Author Topic: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype.... (Read 1870 times)

Nodsleinad · « **on:** April 08, 2009, 12:26:47 AM »

I have bought more balls than I care to know so I come from experience here. I usually buy Hammer / Storm / Roto. Yet like me i wonder if you find it difficult to give certain companies a shot and only stay with the HOT balls/Companies? Right now Storm/Roto is VERY popular and everyone tosses one at least (I have 3). Yet there are some other companies producing some good stuff. I have tossed Columbia this year (Momemtum/Resurgence) and recently i gave Global 900 a shot.

I must say the bounty is a nice ball as well as the break point, but i know it will take a really strong effort to get me to toss Visionary, AMF, Banger, Elite etc etc etc.

Like i stated I have had success with certain companies but just about all these balls will hit and carry if they are drilled / tossed correct. Am i all alone or who will you not toss not matter what.

My list from those listed on Ballreviews.com:
900 Global, I currently have 2
AMF- 0 now, have had several but not current last 5 years
AZO - Never
Banger - Forget it
Circle - Still in business?
Columbia - 2 this year, both gone now + have had several (2-800s with Texas Columbia balls)
Dyno - Never
Ebonite - Currently 0, have used many.
Faball - Out of Biz.
Hammer - 3 now and have had several others ( Blue Vibe is money).
Insite - 0 & Never
Kinetic - 0 & Never will
Lane 1 - A few but to EXPENSIVE, not worth the additional $$
MoRich - Tried them (Uck)
Motiv- Maybe?
Neo- Never
Nu-line- Original Ex Caliber only.
Revo - Never.
Roto - Cell & Prl Cell
Storm - (3 now) drilled prob 10+
Track - Uprising this year
Visionary - Never

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LTBOCSFM

Edited on 4/9/2009 7:19 AM

LordWalrus · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:49:07 AM »

I like trying different stuff so I don't think there's any company whose product I'd never try. My interest level changes, though. Right now my interest in Motiv, 900 Global, Visionary, and Columbia is high while my interest in the bigger or more popular players (at least around here) Ebonite, Storm, Hammer, and Brunswick is low. I'm not saying that these brands are better or worse than another, just where my interest lies right now.

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\/\/

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2009, 09:47:59 AM »

I also try to be open, even though experience and some principles place some personal limits. When I go for a new ball I try to replace gaps in my arsenal or search for a certain ball reaction. Based on that I look at the market and shake the options down - and then try to figure out whether it is possible to get my hands on the item or not. I had, for example, to wait 16 months for a G-3 Gryphon because of problems at the amateur importers for Visionary stuff in Germany. Got my first one out of curiosity (like my 1st Morich), and the G-3 has become my 3rd Visionary ball, a really exotic brand in Germany. But these are good balls.

I also love to take chances or hunting down old NIB equipment on ebay for small money. This way ,a Revolution Renegade found ist way into my bag 2 years ago, a Fuze Igniter last year and recently a Storm EuroMania which is stashed away with no certain plan at the moment - it just was dirty cheap for this good ball

I'd like to try a Motiv ball, though.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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LaneHammer20 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:42:11 PM »

Well if you are dead-set on staying away from AMF, I feel sorry for you, because what they are coming out with is awesome, and they are basically 900 Global.
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What is sandbagging???

Jesse James · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:52:08 PM »

Ditto with what he said! if you're throwing 900 Global, you're throwing AMF!

Funny thing though, my main arsenal is Hammer/RotoGrip, similar to yours.

I throw in an AZO ball or two here or there, and an occasional AMF piece, but for the most part......if I throw any other company's stuff, it will all be older equipment that I first started using when I began bowling, years ago.

Any reason why you didn't list Brunswick?
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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.

another300 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:56:27 PM »

I'd love to throw all the latest and greatest from all the ball companies but I can't afford it. So I buy 1 or 2 balls a year from the ball company that I seem to have the most success with.

livespive · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:58:09 PM »

When I buy, I am using the numbers, and the core shape. Once I find a brand I stay with them until they can no longer fit my needs. When big B did away with the Rhino Pro's it took me a while to find something. I had found a few, but then I found Visionary, and I have been there since.

I don't buy a brand because they are "hot" or the "in" brand, I buy because they fit my style.

BTW color dosen't bother me either (Proud owner of the DC Tour lol

)
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
Visionary Test Staff Member, and originator of The Livespive Leverage 3:15Â° drill

http://www.visionarybowling.com
http://www.maysbowlingandbilliards.com
Ball Reviews FAQ
BR.com search hack: http://www.bowling-info.com/Search.html

JessN16 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2009, 01:04:06 PM »

As long as I have the money, I'll try anything once.

I tend to change companies in spurts. For about 5 years, I was primarily an AMF customer. Then for nearly 12 years, a Storm customer. For the last 2 years, a Lane #1 customer (and, by the way, I've never had the "costs too much" problem with them -- I drill for myself and can find them at the same price as others on eBay).

