I agree with what Dave said. I also throw mostly Ebonite brands and some Roto Grip and I usually stick with a basic pin up and pin down layout, and only tweak slightly as needed. Most of what I use is typically 4x4x2 or 4x4x1 with pin above ring finger, pin drilled completely out, or pin to the side. Of course, that is all done with PAP and low track in mind.
The big difference is when I went with my Defiant, I drilled that with a 3-1/2x5x3 layout and pin down. This has helped me blend out wet/dry and still give me a good controlled reaction in the midlane and backend. It also has given me better results than when I was throwing my VG Nano and allows me to play different angles longer while making less adjustments.
For me, using similar layouts with the different equipment gives me a defined stepdown in what to work with and allows me to judge it well. The covers and cores make enough difference to allow similar layouts to work. Of course, I will adjust surfaces as needed depending on the lane condition also. Here is how it works in my arsenal in order:
Defiant: reads early in midlane with controlled arc motion (strongest in arsenal)
919C: reads later in midlane than the Defiant but still has controlled arc motion
Vital Energy: skid/snap, reads midlane later than the 919C and very angular in the back
505T: reads earlier in midlane than Vital but controlled arc in back
Brick: later midlane read than the 505T but more angular in back (weakest in arsenal)
My Arsenal (as of February 2012)
Heavy Oil: Roto Grip Defiant: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Track 919C: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB
Medium Oil: Track 505T: 4000 AB
Medium-Light Oil: Hammer Brick: 2000 polished
Edited by tommyboy74 on 4/6/2012 at 8:30 PM
