Test ball: 15 lb., pin 2-1/4", 2-1/2 oz. Top wt. - Modified "pin-down" layout: Pin 1/4" above midline and 3/4" right of center line; cg at 30 degrees down from midline, extra hole on line with grip center and CG, on vertical axis line. After extra hole, ball is approx. 1/4 oz. Thumb, 1/2 oz. Positive side. Smooth- and even-rolling, moderate-reaction drilling; drilled as a 'go-to' ball, for use when things begin to break down on a house shot and particles begin to move too much.
So far, the ball has done exactly what it was laid out to do: It rolls very evenly and somewhat early, after it clears the heads, and its reaction is a mellow 'hook-set' kind of reaction, sort of like an original Danger Zone on a high dose of Prozac. VERY predictable and controllable, and usable until the lanes get so fried that the next step is urethane. With this layout, and in my aged and rotationally-challenged hand, it is NOT strong enough to start a league on fresh oil; it doesn't have the back-end or recovery for that. But with a stronger layout, and/or with a few (dozen) more revs, I have no doubt this coverstock would do very nicely for a starter ball on fresh oil; the cover is VERY strong, and the weight block compliments it very nicely. As to HIT and PIN-CARRY, the ball is exceptional. It can be played very direct, and it will hold beautifully; or I can move inside and swing it out and it will come back, but CONTROLLABLY. Corner pins are slapped out reliably and firmly. Until the lanes are extremely fried, there is no trace of over/under with it. When it's time to put it away, it obligingly starts leaving you 4-9's, which is a pretty clear message. Very forgiving, hard-hitting, versatile, and it smells like a Tootsie Roll. Who could ask for more?
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10.