BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Brunswick => Topic started by: jbkoala on January 31, 2014, 11:36:58 PM
-
Its kinda late for this topic, but after struggling for years on very dry wood lanes, Ive finally found the ultimate match for my old local center with the slingshot. Been averaging 225 with this ball, made myself quite a bit of money because of this.
When the slingshot was dropped from production, I was seriously disappointed. The strike king is just too strong for a player like me. With plastic balls, it just doesnt hit hard enough.
Seriously wish Brunswick would consider bringing back this ball or something 99% similar with a different ball name. As a loyal customer for many years, I do wish they consider a target market for high rev bowlers in asian countries where wood lanes and almost non-existent oil are common. If this gap is not filled, I might have to move on to other brands which has something similar to the slingshot.
-
Buy more Slingshots. I love them and did just that. I also have 4 undrilled power grooves.
The strike king is only a small step up from the slingshot.
-
Did just that. Got myself a couple more slingshots. A very small expense compared to the earnings I got from my current slingshot.
I wonder if there are any older balls similar to the slingshot?
-
Did just that. Got myself a couple more slingshots. A very small expense compared to the earnings I got from my current slingshot.
I wonder if there are any older balls similar to the slingshot?
If you use 16 lb. balls (I no longer use 16 lb. balls), Revolution is an older sister brand to Brunswick. Danny Wiseman used to use them a lot on Tour, although they were initially made for the overseas market. I have a ball made by them called the Vengeance. I also uses the PK 17 coverstock and has a similar core to the Slingshot in that it's a high RG and low differential. The RG differential is slightly higher than the Slingshot, .033", but I found this ball very good for dry/light oil lanes.
http://www.123bowl.com/ball.cfm?ballid=1024 (http://www.123bowl.com/ball.cfm?ballid=1024)
It is a green pearl, NIB, original box. If interested, please message me.
-
You are right about the slingshot. Last year our Brunswick early anvil lanes were explosive on the left and jumpy on the right.
The Slingshots with their slower response coverstocks were every bit of plenty on the lanes and the pearly ones too much sometimes on the left! Our big handed righties could do a nice job with them.
This year the lanes in general have some au jus down lane and the sling shot just can't cut it for striking power.
When the lanes get dry my Weakly drilled Strike King with its stronger core and good strong response to the dry can really kick out the corners.
Where I wouldn't uld a Slingshot this year on our lanes the Strike King can move quick enough!
Both great balls on the lighter for different backend conditions!
Regards,
Luckylefty
-
Very intersted in your vengeance, but I have switched to 15lbs last year due to consistency issues. Will keep an eye out for this, looks rg and cover looks extremely my cup of tea.
Ive seen a couple of people throwing strike kings here, cant really say I like it though...Really regretting not buying loads of merlot/gold slingshots last year...
-
Did just that. Got myself a couple more slingshots. A very small expense compared to the earnings I got from my current slingshot.
I wonder if there are any older balls similar to the slingshot?
If you use 16 lb. balls (I no longer use 16 lb. balls), Revolution is an older sister brand to Brunswick. Danny Wiseman used to use them a lot on Tour, although they were initially made for the overseas market. I have a ball made by them called the Vengeance. I also uses the PK 17 coverstock and has a similar core to the Slingshot in that it's a high RG and low differential. The RG differential is slightly higher than the Slingshot, .033", but I found this ball very good for dry/light oil lanes.
http://www.123bowl.com/ball.cfm?ballid=1024 (http://www.123bowl.com/ball.cfm?ballid=1024)
It is a green pearl, NIB, original box. If interested, please message me.
That ball is reminding me of the Rhino Pro Steel!
-
Very intersted in your vengeance, but I have switched to 15lbs last year due to consistency issues. Will keep an eye out for this, looks rg and cover looks extremely my cup of tea.
I had been looking for them for years; gave my last 15 lb. one away to a friend 6, 7 years back. They weren't made in vast quantities to begin with. Mine is probably the last one you will find in most places; haven't seen one on Ebay in at least 7 years. I'm not urging you to buy my 16 lb. one if you're using 15s, just stating what I know.
I'd get myself more Slingshots, if I were you, and try some Double Thumb or P4 weight hole drillings to increase the core strengths and the ball reaction, for a variation.
-
I would also suggest looking into the new LT 48 which has a similar reaction to the slingshot. It was made for when the lanes get dry and you need a ball that is going to get down lane but still have enough to read the friction.
-
BRING BACK THE URETHANE! I dunno about most. But I NEED a urethane piece. High speed/High Rev = wicked back end and too much entry angle with most new gear.
-
Very intersted in your vengeance, but I have switched to 15lbs last year due to consistency issues. Will keep an eye out for this, looks rg and cover looks extremely my cup of tea.
