My specs for what I know about my game are in my profile as well as what I currently have at my disposal. I have plans to start my tournament season and I know that I need something that will be more of a controlled arc light oil ball to be used on light oil conditions. The houses that I bowl tournaments at (especially in Vermont) tend to put out a very light coating of head oil that usually breaks down by the middle of game two in your first set, and you will be lucky if they decide to re-oil the lanes after two squads. Most of the houses are Brunswick wood lanes, I don't think they use Guardian overlays. The ball that I planned on purchasing (Sonic X Solid) won't be available from the distributor my pro shop deals with in time for the tournament. Here are some other suggestions posed by my pro shop guys:

Sonic Boom
Barrage
Ice
Flipside Panic
Monster SlayR

I'm leaning towards either the Sonic Boom or the Barrage based on what I've seen of the specs (RG's are very close to the Sonic X Solid on both, diff. is a tad bit higher for each with the Sonic Boom being .029 compared to the Barrage's .033). Which do you think would be the best choice as I would like to get something over the weekend and be able to try it out before I start my tournament season on the 19th?

Matt

MSC2471 -- If you've got your heart set on the Sonic X Solid, ask your driller to check with other supply houses or internet dealers (Buddies Pro Shop).  You may have to work with him a little on price.  The balls you've mentioned are good, but another possibility is the Visionary Slate Blue Gargoyle.  --  JohnP

Love my Barrage, V2 Dry, or Big Hit for either very light, even burnt, conditions or for playing in the dirt down-and-in on medium conditions.  I have a stringer 2pc low-flare pearl (the same ball as the Ice) with a neutered drilling and it is more of a medium-light than a true light condition ball.  I would also caution against the Track Dry Heat for truly light conditions, the ball is stronger than one would think.

For real toast, the Sonic-X solid will likely be too much ball.  I've got one of those as well and have had success on light through medium, but not toast.  It is easily 5 boards stronger overall than the v2 Dry, Barrage, and Big Hit.  When struggling on toast, consider a urethane with a modern core like the slate-blue gargoyle or even plastic with a modern core like the lane #1 XXXL.


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Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")

Matt
My .02:  I've had good success with Lane 1 XXL on dry lanes.

Just as an update:

Matt already owns a Barbed Wire and was looking for something "different."  After further discussions between Matt and John (our shops owner) they went with a Dynothane Barrage.  I think Matt will be happy with this ball for what he intends to use it on.
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-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA

Thanks for all the suggestions. As Goof1073 stated, I have decided to go with the Barrage for a light oil ball. I should be picking it up Saturday morning and hope to get a game or two in and let you guys know how it works...

Matt