Post by: LoganS on November 21, 2011, 12:14:54 PM
Post by: kidlost2000 on November 21, 2011, 08:33:43 PM
"1 of 1."
Post by: charlest on November 21, 2011, 08:44:57 PM
(They must be doing something right. No one seems to have a better bottomline.) "None are so blind as those who will not see."
Edited by charlest on 11/28/2011 at 11:05 PM
Post by: JustRico on November 21, 2011, 08:45:37 PM
coloring & marketing
The views and opinions expressed by myself are solely those of mine and NO one else, nor are they affiliated with anyone else.
Post by: loop_zero on November 21, 2011, 11:06:19 PM
Post by: completebowler on November 21, 2011, 11:26:20 PM
I think there is a decent probability that they share some technology but basically it is just putting more options out on the market. Just like Storm has Roto, Brunswick has DV8, Global has AMF.
There could be one brand from each manufacturer and it would be plenty. But, everybody likes options...and EBI currently gives you more options than anyone else. Each ball is designed with a purpose in mind. It is up to you to find a competent pro shop that can give you the insight on whichever ball you are interested in or they might recommend.
ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
Post by: kidlost2000 on November 22, 2011, 06:13:33 AM
Sorry, colors and marketing. They are four different companies with their own complete line ups that are now working to stop under cutting each other with new releases.
EBI bought Hammer, then Track and Columbia. Those brands lots their differences and now to most all appear to be very much alike.
"1 of 1."
Post by: jls on November 26, 2011, 12:32:26 PM
IMO. Ebonite and Columbia appeal more to average bowlers...White Dots, Maxim's, Scout's,
Cyclone's, Eruption's etc...
However the new Encounter is catching the eye of some Storm and Hammer users...Benchmark
also looks good...
The Ramson Demand, IMO did not live up to all the hype that a CERTAIN magazine gave them...
Hammer IMO appeals more to high end bowlers, much like Storm and Roto...
And IMO, Track has a very LOYAL following, much like Lane One...
Also the New Mission X from Ebonite seems to be a winner...
jls
Post by: Dave-bestbowlingproshops on November 26, 2011, 02:57:26 PM
LOYAL?! LIKE LANE 1?! .....no idea what you're talking about.
811A-SE BALL OF THE YEAR!!!! ;)
www.bestbowlingproshops.com
Track Staff
Turbo Staff
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 26, 2011, 03:27:25 PM
Seriously, did the Ransom Demand not perform well at all????
**********************************************************************
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."
Brick
Brick
Post by: tommyboy74 on November 26, 2011, 08:34:16 PM
I'd say that Ebonite tends to be your smooth arc reaction. Hammer has your hook monsters with wicked backend. Track is mostly skid/snap although they now have continuous arcing balls to compliment the line. They also have adjustable covers where you can polish them to be angular or keep them dull for "track-tion." That really offers versatility from the same ball.
As for Columbia, I'm not sure where they fit in the scheme of things now. Honestly, I'm not really impressed with that specific brand and it seems as if there is not a clear direction there.
As for Columbia, I'm not sure where they fit in the scheme of things now. Honestly, I'm not really impressed with that specific brand and it seems as if there is not a clear direction there.
Ebonite has come a long way in the past few years and all 4 companies are now using good core/combo combinations to produce unique products to their own brand. That is coming from a Storm/Roto guy. I've been very impressed with how my Ebonite Vital Energy has performed so far. Next step is that I have ordered a Track 919C since I have seen and heard great things about that ball. Depending how that goes, I would then look at adding additional stuff from their companies into my arsenal.
My arsenal
Heavy Oil: Storm Virtual Gravity Nano: 2000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Storm Anarchy: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB
Medium Oil: Roto Grip Nomad Dagger: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Storm Anarchy: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB
Medium Oil: Roto Grip Nomad Dagger: 1500 polished
Medium-Light Oil: Roto Grip Rising Star: 1500 polished
Post by: Russell on November 26, 2011, 10:55:16 PM
Little known fact: In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"
Post by: qstick777 on November 27, 2011, 08:02:12 PM
fixed
Post by: Russell on November 27, 2011, 08:50:30 PM
ROFL!!!
Little known fact: In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"
Post by: completebowler on November 27, 2011, 09:40:45 PM
Not if you know how to maintain them. Just takes a little effort.
Got a Magic Action in my bag for nearly 2 years non stop. Was just rejuvenated for the first time earlier this month to go along with a full resurface.
And all balls absorb oil and lose some reaction. The big variable is how well you take care of them.
ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 27, 2011, 10:26:18 PM
Fixed ....
**********************************************************************
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."
Brick
Brick
Post by: Good Times Good Times on November 28, 2011, 06:18:17 AM
How long did it bleed in the oven?
GetOffMe10Pin
"America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal - to discover and maintain liberty among men." - Woodrow WilsonPost by: jls on November 28, 2011, 11:33:24 AM
Hey learn how to read...It's a skill you know...
I said, IMO....
"Track has a loyal following"...Most Track Sales IN MY SHOP are repeat Track Customer's...
