For about two years, I stopped throwing anything but Dynothane on a regular basis. For the better, more patient bowler (the guys Charlest rightly notes are few and far between) it provided the most precise instruments available. The early Dynothane and best Dynothane balls when Phil first took over were not the most forgiving equipment. For example, the Element, the Vendetta Particle and the Vendetta Red/Black were sensational balls, but they did exactly what you told them to do, no more and no less -- i.e., as good as they were, they were not the best balls for the THB on the THS.
The Thing, with its part soaker pearl part solid and the Heat core was more forgiving, but less useful on tough conditions. The Thing Returns was a strongish pearl that didn't seem to fit quite what most folks thought of as a pearl reaction, nor was it the best ball in the class on the THS, though it was sensational on any of the regional patterns or flat oil. The Barrage was arguably the best dry lane ball I have ever seen. The Anomaly was and is that, a ball that takes some getting used to. Some of the newer Dynothane equipment is more user friendly for the THB (the Thing Lives, The PUre Energy, The Energy, The Vendetta Black, The Vendetta Particle Pearl, The AU79, The Maxx, Vendetta Pearl), but frankly, less precise.
I think that the patience required for the best use of some of the Dynothane stuff was off-putting to many bowlers. When added with limited availability (I have found it hard to get some of the "in production" equipment") and the change to a more forgiving, hookier set of balls has led people to not be sure where the company is going. Dynothane equipment is absolutely superior. My tournament arsenal still includes the Barrage and an Element I have had sitting around and a High Energy. But the combination of factors has led the company's stuff to be underrated and underutilized, especially by better bowlers. In my opinion.
Oh, and New Guy, if you have any 15 lb NIB red blacks sitting around in the back of the warehouse, gimme a call or PM me. I'll pay top dollar...maybe even royalties...
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"Some guys get the world. Other guys get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona."Edited on 9/12/2005 11:42 AM