I drilled my dominator 3-3/8X3-3/8 and I went out on the lanes to do a comparison with the Vortex 2(samelayout).  Here's what I found the Dominator was cleaner in the front part of the lane, and when it caught the dry it stood up and went left harder than the V2.  The thing that really impressed me with this ball was the lack of squirt on oil and carry down.  Because I run into carrydown alot this ball has already won a spot in my bag. The only problem I saw with this ball is the cover/core combo may be too much for the slower speeds, if you fall into this category then find some oil or polish. I would give this ball a solid 9-1/2 Great Job Ebonite

Too much ball for most conditions is what I have to say. I have drilled up 3 of them hoping to get a different reaction each time and even after changing the coverstock this ball is way too much for my hand. The best drilling I have found for it so far is a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 and even with a 1,500 sand and 5,000 polish I can't get a good push with this ball on an average house condition. If I stay in around 25 and don't get the ball out past 12 at 40' it does have an even push but hit the dry at all and the ball checks up. I oil 42' 7-7 with a nice taper both ways that can be played from multiple angles and it is too much taper for this ball. Too me this would be a great ball for the tweener or even for the weaker wristed bowlers with slow to moderate ball speed. If you have any wrist at all I would stay away from it as it does seem a bit too skid flippy if you have dryer outsides. It is stated that the ball is reactive but from talking to the reps at the seminar I attended a few weeks ago they are using a lighter or smaller particle in this one and it shows. If your looking for something to get down the lane and have the same characteristics as reactive resin forget it but if you need something that checks up early this is the ball for you.

Drill

This ball is awesome. I shot 754 and 701 with it in back to back leagues on sweepers last night. I'm left handed with lot's of loft and ball speed and average revs. I throw mostly down and in. The ball is drilled 3 3/8x 3 3/8 with a weight hole and left in out of box surface condition. It goes fairly long due to the amount of my loft but makes a nice break to the pocket on the backend. It doesn't over-react though. If I pull the shot inside it'll hold the line fairly well. If I miss too far outside it won't recover that well though. But the impressive thing about this ball is the carry. I've had it a few weeks now and it really carries the corner pins well. I know this review isn't the most technical but I don't think anyone would be disappointed if they purchased this ball.

***UPDATE****   Just shot my first ever 300 game with this ball on 9-12-01. (756 series)

I drilled this ball pin 3 inches from PAP and 1 inch above mid line of grip.
CG just above thumb, and the bomb on grip center line. For a resin ball this ball flat out hooks. Very fast revving through mid lane, strong move towards the pocket. The ball will set if you open the lane too much, however if you can get the ball to set at the pocket you will strike forvever. This ball gave me a look that I did not have on oil. Do not make the mistake of over looking the reaction  this ball can give you.

The Matrix Dominator is a very strong addition to the resin Matrix family.  I have had my best success with 10:30 bomb layouts with all the resin Matrix's and drilled a Dominator with a 10:30 bomb, 4 1/2 inch pin under middle finger with a low cg placement and low hole on VAL 3 inches below PAP.  My positive axis point (PAP) is 5 1/4 by 3/8 up.  When compared to Trimax I and Trimax 3, the Dominator is hands down a stronger ball when left in box condition.  The surface on the Dominator is easy to adjust and does get through the heads well with a polish, but still rolls stronger than the pearl resin Matrix's. In comparison to the Vortex 2 with a similar layout the Dominator is a more angular midlane reaction.  The Dominator is NOT a ball for drier lanes unless the bowler's ball speed is VERY HIGH.  Anyone wanting to try out a Matrix should make the Dominator their first choice due to its combination of power and versatility.

Jim Lewis
Ebonite Regional Staff

   The Matrix Dominator may just be the best of the Matrix series.  The first thing we noticed about this ball is the shell versatility, comes dull and polishes up easily for a wide range of use on various conditions.  

   We have drilled quite a few of these balls for a wide range of styles from the straighter players with less hand to the more powerful players who get up behind the ball.  Rather than list all the drill patters we used we will make reference to the bomb placement as well as the pin location and shell preparation.

   The straighter players liked the Dominator in it's out of the box dull but smooth shell.  This allowed them to move the ball on the back end without the big snap.  They preferred pins between three and four inches from the axis and 10:30 bomb angles.  On dry back ends this type of layout and shell could be a little much for the slower speeds but the 12:00 bombs were more angular and therefore much too strong for those players.  We almost exclusively bowl on fresh back ends at our home house, so we were looking for reactions that were controllable for those who don't like the big snap at the back.  To that end, we kept the bomb away from the 12:00 position for those players.  The carry for the straight players was excellent with this ball as well.

   The guys who turn the ball with some speed weren't nearly as likely to have problems with the more angular move that the 12:00 bomb layouts produced.  We drilled the Matrix with pins in the 5" range for these players (pin next to the ring finger) and bomb placements at all three angles depending on that players preferred line to the pocket.  If the player was inside and wanted to snap the ball, we went ahead and used the 12:00 position, if they were more likely to want an earlier break and a longer roll (stop) on the back end, we used the 10:30.  If they were playing straighter down the boards, we used the 1:30 angle.  The carry was in the upper class for sure, the heavier handed are likely to leave a few 9 pins with this ball.  Another thing we noticed was even when polished, the Dominator will really hook-stop for the guys who have less axis rotation.  The players who come up the back of the ball and who were bowling on fresh back ends were seeing the ball snap very sharply and then stop, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  It didn't interfere with the carry as long as shots weren't sent out way wide of target.  

   We were bowling on a condition that was high scoring and with a newer lane oil which is supposed to resist break down but we still noticed that the first time out with the Dominator we never moved our feet for three league games.  That may indicate that it is less sensitive to the lanes changing as some of the newer hook monsters.  

   The Dominator should give most any player all the hook they need, pin crushing power and the ability to tweak the shell for most league conditions.  If you want a ball that you can swing into the dryer part of the lane and be sure it will come back strong, this is for you.  Ebonite currently has one of the very best lines of equipment in all of bowling and this is one of the best balls in that line.

   If you have any questions about this or any other review, e-mail us at: proshop@bowlero.com

I have purchased my first Ebonite ball (Matix Dominator)and I was pleased with the results this ball produced. I'm a 200-average player I also have average speed (14-17 mph)and mimuium revs (under 300) and my axis position is mimuium (10-30 degrees)now, I have the dominator in 15-pounds with a 2-inch and I've had it drilled with the pin under my fingers in the 12o'clock position and the CG in the palm area and most inportant the bomb position is in the 12 0'clock position.

Now the results:
For about 4-months since purchasing this ball I had just average success, and now once I changed my release to more of a stroker style. The results were more predickable. Now just this past sunday (2/24/02) during my monthly 700 club tournament I proceeded to bowl a 711 series (233,232,246)and I placed second in singles and first place in doubles.I was very impress with Ebonite equipment and I plan to update all my equipment to Ebonite's


Parlevelplayer