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Author Topic: The Thing LIves... an early report  (Read 2122 times)

bamaster

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The Thing LIves... an early report
« on: September 13, 2004, 07:51:12 AM »
Got my first chance to throw The Thing Lives today.  My first one.

It's a 2" X 4" layout with a small hole on my PAP.  A small amount of polish... just to purdy it up.  House shot, plenty of oil in the heads, medium-strong backends with hang outside of 5.

First I was throwing my Thing Returns.  I was laying the ball down around 22 at the arrows and could swing it to 7-10 and it would recover fine.  One of my stronger balls.  After getting comfortable with that shot I took out the Thing Lives, threw the same shot, and hit the 3 pin in the face... as I expected.

I moved 5 right with my feet and aimed for 17-18 at the arrows, with the break point near the same spot.  Five bagger.  Scooched my feet one board left and tried to get it wide a little, maybe with the breakpoint around 15... light strikes.  Carried the 10-pin nicely.  

The Thing Lives is a stronger ball, by design, than the Thing Returns and I didn't need that.  Putting the pin 2" from my axis really calmed the ball down.  Very readable and deliberate backend, performed very well on the fresh oil.  With three games on the ball, I can say I like this reaction.  I was sceptical because I have not had success with solid Soaker covers (i.e. Element/Anomaly).  But I think the SoakerX (new improved formula) has changed that.  I think I will drill another one and put the pin 3/4" - 1" farther from my PAP (maybe a larger hole on the PAP) and that should give me an extra 5 boards in the backend.

This ball gets the Bamaster Seal o' Approval!

Tony
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bamaster

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2004, 04:25:29 PM »
Ok, a few more games today.

I gotta admit, this ball is a little intimidating.  For the way I have this ball drilled, it should be rather calm.  But this ball has a much stronger backend than expected. Just seems to rev up very quickly and once it makes its move, boy does it do it.  Not jerky at all, just like a strong urethane ball would.

The intimidating part is... what if I drilled this bad boy for maximum reaction?!  I mean, if I drilled it 4X4 I doubt I could use it.  I thought this about the Anomaly, but I was using it on rather medium conditions.  But The Thing Lives is performing well on a little heavier volume... even with my tamed layout!

Someone send me another Thing Lives.  Must... cover... more... boards...

Tony

jimensminger

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2004, 11:00:11 AM »
The Thing Lives is a great name for this ball. After confering with a couple of layout gurus, I opted for a 4 1/2 x 3 1/2. box surface, no x holes. Drilled it up just before my Tues Mix league. The shot is a flooded THS, edges blended, and fresh dry backs. I normally use my Ven Pearl, play a little swing shot around 10,..and maybe move 2-3 boards all night...yawn. Four or five practice shots, and I'm 2 arrows left, playing 20 to 10, holy cow Batman. Ring the bell and off we go,....300 first game,..WOW. I'm pumped,..second game starts, 2-8-10, and a 4-6..ouch. Carry down and hook off the track,..scramble and scratch out a 198...Third game,..and I'm determined to stay with this ball,...giant step left, more speed, now I'm 26 to 12 for 254, a four pin, a flat 10, and Greek Church fill ball. I felt like I had been in a fight,..752. Observations: This ball needs some head oil for me to get it down the lane, the new Soaker coverstock makes the oil rings disappear after each frame getting the same reaction shot after shot. Speed is critical, as in any hooking ball. This is the strongest ball on the DynoThane menu, I may have to put just a touch of shine on mine, or more....jim
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jimensminger

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2004, 02:16:05 PM »
Patience young grasshopper,..good Things come to those who wait,..
wax on,..wax off,..wax on,...wax off.....je
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DP3

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2004, 02:24:33 PM »
Is this longer and stronger than Anomaly, or earlier and stronger?
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jimensminger

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2004, 02:33:08 PM »
Everyone bowls different, that given, for me the Thing Lives is longer and stores more late energy that the Anomaly. The Anomaly in it's natural state is a early, heavy rolling, smooth arcing ball. Which I use on a longish flat pattern for control. Each has it's own niche. The new weight block in the TL gives it length and pop. see my review.
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crankncrash

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2004, 04:04:49 PM »
has anybody seen it in comparison to brand X's rule? thats the only other ball that has my intrest right now, I'm just curious as to what the similarities and differences would be.

jimensminger

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2004, 05:54:31 PM »
looking at the numbers the THING that seems to grab my attention is the Diff on these balls,..the Rule checks in at 46, and the Thing Lives at 60,..the more Diff the more vertical the block, the more potential for flare. The Rule is advertised as strong arc (46), my Thing Lives really jumps on the back (60). Depends on the look ya want.
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crankncrash

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Re: The Thing LIves... an early report
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2004, 05:58:15 PM »
mmm great point and i like the ball to SNAP!