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Author Topic: Smash Time Pearl  (Read 7546 times)

admin

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Smash Time Pearl
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
Color: Purple/Red/Silver

Reactions: Designed to be strong on oil for the league player. Most definitely the smoothest ball motion in the Ebonite portfolio this season.

Coverstock: Modified Big Bangâ„¢ Reactive Pearl; 1000 Grit Abralon; Polished with Powerhouseâ„¢ Factory Finish Ball Polish

Core: Asymetric Sphere with Dual Caps

Length: 26
Hook: 38
Break Point Angle : 9.75
Mass Bias Rating : 0.001
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Jeff Ussery

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2007, 09:56:37 AM »
Pin to PAP Distance: 5"
15 Degree Layout
Balance Hole: 25/32" Hole x 2" Deep on my Positive Axis Point
Surface Preparation: Box Condition

What I Was Looking For in this Ball and Layout:

Many of my shiny Ebonite balls get down the lane really clean and have a very quick transition at the spot. Some of this is due to ball selection, and some of it is due to layout selection. Balls like my Big Time Pearl, polished Overtime, and my second Whirlwind all seem to get through the front of the lane very easy and then have a fast breakpoint. With the SmashTime Pearl, I was hoping to create a pearlized polished ball that didn't read the spot as quickly, and was smoother throughout the lane.

What I Ended Up With in this Ball and Layout:

The front of the lane is no problem for the SmashTime Pearl. This ball goes to show what a polished pearlized coverstock can do for you. In the same rg and differential and a solid coverstock (SmashTime solid), this ball would hook very early and have trouble getting through heads that don't have sufficient oil on them. But with the pearlized and polished coverstock, the SmashTime Pearl has no difficulty whatsoever. You can view a video of me throwing the SmashTime Pearl on some Guardian lane surface heads that tend to hook early. The SmashTime Pearl handles these easily.

Breakpoint was the key that I was trying to zone in on. Remember that I wanted a smoother look downlane, with a ball that didn't squirt through the oil too much. I was able to get exactly what I wanted by doing two things with this layout. First, I used a 10 degree layout, moving the preferred spin axis of the ball near my positive axis point. This gets the ball to lose axis rotation more quickly and gives it a smoother breakpoint. I combined that with the very low pin position, just 1/2" above my midline. This makes the ball roll earlier or closer to me at the foul line.

It is important to realize that not everybody can use pins in lower positions like this. People who track very high and close to their gripping holes are definitely in danger of flaring over the middle finger hole with this type of pin height. If you are considering this type of pin height and layout for yourself or a customer, be sure to examine their track closely and make sure that they are not going to roll or flare over the gripping holes. Airborne bowling balls don't tend to hit the pins real effectively.
 
In overall hook, the SmashTime Pearl is a solid contender for the upper-tier of the mid-level hooking balls. It's not going to bend like a One series ball. But it's definitely going to outhook everything in the Elements series, such as the Whirlwind and Ice balls. My SmashTime Pearl is very close in total hook to the new RXS300 that I drilled earlier.
 
Length from 1-10 (Early to Late)
7.0
 
Breakpoint Move from 1-10 (Smooth to Sharp)
5.0
 
Overall Hook from 1-10 (Low to High)
7.0

If you would like to see a picture of this ball layout, please visit my website at www.proshoptraining.com

You can also view a video of this bowling ball at www.putfile.com/jeffussery
--------------------
Jeff Ussery
Powerhouse Training Clinics
www.proshoptraining.com
Pro Shop Help Desk Hotline - 785-843-2658
Ball Videos at www.putfile.com/jefussery
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DynoLess Daddy

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2007, 11:06:27 PM »
Pin to Pap 5"
Cg to Pap 5.5"

The smash time pearl is a breath of fresh air to control the lighter  
conditions...

The STP setup for typical house allowed for 2 reactions... read through the midlane with great head clearance... The key to the STP is that it depending on the bowler you can get a similar look like the AO but with out the raw power.

Now, we must all remember that this is all based on what? Lane conditions, bowler experience, matching drills, and lane play....

Don't let the fact scare you that I said "with out the raw power" as the condition breaks down the STP will make the move.. Now for those that are not rev impaired...you can use the STP sooner in the transition and power up to the hilt...
--------------------
VISE AMATEUR STAFF
USBC SILVER CERTIFIED COACH
Fort Bliss Pro Shop
Bowlers Map
DigiTrax
Dynodaddy@earthlink.net

"See my vise as it rolls down the lane....you can't it revs too much"



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cpd2204

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2007, 05:10:35 PM »
I have bowled 6 games with this ball and on my 5th one I shot 300.  This ball has decent recovery from the outside but for those who like to play inside of 10, this ball works great.  Another great ball from Ebonite, keep up the good work )
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janderson

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2007, 01:57:29 PM »
Surface: Default out-of-box
Layout: 75 degree
   Pin-PAP: 6 inches
   MB Location: 1 inch from track
   Pin-CG: 6 inches
   Pin-center of grip: 3.5 inches
   Static weights: Zero finger/side, half ounce top
   No extra hole

In a sentence: Length, hard turn, and foward roll.

