XCEL’s by Ebonite,are a duo of balls that provide a very STRONG ball at the top price tag. The Killer Instinct’s had a tendency for the core to spin up fast but in a manner that visually appeared to forward roll at the backend. This issue is certainly solved with the XCEL duo. The core spins up fast and the hooking motion of the ball is stronger and continuous. The new Bomber coverstock also provides a cleaner path through the front part of the lane in both the particle and the pearl version of the XCEL.  This allows for stronger and more consistent hooking motion down the lane.

I have drilled one of each, both with the same layout pin at 5 inches from my PAP and the bomb 4 inches from my PAP in a hook /set position. Both balls started out with pins 2-3 inches out and around 3 top weight. My PAP is 5 ¼ by 3/8 down and the pins were both 2 ½  above the midline. Both balls required a balance hole at the PAP. My first experience with the XCEL’s were on a tight pair of lanes in late shift league on Proanvillane and an E pattern PBA condition on HPL synthetic’s. I was able to use the pearl XCEL in the late shift league pattern where I used an identical layout on a Killer Instinct sanded prior. The pearl XCEL reaction was like WOW. I truly underestimated the reaction of this ball all night even though from the same spot on the lane it motored back to split the 8-9 from the same spot the Killer Instinct sanded was leaving buckets, KI pearl left washout and the Game Time hit the 3 pin in the face. All of the other balls mentioned have the same layout as the XCEL’s.

The PBA tournament was similar experience. This particular tournament was on E pattern the shortest length but was playing very tough due to carry down.  I for some reason didn’t trust myself to use the new pieces and was en route for a quick trip home, after 2 games was -60 and was on pace for a 140 3rd game, then I switched to the pearl XCEL and it opened up what seemed to be the whole lane outside of 10 board. This reaction just was amazing, E pattern has always been labeled the easiest one but I couldn’t get my pieces to turn the corner well enough to strike on the pattern. I finished the 3rd game with 6 strikes for 195 the shot 760 for the next 3 and was literally not making well executed shots, it was all ball reaction. The next morning I decided to try out ONLY the new pieces and had slightly polished up the particle XCEL to use on the fresh condition and compare the two balls. The particle XCEL performed just a bit better as the lanes carried down a bit more and it was just so strong and continuous. If only my shot making had matched my ball reaction I would have done some damage.

Since that time the XCEL’s are the first pieces out of the bag.

 I can say that these two balls, the XCEL particle and the XCEL pearl truly are the best balls to come from Ebonite in a long time, and may well rival or replace the Vortex series as the trademark ball. Any and all Ebonite fans please drill either or both of these with your favorite layout and you will be happy. And for those who have not been Ebonite fans try the XCEL and they will make a believer out of you.

Jim Lewis
Ebonite PBA Regional Staff

Replace the V2's??  Hahahahahahahaha!!!! You got to be kidding me!
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Retired Staff Member
Professional Advise Consultant


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Well first of all I am a High Speed (20mph)/ High Revolution (460rpm) Bowler. This ball is excellent on most conditions I encouter. I punched it pin above ring with a 45* BOMB. Ball Definatly makes the coner on and average house shot. Very Good down and in ball for a little thicker stuff. Carries very well leaving minimal corners...but watch you break point cause if shes coming in a little strong you'll be shootn some 9's. It's a freak on a wet/dry shot.  GRippn and Rippn shot 300 & 813 on only 3 set with ball. With slower balls speeds though keep it in a little oil and right cause trust me....its coming back!
Matt Emmons
Strike Zone Pro Shop

I have only been bowling with a hook for about half a year but this is my second reactive ball. i told my friend to drill the ball for a good backend reaction, and its working great. i bowl 2 leagues. my average is about 130 in one of my leagues and 145 in the other. in a tournament the other day i shot my high game of 209 with it and a high series of 532, so it has
really improved my scores. it will skid down the lane until it hits the backend then it goes straight for the pocket. i love this ball!

Bowlers specs:
Speed - 22-24 MPH
Revs - About 450

Desription:
Weight - 15lbs
Pin to CG distance - 2in.
Surface prep - Don't really know, traded for the ball, but plan to polish it up some more.

Drilling: - Pin below ring finger, has a Balance hole.

Conditions:

House #1: They use a Med. Christmas Tree Pattern. I don't know the lenght of it, sorry. First time using this ball I was sooo shocked that I didn't think about getting it earlier. I shot a 677(not bad for me) with it first time out, and loved it. The lanes had been bowled on before from the Mens league, so they were not in the best of shape, but this ball worked wonders for me.

House #2: Havn't tried it here yet.

Ball path shape:
Very smooth arch to it. Reminds me of watching my gyro, but covers more boards. I HIGHLY recommend this ball to someone looking for a good pearl for lighter shots.

My first review, and let me tell you something! This is one heck of a ball! I like to play the outside track with speed...(19-21mph) Adjustments are minimal, except for amount of hand. This ball is very predictable, considering the sick backend on a typical shot! I'm a mid 190 bowler, got the xcel pearl (15lb) drilled to go long and strong, but didn't expect the snap to be so furious! Flush-high flush absolutely crushes the pins, with the exception of random "ringing 10's", and a few 9 pins. When the lanes start to burn up, I recommend picking up speed to get the crazy mixers. There is always a gem in my bag with this one! 4th week with the ball, and I've shot 639, 592, 646, 712.
LOVE THIS BALL!

I've had this ball for a long time now and its been sitting on my porch for about the last couple of months. I got it off ebay for really cheap, first impressions was this what not what I needed, it didn't seem to have much of a reaction, but after it being in the warm air from the summer, I guess maybe it had some oil in it and it drained from the ball over the summer.

I just started back with it and man does this thing have some backend. Mine has the pin just over the ring finger and it goes long and strong. I have a Awesome Hook that I used to start off the night and when I cant keep it in the 1-3 pocket i go to this ball. Because its polished it goes long then hits the dry and makes a sharp turn to the pocket, its hard to control sometimes crossing over and getting a chris barnes high strike! lol

With this ball on medium lanes with good dry backends, I have to play pretty deep, with dropping the ball left of center and getting it out atleast to the 4 or 5 board just to keep it in the pocket, I'm throwing about 16.5-17MPH so its not because Im thowing it slow, this ball really HOOKS for a ball that goes so long. Not only does it hook hard but this ball sounds like it cracks the pins when it hits and send pins in all sorts of directions so if your anywhere near the pocket or high side for that matter, your more then likely going to stike!

I've always loved the backend EBONITE balls have and this one is a prime example why!!