Author Topic: Another boring, pointless arsenal question that will most likely result in lousy replies (Read 2525 times)

HamPster · « **on:** October 25, 2003, 01:55:22 AM »

Ok. Through redrillings, balls wearing out, new balls, trades, everything, I have one, maybe two decent balls. What I'm carrying around right now are a Detonator, Time Zone, Blueberry C/2, Power Groove, and a Red Alert Spec.

I've actually found some strength in my hand, and have been able to really do wonders with my game in the last few days. I used to have trouble getting the ball down the lane with recovery, and now I have no trouble getting it down the lane, it's just that I'm not getting recovery from anything but the Detonator. My Time Zone slowly rolls out (it's half dead), my Blueberry is too smooth for the bland backends (the backends here are exactly the same as they were for the pros at Lunar Bowl in KC, the lanes themselves are the exact same as well), my Power Groove doesn't hook enough or get into enough of a roll, and my Red Alert Spec has too much of a hook-set reaction, leaves a lot of junk.

Now, the pattern is 23 feet, buffed to 37. For those of you that bowl on new synthetics and might not know distances, they oil to a little past the arrows, and buff it to just past the first pair of colored boards (15 and 25). Like I said, the backends are bland, they act like they have a few games worth of carrydown, and that's right after they're freshly stripped and oiled. It's not completely impossible to play down and in, it's just more trouble than it's worth. I can get plastic to roll before the arrows at 17 mph.

I have about 300-350 revs, and now my speed is around 18 mph. I'm having a little difficulty getting my angle of rotation past 55 degrees, but I've been working on it, and I'm making progress. I can now play anywhere between 1st and 6th arrow. I'm keeping my elbow a lot straighter, my wrist a lot more stable, and the most important thing is that I now have a release that's the cleanest I've ever had. I'm getting lift, everything's coming together.

Mike Haugen came to bowl a few games here between Omaha and KC, and I asked for his take on the lanes. He made mostly the same observations I had, but gave me a few different angles on how to play them. You move right, the ball hooks early, you move left, it doesn't quite come up and hits flat more often than not. As soon as I develop the ability to utilize his suggestions, I should be good to go.

Enough info? Anyway, I used to think these lanes were dry. They are still fairly dry, but I get get my Detonator to glide and snap, but it's the only one I can get to do that. I have no objections to using it all the time, it's just the only thing I have that works effectively.

My first choice is a Fear Factor, I KNOW I'm getting one of them, and I'm either drilling it 5x5, 5x4, or 4.5x4.5. All layouts will be with either the pin over the bridge, or pin over my ring. I'm probably going to go with the 5x4 with about 3/4th an ounce of positive weight so I can add a weight hole if I need one.

I prefer Storm, Brunswick, and Lane 1. I'm open to Dynothane, Roto-Grip, and Track. I will NOT throw Columbia, Hammer, or Ebonite (even though I've been impressed by the Throttle/R, the Vicious line, and the Shooters), so offer me some suggestions here! As I work in a pro shop, layout diagrams, surface prep sheets, and every shred of technical data for any ball out there are all at my disposal. What I'm basically wanting to find out from people who've thrown the balls is how they compare to what they're SUPPOSED to do. We all know that the Power Grooves are supposed to be light to medium balls. Yeah right. I've heard of particles that don't hook, and I've heard of resins that either overhook or underhook. The price limit is the sky, and I prefer higher performance balls, although I've had a few favorites in the Monster line and am looking at a Slay/R for drier lanes. I know that was long, but I prefer to call it INVOLVED and INFORMATIVE. Talk to me!
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

louie · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2003, 05:46:55 PM »

If the lanes are on the dry side how can a Detonater skid and snap? In my experience that ball stats early and arcs. If your on drier conditions why not try a strong skid snap pearl? The Thing returns, Inferno, Cherry Bomb or X-factor come to mind. If I misunderstand your lane condition please correct me, but it sounds like you need length with a strong backend.
--------------------

Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

HamPster · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2003, 06:40:54 PM »

Basically. It's weird though, a lot of things act the same here, unless they're drastically different balls with drastically different coverstock adjustments. I'd thought about getting another Cherry Bomb, I did like it when I could throw it right. It's been my experience that solids, polished or sanded, or polished particles work best here.
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

HamPster · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2003, 06:48:10 PM »

Another thing, unless the ball is strong, or you throw slow, pearl balls are really over under here. But yeah, it's amazing, my Detonator used to start up early and arc. Now it skids and DRIVES. I'm serious, I found out how to get that "pro" reaction where they can rip the cover off and it just glides and glides then snaps. Lol, now if I can just be consistent with it, THAT'S the problem so far. If we haven't said it enough by now, Rick Benoit is the MAN.
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

louie · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2003, 06:52:17 PM »

I don't know Hamster; it doesn't make sense to me. Seems to me you are saying the lanes are dry but then you describe lanes with head oil and weak backends. These are very different conditions. I'm confused. I guess I can't help you.
--------------------

Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

youthbowl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2003, 07:13:02 PM »

polish an inferno. drill for length. and POLISH!!! that should work. y won't u use columbia. my highest game and my 3rd and probaly 4 and maybe 5th highest games r with a scout/r black and red.
--------------------
today someone laughed at me when i said bowling isn't an extreme sport. u get ur @$$ down there with the pins!!!

