I have two Paradigms. One has a standard length pin (around 3") and is one of Jeff Carter's old tour balls. The other has an 11.5-inch pin and was a "pro-pin" ball of eBay.
On Jeff's ball, the pin is over the bridge, CG is kicked out right of ring and the MB is in the thumb-positive quadrant about where most MBs end up. Small weight hole down the VAL in thumb-positive quadrant. Ball rolls/hits like Paradigms should (i.e., strong and angular, typical Storm asymmetric).
On the 11.5-inch ball, pin is over the ring, and MB is in the thumb positive quadrant where most MBs end up. Crater-sized weight hole down and just inside the VAL, pretty much a Mo Pinel dual-thumb drilling. The CG is all the way on the bottom side of the ball. Ball rolls very early and in the midlane and has very little backend. Because of its rolling nature, it pretty much disregards most patterns. I use this ball on PBA Shark when playing off the corner, and can use it on super-dry lanes and late in blocks. It is very, very versatile.
The interesting part is that both balls are at the same surface prep (1000 Abralon plus Storm Reacta Shine). The only variables, therefore, are (1) about a half-inch difference in where the pin is located relative to my PAP (4.25 on Jeff's ball, 3.75 on the pro-pin ball), (2) the CG placement, (3) ending statics (Jeff's ball is easily legal, the pro-pin ball is right on the margin for top/bottom/side), (4) size of the weight hole.
Yet these balls roll completely differently. There are no similarities between the two and the only way you can tell they're both Paradigms are the graphics and colors.
This is where I think we have evidence that all the things that don't "maddah" do "maddah" if they're way different from normal.
Otherwise, the prime determiner here would be the size of the weight hole, since pin-to-PAP distance is within a half-inch and MB-to-PAP distance and placement is virtually identical. And while I would expect to see a difference when talking about weight hole size, the amount of difference (basically one ball hooking all at the back, while another one hooks all at the front) is greater than what difference a weight hole can usually make.
The most unique thing about the pro-pin ball is the distance observed between the oil rings. The pro-pin ball flares about 5-6 inches and the rings are widely spaced. Jeff's ball flares about 4 inches and the rings are tightly grouped. What appears to be happening (backed up by visually watching the inserts move, and by watching the roll shape) is the pro-pin ball is moving to its stable axis as quickly as it can once it leaves my hand. Instead of a skid/snap ball, I basically have a snap-then-skid (or extreme hook/set) ball.
It's great to have in the bag at tournaments, because when the lanes get out of bounds for everyone else I just pull that ball out and more often than not can still craft a look for myself.
Jess