Condition: TAT - February 2007, Las Vegas, Anvilane (unknown age)
I'm guessing the pattern was 36-37 feet medium volume, flat from 10-to-10 with outside of 5 out of bounds.  This is not a wide-open pattern on most pairs.  With a decreased axis rotation release, I was able to play deep and gain a little more unexpected recovery than with my other equipment.  The ball made a hard turn at the breakpoint, "faced up" and rolled forward into the pocket.  (Expert readers - good hook out without roll out). I suspect the shorter oil pattern kept the ball from looking too skid/snap, though I wouldn't call it a smooth arcing ball.  The magic seems to be what the ball does after the breakpoint: strong forward roll.  There is no skidding continuation/curl through the pin deck that leaves corner pins.

Condition: Typical house shot, 39 feet, medium volume, 10 year old HPL surface
Again, the ball makes a hard turn at the breakpoint, "faces up" and rolls forward into the pocket.  It wants to be played inside the oil line to produce a more even reaction at the breakpoint.  Playing outside of the oil line makes this ball jump off the dry boards.  Increasing axis rotation while playing on the dry boards seemed to actually mellow out the angle at the breakpoint.  Again, the magic is what the ball does after the breakpoint, regardless of release: strong forward roll. There is no skidding continuation/curl through the pin deck that leaves corner pins.

Overall, this ball is 4-5 boards stronger in overall hook than the Raw Doom Hammer (on both conditions above) saving most of its strength for the breakpoint though its backend characteristics are similar.  However, the Smash Time Pearl has more energy in its backend forward roll.  It is similar in overall hook to "the One" and as clean through the heads.
 
Though strong and angular-looking at the breakpoint, I feel the strong roll on the backend is its strength grace.

--------------------
J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King  : Kill the back row
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scoobnz

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2007, 08:12:05 PM »
Pin to Pap 5 1/4" 70* layout
Surface is Oob (1000 abralon polished)

Whoa! thats a much bigger hooking ball than i expected!
At first I didn't like this ball, seemed jumpy and unpredictable but after a few months it has settled now the cover is worn and I adjusted the balance hole.
It's now my favorite ball it still need quite a bit of head oil to get down the lane however as it will burn up quite easily on lighter patterns. If your looking for a smooth but still quite angular ball I would recommend it. The low RG of the ball gets is revving up nice and early too which for a bit more control is a must!

I give this ball a 8/10
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ScoobNZ
All the way down the bottom of the world!
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BallsDeep

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2007, 02:02:47 PM »
This is my first review even though I've used the site for nearly two years by now.  The Smash time pearl is drilled with the pin 5 1/2" from my pap with the pin 3 1/2" above the midline and the cg is stacked making a weight hole not necessary.  See my profile for my specs.  

The ball seems to be pretty good.  It has a ton on the backend, but I thought that it would have more of a continuous midlane read.  At times the ball can be touchy at the breakpoint.  It has a rather abrupt transition from skid through the fronts to hook on the backend.  On a fresh shot, the overall strength of the ball makes one play straighter.  Though a medium oil fresh shot isn't really what the ball is made for, especially with that drill, it can handle it fairly well.  The true strength of the ball is when the track area migrates in and dries up.

When this occurs, the ball gets through the fronts, but still finishes on the backend.  The only thing that I need to worry about is getting around the ball.  If I stay up the back of the ball, it tends to check up too quick and hit poorly, if I get around the ball, it maintains that strong skid snap reaction that it has on fresh, and carries quite well.

Overall, I have a useable reaction from this ball that can work well on a multitude of oil volumes.  The ball works best on inside-out angles, and carry is a bit above average.  It is not a true dry lane ball, but it is probably the least hook that one can get from any of the mid to high end balls out there.
--------------------
four fried chickens and a coke[/size=4]

Let me say something, let me say something...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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OGrady

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2007, 12:33:17 PM »
Its a shame that this ball is discontinued now.  This pebble is one of the most versitile balls in my bag for the past 3 months.  I strongly suggest seizing one of these if possible....  You won't be dissapointed...
--------------------
OG
2006 U.S Junior Amatuer Champion
Jr. Team USA 06-08
Ebonite Amateur Staff

David Knight Sr. @ Brunswick Deptford Bowl Deptford, NJ  
Anything with an E is good for me.

www.bowlersunited.com/
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djbrady

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Re: Smash Time Pearl
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2008, 12:25:48 PM »
by far the best mid priced ball i've ever gotten the pleasure to throw.  For being in that mid range of price this ball works like a champ.  to compare it to a high end ball i'd say it's a lot like my NVS but without as much finish.  No complaints about its mid lane or finish though.  bowled plenty of games with this ball without any major adjustments to my personal game.  I would recommend this ball to anyone.
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