My current arsenal is an Elite P43 for light/medium oil, which for me is a great ball to pull out for fresh league conditions.

I just got a Lane #1 Cobalt Bomb and a Track Machine to add to it. All three balls I have drilled exactly the same, though they vary with CG to pin distance.

Anyhow, the Cobalt and Machine respond great for my style with carry down or heavy oil, which is great, it fills in that gap. However, my Machine has the exact same shape and hook on the back ends regardless of conditions. I don't need two balls that do the same thing obviously.

I was hoping the Machine would replace the Elite P43 as my benchmark ball for medium oil or fresh league conditions, but I have a feeling I drilled it to do exactly what it's doing (pin next to ring finger, CG under palm). I avoided getting the Mean Machine because I wanted a more tame ball.. makes me wonder how hard the MM hooks, hehe.

Is there anything I can do coverstock wise to bring the Machine down a notch, or anything that doesn't require plugging and redrilling? Both the Cobalt and Machine roll beautifully, but they are both just a little too much ball for my style without carrydown or lots of oil.
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Elite P43 - 16#
Lane #1 Cobalt Bomb - 15#
Track Machine 15#

you can decrease the amount of backend reaction on a bowling ball by sanding the ball against the track---instead of the sanding lines running parallel with your track have the ball sanded so the sanding lines go across it. this will cause the ball to hook earlier but tone down the backend.

if he wants the ball weaker and he's asking can it be done by coverstock alterations then having it hook earlier and laying off on the backend is weakening the amount of backend. if he wetsands the ball very fine( up to a 4,000 grit abralon pad ) and finishes the ball off with some rubbing and finishing compound( not polish---too skid/flip )this will weaken the backend reaction. perhaps he needs a weaker ball instead ?