PLAYER STATS
Style = Stroker/mild tweener, right-handed
Speed = ~14-16 mph
PAP = 5" over & 7/8" up (high track)
Axis tilt = ~20°
Revs = ~275-325 RPM at release
WHY THIS BALL?
Actually an experiment. I still own and use a 2003 black Pure Hammer with the pin above the bridge, a very reliable piece for the rather light to medium conditions I frequently encounter in league. My lower ball speed and the high track make balls roll rather early, and most (modern) reactive balls are just too strong for my game, resulting in a fight with the equipment's lack of length or carry, or both.
This ball did not have a real plan: I accidently came across this undrilled, pin-out Eraser Banshee in an internet sale. The pictures of it looked good, and despite unknown specs except for a 3†pin I purchased it – at EUR 50,- a tempting offer, and technically (with a mid-RG and mid-differential core as well as its Monsoon coverstock) I expected the piece to be suitable for my game on medium to light conditions. Furthermore, I am a big fan of vintage stuff and like to give older balls a try, out of curiosity.
So I took the ball to my trusted ball driller (who was very surprised by the old ball) and asked him to have the Banshee drilled as closely as possible to the Pure Hammer, since I wanted to see how much of the Pure Hammer’s versatility in my hands could be attributed to the layout? I expected the Eraser Banshee to be stronger and snappier than the Pure Hammer, though.
The result became:
20° drilling angle
5†pin to PAP
70° angle to the VAL
LAYOUT SKETCH:
=====+====
==========
===o=o====
======#===
==========
==========
====O=====
==========
+ = Pin
# = CG
The final layout looks a bit odd, because the pin ended up 2†above the fingers and the CG just 1†under the ring finger hole. The surface remained OOB, polished, and the finish was still so good that the ball did not need any resurfacing.
SOME IMPRESSIONS:
I was not certain what to expect - I hoped for a late and rather smooth reaction off the dry, and this is what I got! The very high pin seems to work well for me and my style, and the ball does not seem to read the lanes as early as my recently bought Brunswick BTU Pearl.
The ball goes surprisingly good through the heads – I actually expected some trouble since the Monsoon coverstock was, at the Banshee’s market time, one of Storm’s stronger materials.
After a good number of games on various oil patterns (recreational and sport) and lane surfaces I feel that the ball fills a vital niche in my arsenal – right between the urethane pieces (Pure Hammer, Burning Up) and the mid-range reactives (BTU Pearl, Outcast). The urethanes can struggle on heavier/longer oil, while the reactives are just too strong on certain surfaces or lighter patterns.
Whatever I do with it, the Banshee’s breakpoint is rather smooth than snappy, and I can control the amount of hook through hand position and speed changes well. The ball shows a well-defined skid/hook/roll pattern, and if the ball struggles with longer/more oil, I found that I can simply keep the hand behind the ball during release, so that it starts to roll sooner, and this is enough to make it work and carry well even on a slippier back end or longer patterns (e.g. Kegel’s 44’ High Street), even though at the expense of overall hook and entry angle. This versatility allows me to play it with a swing when traction is good (around 3rd arrow out to 8th board), or simply up the boards, and it still carries well. I haven’t experimented with the surface, yet, but there’s apparently no need for a deliberate change.
Concerning the durability, I’ll have to see how good this ball from late 2004 will fare. It was apparently kept in its original plastic bag all the time and did not take any storage damage, but there are small separation/shrinking lines around the pin, so I suppose that it has already lost some of the coverstock’s plasticizer. Nevertheless, it feels tacky, works on the lane and it even gives off a faint Piña Colada fragrance, which rather reminds me of coconut-flavored sunscreen? Huh!
PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
I did not expect much, due to the ball’s age and uncertain origin, but it turned out – together with the layout – to be a good light condition ball for me with a rather smooth breakpoint, but still with sufficient hook potential for me to recover on errant shots. The ball’s higher RG (2.52â€) pushes it nicely down the lane before it hooks, even through lighter/dry heads. It’s a nice, classic mid-range ball for light to medium conditions, even today.
It also looks good. The bright red pearl coverstock stands out, and my specimen came with only a relatively small share of pale yellow on the surface, actually just a small streak. However, I am just not sold on the engravings: filled with white and dayglow orange (even though quite faded after 15 years of waiting), these simply do not match with the ball’s colors. The catalogue pics make the ball IMHO look much more conclusive than it actually is – but as long as it performs, it’s a flaw that can be easily overlooked.
PERSONAL RATING SCALE:
This scale is inspired by popular rating methods and the results are ultra-subjective. Surface prep, layouts and different playing styles will change the evaluation for sure - it is just personal experience with the reviewed ball at OOB finish
Length/through the heads:
Easy ***X****** Needs head oil
Breakpoint shape:
Arc ****X***** Angular
Hook potential:
Low ****X***** High
Control:
Stable **X******* Erratic
Durability:
Poor *******X** High
Suited for…
Dry ***X***** Oily
Range of utility/lane conditions:
Limited ***X****** Broad
Subjective overall rating of this ball:
Poor *******X** Excellent
LANE UTILITY CHART (Pattern length vs. oil volume)
This chart’s concept has been borrowed from Storm's 2003 print catalogue. Surface prep, layout or a different playing style will change the result.
|S M L
|h e o
|o d n
|r . g
|t
_______
|+ X +| Light volume
|X X 0| Medium volume
|+ + 0| Heavy volume
Legend:
X = Best suited with effective control & carry
+ = Fairly suited (works, somehow, but can lack control and effectiveness)
0 = Unsuited (ineffective; either slips helplessly or burns up)
