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Author Topic: Absolute Inferno  (Read 6394 times)

Strider

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Absolute Inferno
« on: February 10, 2010, 08:00:30 AM »
Just picked one of these up.  So many people said this was one of the best balls ever.  Always wanted one, but never got around to it.  One just fell into my lap, so I guess I'll find out for myself.  I'm pretty good at getting balls 5 years after they were popular.    Fortunately, the current span is really close, so I'll be able to throw it some to get a general idea of the cover strength and hook shape before I plug and re-drill.  Hopefully I'll like it pretty much as is (pin under ring, CG out a little + a weight hole) since the previous owner plugged the thumb twice adjusting the span.

I've read many of the reviews, but is there anything I should know - drillings to avoid, etc.?
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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2010, 04:10:44 PM »

Have the oil extracted and resurface it. Very versatile ball. You'll love it.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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charlest

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2010, 06:56:12 PM »
Strider,

Just remember it's 3 - 4 years later than its heyday.
It was for medium oil at a minimum, up to medium-heavy. I'd assume it's still, with normal drillings for at least medium oil now.

If it is used, do an oil extraction FIRST!!!
220 grit + Rough Buff was its stock surface, if I recall correctly.

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ralphiejantz

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2010, 07:11:23 PM »
very good piece very versatile
my favorite was the total inferno with a regular label drilling pin out to the left of the ring finger

I have a brand new NIB total inferno Im just waiting to drill up when I get some time
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Strider

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2010, 07:14:22 PM »
I planned to do an oil extraction and a good resurface (it's pretty clean, but it's good to start fresh), but wanted to throw it a bit first.  Maybe I'll take it along tomorrow and throw it a bit after league.  I knew what it was capable of a few years ago, and it's not like oil has changed dramatically during that time.  It might just be a darn good medium oil benchmark.  I hope so, since I don't really have one.  Heavy I have a Weapon of Mass Bias, Med/heavy is the BW Bite, and med/light is the Creature.  My Thing is a 10 pin machine and my Tsunami is drilled too weak to be a benchmark.
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Bahshay

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2010, 08:40:57 PM »
Love mine.  A few years ago when I bowled often (just coming back from a 4 year hiatus), I used that for med-med heavy and my zone classic for med-med light.  One of those two covered darn near every league or high school condition I ever faced.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2010, 01:06:27 AM »
+1 to the oil extraction.
IMO a rolly piece, and from my experience with the coverstock it was very sensitive to surface changes (had a Shock & Awe with Activator+, too).

OOB (220 grit + Rough Buff compound) it was great, but I was later never able to replicate the surface, and found that between polish (Went VERY long for me) and just 4.000 Abralon (much more arcing, 3' earlier breakpoint vs. OOB!) was a huge reaction gap. Or, in other words, the cover responded VERY strong to preparation changes.

The AI might not be as sensitive due to the simpler low RG core, but if you face reaction problems, do not hesitate to experiment with the surface!
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RSalas

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2010, 12:36:56 PM »
quote:
Wasnt the Classic Zone the brother of the Absolute Inferno.  Not the Vapor Zone?


Zone Classic is to original Inferno as Vapor Zone is to Absolute Inferno.
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Ray Salas
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iamnas22

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2010, 01:08:08 PM »
Great ball. Only one that I've ever shot 800 with.
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tizzle

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2010, 04:33:11 PM »
got an original and absolute if anyone is looking for one.. mint shape. Back in the day these things were the ball to have. I am so tempted to bring them back out and see what they can do today!
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Hmm..Lets see what I have in this bag..A Reign of Fire, an Invasion, a Nasty Spider, and a green Avalanche.. how can I lose....

