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Author Topic: Mini Review: The Black Pearl  (Read 4697 times)

C-G ProShop-Carl

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Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« on: February 26, 2007, 04:11:48 AM »
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
Carl Hurd

Austintown Ohio (Wedgewood Lanes)

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WSUstroker

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2007, 12:36:50 PM »
Carl, glad to see you venture over the L/LM stuff.  While I have only thrown one, the World Class Particle, it certainly won't be my last.  The BP seems like a great ball, many people on here like it.  I considered picking that ball up but I think it may be too much ball for the slot I want it in.  Thanks for the review!
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Dan Chambers
www.absolutebowling.com

Laybzz74

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2007, 02:27:23 PM »
GREAT review, Carl !!! YUP ... it's a keeper !!!
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kdameyer

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2007, 02:38:53 PM »
I agree, great review!!!  Please post it in the Review section also.

mrbowlingnut

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2007, 02:39:44 PM »
Welcome to the dark side these guys or Morich is where you belong, Track will never be the same again.

But if Phil happens to go into the ball business it might be worthy of you switching. The legends/Lane Master balls are far better overall balls imo, you need to get a World Class particle and reactive next to get a better idea of there quality made products.

C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2007, 02:43:08 PM »
quote:
Welcome to the dark side these guys or Morich is where you belong, Track will never be the same again.

But if Phil happens to go into the ball business it might be worthy of you switching. The legends/Lane Master balls are far better overall balls imo, you need to get a World Class particle and reactive next to get a better idea of there quality made products.





Thank you. I am very happy with the Black Pearl and will definately look into others. The Black Pearl is exceptional.....and 2 weeks ago I would never have thought of trying it. Sometimes things work out well
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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio


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Carl Hurd

Austintown Ohio (Wedgewood Lanes)

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splendorlex

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2007, 02:43:36 PM »
Nice review, Carl.  I can't wait to get mine.  (Have a used one on the way.)
--------------------
Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

robospare

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2007, 02:48:30 PM »
The Black Pearl is a straight up "Beast".
Revs quick but does not bleed any of the energy you give it.

Can't wait to attack real broken down conditions with the "Hornet".

splendorlex

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2007, 03:04:17 PM »
So would you call the backend of the BP controllable rather than touchy or flippy?
--------------------
Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

mrbowlingnut

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2007, 03:11:27 PM »
Yes controlled for me also, one of there better releases imo the only release i did not like my driller just shot 807 with the big-r-bang. Some balls just do not match some games that was the case for me the big-r-bang.



quote:
So would you call the backend of the BP controllable rather than touchy or flippy?
--------------------
Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2007, 03:11:36 PM »
I wouldn't call it touchy or flippy........as far as backend goes it is strong. Remember...the layout that I used is more of an arcy/control type layout and it still gives me good backend. It is not overwhelming backend. With the proper layout I could see it having alot more than I am seeing out of it.

With this type of ball I think the layout is going to give you what the layout should give you. There are no guessing games. If you put a length and flip type layout on it I think it is going to give you a very good amount of flip.....but not as much as the BUZZ.

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


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Carl Hurd

Austintown Ohio (Wedgewood Lanes)

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chitown

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2007, 03:22:40 PM »
Carl, another great review.  I have seen the BP in action and I was impressed.   This ball does hit really well.
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splendorlex

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2007, 03:22:59 PM »
I'm probably just going to move the thumb of the one I have on the way, I think I can get a pic of the present layout.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o221/dstanek57/bp1.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o221/dstanek57/bp3.jpg

I'll be moving the thumb roughly back to it's original location.  Looks like it may be a flippier layout, but I can live with that.    I do want something that can save a bit more energy when I play from inside.  (Which, for people other than me, really isn't "inside" We're talking like 15-7 here)
--------------------
Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

Edited on 2/26/2007 4:21 PM

Brickguy221

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2007, 09:17:32 PM »
Carl, when you told me you were getting a Black Pearl, I told you that you would like it. I have the World Class Particle and World Class Reactive and both hit carry great as well as predictable. From my experience of the two Legends balls I have plus what others write about L/LM balls all of the time, I think it is hard to find one that you won't like unless it would be entirely the wrong ball for the condition.

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Brick
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C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: Mini Review: The Black Pearl
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2007, 10:37:12 PM »
Brickguy....you were right man. I am very happy with this ball. I may be inline to get a BUZZ very soon.
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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio


Tag Team Member #1

TAG TEAM COACHING!!!!!!/Co-Founder
Carl Hurd

Austintown Ohio (Wedgewood Lanes)

900 Global, AMF Staff Bowler

Tag Team Member #1

<b><i>TAG TEAM COACHING!!!!!!</i></b>/