OK what with all the flame wars going on about changing the surfaces of bowling balls, I'm going to say something that for all the world makes a lot of sense TO ME.
First, let's say that I buy a bowling ball! It has a certain box condition, certain coverstock, certain specs, OK all fine and good. Now I throw said bowling ball. I discover that that it rolls early, middle, late, etc. and has said amount of backend, and it's good for so-and-so lane condition.
Now say that I want a ball that "rolls earlier than ball X" or "needs to skid/snap a little more than ball X."
Well, seems to me that if I LIKE BALL X and ball X is good for this said range of lane conditions, what's stopping me from keeping ball X and get another Ball X(2) and ADJUST IT'S SURFACE ACCORDING TO WHAT I WANT IT TO DO COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL BALL X?
Or, if I don't like what it does and want to get it to roll longer, what's wrong with just changing the surface on it to (try to) get it to do what I want it to do?
It seems like this would be a fairly cost-effective way to complete an arsenal. For example, I have a box-finished Piranha and like it. What's wrong with getting another one and shining it and drilling it differently to get it to roll longer or snap harder or etc. compared to the original piranha?
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Just once I'd like to show up at a place with the lanes FLOODED 45 feet down and flat. That way I can watch these crankers struggle to find the pocket and leave splits while I come straight off the corner and do nothing but make 4 pins and 10 pins all night.