Ball: Pin 4inches from PAP 3 inches above my midline, CG 3 inches from PAP on my midline. Balance hole 1/2 below my PAP 15/16 2 inches deep. I kept the OOB finish.

Lane conditions: various. It has been used on the house shot at my center, in a PBA Experience League (VIPER Pattern) and at the Ohio State Bowling Tournament this past weekend.

This was the first time I have thrown a LaneMasters/Legends ball. I wanted this ball to get a good early read so that when I played deeper on the lane it wouldn't overreact off of the fresh backends.

HOOK:
Heavy Oil: With the OOB finish I see it coming up just shy on the heavy stuff. With the proper surface prep I think it could hold its own when faced with a longer flat pattern.

Medium: FOR ME I can see the Black Pearl shining on mediums...to med/heavy. It transitions very well throughout the lane with no overreaction at the break. When traffic has started to take away from the midlane then you will have to put it away.

light: I do not see the Black Pearl being used by most bowlers on lighter oil. If the bowler is speed dominant...maybe.

TOTAL HOOK:
I place the Black Pearl in the med/heavy oil type ball. It is very useful on med/heavy patterns, and patterns that give you sufficient head oil to get it down the lane. Playing deeper lines I was pleasantly suprised at how much it would recover and get back to the hole.

CONTROL:
This is what I was looking for out of the Black Pearl, and it is what I have gotten. I have control through the pattern without overreaction unless it is leaked too far right too quickly. I see the lanes transition quicker than the people around me because of how "true" this ball rolls.

EXPECTED REACTION:
I got what I wanted. It reads an entire pattern very consistantly. This type of layout is one of my favorites because it does not make a ball to violent off of the dry(for me).

STRENGTHS:
Overall consistant reaction throughout the entire lane. It has a strong entry into the pocket and rarely leaves a pin standing. The Black Pearl has a very heavy roll to it, which I like. If you are bowling on a pattern that is medium oil or better don't be afraid to use this ball.

WEAKNESSES:
Due to the coverstock strength and the layout I chose to put on the ball there absolutely must be sufficient oil in the heads and midlane. If try to use it when the pattern is breaking down too much the Black Pearl will look bad......but if you are using it when the oil is going away that is your fault, not the ball's.

COMMENTS:
The Black Pearl is my first "dive" into LaneMasters/Legends equipment. If you have not thrown one....let the Black Pearl be your first. What can a bowler not like about strong roll....consistant performance....continuation from release all of the way through the pindeck. The BLACK PEARL is a tremendous ball, one of the most consistant and predictable I have seen or thrown in a very long time!

PS- don't let consistant and predictable fool you....this ball is strong and with the proper cover prep can hook with the best of them.

I would like to thank Galen at LaneMasters for a chance to try this ball...it will not be the last Lanemasters/Legends ball I throw.


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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio


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Edited on 2/26/2007 1:51 PM

Edited on 2/26/2007 2:32 PM