Author Topic: My defense in why I think the Buzzbomb was a dud and a flop (not intended to trash Lane 1) (Read 8210 times)

Nicanor · « **on:** June 22, 2009, 08:18:56 AM »

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This is right off the Lane 1 website:

Lane #1 introduces a new force in the bowling industry that outhooks all others. The BuzzBOMB is packed with our all new double sided Doomsday Bomb2 core. This Doomsday double Bomb core generates double the torque, creating double the hook on the backend.
Surrounding this nuclear power plant is our all new Pure GripTM solid reactive coverstock. This new formula grips the lanes on the heaviest oil. You won't believe your eyes when you see this midlane Hook Monster explode with a Huge Backend.
Hear the Buzz, see the Hook, watch your High Scores double with the BuzzBOMB..!!

Attn: Pro Shops

Download your "Crazy-8" Here

Color: Purple/Black
Cover Stock: Pure GripTM solid reactive
Core: Doomsday Bomb2
Hook Rating: 120 out of 120 max
Backend Hook: 80%
Flare Potential: 5+
Pin Placement: 12 OÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ clock 1-5Ã¢â‚¬Â out
15lb rg min: 2.487

15lb rg max: 2.539

15lb diff: .052

Construction: 3-piece
Finish: 1000 Grit Dull
Available Weights: 13, 14, 15, & 16lb.

According to this, the Buzzbomb had good midlane, but the hook rating is 120 out of 120 and the backend was 80 percent. Now that tells me huge backend, not rolling out, not buring up but double the hook on the back end.

When a small company puts out a flop like this, then follows up with the flop pearl, they doubled their mistake even though the BBr was a little more user friendly, they are not on the top of the bowling ball sales. Way too much negative exposure. The Agent Orange is a great ball and the Dynamo is a tremendous ball. But just like Columbia had several years ago with regards to TECball death, it took too long to get the confidence of the bowlers back before they also ran into trouble.

When you don't put out too many balls and you put out a flop, ok lets say a very lane specific ball, then many of those on the fence of throwing Lane 1, currently throwing Lane 1 or may one day throw Lane 1, gets the bad exposure and look elsewhere to buy their next ball.

In all fairness, if many more bowlers threw or just what the Dynamo being thrown by a quality bowler, not pro, but not the 160 bowler, they can see the potential in this ball.

If Lane 1 skipped the Buzzbomb and went right to the Dynamo series, I think the sales would be off the chart and many more bowlers throwing th Dynamo then are throwing the Dynamo now.

Thats why I think the Buzzbomb was a dud and a flop.

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

don coyote · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:01:35 PM »

DANG!!!! I have to agree with you. The Buzzbomb is the last ball from Lane 1 I have bought. I still have a bad taste in my mouth because of it. I usually buy a new ball every other month, and I had been buying Lane 1, ALOT. I have always been pretty happy with Lane 1, but not so much lately. I have fallen in LOVE with Lanemasters equipment. Would this have happened if the Buzzbomb had been a big success with me? I doubt it! I am using a Yeah Baby for my heavy oiler. Don't get me wrong, I still have my Supernova XP, and I use my Buzzbomb occasionally, but it's down the list quite a bit. My pro shop drilled the first Buzzbomb with thumb weight and it was terrible. I contacted Lane 1 and they sent me another one right away, no questions asked. That is why I love Lane 1. I have had a Storm ball crack(Storm replaced the ball under warranty), and I still use Storm products, and will continue to.
In closing, I will purchase another Lane 1 ball, maybe soon, but I was pretty disappointed with MY expectations not having been met with the Buzzbomb, MY EXPECTATIONS! the don

Nicanor · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:20:20 PM »

Thank you for the post Don.

Richie had me send my first Buzzbomb sent back to Lane 1 and they weighed it and said it had thumb weight and would just puke. They plugged the ball, layed out the new layout and sent that ball and a brand new Buzzbomb back to me. The customer service is outstanding.

Drilled both the old and the new Buzzbomb as recommended, both balls puked.

I thought I was done with Lane 1 especially after the G-Force solid, but I won the Agent Orange from Buddies pro shop. That is another great ball. But not even the Agent Orange is as versatile as the Dynamo. I would be heartpressed if I find many bowlers who couldn't find a spot in their bag for a Dynamo.

Thanks again,

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Nicanor · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:50:22 PM »

Inverted 1 at Work,

I agree but there is a major difference,

does Ebonite, Storm, Columbia or any of the big companies ever just put out one ball at a time? Ususally other companies are coming up with a line up all at once. Two, three four or more balls all at one time. Come out with four balls and one is not all that good, then more then likely two or more are going to help with sales. You come out with a ball that is suppose to be a hook monster, but pukes on the lane and thats the only ball you have coming out at that time, you can't cover that up. Other companies are coming out with an oiler, med/heavy, medium, medium light light and dry all at one time and throw a plastic ball in there for good measure. So that one bad ball doesn't mean as much as the company puts their bank on one ball and its going to have crazy back end and its a dud to the avergae bowler or at least just a very condition specific ball. Now you hope that the next ball gets you back on the horse. The Agent Orange didn't quite do that, but they have a much better chance with the Dynamo line.

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

djbigsmooth · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2009, 07:38:38 PM »

quote:
Thank you for the post Don.

Richie had me send my first Buzzbomb sent back to Lane 1 and they weighed it and said it had thumb weight and would just puke. They plugged the ball, layed out the new layout and sent that ball and a brand new Buzzbomb back to me. The customer service is outstanding.

Drilled both the old and the new Buzzbomb as recommended, both balls puked.

I thought I was done with Lane 1 especially after the G-Force solid, but I won the Agent Orange from Buddies pro shop. That is another great ball. But not even the Agent Orange is as versatile as the Dynamo. I would be heartpressed if I find many bowlers who couldn't find a spot in their bag for a Dynamo.

Thanks again,

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

very important questions here, how long was the pin on the buzzbomb, what layout did you use, and what style of bowler are you? speed, rev rate?

when richie plugged your old ball and suggested a new layout, what layout did he suggest?

there are lot of facts or key pieces of information missing from your explanation of why you feel that the buzzbomb was a dud and a flop. please share. perhaps some experienced sawheads can help to change your perception of the ball.

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breakin' sucka's jaws with my saws

Lane #1 baby..........on the grind

Steven · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:01:22 PM »

Nic: I believe that you personally had problems with BuzzBomb. The only issue I have is you labeling the ball a 'dud and a flop' overall, instead of just maybe for you and a minority of others. Read what Tim at Buddies had to say about the ball:

quote:
All the claims from the ad were confirmed when I threw this ball. This is definitely the most hook of any Buzzsaw I've thrown. In box finish, you definitely need oil in the front part of the lane. You can count the number of balls that are able to handle the swamp in the middle of our house shot on one hand, and this is definitely one of them. I had to use a breakpoint further in the middle of the lane because if I missed a pinch to the right, the ball would overhook. This ball was truly fun to throw.

This is just one of the many positive reviews that can be found on the BB. My personal experience is much closer to Tim's than yours. I've seen others have success with the BuzzBomb. In all honesty, no one who I've talked to regrets having purchased it. In fairness, maybe the issue isn't with the ball itself, but with the way you personally matched up to it.

There is a big difference.
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Sig not currently in use. I'm not interested in playing games.

Reverendwaz · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:13:05 PM »

Wow i have to chime in here.
I read alot but tend not to post on here as to avoid the drama but....
The Buzzbomb was the last lane 1 ball i bought and i have to say its a great addition to my bag. I have it drilled pin over fingers and cant give you much more info about it I'm not that savvy on the tech side.
As soon as i got this ball i hit it with the secret sauce and this ball is a beast !!!
2 years ago i took 3rd place in the minnesota state singles with this ball.
Part of the reason i don't throw it often is because its a beast !
If its a dud for some I'm sorry but i have had nothing but great luck with it.

Nicanor · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:19:48 PM »

Steven,
With all respect to you and your knowledge of the sport of bowling, even you in your reply to this post state that you really never get to throw the ball. So what good is it except a specific condition ball?

Reverendwaz,

Its amazing that you state in your reply that you used Bean's Secret Sauce on the ball. So you had to use a high end easy to gloss polish to make the ball usable? Now even you say you don't use it because its now too much of a monster.

I didn't say that some bowlers would match up with the ball, but many have not and a lot that say they love the ball also say it stays in the bag for a real heavy oil condition (Steven) or its polished and hooks too much so you leave it in the bag (Reverendwaz).

To answer djbigsmooth's questions:

The first ball was drilled thumbs leverage. We know now that drilling should have been left off the drill sheet. With all the R&D Lane 1 does on their new bowling balls, they should have told us to stay away from bottom/thumb weight and that top/finger weight was important. They should have not included the thumb leverage drilling on their drill sheet. I know their drill sheet is generic, but it screwed up a lot of bowlers Buzzbombs because they used this drilling.

I sent this ball to Richie at Lane 1. He could see my track. So Richie and all his wisdom and knowledge of his equipment (meant with tons of respect) plugged and layed the ball out for his recommended drilling which was pin under bridge and CGkicked right of thumb. He also sent another brand new Buzzbomb with higher top weight and I drilled this ball with the pin over the bridge with the CG kicked right. I tried it with different grits Ablaron and different polishes. None worked for me and my average was slipping quickly. There were many other bowling balls on the market that were light years ahead of the Buzzbomb.