What I try to do, and always have done, is use my primary company as a baseline and then add other companies into the arsenal as a changeup. Lane #1 stuff (particularly from the Brunswick era) likes to roll. So maybe I take three Lane #1 balls with me and then two other balls, Storm for instance, to give me an angular look.

By the way, 900Global now pours Lane #1, so if you like 900G and can find a L1 ball cheap, you might give it a shot.

Jess

Steven · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2009, 01:35:03 PM »

quote:
When I buy, I am using the numbers, and the core shape. Once I find a brand I stay with them until they can no longer fit my needs.......I don't buy a brand because they are "hot" or the "in" brand, I buy because they fit my style.

livespive hit a home run with his assessment. The advantage to this approach is that it's much easier to assess how well a new ball in the line fits with what you already have.

However, it does make to sense to look at other brands when you're sure there is a hole that need to be filled. For instance, if your main brand is almost all symmetric cores, it's good to go to a different company to get a strong asymmetric. This approach provides flexibility while minimizing overlap.

livespive · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2009, 01:58:19 PM »

Had I thought like Don, I would have never tried Visionary, and would have never found the best ball next to the T2, The Charcoal Executioner

quote:
However, it does make to sense to look at other brands when you're sure there is a hole that need to be filled. For instance, if your main brand is almost all symmetric cores, it's good to go to a different company to get a strong asymmetric. This approach provides flexibility while minimizing overlap.

I guess this would depend on your style, as it takes a certain combo for me to get the right feel.

--------------------
Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
Visionary Test Staff Member, and originator of The Livespive Leverage 3:15Â° drill

http://www.visionarybowling.com
http://www.maysbowlingandbilliards.com
Ball Reviews FAQ
BR.com search hack: http://www.bowling-info.com/Search.html

bowlerdawg · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:14:21 PM »

i'm not trying to stir the pot, but everybody less big b and morich are making good balls these days, and i have used them all

old big b i was a junkie
never liked any of my ebonite stuff
columbia i like pre ebonite
old track i really liked
storm i like
lane 1 i like
g900 i like
solaris i like alot hope they stick around

would try motiv and visionary in a second

was always gun shy about amf, but now g900 is involved i have looked at both codes

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I'm your huckleberry

Nodsleinad · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:44:40 PM »

quote:
Ditto with what he said! if you're throwing 900 Global, you're throwing AMF!

Funny thing though, my main arsenal is Hammer/RotoGrip, similar to yours.

I throw in an AZO ball or two here or there, and an occasional AMF piece, but for the most part......if I throw any other company's stuff, it will all be older equipment that I first started using when I began bowling, years ago.

Any reason why you didn't list Brunswick?
--------------------
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.

I liked the Smokin' Inferno. The others just were to early for me no matter what i tried to do. Prob not bad stuff but I tend to stay off Brunswick and my pro shop guy used to work the booth at Nationals
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LTBOCSFM

Edited on 4/8/2009 2:47 PM

Nodsleinad · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:45:47 PM »

quote:
Well if you are dead-set on staying away from AMF, I feel sorry for you, because what they are coming out with is awesome, and they are basically 900 Global.
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What is sandbagging???

I currently have 0 current AMF, first 300 with Angle and Bull Whip i loved.

I may try a few because I do like the Global Stuff
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LTBOCSFM

Nodsleinad · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:48:51 PM »

Like the topic stated... it is hard to get beyond the hype but their are some good balls out there from i bet everyone......

I guess that why they call that advertising.

DJ
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LTBOCSFM

lenstanles703 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:02:48 PM »

I don't go for the hype. If I want to try a new brand for me I try to find a used ball first. Liked Ebonite Tiger when it was out,then I tried the X factor it was great ball too. Then they kept making more hook. A guy at my center was on Dynothane staff tried a red Vendetta (used) great ball more control, less hook. They were bought out and not made any more. Went to big B Nemesis and Rampage great balls. They moved to Mexico. Ok fell for the hype tried the Big One ball was a dud for me. Traded for a Lane 1 Uranium, once again I didn't like the reaction. Found a Green Gargoyle on the rack at my local center had It plugged and drilled for my hand it was a match for my game. Have been using Visionary ever since. S.S. Ogre is my go to ball now more control no hook of the month club hype. So just find a ball that matches your game and stick with it. If its really good buy more and put them in the closet.
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"We are all one"
Visionary test staff member

Author Topic: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype.... (Read 1870 times)

Nodsleinad

On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

LordWalrus

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

dizzyfugu

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

LaneHammer20

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

Jesse James

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

another300

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

livespive

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

JessN16

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

Steven

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

livespive

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

bowlerdawg

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

Nodsleinad

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

Nodsleinad

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

Nodsleinad

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....

lenstanles703

Re: On balls how tough is it to over look the hype....