BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: thegame on December 14, 2003, 10:45:53 AM

Title: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: thegame on December 14, 2003, 10:45:53 AM: At the risk of this topic turning into an argument as to why some companies are better than others (which I am not intending here), I'm just curious what your reasons are for picking that company, or companies you use, be it price, customer service, past success, marketing or what. Right now I'm using Brunswick, Storm, and Hammer. Brunswick because of past successes with their products with 300's, tournament championships, and my only 800, Storm because of how well their balls hit for me, and how dedicated they are to helping their customers, and Hammer for their willingness to give their customers a shot at their equipment before purchasing it with Demo Days (as Ebonite also does).
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: The great one on December 15, 2003, 02:31:17 AM: Track- Great customer service, great people in the office and they listen to their customers (dry heat)
Great balls to have a complete arsonal, No gaps. The morphus core is the greatest core in bowling. All honor I own have been bowled with track balls. And my own personal reason, track is the only company i can say that never made a ball that just plain sucked for me.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: goldfish_iota on December 15, 2003, 06:02:51 AM: back in the urethane days, i was a big ebonite and faball fan. I loved the hammer and had a really nice gyro.

when the reactive resins came out, i switched to zones, and thus brunswick.

now that i have been doing alot of research, i am looking at core designs now, and am really getting into MoRich and Visionary.

its not that i think that other companies are bad, its just what my educated guesses and interrestes at the time lead me to..

Phillip

--------------------
---------------------------------------------
Hey.. dont pick on me.. i'm the new guy..

goldfish_iota@yahoo.com
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: jensm on December 15, 2003, 07:41:16 AM: I'm not sure that I choose ball by company. I followed the advice of the pro-shop for a few years and that lead me to products from Brunswick, Columbia, Track and Ebonite. NowÃ¡days I base my buying decisions on more information than I get from the pro-shop. The latest ball I got was a Thing from Dyno-Thane. I picked that one because I thought it would suit me on certain conditions and because I was curious about the Soaker coverstock. I have no idea from what company my next ball will come from.

--------------------
Regards,

jensm
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Jeffrevs on December 15, 2003, 08:27:31 AM: this topic is very interesting for me right now. I went into this season 100% Roto Grip. Their stuff fits my game great, and have great customer service!! Thanks Roger !

However,...I've not bowled with a lot of equipment since my return in late 2001 therefore, I thought I 'may' be limiting myself to what is out there by JUST going w/ Roto. Caveat: I love Roto Grip stuff, ...still do

So, I have since picked up a MoRich Hercules which I like very much, and 2 Lane 1 pieces, Silver Diamond and a Pro Purple (verdict NOT out at this time).

I don't want to limit myself so I think trying new stuff is good, you never know what you might find. Especially if you can do it inexpensively by trading.

Have I picked a company....I'll have to say yes right now w/ RG, however, I am testing the waters so to speak
--------------------
JEFF
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: brimar on December 15, 2003, 08:45:03 AM: Yes jeff very interesting topic and id like to further on your opinion.

I throw brunswick and storm. Mostly storm

Now ive found that certain equipment matches up better at certain houses. My house i bowl at on tuesdays has always scored better with brunswick (old rhinos and zones) but on thursdays when i bowl on synthetics my storm equipment seems to be the better carrying stuff to throw.

Plus i guess its what your comfortable with, i dont think theres a wrong choice.
I have had no luck with columbia's stuff for a while now but thats just me.
--------------------
Thanks for reading my post.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: jimensminger on December 15, 2003, 09:22:21 AM: I've gone to Dyno-Thane. Each and every one of their balls seems to be built with a purpose in mind. They don't flood the market with balls. I can look at the balls that I have drilled, and change balls for a reason, and get the reaction that I want. They also build what I have found to be the best and most comfortable shoe on the market in the ABS line. Customer service is tops, and they are just a phone call away, (or e-mail) if I need help or advice. They are knowledgable and professional in every way. jimensminger
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: The Hose on December 15, 2003, 09:39:37 AM: I think JimE is sucking up to Yinger> LOL

Jim, whatever you are doing has seemed to work well for you. You're reputation around the Southwest is unbelieveable. Did you win again this week? Jerry said you were up there pretty high.
--------------------
CLIQUE MEMBER
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: The Hose on December 15, 2003, 09:44:06 AM: After a couple of good years with Ebonite, I made a switch to Hammer. Every ball has worked wonders for me. I have raised my average 10 pin in my home house do to matching up and being able to carry. I can use the Sling Blade, Blade reactive or the Blade reactive Pearl just about everywhere I go and have a good look.

