I currently use a Cell solid and V2 solid. I love the V2 reaction. The best mid-lane read of any ball I've ever thrown with a nice arc to the pocket. There are 2 gaps I'd like to fill. 1-On a fresh shot, it would help to have a bit more bite on the backend to carry. 2-With carrydown, I lose carry with the V2.
On fresh, I could use the Cell, but it's not the usable ball I thought it would be and it eats up the condition too quickly, making it harder to use the V2 afterwards. It's a very aggressive ball, but very early reaction.
I didn't know which board to post this since I don't have a brand preference but I remember how my purple Quake used to roll.

Any recommendations for a benchmark readable ball on Medium THS?

What do people think about Bedlam or Freeze?  Would you consider them benchmark balls from Columbia or are there other preferences from the current lineup?  Around here, I haven't seen the Freeze thrown yet.  Others liked the Bedlam, but not necessarily a benchmark.  I'm just worried that anything stronger is too much for our house shot.

The Cool Noize is the benchmark in the current line up. Got to demo it about a month ago. Good backend without being flippy. There was some carrydown since I had a later squad time, and the ball didn't push too far for me.

Being that this is a COLUMBIA forum, if you want more ball on carrydown and fresh oil, the Full Swing, is exactly what you want.  It reads the mids similar to the V2 stuff but with more continuation through the pins.  I just worked a demo day where they had the Full Swing, Bedlam, Jigsaw, 715A, Sting, and the Evolve and the Full Swing was by far the most popular ball followed by the Bedlam.  Go with the Full Swing.  You wont be disappointed.
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Steven Vance
Pro Shop Operator
Striking Results Pro Shop
Red Carpet Lanes
Duluth (NE Atlanta), Georgia

If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!

I recently tried out a Full Swing and Bedlam at a Demo Day hosted at one of our local houses where Mike Snellbaker who is the West Coast Rep was there to answer any of our questions. The shot was tight and long so when i tested out the Bedlam you had to be slow with your speed but had a decent rev rate to get the ball going. The ball hits great but with a tight shot we were limited. Next i tried the Full Swing which the surface was already sheen up from previous demo days. The ball ate that pattern up like it was nothing. I could play down and in or get in and get a tad softer and open the shot up. All the balls were laid out pin over bridge and MB 2-1/2 to 3 inches right of thumb. This ball i got to admit is like a Black Widow Sting and Black Widow put in one. The ball has an early roll with a strng angular arc on the backend. I am very impress with this ball. I wouldn't say it's a benchmark because of how aggressive this ball is. I would say a Noize would be a great benchmark because it's so early and smooth.
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Interesting, my doubles partner is throwing a Rival and that's his benchmark.  I haven't considered it since it's no longer on the current Columbia roster.

So far there was mention of the Noize and Cool Noize as benchmarks.  Can anyone compare them for reaction?

Look at the Global 900 Lunatic, makes a great benchmark ball, also the Roto Nomad Solid looks to make a good benchmark ball.
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Only throw the good stuff, Roto/Global.
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