Just like most Lane One sales in my shop are repeat customer's...
Therefore I do know what I am talking about pertaining to MY SHOP...
Now
ARE WE CLEAR
jls
Post by: Strider on November 28, 2011, 02:13:34 PM
I still have my theory on Ebonite manufactured balls. They must be more inconsistent than other manufacturers when it comes to their curing process. You can have two of one ball, say a Black Widow. The first will hook out the building, slowly lose some hook over time, and rejuvenate as good as anything else does. The second will never be quite as strong as the first, lose hook quickly, and never come back to life no matter what you do to it. It's so random that it's hard to figure out. It's not like all Black Widows are bad, just certain ones - but which one will you get?
I have a Black Widow Bite that's as good today as the day I bought it. I've kept the surface fresh, but it's never had a full resurfacing or been de-oiled. It's probable that it's not 100% the ball I originally purchased, but it does exactly what I want, and I'm apprehensive to do anything extreme like putting it in a heated chamber for a period of time.
I have plenty of friends who have had either very good or very bad experiences with Ebonite. But even some of their lower end pearlized equipment became dead as a door nail at 60 games. You expect some degradation from the aggressive high end pieces, but not everything. Even though I really like the one piece I have, I'd be really nervous about purchasing another. I've just seen too many duds. If you could predict a good ball or good lot of balls from watching others, it might be different, but I don't like playing $200 Russian Roulette.
Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive
Post by: Jesse James on November 28, 2011, 02:19:48 PM
Hmmm. Interesting observations guys regarding EBI. In my neck of the woods, almost all the "oldtimers" love Columbia balls for their strong arcing tendencies, and relative controllability. I personally never considered Hammer as strong hooking....I just loved the fact that they give you that long and strong angularity, and movement on the backend. There are now many, many similar looking balls on the market with that same look now, however. And I agree with the assessment of Ebonite generally having the arcing movement on a wide variety of pieces. Track I believe has the most diversity, since I've seen all kinds of looks from a whole variety of different pieces that they've put out. Without a doubt, Track gives you the most versatility.
Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, but it still holds the universe together.
Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
Post by: Dave-bestbowlingproshops on November 28, 2011, 04:03:33 PM
lol ez jls. It was a joke pertaining to the lane #1 loyalty thing. Definitely not knocking you in any way sir. Sarcasm is hard to catch online sometimes.
www.bestbowlingproshops.com
Track Staff
Turbo Staff
Post by: Dave-bestbowlingproshops on November 28, 2011, 04:08:05 PM
ah I see the confusion jls. When I said "no idea what youre talking about." I meant
"I have no idea what youre talking about." again...sarcastically.
www.bestbowlingproshops.com
Track Staff
Turbo Staff
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 28, 2011, 04:19:58 PM
Strider, I can't disagree nor agree. All I can say si from my experience and taht is that I have 2 Gamebreakers....the original and the remake.... and both hook the same.
My original Gamebreaker of which I properly clean and take care of everytime I use it, has over 200 games and counting and it still hooks and performs as well today as it did NIB
**********************************************************************
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."
Brick
Brick
Post by: jls on November 28, 2011, 04:24:48 PM
I know...But Monster Pike always uses that line,,, And I always wanted to say that...lol
And I know what your talking about concerning lane One loyalty...
But seriously, I guess what I was trying to say is that, most Lane One sales are made to bowlers who
are using Lane One products... And they usually call and ask for a certain model...
And in my shop, the same thing does apply to Track... Most of the time the customer calls and asks if
we have a certain model....
Now as far as "sarcasm" goes.... The misc. non bowling site is famous for that...
Take care...and I hope you have a great sales in your shop this Holiday Season...
jls
Post by: completebowler on November 29, 2011, 04:41:27 AM
Ya know the funny thing is I had to have 150 games on that ball before "baking" it and it really didnt bleed much at all. I was very surprised. I didn't feel ike it really lost any life just felt like it was due. You could see a little track and I always rejuvenate before resurfacing my own stuff. Only got about 2 boards extra reaction the first night back out so it truly was just a maintenance thing and not "bringing it back to life".
One of my best balls ever. It has definitely replaced the Complete NV for which I created my user name. BTW that ball is still at the shop and hasn't really lost much reaction nor has my Total NV. I really haven't seen the "ball death" that people complain about with EBI. Couple Black Widow's, The One, and a Gamebreaker are the only ones I can recall seeing it at all. I have a BWP that has very low games that is still one of my strongest downlane balls ever.
ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI
Post by: jls on November 29, 2011, 10:40:54 AM
That's funny stuff there...
Now what were we talking about...
btw, last week I plugged and re drilled a Dynamo...It was once the ball of the year, you know...oops
jls
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 29, 2011, 11:04:15 AM
I used to have a Dynamo and ended up using it for a boat anchor as that seemed to be where it worked it's best... 
**********************************************************************
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."
Brick
Brick
Post by: jls on November 29, 2011, 11:08:46 AM
Brickguy, I have "no idea what you're talking about" Maybe Dave does...oops...
jls