--------------------
CLIQUE MEMBER
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: sheppy335 on December 15, 2003, 09:49:47 AM: I go with Ebonite, for price, and the way things fall in to my arsenal with there lines. I also have been with them since i was 17 and i am now 31. I have tried other balls though. doesn't mean that it is the Equipment for another person. I am the same way with my golf clubs, Taylor Made all the way.
--------------------
Oil is served Best with fingers!
Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Rock77 on December 15, 2003, 11:25:30 AM: I was 100% Track for a couple of years and then began wondering if I was limiting myself and not seeing all of the other great equipment that was out there. I began using Track because their stuff worked best for me. Then I decided to revamp and try new stuff and have since been using a V2 Particle, which is becoming my favorite ball, a Turbo Diesel and a Viscious Particle. The Hammer equipment hits and carries better than anything I have thrown to date, and the Ebonite is so aggressive and yet so smooth.

I strayed away from Storm and am unsure if I will ever try their stuff again. I used an Eraser and a Too Hot and both balls were junk to me. Aside from all that, I am curious to try the new Brunswick stuff and some Dynothane stuff.
--------------------
For a good time call
1-900-TEN-PINS

"DOH"
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Gravy on December 15, 2003, 11:40:46 AM: I have had success with many brands of balls. I try to match up the ball to the condition I"m bowling on. So I figure out the characteristics of the shot and match it up with the characteristics of the ball that I think will work. All ball companies have strengths and weakness's.

It took a couple of years to kinda figure the different reactions I get from different RG types and layouts. For me I look at RG figures first, then the coverstock(must be adjustable),and then the type of layout I'm going to use.

So I don't really have a favorite ball company. I just stick to well established ball companies.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: LuvThatWhiteDot on December 15, 2003, 11:51:17 AM: I threw Columbia when I first started bowling. My first reactive was a Beast.

I had the original Danger Zone, and after that ball died I switched to Ebonite (Grey Wolf).

I changed ball drillers and the new guy thought Storm equipment would be a good fit, so I'm now a mostly Storm girl (except for that White Dot)
--------------------
White Dot
Queen of the Stone 8 Pin
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: SrKegler on December 15, 2003, 02:04:32 PM: In my case I can stink up the lanes with every brand out there. Since there isnâ€™t any magic ball I settled on Lane 1 for 2 main reasons.

If I have a question for Lane 1, I will usually get an answer the next working day. Iâ€™ve also been able to contact the smaller companies (Lane 1 & Visionary) and have always gotten balls, shirts, towels, etc to help promote tournaments.

I just canâ€™t seem to get the same level of service from the larger companies.

Now to be honest, I no longer try and contact the large companies for freebies, perhaps they were just too busy the first few times I tried.

2d reason is by using mainly just Lane 1, I donâ€™t have any problem finding my ball on the ball return.

--------------------
~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: CPA on December 15, 2003, 04:44:51 PM: I use primarily Storm equipment now. I have used other equipment in the past including Columbia, Hammer, Morich and lots of Brunswick. The Teal Rhino Pro was one of my favorites. Storm equipment is working well for me right now. For me and my style, their reactive cover stocks work great. Up to this point, I have not liked their particle coverstocks. However I just drilled a Fear Factor and so far I like this ball a lot.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: janderson on December 15, 2003, 04:52:19 PM: This may be overly simplistic, but I choose which equipment to use (or not use) by trying it out. Opinions of the ball companies are best left out of the decision making process when trying to find a ball that does what you want it to do.

Even having said that, I'm human just like (most of) the rest of us and have formed general "feelings" about different ball companies. However, I can't stress enough that the any feeling I may or may not have about a ball company stems completely from the performance of the balls I've tried from that company.

"Ball Days", "Demo Days", etc. are wonderful. I wish ball companies would do them more often. I wish they would take Sawbones' example from another post: at the ball days, make all the balls black with no labels so you are forced to choose the ball based on performance only.
--------------------
(c) Copied Right! 2003 Knarly Stuff Inc.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: RSalas on December 15, 2003, 04:54:47 PM: Brunswick. I have a good friend on the inside. That, and I strike with Big B.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: mumzie on December 15, 2003, 05:25:53 PM: Well, I can tell you why I don't use some equipment.
Some of the companies (MoRich, Lane #1, Visionary, AMF) did not pay to register with the PWBA the last couple of years. I don't want to get into why they made that decision - but - I do know that I've not bought equipment from them because of that. I'd hate to fall in love with a ball only to risk disqualification if I forgot and pulled it out in a regional or national event.

