Layout: 5 x 3 x 3
Surface: 2000 Abralon
The Magic Gem brings back the Defiant LRG Core with the Microtrax Hybrid Coverstock. My initial though with this ball was that it was going to be a slightly more angular Original Gem that could handle oil. When I threw the ball for the first time, it was significantly stronger than I expected. Compared to the original Gem, it was a little more cleaner through the front but had much more continuation. It kept the pins low through the deck which increased my pin carry. I got to test this on a 44ft Typical House Shot and a 42ft 32ml sport pattern.
On the House pattern, it was evident that it was very strong. With my higher ball speed and rev rate, it was almost tough to keep the ball in the pocket enough on the fresh as it just was strong in the midlane and continued hard down the lane. It definitely forced me a little deeper on the lane than I wanted to play on the fresh. I typicall slide around 25 with my feet and throw the ball to between 5 and 10 at the breakpoint on the fresh. The Magic Gem made me slide closer to 32 with my feet to see the right shape down lane. To my surprise, it continued so well that I still had no problems striking from that angle. Compared to the original Gem, I was actually straighter with the original due to how much more forward the roll is. I had to give the pocket away with the Magic Gem to have success. As the lanes started to carry down, my ball reaction got better as I could keep my angles a little straighter. I would recommend this ball for the fresh if you have a lot of oil volume or are more speed dominant. If you are a big fan of the original gem and want a more continuous shape, you can get the Magic Gem. The Magic Gem will not give as much angle as the Exotic Gem for comparison's sake.
On the 42ft Sport pattern, the higher oil volume put the Magic Gem in its comfort zone. I was able to play the fresh without a problem and still allowed me to play closer to the friction because of the amount of oil. As the pattern broke down, I was able to move more left with my feet and target and again have no issues with continuation. The ball did however, start to go a little bit more forward as I got closer to sliding around 30-35 with my feet and carry suffered to an extent. The Exotic Gem had a much better angle through the pins from this part of the lane.
As a higher rev rate bowler, I prefer the Magic Gem for tournaments or where there is heavy oil just due to its overall strength. Those who have slow ball speed or low amounts of oil will struggle with this ball to keep on line.
Adam Chase
Storm Staff
