also can't seem to throw it past the breakpoint without completely missing the ball at the bottom of the swing.  It is truely unusual to see this kind of length, strength, and predictability in one package.  This Mastermind also allows me to play more angle while not having to apply as much axis rotation.  It excels in situations where there is some friction and you need that extra pop down on the back part of the lane.  With the correct hand and speed combination I really can't see a situation where I won't be able to get this ball to cover a bunch of boards in a hurry.  It is the perfect complement to balls like the Nirvana and Melee Hook.  I can see this ball being a go to piece for the weaker handed player looking to see more backend motion from the dry once other balls start to flat ten.  If you are looking for length, strength, and and super angular backend recovery, check this one out.

I laid out the Brainiac a little stronger than I’ve laid out the last several asymetric’s that I’ve drilled.  I would like to thank Chuck Gardner as he know that I am either getting older, fatter or both to throw the weaker layouts, so this one was his suggestion.  The layout was 50X5X30 with a small hole at P3.  Out of the box I really liked the motion I got with this ball, but the carry wasn’t the best.  Took it back to the spinner and used a 3000 pad and the shape and carry are money.  This ball easily handles the 43 ft THS used in the center I run and allows me to move inside the third arrow and still knock down ten pins which is unusual for me here.  If you are looking for a comparison, ball, I would say it is stronger down lane than and Intelect with about the same distance out of the box.  The 3000 brought the break point about a foot closer to me, which allows me to play to my strength of throwing it hard.  This ball would look great for your favorite bowler for a Holiday present

Mike Freundel
Brunswick Regional Staff
The views of this post are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Bowling.

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 80 x 4" x 30

X Hole (if there is one): P2


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker

Ball Speed: 16.50 mph

PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box - 500, Royal Compound

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume:  Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):  Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 8 / 10

Back End: 8 / 10

Overall Hook: 7 / 10

Midlane Read: 6 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: 8 / 10 Angular


COMMENTS

Likes: Very clean through the front and works well on a broken down pattern

Dislikes: None

The Mastermind Brainiac is the latest addition that is longer and stronger off the spot. With the Composite Pearl coverstock, the Brainiac will skid farther down the lane but has more recovery compared to the Scholar. The Mastermind Brainiac would work best when you need something that will clear the front part of the lane but still recover when reaching the friction. I have used this on a house shot or later in a tournament when I need to open up my angles because the front part of the lanes are hooking. Comparing it to the Einstein, the brainiac is about 4 boards less hook but has a stronger backend motion. The Einstein and Brainiac would make a great combination for house shots or sport shots. I have used this ball on a medium length sport pattern and it allowed me to play straighter through the front part of the lanes. It would be a great ball for medium oil or when you need to open up your angles because the lanes were breaking down in the front part of the lane.

Here is a video of me throwing the Mastermind Brainiac and Mastermind Einstein

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 15 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle: 65 x 5 1/2 x 30

X Hole (if there is one): No


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Medium , between 250-275 rpm

Ball Speed: 17-18 mph

PAP/Track: 5 1/2" over and 1/2" down


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished


COMMENTS

The Mastermind Brainiac is just a phenomenal ball.  The new Composite cover addictives with the Mastermind Core makes this ball nasty on the backend.  The Mastermind Brainiac is clean through the front about 3 feet longer than the scholar and super flip on the backend.  The Brainiac is a must have to complete everyone's arsenal.


Charles Withers II
Brunswick Advisory Staff

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:With its new Relativity Flip coverstock allows this ball to easily get down the lane with great flip on the backend.  Paired with the low RG core that extends the rotational energy of the ball, allows this ball to be more angular and have more energy as it crushes the pins.  The aesthetically pleasing color combination of purple and gold, make this ball look amazing as its destroying pins. 
   I drilled mine 75 x 4 1/2 x 35.  This drilling allows for a great reaction down lane, stored energy for continuation through the pocket, and amazing hitting power the destroys pins.  I typically use this ball on medium to light oil conditions.  I’ve found it to be a great ball to use when transition happens or the heads have broken down because this ball will be clean through the front of the lane regardless of the lane play.  Another great factor to this ball is it responds well to surface alterations.  Its a dynamic ball, and could be a great go to ball when your benchmark ball is hooking too much.

Troy Schaefer
Brunswick Regional Staff Player
#bowlwithbruns #teamBrunswick

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41 feet

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: Ball is very strong off of the spot. 2nd game out 279 with a stone 9 in the 9th frame. Drilled with the pin over the bridge. Mass bias just outside of the thumbhole. First asymmetrical ball that I have liked in a long time. Does need oil in the front to store energy. Bleeds off much quicker than the Melee Hook that I drilled at the same time. Still able to open up the lane on the fresh without the early hook of earlier Mastermind balls. Would recommend it.

Dislikes: Does like/need front oil with my roll. But, that's a personal decision on the when to throw it. First night out I went 227, 279 and 192. Should have gotten something else out the last game. But....new toy. Wanted to throw it. Plus, was getting a lot of guys coming over to take a look at it. Thanks to Brunswick for sending it and the Melee Hook to me.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS