Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 18, 2003, 08:13:17 AM
I love the XXXL for the desert. I do not think there is a better ball for that condition. But I will almost never see enough dry to use it.
I have had 2 Blue Berries. The ball hits well, but does not hook much at all. Infact, currently the only ball I have that hooks less than the Blue Berry(drilled 4x3.5) is the MoRich Pioneer, and that ball is laid out to go dead straight. So needless to say I am very disappointed.
This is only a mini review. I will post again after a few more games. My Hex Darkside covers about 4 boards more than this ball does so far. I want to get a little bit of a track in the ball and I will see then what I really think of it.
The overall purpose for this post is to say that if this ball does not turn around in performance quickly it is going to keep me from getting the Black Cherry Bomb that I want.
So please, give me a reason I should not give up on Lane right now. ALSO----as stated, I am seriously considering the Black Cherry, but would the Golden Nugget be the better bet for me?
Thanks for reading this
Post by: mumzie on December 18, 2003, 11:22:51 PM
After I left an 8-10, I switched to my much tamer Smash/R - and it hooked up great.
Post by: MI 2 AZ on December 18, 2003, 11:38:12 PM
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 18, 2003, 11:52:26 PM
If my Phenom Unleashed didn't roll out, the Blue Berry wouldn't. It was going and turning, but it was turning too late.
More than anything it just seemed very sensitive to oil. Even more so than the Hex Darkside.
As I stated above, this was only a mini review, I will post back again after getting some more games on the ball. So far though, it is a huge disappointment. I will not give up on it though.
Post by: Bjaardker on December 19, 2003, 12:34:22 AM
The Powerkoil 18 coverstock is one of the most adjustable coverstocks ever seen. Feel free to tweak it as you wish.
Also, I'm not sure what kind of a reaction you're expecting, but a hook monster this ball is not, nor is it skid snap. For all intensive purposes the BB is one of the weaker reactives you could have on the rack nowdays. Consider PK18 is like 4 or 5 years old now, that's ancient history these days. HOWEVER, that being said, I find it to be INCREDIBLY predictable & easy to read.
Finally, if you're trying to use a BB on the same oil conditions that you can use the Phenom unleashed, then I think you've got some misconceptions about what kind of condition the BB is for. I personally don't pull out my pink raspberry (predecessor to the BB) until i'm well out of my comfort zone with a particle. Either that, or when there's a flooded or spotty condition that I'm looking to play around the outside of. Then the Pink Razz is great with a bit of a shine, right up the twig.
Edited on 12/19/2003 1:36 AM
Post by: Brickguy221 on December 19, 2003, 12:39:44 AM
My problem is carrying the 10 PIN. The ball seems to have a nice looking hook, but doesn't seem to have the power (energy?) when it hits the pocket like my Emerald does. When my Emerald hits, it HITS with scouts flying every where. It is drilled 4 x 3 3/4 with Pin beside ring finger and CG kicked out 1" from center of grip.
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In the old days, they used axes to chop up wood...Nowadays, they use "BUZZSAWS".
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 19, 2003, 01:14:32 AM
By no means was I trying to play the same line with those 2. WHen I tried standing 20 with the Hex Darkside I had to move my feet 4 boards left.
Post by: LeftE on December 19, 2003, 02:50:55 AM
It was my first Lane 1 ball, and the hit is increable. I took it down to 600 grit and used an 800 grit compound and some Hook It on the coverstock. I set it up this way, so that I could play alittle carry down with it, when my Cherry Bomb started to skate in the carrydown.
Since this was my first ball though, I also used it highly polished, factory finish, ect, ect.
This ball will not cover a ton of boards(not that I cover a ton anyways) but it will hook enough. The ball will read the same, shot to shot, and never squirts, if I could only hit the same mark twice.
When the CherryBomb starts skid, by BlueBerry will read the midlane and make a strong move to the pocket, actually outhooking the C.B. because of the midlane read, and then cover more boards on the back. However in a fresh shot, the B.B. will roll the same.
The hitting power isn't an explosive as the CherryBomb either, but it carrys ANY light hit I have. Its amazing, I throw it way out, it skids, moves, hits light and mix's all the pins.
And the coverstock is super super adjustable. Try a high polish and move to the outside, or scruff it up and play the middle.
Post by: LeftE on December 19, 2003, 02:55:51 AM
The other day, Icem and myself where bowling the worst flood of the century. The lanes had so much oil that I saw Noah's Ark around the 10 board
Anyway's, cranker Icem couldn't get his Super Carbine to grip at all, it would just skid.The particle ball I brought along wouldn't bite at all(Hammer Vicous Particle), so I threw all the balls I had and the only one that hooked in the flooded back end at all was the blueberry. I have no idea why, so don't ask.
Post by: charlest on December 19, 2003, 05:08:22 AM
Given the Blueberry's low flaring core and highly polished coverstock (PK 18 cover notwithstanding) and given your fairly high speed, unless you drilled the ball something like 4x2 or even 4x1, with the pin under or even with the bridge, you are going to get very little relative backend out of this ball. For you, I suspect it will be a medium-light oil to maybe medium oil ball.
However, I am very surprised that the Darkside is hooking more than the Blueberry.
Before re-drilling, I'd suggest a light application of a grey or green nylon pad to the surface of the BB.
FYI The Black Cherry Bomb is a whole lot stronger than the BB, but mine is drilled 5x4 and I had to sand it to a Track-like 1500 grit and leave it dull to get a desired reaction. Polished, it was too skid/flippy. (even sanded 600 and lightly polished, it was too skid/flippy.)
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"Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it."
Post by: T-GOD on December 19, 2003, 09:01:54 AM
But, if you want a monster ball, the Golden Nugget is the one. =:^D
Post by: BadShot on December 19, 2003, 09:12:57 AM
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That which does not kill me makes me stronger . . .
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 19, 2003, 02:00:49 PM
See, here is the situation, I bought a 15lb blue berry from a fellow ballreviewer, and it was just too light so I traded it for this blue berry.
I think I may contact the other user and see if he had done anything with the cover on the 15lb ball because it hooked much more in the backend.
Post by: charlest on December 19, 2003, 02:41:04 PM
An 800 grit PK 18 is a pretty strong ball. Could it be burning itself up early, even with your speed?? I really don't know (too far for me to see.
) but it looks like a distinct possbility.--------------------
"Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it."
Edited on 12/19/2003 3:40 PM
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 20, 2003, 01:17:43 AM
It was just going too long before turning the corner.
Like I have said, I am going to give it a few more tries, until then I really will not make a decision on how I feel about the ball.
All of this with the Blue Berry is making me a little skeptical about getting a Black Cherry or Golden Nugget though.
Can anyone give me any info on those and how they should react compared to the Blue Berry?
Post by: pnj1967 on December 20, 2003, 08:29:32 AM