I have the re-issue (the regular not the dark) and used to have the original.
They both have the same characteristics to me. Polished; neither ball would hook. I remember plenty of people that I knew that had the originals that had the same issue with them being polished. They don't seem to hook much if they are shiny.
Dull or Sanded: they rolled very early.
That being said, if your ball is dull or sanded, are you sure it isnt roling out??
Mine does and always has rolled extremely early, and requires a lot of oil for it to work properly. Even a little dry in the heads (you said a very dry alley) and mine will roll out immediately. It does not even seem to hook and then stop. It just stops before it even looks like it tries to hook.
Hopefully this helps.
