You guys "almost" have me sold on the Beatdown. The only issue I have with it is the core is different in the 12# balls.
If you buy an upper level 12 lb ball you're spending a lot of money for a core you don't get. IMO, buy an entry level reactive resin ball, I suggest either the Ebonite Cyclone or the Brunswick Strike King. You'll get a good coverstock with a generic core similar to what you'll get in the higher priced balls. Then, when you can move up in weight, go for the more expensive balls. -- JohnP
John, you are right as the Cyclones are cheaper. However in looking at the Ebonite web site, it shows 7 Cyclones and the specs show the same 10.7 cover on all 7, so there is no clue to which ball is for oily, medium-heavy oil, medium oil, and etc. Another factor is that it shows the same core for a 10# ball, 12# ball as well as weights up to 16# balls and if true, then the 10-12 lb balls have to have less dense cores if it is the same core and size. On the other 12# balls in the catergories above the Cyclones, they "supposedly" (per a person from Ebonite) have 3 balls with the old Nitro R2 core, but they don't show it on their web site. They show other cores instead in those 3 balls, so I would fear buying one of them. I would think they would show the propper cores in those balls.
As for the Strike King, I have heard good things about some of them. However, the specs show a lot of length and probably too much for the conditions I bowl on plus their hook and break-point shape are less than balls such as the Beatdown. I can see a Strike King as being a possible good ball under the Beatdown on lesser conditions.
If I "knew for sure" that I would be able to move back up to 14# balls again shortly down the line, I would definitely go as you suggest with a cheaper ball, but for the shape my back is in, (soft bones and osterporosis in the area where the 2 fractured vertabrae were repaired) I have a feeling (6th sense) that I will be forced to stay with 12# balls, thus my decision to try a premium ball to start. The other thing is I gave to several people, my style, specs and conditions I will be bowling on, and they all recommended the Beatdown or Madness or Primal Scream.
I do want you to know though that I do thank you for recommending a cheaper ball as it does make sense, and I realize you weren't aware of my condition, thus my "long winded post" here.