I had been looking for them for years; gave my last 15 lb. one away to a friend 6, 7 years back. They weren't made in vast quantities to begin with. Mine is probably the last one you will find in most places; haven't seen one on Ebay in at least 7 years. I'm not urging you to buy my 16 lb. one if you're using 15s, just stating what I know.
I'd get myself more Slingshots, if I were you, and try some Double Thumb or P4 weight hole drillings to increase the core strengths and the ball reaction, for a variation.
Yes, Il be getting a few more as backup since my local center will never change their wooden lanes. Even with my slingshot drilled very smooth, I still have to take care not to overhook the ball. Ill try and strong layout if they finally decide to oil the lanes properly instead of burnt wooden chopsticks.
-
I would also suggest looking into the new LT 48 which has a similar reaction to the slingshot. It was made for when the lanes get dry and you need a ball that is going to get down lane but still have enough to read the friction.
Is the 3C cover stronger than PK17? I think this ball is intended to replace the Karma urethane yes?
-
The LT48 is not to replace the Karma Urethane. The LT48 has a resin cover and is much stronger than the Karma. It is very clean and smooth down lane. Fits just below the Melee.
-
One of Brunswicks best dry lane balls ever was the old Battle Zone Cannon. I think it had PK 17 or something similar. Difference from many other dry lane balls is that it had a low rg symmetrical core and depended on the tame polished shell to handle the dry. Result was a ball that was less over under than your typical pearl. Because it was so rolly due to the low rg you could even play straight up the oil line and get it to hit. It really matched up to my end over end style.
That ball would be a great re release in todays environment where low axis rotation is so beneficial.
-
One of Brunswicks best dry lane balls ever was the old Battle Zone Cannon. I think it had PK 17 or something similar. Difference from many other dry lane balls is that it had a low rg symmetrical core and depended on the tame polished shell to handle the dry. Result was a ball that was less over under than your typical pearl. Because it was so rolly due to the low rg you could even play straight up the oil line and get it to hit. It really matched up to my end over end style.
That ball would be a great re release in todays environment where low axis rotation is so beneficial.
It wasn't plain PK 17; it was a special edition called, "PowerKoil 17XD (Extra Distance)"
I think it had less over/under for you because of your speed dominant release. Even Parker Bohn said it was one of the biggest backending balls Brunswick ever made at the time. It made a huge left turn for me also due to its high differential, .054". Even Brunswick said it had a "strong backend attack on the pins".
http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/downloads/info-sheets/Battle_Zone_Cannon.pdf (http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/downloads/info-sheets/Battle_Zone_Cannon.pdf)
-
This talk of Powerkoil XD is making me reminisce of my Avalanche Slide. That ball was a beauty on wood!
-
I remember the cannon and don't remember it as much.
Oh but that Battle Zone bullet with its clean Powerkoil 17_D something.
I could use this thing on heavy oil or dry somehow. If I could find friction there were times it's backend matched up just perfectly on very oily conditions and allowed me to advance when others were using heavy oil particles.
Over the years I believe being stored in a non weather controlled storage bin with very high and low tempatures it seems like the resin has leached out. I miss that strong smooth backending power piece!
I think the Ringer Platinum is very similar today!
Regards,
Luckylefty
-
I wonder why brunswick doesnt experiment with even higher RGs wih PK17. I think I could do some serious tricks with such a ball. They just drive through so much harder for me compared to low RG balls.
Another thing I love about PK17 is the minimal surface maintenance required to maintain similar reaction. I do notice that some balls are highly polished/finished to obtain length. Its awesome for the first few games for a brand new ball, but it becomes a big hassle once the polish wear off and you gotta polish the ball every few games(used on dry lanes).
-
I still use my old sapphire pearl Zone on wood lanes. That's is the best I have found so far
-
I agree the Cannon had a somewhat modified PK 17. I think what really made the ball unique was the very low rg coupled with the high differential. What that usually means to me is a guy with very low axis rotation still gets a strong back end recovery. That is what really made it a great dry lane ball. I could get super deep, and still get some back end pop due to the differential matchup with a tame cover. Conversely I once shot a 300 with the ball jamming it right up 10 board on a very slick condition. In this case it was the super low rg which again when combined with my low axis rotation gave me great hit. I could square up and never worry about it jumping just a bit high.
-
I have an undrilled green/black monster I got a few years ago because it was an amazing ball using PK17. I also have a few Power Grooves undrilled for the same reason.
Many people don't know that the Power Groove is an asymmetric ball because of the hockey pucks being offset. When spun on a determinator you locate the psa, then draw a line 6 3/4" from it through the cg to locate the correct low rg axis.(pin)
Of the four in my closet everything stayed in line, but the pin was actually 1-2" further out then originally marked. So when it is marked as a 2" pin it actually ended up being closer to 4". Also have a dry/r and proactive pearl plum.
-
The LT48 is a lot stronger than I expected and I agree with a step below Melee. I told somebody that it reminds me of a mild Versa Max.