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Author Topic: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?  (Read 1578 times)

charlest

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Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« on: June 21, 2003, 12:50:17 AM »
Theoretically speaking, these two balls seem like they would be very similar in overall reaction and in oil handling ability. (Yes, I know the Thing has the soaker coverstock.) I was thinking of the "old" Wicked, the Oyster/Blue one, not the Wicked B/R/T. What is your opinion?

Practically speaking, if you own both balls and drilled them similarly, I would love to hear your opinion. (If you have the Thing and the new Wicked, the B/R/T; let me know how they compare, also.)

Thanks.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 

Phillip Marlowe

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Re: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2003, 05:56:03 PM »
Peri, both are very good balls.  However, the Thing should be drilled 4x4 or 4.5x4.5.  It should not be drilled to roll early -- it will bleed off energy on the way to the pins.  The Wicked is a more pure skid-flip ball, it is substantially longer than the Thing and very strong through the backend.  I

In my humble opinion, the Thing is a better ball for the player with medium to higher revs and low medium to higher speed, while the Wicked better suits lower rev to speed ratio players, so long as they are not higher speed players, because the Wicked will simply go too long.

The Thing, for me, is also a stronger ball, but it would not be so for a lower speed, lower rev player who needs extra skid to get the ball through the heads and midlanes.

Yours, Term
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charlest

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Re: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2003, 06:54:31 PM »
Thanks, Peri and Term.
I intend on drilling mine (Thing) up next Tuesday and trying it sometime during the week; will report on anything interesting.

FYI My VooDoo which has the same coverstock as the Wicked (according to undergorund sources) is drilled 4.5"x3" and is still flippy as all get-out. ALso as powerful a hitting ball as I have ever owned. Unfortunately, it is not useful on many of the conditions I face - too much hook.

Edited on 6/21/2003 6:59 PM
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

charlest

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Re: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2003, 07:25:05 AM »
Peri,

I am only a medium rev player.
Where's your PAP and how'd you drill your Thing, so I don't make the same mistake. Thanks.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2003, 03:31:53 PM »
Peri, I think the problem of buying balls that do not fit your game is responsibility of the pro shop bowlers go to. If a pro shop is allowing you have balls drilled that are not the kind of ball that will work with your game then maybe you should question them more when you are interested in a ball.

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Carl Hurd

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charlest

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Re: Wicked (old) vs Thing Question?
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2003, 09:52:56 PM »
quote:
charlest...you're talking to the Mortimer Snerd of the ball drilling world!  I haven't a clue as to specific drill specs.  All I can see is that the "pin" (yellow dot) is just below the bridge on my Thing.  I've toyed with the surface, but it is a million miles away from the response of my Wicked and my Voodoo.


My apologies, Peri. No offense was intended.

quote:

While I'm on this point, can someone please clarify what "4x4", etc., means?  Is there a visualization such as where the pin would be in relation to pap, etc.?  I'll be happy to forward this info to my ball driller, just in case he's not up on the subject.  


That expressions usually represents the distance in inches thet the pin and the CG is from the bowler's general PAP. SO 4"x4" is the pin is 4" from the Positive Axis Point, and the CG is also 4" from the PAP. The distance between the ball's pin and the CG is not mentioned in this reference, but is also of some importance.

quote:

Not through yet......How about manufacturers or "somebody" recommending specific balls for specific styles.  Apparently I've wasted a lot of money on a lot of bowling balls which were not suited to my particular style.  Thanks a ton!
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I do agree with Excaliber; the Pro shop should add its two cents in on any decision to buy a new ball. And, on the other side of the coin, the bowler should always ask if the desired ball AND drilling will work for them on the codntiion for which they want to play and their delivery & release.

Peri,

The large majority of balls made today are versatile enough that between drillings and surface adjustments, most of them can be made to work for most bowlers onmost conditions. That's not to say that every ball can be made to work on every condition. I mean that many of the medium t medium strong balls can be be made strong enough or weak enough to work for most styles on some condition that they will face.

I think most pro shops or drillers, if asked, can recommend a good ball and a good drilling if the bowler tells them "this is the condition, I have these two balls that almost work but don't work because of this."

Again, I just met a new driller the other day and he was telling me his main problem is customers telling him - I want ball "X". He tells them - you probably need ball "Y". They insist on ball "X" and when it doesn't work as they wanted, they tell him that he drilled it wrong.  

Cooperation, compromise and trust are needed, like in any relationship!

Edited on 6/22/2003 9:57 PM
"None are so blind as those who will not see."