Other answers:

pin was 3 inches top weight unknown. But enough according to Richie.
My average from last year was between 201 on PBA experience patterns and 215-218 in league. Now its 229 and 232. I have medium revs pap about 4 7/8 and 5/8 up. My speed is bewteen 15.5 and 18. I change as needed. Rev rate is changed as needed between 300 and 375.

Hope that helps. I'm sure there are bowlers who think they know more then Richie.

To finish this response, I had both bowling balls with me when I took Ron Clifton's four day class here in San Diego and he worked with me on both these balls. We all had a laugh.

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Edited on 6/22/2009 9:27 PM

Edited on 6/22/2009 9:29 PM

Edited on 6/22/2009 9:33 PM

Nicanor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:23:34 PM »

Steven,

I think the Buzzbomb was a dud. I think it was a flop because I believe the Buzzbomb hurt the sales of Lane 1 bowling balls which effects their health and inability to even have a booth at Nationals or get their balls PBA certified. I agree it is a business decision, so please don't defend that, I'm just saying that since the Buzzbomb was a flop if for no other reason it was too condition specific, it drasticly hurt Lane 1 sales and the well being of their company. That's why I call it a flop.

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

John D Davis · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:52:53 PM »

I have to buzz in on this too. As for the Buzzbomb goes, I dont think it hurt Lane 1 bowlers as bad as you think it did. Heck I am sure it made the people feel great back yonder when lane 1 replaced some of them due to layouts. To me thats amazing for a company to do at any point in time!!

I have two Buzzbombs right now in my bag. I will admit that both is pin up and one is shined with Beans Sauce.... The one I have still at box finish is such a flipping beast that I can rarely ever throw it. But the beauty of it is that it gives me something that nobody else is going to have once the pattern persists. Only the most experienced of bowlers will see that this ball is so condition specific which is not good, but think about how many low handed speed dominate players fell in love with this ball??? This is something they been looking for. When a company designs such a big hook potential and epecially hipes it up, they expect to sell the heck out of it. Companys is now learning though thats not what its all about, and they are all making great equipment right now.

My Buzzbombs are pin up and I can only use them in a rare situation. So that means if they was pin down, goodness, they would roll in my backswing!!!
I just dont think it killed the companys sells like some of you say it did, basically because the Buzzbomb will always serve a purpose on the right stuff.

AK47 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:08:36 PM »

Got to admit that i was one of the ones who sent back his Buzz and Got a new one, the second one was ok, got rid of that one, didn't like the drilling got a 3rd one and it was decent, nothing to sing about..... One day decided to change the surface, took it to 2k abralon + Secret sauce, and now this ball is a beast and the carry has become very, very good and the backend became what i was expecting and now it's become one of my favorites....Just threw 4 games tonight with it in PBA experience league and avg. 197 with it.... Before the surface change, it stayed in the closet!
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CHAINSAW = MONEY
CHAINSAW MASSACRE = MORE MONEY

JessN16 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:26:13 PM »

I have no idea about the original, as I never owned one. Maybe I'll pick a used one up sometime to see what I think.

What I want to address is the BuzzBomb/R. Since I started drilling for myself, it's one of the four or five best balls I've ever punched. The others would be the Lane #1 Tsunami H20, Roto Grip Mystic, 900Global Break S75, Lane #1 XXXL Starburst and there's about a five-way tie behind that. Probably the Brunswick Sidewinder if I was forced to pick.

Jess

bowlerdawg · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:55:33 PM »

i liked my buzzbombs, and if i didn't i would tell you
my high series came on the BB last season.

nicanor, are you sure you were using yours correctly ?
all balls if used correctly will work.....................
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I'm your huckleberry

Dannymo23 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:28:28 AM »

In my opinion a lot of bowlers do not purchase equipment to use for its intended purpose. Meaning, the buzzbomb was meant for Heavy oil, (oob)it gives you a strong mid lane read as well as backend. I consider the ball to be a very versatile piece. It takes to surface changes very well. I have 3 of them and they perform very well for me.

bowlerdawg · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:33:24 AM »

quote:
quote:
i liked my buzzbombs, and if i didn't i would tell you
my high series came on the BB last season.

nicanor, are you sure you were using yours correctly ?
all balls if used correctly will work.....................
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I'm your huckleberry

I truly hope you're kidding here..
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c(')(') here bunny bunny bunny....

what are you talking about wise azz ?
just cause you did not use yours correctly, does not mean that this release was a flop. Not my fault you can't bowl, and use your blame thrower on an innocent bowling ball...............
don't you have a hole you should be in
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I'm your huckleberry