....HG-300(2006 w/Desert Heat)...299 (03/15/09 w/Agent Orange)...HS-776 (Hot Sauce Pearl & Ebonite Magic)

Edited on 2/11/2010 5:33 PM
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Strider

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2010, 08:46:59 PM »
Threw it three games after league tonight.  The fingers were too big, but could at least hold on since it had grips, and I needed a wad of tape in the thumb.  Really nice ball motion.  Fairly clean through the heads, pretty strong read of the mid lane, and enough back end to get the job done.  More ball than I needed on this med/dry THS, but not a big surprise.  I'm tempted to move the pin higher so it maintains energy a bit better, but may just leave it pretty much as it is so it can be that true medium oil benchmark for tournament conditions.  I can always change the surface.  Right now it looks like probably the box condition with a bit of wear.  Currently, the pin is below and a little right of the ring finger, the CG a little to the right, and a small weight hole probably on the previous owner's PAP.  Next I'll have to decide on the original surface as Charlest pointed out, or a more modern 500/2000 or 500/4000 type surface.
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holland1945

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2010, 09:15:19 AM »
I threw my first 700 with this ball, but it was too condition sensitive to me. The coverstock sensitivity (or versatility) is unmatched...this ball gained an entire arrow of strength in my hands after about 15 games, and the same applied to my later Vapor Zone and Awesome Flip. Trying to resurface my Vapor Zone was a dismal failure, every attempt at surface prep either had it hooking at my feet or turned it into a hockey puck. While drilling plays a role, from what I've seen...if you have little axis rotation, the Vapor Zone/Shock and Awe/Awesome Flip is a better choice. If you have a lot of axis rotation, then this is one of the best balls around.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2010, 02:00:51 AM »
quote:
Trying to resurface my Vapor Zone was a dismal failure, every attempt at surface prep either had it hooking at my feet or turned it into a hockey puck.


Similar experience with Activator+ here!
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Strider

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2010, 01:01:26 PM »
Finally got this drilled last night.  Did mention that I'm good at closing pro shops?  .  A new center manager was assigned to the place who knows nothing about bowling and he's chased a few of the bigger leagues out due to his lack of lane upkeep.  No one comes in, so the shop is closing due to lack of business.  It's a shame, because the driller is very good.

Anyway, we moved everything up a bit, so the pin is beside my ring finger and the CG is stacked below.  No weight hole is needed, but have the option of adding one if I want.  I had sanded it to 500 abralon and de-oiled it before giving it to them.  After drilling, I had him apply a light coat of (Ebonite Factory Finish) polish so I could try it in league (different house).

Much like the original drilling, it's all about the midlane.  Clean through the heads, real good midlane read, and surprisingly still not real strong on the back.  I thought the higher pin and polish would have given me more.  Plenty to get the job done, but was expecting more.  Developed some carrydown on the left lane early.  A small move right got me solid in the pocket solid again.  With most of my pearlized equipment, moving right often hits the dry too much/too early and causes over reaction.  I was very pleased with how the AI read the lane.  The right lane started hooking.  This time, the small move didn't help so much.  The trip 4 became a nose split even after moving.  Moving further left got me back to the pocket, but carry wasn't quite as good.  Flat 10, weak strike, and a sold 8 were my results after moving a few extra boards.  I'll probably have to play around with hand positions more to see how the ball likes to be thrown.

I have some Rough Buff on the way, so next time it will have the original 220/RB to see how it acts.  I'll use it at league again, but I think that combo will be better served on sport patterns.  So far, it reads the lane somewhat like a weaker shell BW Bite.  A little more midlane and not quite as continuous down lane (still have the option of maybe a P3 weight hole), but I really like the ball motion.
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TTforshort

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Re: Absolute Inferno
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2010, 04:26:46 PM »
For the last three years, I have used my AI almost exclusively. I bought it used. The pin is over the bridge and the CG, grip center. It is always the first ball out of the bag. I haven't thrown any other ball that is more consistent than the Absolute Inferno. It tames down the wet/dry I have been bowling on.

I will be the first ball out in Reno. I have a Red Zone to back it up.

TT
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