Edited on 10/25/2003 7:22 PM

HamPster · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2003, 07:25:24 PM »

Lol, I don't understand either. The condition had Haugen scratching his head a couple times too. They're not OILY, because you can get a urethane ball to move early (also like I said, make a plastic ball hook before the arrows, but only if you're playing the ditch) and not DRY, because you can get a particle ball a fair distance down the lane. It depends on where you play, but it's easy to go through the breakpoint, and also easy to have it hook early. It's just a medium bland condition. Crankers and strokers do ok here, and it's not like hitting the pocket is hard. It's just that the angle and power required to carry is insane. It literally looks like the surface the pros bowled on last week. Mika beat the pocket to DEATH that last game and left 10 after 10. Was he throwing bad shots? Maybe they weren't perfect, but a board left and he'd have been leaving 4's. Lol, don't worry Louie, it IS retarded. I'm mostly looking at high end stuff up there with the Fear Factor. Phenom Unleashed, Black Cherry Bomb, stuff like that.
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

louie · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2003, 07:34:22 PM »

Hamster,
Have you considered using a ball with a leveraged pin below finger level and a polished resin shell? Maybe a Cranberry? Perhaps the early roll drilling and weaker shiny cover would give you a better angle for carry.
--------------------

Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

HamPster · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2003, 07:40:03 PM »

Nope, lol, won't work. Just rolls out. Must have length drillings. I suppose that's why Power Grooves work so well (for the crankers), high rg, high diff, strong cover. Arc drills either roll way too early or never. Keep them coming louie, sounds like you've got plenty suggestions!
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

louie · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2003, 08:04:59 PM »

All right Hamster this is my last shot.
MoRich Pioneer with the pin over fingers and the Mass Bias in the early roll position. This ball has a highish RG and a stong mass bias with a pearl resin shell. Great natural length with strong flip and hit. With the mass Bias om the VAL I bet it will glide through the heads without going through the breakpoint. I had when of these when I was a rev challenged tweener and the ball just destoyed the pins if I was bowling well.
Best wishes and good luck in your eternal search for the perfect bowling ball.

louie

P.S.

Let me know if you find it!
--------------------

Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

HamPster · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2003, 09:15:22 PM »

The Green Gargoyle would be too weak, but I have heard it's an excellent ball. Louie, I'm not familiar with the Pioneer, is there a ball among the companies I mentioned favoring that would be close? I need to see if I can find an original Trauma or something. Or another Shock Trauma, I LOVED that ball. Reacted similar to my Detonator, but actually I need new stuff, and the newer the better so I can use them to advertise at the same time. I'd like to try an Element or a Thing Returns to check out that Soaker coverstock. The Fear Factor is already a lock, and I'm leaning towards a Black Cherry Bomb too (even a Cranberry, but I'm also going to wait and check out this new one they're supposed to be coming out with). I think that an XXXL is a lock too. If I could just find a NIB Carbide LRG, then everything else would be history, but then again it's not a new ball. *Sigh*, it's just a little difficult!
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.

louie · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2003, 09:59:16 PM »

I don't know of any ball with similar specs to the Pioneer. Higer Rg pearl with a strong mass bias. Maybe an X-factor or Rotogrip Rush with a pin an inch over finger level would work.
--------------------

Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

Edited on 10/25/2003 10:11 PM

srlunatic · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2003, 10:36:28 PM »

here's my suggestion for ya..

Track Crunch....
Columbia WOW Pearl...

two of the most underated balls out there. Think the Crunch would be perfect for that condition. That is the condition mine excelled at....would go with a length drilling......and maybe a touch of polish if box is too much, but think it wouldn't be....
--------------------
My personal savior is common sense.
How can being so RIGHT be so very WRONG?

HamPster · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2003, 01:47:41 AM »

I'll take a look at the Crunch, although from what I've seen of it so far, I think you're right. Lol, I hate Columbia though. Oh, for anybody that's wondering, the Wicked B/R/T reacts the same as a Time Zone does. Just thought I'd . . throw that in there. Hmm, seen the Granite, owned a Scream/R. Thanks again for the suggestions, I probably sound like a jerk shooting everybody's comments down, but seeing as how I think waaaaay too much, I usually cover just about every angle I can think of and then see if somebody else can think of something I might have missed.
--------------------
I'm BETTER than you because . .

1) I've met the DNL leprechaun
2) I get paid to watch tv.
3) My dad's friend's brother knows Chris Barnes' stepdad.
4) Kristi's my buuuuuddy
5) I get to witness a man with the speed and revs of Robert Smith combined with the accuracy of the guards in the lobby scene of the Matrix average 240
6) I can throw a better fit over nothing than you can.