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Author Topic: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead  (Read 4307 times)

Steven

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First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« on: October 22, 2003, 09:45:22 PM »
Well, I picked up my first real Lane#1 ball yesterday -- the new Cranberry. I do have a XXXL, but it's plastic and too condition specific to make any sweeping conclusions.

Before I give my first thoughts, I want to emphasize that I'm not a one company lunatic -- been there, done that and I've learned my lesson. My league arsenal consists of Storm, Track, Ebonite, and Brunswick. My tournament stash is made up mostly of Columbia and Ebonite. When I have a need for ball with a specific reaction, I do research and keep an open mind.

Having said all this, I only have a few practice games on the Cranberry, so I'll keep my comments brief until I have more experience with the ball. In essence I found the following BTM magazine comments to be accurate:
 
 
quote:
Strengths: PK18 coverstock helps ball get down the lane with ease and make a strong turn towards the pocket. This ball provides a classic resin reaction when it encounters friction.


My first two games with the Cranberry were on a freshly oiled THS -- heavy from 8 to 8 and dry on the outsides. What I liked about the Cranberry is that I could go straight up the 5 on this condition without a severe over/under reaction. When the ball encountered friction, the transition was smoother than 'normal' resin equipment. As a non-buzzhead, it was a little strange to experience and will take some time to get used to.

quote:
Weakness: Large volumes of oil in front part of lane causes ball to skid too far before making its turn. Extremely dry backends could also cause a little bit of trouble.


I found this out on the first ball I threw. Not knowing how the Cranberry would react, I stated out 15 to 12 as I would with my X-Factor Deuce on this condition, and the Cranberry stayed dead straight through the oil and had almost no reaction at all. The NIB finish on the Cranberry needs some dry to hit the right breakpoint.

Interestingly, when I threw the Cranberry 6 hours later after our second shift league, the extremely dry backends resulted in too severe of a breakpoint. I believe this is a result of the NIB finish which I might end up taking down.

Overall, I think the ball will have a place and I'll throw extensively this weekend to get a better feel. I'll provide more input after that.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #16 on: October 30, 2003, 02:31:43 PM »
Steven, thanks.  Thumb slug explains it.  Since I dont use them, I hadnt considered that.
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golfnutFL

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2003, 02:54:48 PM »
PolarMike,
Because your local guy is ripping you off!!!!! Contact Doug Sterner or Drillwizard and you will get Lane #1 for LESS than your local guy will sell you top of the line from ANY other company. And either will do a great job drilling it for you too. Doug drilled a Black Cherry Bomb for me with a thumb slug and 2 finger grips and shipped it to me in Florida for $216!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's $50 cheaper than I could have gotten the same ball locally. It is also $7 CHEAPER than I could buy a Raging Inferno, Phenom, Throttle etc. etc. from my local guy. It's a tired argument and NOT true, if you go the proper source you will pay no more for the Lane #1 of your choice than any other ball.
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golfnutFL

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2003, 03:14:56 PM »
$179 for the TPC player is a great price. Locally I would pay $223 out the door drilled with slug and grips; $189.99 plus $12 for slug, $10 for grips plus 6% Florida sales tax. Does your price include slug/grips? If so, great price! I don't know why your local guy would be charging so much more for Lane #1 when he's selling very reasonably for Ebonite stuff.
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SwiftravenWork

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2003, 03:49:49 PM »
I havent payed more than $200 out the door for either of my buzzsaws (Cherry Bomb and Super Carbide Bomb) thats with drilling, thumb insert, and finger inserts.  That is comparable to what it would cost to purchase other companies top of the line balls and get them drilled isnt it (just asking since I havent priced other stuff)

Jason
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T-GOD

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2003, 03:53:24 PM »
Steven, I wouldn't go that route. The 4 x 4 1/2 you end with, including a 1:00 pin, will probably also give you over/under.

You do not/barely hit the diamond core when drilling a Buzzsaw, so the effects of plugging are minimal at best. Do the full plug and go with a 4 1/4 x 3 3/8 or thereabouts.

Did you try changing the surface..?

Or, you can try the 2:30-3:00 layout, but that will still need a full plug. =:^D
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golfnutFL

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2003, 03:53:32 PM »
Very Comparable
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Steven

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2003, 04:16:04 PM »
T-GOD: I did take the cover down slightly with an 800 grit grey pad. It did tend to break a little earlier, but not enough to make a big difference.

Another problem I'm facing is more my own style rather than the ball. I have a higher track, and with the pin below the bridge on the center vertical grip, I sometimes clip the edge of the thumb hole. It doesn't happen every shot, but enough where I'm conscious of it, and it's something I'd rather not have to think about.

So I need get the pin closer to my PAP. I wish I had insisted on on the 2:30-3:00 pin. However, with a full plug, I'm concerned that the thumb plug might end up in the track with that drill. I'll verify and also check out the 4 1/4 x 3 3/8. Thanks.
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T-GOD

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #23 on: October 30, 2003, 04:41:22 PM »
Steven, don't worry about the plug being in your track, unless the pro shop doesn't do good work. =:^D
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Steven

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #24 on: October 30, 2003, 05:11:35 PM »
T-GOD: OK. I just talked to my proshop guy, and we'll go with the full plug and a 2:30 redrill. Thanks for your input.
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T-GOD

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Re: First Impressions of Lane#1 from a non-Buzzhead
« Reply #25 on: October 30, 2003, 05:26:07 PM »
Steven, place the pin around 3 1/2-4" from your PAP. Try the ball out, then adjust the side weight as needed with an extra hole, either adding some with a hole on your track side, or taking away some on the PAP side. =:^D
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