I don't use Hammer or Ebonite. Although I've looked at some of their offerings with interest, when I'm looking there's always something I like more that comes around.

I have primarily Brunswick equipment. But out of that stuff are two really old balls, and several that I happened on at an unbeatable price.

In the main bag, I have a columbia reaction rev, a storm X-Factor Deuce, and a Brunswick Inferno. So I can't say I'm die hard with any one company.

However, in several tournaments the last year, I've heard myself say that I can get into trouble with any manufacturer's equipment, but if I need to get out of trouble, I can always rely on Brunswick.

So, if I had my choice of staff to be on (yeah, right), I'd probably go Brunswick.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Porkchop on December 15, 2003, 05:49:49 PM: For a long time, I used Brunswick. Then the original Code Red came out from Track. Ever since that ball, I've thrown nothing but Track stuff. I love the way their balls hit and carry. Their customer service is great too.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: RandyO on December 15, 2003, 10:20:26 PM: Iâ€™m a recent Brunswick convert. I was a hammer head until I quit bowling back in â€™94. All urethane â€˜cept the Navy Blue Reactive. When I started bowling again in 98, I tried a few balls from various companies, then settled with Columbia. The Arc, Game, Wow, Wickeds, Spirit, Rip, Pearl Boss, Icon, Icon2 & Icon300, Throttle, Spirit II, various Beasts and Scouts, and lots of other stuff passed through my hands. I also threw a few Tracks, Faball, Hammonite, and a couple of Storm balls. After winning an Inferno, I was intrigued, and tried a few others from the Big-B line, and now Iâ€™m hooked. Two things impress me â€“ nothing has cracked â€“ and I can believe the rating system. I had too many surprises from Columbia. Nothing worse than drilling up a ball and discovering that itâ€™s not doing what the numbers led you to believe it would do. So far, everything Iâ€™ve drilled (with the exception of the Blazing Inferno) has done exactly what I expected it to do. Their products have a proven track record for durability. Although I love to buy and test bowling balls, Iâ€™m going to stick with the Big-B line for a while. Iâ€™ll let BTM test all the others.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Smash49 on December 15, 2003, 11:42:32 PM: No brand loyalty in bowling balls here. Whatever will do the job. I like the idea of well thought offerings. Columbia did it for awhile with the Scout/Wild/Wickeds and Storm did something similar but neither company really fit my game. I'm in the process of adding something but not really settled on what yet. I cracked my Vicious! I score well with Track stuff just something feels weird about them. Seems like companies come out with new balls and go there it is , doesn't actually have a purpose but someone will buy it because its new.

Smash49
--------------------
Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: The Finest Quality Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on December 15, 2003, 11:48:25 PM: Currently I primarily use Track, for several reasons. GREAT, unmatched (in my experiences) customer service, and inquiries. New technology in the equipment starting with the Freak, and continued on through the Phenom Unleashed. Their mid price stuff is awesome, and out performs many of the other companies highend equipment.

I also like some of the smaller companies, like dynothane, and roto grip. They seem to back their equipment better, and can off some very good input on the ballreviews site.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: Brickguy221 on December 16, 2003, 12:23:43 AM: I use mostly Lane 1. I also like the V2 line from Ebonite. I have used Brunswick in the past with good results. Especially the Quantums. Also some of the older Hammers worked well for me. I had good success with the old Track Triton Elite, but other than that, I've only has marginal success with their equipment. I do not like Columbia and Storm as theie balls have never worked well for me.
--------------------
In the old days, they used axes to chop up wood...Nowadays, they use "BUZZSAWS".
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: A_P_K on December 16, 2003, 07:21:41 AM: I started with the bigger companies, but then opted for the little ones.

Companies like AZO, Lane 1, Visionary, and even Morich put their hearts and souls into their designs and it shows at least for me on the lanes. These guys have something to prove to the industry and this is why I stick with them.

--------------------
Would you give everything up, just to do it all over again?

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
Title: Re: Why have you chosen your company (ies)
Post by: WSUstroker on December 16, 2003, 07:27:20 AM: I really have no brand loyalty when it comes to buying balls. of the balls i currently use, no 2 are from the same company. amf, ebonite, storm, track, brunswick, and columbia. i like trying new things to see if they work well for me and so far i think track is closest to being the ball for me.