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Author Topic: Arsenal check  (Read 3059 times)

Foppe

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Arsenal check
« on: April 06, 2008, 11:24:27 PM »
Hello everyone,

for the upcomming season I plan on building a LM/L only arsenal.
Currently I have a Sure Strike with 50 games on it, and absolutely love it.
I don't need the arsenal now, I'll need it fully end of July, but I wanna make sure I make the right choices.

I also bought a Hammer (Bite) but it's so maintenance heavy and seems to die quicky, alltough I take very good care of my gear, I decided to go with LM/L stuff only.
(My proshop sells Ebonite,Hammer,Storm,LM/L)

Anyway, some info is in my profile: Lefty,stroker, like most lefty's I like to play the outside, around 17 MPH ballspeed, revs: not sure, I guess around 250(but I'm speed dominant for sure), PAP: my proshop owner knows it, I think it was 4" & 1/2" up (unsure), I'm a medium tracker. My SS is drilled pin up to the left.

This is the arsenal I have in mind, I'm looking 3 balls + spare (got it):

- Terminator
- Counter-Strike
- Sure Strike (got it)

Allthough I'm thinking about the Sting also, but not sure where to fit it, replace it for the CS or the Terminator?

I'm not sure wheter I gonna keep the Bite or not (think I gonna give it to my father, he has a BWP and loves it), so I don't care about possible overlap with the Bite.

Oh yeah, one last thing: @ my house the shot is med-heavy, 37ft. THS
I play something like this with my SS:
Fresh THS: standing 14, target: 7, BP: 5
Dried-up : standing 17, target: 8-9, BP: 5-6
(this would be my 'A'-game)

Sorry for the long post,
any comments/tips are welcome.

Greetz.

 

icewall

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2008, 07:23:17 PM »
hmmm doesnt sound too bad... only thing i was wondering is if you come into a point where you need something that hooks earlier. I would imagine those balls all go pretty long.

(not sure about the counter strike)

I would also keep in mind if one overlaps or doesnt finish well you can always use some good ole scotchbrite or abralon.

I would definatly consider the sting, but i dont think its really needed.


this is just IMO... im only giving my thoughts... another words, Im not sure if that arsenal will work... just pointing out what i see.

charlest

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2008, 07:29:19 PM »
On a house pattern, the CS and the Term will appear to cover the same territory but they are very different balls. Be very careful about evaluating such balls on a house pattern.

Between the Term and the SS, you may want a ball with length between the two balls, rather than a rather early rolling ball such as the CS. A Rebellion or an XS Power may be more appropriate.
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Foppe

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2008, 02:44:37 AM »
Thanks for the info so far,

now another question: Imagine I want the Counter-Strike for sure, what would be the best ball to finish the arsenal?

Sure Strike
Counter Strike
?

@ ice: I think charlest is right, the CS should be a relative early rolling ball, the Terminator also is

@ scott: I was also thinking about that, but to start off I don't think I need a dry lane ball. I don't encounter very dry a lot, more like dry-medium sometimes and my SS is kind of perect for that condition (at least for me).

In the future there's a big chance I look into the Buzz/same type of ball but not yet

Edited on 4/8/2008 2:49 AM

icewall

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2008, 03:58:23 PM »
I agree and take what I said back.

I didnt know the CS was as aggressive as it actually is. looked it up in my bowlers journal mag and it definatly is a strong ball that is quite early hooking.

so after looking... it seems that charlest has some good ideas.

what about the rebellion or for more length a black pearl or BP reactive?

Foppe

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2008, 04:06:27 PM »
Yea,

I'm sure thinking about that Rebellion, I think the Black Pearl is an awesome ball aswell, but than I would have 3 pearls (if I would buy the CS) I think that's not the best option? (unless I drop the CS, but I just love my SS so much, that I just have to try the CS

From what I've read about the Rebellion, I think I might like it.

charlest

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2008, 05:26:51 PM »
quote:
Yea,

I'm sure thinking about that Rebellion, I think the Black Pearl is an awesome ball aswell, but than I would have 3 pearls (if I would buy the CS) I think that's not the best option? (unless I drop the CS, but I just love my SS so much, that I just have to try the CS

From what I've read about the Rebellion, I think I might like it.


DOn't worry about whether it's a pearl or not; it's the ball reaction that's the important thing. The CS comes relatively dull; it says 1000 grit sheen, but it looks more like a matte finish. Don't assume too much by Lanemasters descriptions of their balls' finishes. The "high sheen" on the Sting, anyone else would call a high gloss polish.

So unless you have high ball speed or a a much higher ball speed than rev rate, the CS will be a medium oil ball at a minimum and an almost medium-hevay oil ball for many people.

The Terminator probably looks like it has a higher polished finish than the CS but since it's a medium load particle solid, that finish gets its just medium length on medium-heavy oil, IN GENERAL, for most people. AGain, if you have a high ball speed, it will handle less oil.

SImilar ideas apply to the World Class particle pearl and the Black Pearl: both need that high gloss finish to handle medium oil. With any surface , their particle pearl coverstock needs more oil. How much more depends on your release.

Remember a ball's surface/finish is tightly coupled to the bowler's ball speed/rev rate ratio!!
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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banjoec

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2008, 01:12:17 AM »
My current arsenal has been 3 L/M balls, 1 Hammer and a Rotogrip.

Roto Grip Cell
Legends Black Pearl
L/M Sure Strike  
L/M Buzz
Hammer Vibe

They seem to cover everything pretty well. Maybe I can stop buying new equipment for a few months.

Foppe

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2008, 02:57:32 AM »
quote:
My current arsenal has been 3 L/M balls, 1 Hammer and a Rotogrip.

Roto Grip Cell
Legends Black Pearl
L/M Sure Strike  
L/M Buzz
Hammer Vibe

They seem to cover everything pretty well. Maybe I can stop buying new equipment for a few months.


That sure looks nice

icewall

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2008, 05:56:34 PM »
seriously thats a really nice arsenal... im defiantly jealous!

Foppe

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2008, 05:58:31 AM »
Hello board,

yesterday I checked in with my proshop owner about my arsenal and he gave me his look on the arsenal.

To start off, he didn't think the CS would match up well to my game, because some guys at our lanes tested it, and overall it wasn't able to handle much more oil than the SS with same drill according to them.
Regarding my Hammer Bite: I gave it a good cleaning and adjusted thumb hole with tape (because I noticed my release with this ball wasn't clean) and it's reacting much more to OOB now, so I'll probably keep in in my arsenal for now.

Long story short, the ball that was adviced to me is the WC PP.
Is it true that this ball has a nice mid-lane read with a good arcing move, or is it more skid/flip?

For me, I don't care about the overall hook, the backend is most important to me. Allthough I need a ball that starts rolling earlier than the SS (which is perfect for me on med-light) I still want a nice move on the end.

For those with a lot off knowledge (like charlest etc) could you possibly suggest a drill?
I want some mid-lane read, with a nice move on the backend.
Condition I need it for is med-heavy fresh THS 38 ft.

Greetz.

Edited on 5/9/2008 8:24 AM

Pat Patterson

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2008, 10:38:33 AM »
If you're looking to expand your arsenal around the July timeframe, the new Dynamic Power and Black Pearl Reactive will be out then.  According to the guys at the Lane Masters booth here at Nationals in Albuquerque, they state that the Dynamic Power will be much earlier than the Terminator. It is being touted as Lane Masters "Lowest RG ball to date" and will most likely be the ball that sends the Terminator to the retired list(not necessarily a bad thing, just going to make them harder to find).

If you are looking at just the numbers and are  trying to compare a Black Pearl to a World Class Particle Pearl, they look the same on paper but are two entirely different balls.  The Black Pearl is definitelty in the skip/snap category and the WCPP is "alot" smoother and really doesn't jump off the dry as aggressively as the Black Pearl.  Then again, it all depends on all the variables(i.e. lane surface, oiling pattern, bowlers release, speed, rotaion, etc.....).

Also, after recent reviews of the Terminator Rebellion(this site as well as BTM), this ball would make an excellent 'benchmark" ball and would fit nicely between an "Oiler"(Terminator or Dynamic Power) and your current Sure Strike(my current favorite L/LM ball right now).

If you are still undecided by then, you could always call Galen Gentry at Lane Masters and solicite his advice on equipment choice.

Hope this helps,

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Pat Patterson
Pat Patterson

Foppe

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2008, 10:51:15 AM »
Hey,

my proshop (I live in Belgium so we don't have acces to all material) doesn't sell the TR (yet), and the WC PP comes for a nice price.
We also don't have the BP,Terminator and some other around here :S

So it's between the XS and the WC PP now I guess

(LM/L stuff our shop sells: SS,CS,Big Bang,Big R Bang, WC, WCR, WC PP, Buzz, Sting,XS Power)

Greetz.

Edited on 5/9/2008 6:08 PM

chatnboy

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Re: Arsenal check
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2008, 10:33:23 PM »
i subbed for a team of old timers.....(the team name,"old timers")and one of those guys was throwing the xs power.now of course being old he didnt have alot of revs and hand....but he threw the hell out of that ball.it rolled so smooth and had a nice move to the pocket it made me consider getting that ball.if that old timer only had some revs and speed....hmmmm?????but it really is a great ball....the xs power!!!
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