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Author Topic: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---  (Read 9632 times)

dizzyfugu

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--- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« on: May 31, 2006, 10:11:54 PM »
Here you are... nice that Accu-Tread finds its way back into business. I wonder, with all the new lines, which are to "die" in the near future? Otherwise, this is overkill?


Storm - Double Agent
Fragrance: Butterscotch
Coverstock: Reactor Pearl Particle
Line Agent
Color Fire/Wine/Charcoal
Coverstock Particle Pearl
Core 2-piece
RG 2.457
Differential 0.052
Factory finish 1000 grit Abralon


Storm - Spit Fire
Fragrance: Apple Cinnamon
Coverstock: Reactor Pearl
Core: Inverted Twin-V
Color Green/Silver
Coverstock Reactive Pearl
Core 2-piece
RG 2.54
Differential 0.050
Factory finish 1500 grit Polished


Storm - Thunder Struck
Coverstock: Reactor Solid Reactive
Weight Block: Multi-Density with FE2 Technology
Fragrance: Grape
Line Thunder
Color Purple
Coverstock Reactive Solid
Core 2-piece
RG 2.54
Differential 0.054
Factory finish 1500 grit Polished
Cleared ABC cleared


Storm - Thunder Struck Pearl
Coverstock: Reactor Pearl Reactive
Weight Block: Mulit-Density with FE2 Technology
Fragrance: Cherry
Line Thunder
Color Red
Coverstock Reactive Pearl
Core 2-piece
RG 2.54
Differential 0.054
Factory finish 1500 grit Polished


Storm - Jolt
Coverstock: Accu-Tread Solid Reactive
Weight Block: Modified 2-Piece
Fragrance: Blueberry
Color Blue/Turquoise
Coverstock Reactive Solid
Core 2-piece
RG 2.54
Differential 0.035
Factory finish 1500 grit Polished


Storm - Jolt Pearl
Coverstock: Accu-Tread Pearl Reactive
Weight Block: Modified 2-piece
Fragrance: Fruit Slices
Line Jolt
Color Purple/Gold
Coverstock Reactive Pearl
Core 2-piece
RG 2.54
Differential 0.035
Factory finish 1500 grit Polished

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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
UPDATED & NEW --- Team "X" website & more about me: http://web.mac.com/timlinked/iWeb/X/Thomas.html
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Edited on 6/1/2006 6:09 AM

Edited on 6/1/2006 8:29 AM
DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

 

Noy

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2006, 10:58:40 AM »
Not to say that Storm isn't releasing new balls to our benefit, but its also marketing.  Also, new balls are being released with the Reactor cover because people have seemed to praise it soo much since its release.  I have the Agent and wouldnt trade it for anything.  Can't wait to see the Double Agent and Spit Fire in action.
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Platinum Bowler

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2006, 11:00:45 AM »
I cant believe that they are already coming out with new stuff. And at 6 balls at that. I heard because of Bowl Expo coming up, but still. The lower end stuff to switch it over does make sense, and I guess there hasnt been a new ball in the Fire Line in a while (the Pyro being the last ball). My main concern I guess would be, is that already another Agent is coming out? Are you kidding me? The Agent is barely a month old, if that, and I am still trying to get use to mine. Oh well, I guess they know what they are doing...
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2006, 11:01:22 AM »
quote:
Not to say that Storm isn't releasing new balls to our benefit, but its also marketing.  Also, new balls are being released with the Reactor cover because people have seemed to praise it soo much since its release.  I have the Agent and wouldnt trade it for anything.  Can't wait to see the Double Agent and Spit Fire in action.


That's what I'm saying.  Why not cycle some older stuff out and throw a new cover on it?
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Noy

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2006, 11:26:57 AM »
quote:
quote:
Not to say that Storm isn't releasing new balls to our benefit, but its also marketing.  Also, new balls are being released with the Reactor cover because people have seemed to praise it soo much since its release.  I have the Agent and wouldnt trade it for anything.  Can't wait to see the Double Agent and Spit Fire in action.


That's what I'm saying.  Why not cycle some older stuff out and throw a new cover on it?
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Current Arsenal:
Parker Bohn III


beats me bro, but Im always one to get excited whenever new stuff comes out.  I do agree that wrapping different cores around the same cover may seem boring or redundant and unnecessary.  Just gotta trust that they're doin it for a good reason.
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Bowling Since March 2006

Arsenal:
Storm Agent
Doom Raw Hammer
House Ball (spares)
Average: 130-160

See my bowling scores online here:
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http://turkeyadobo.multiply.com

BallsDeep

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2006, 02:58:40 PM »
I think to a great extent they were scared off by the Paradigm series.  The cracking problems certainly hurt their profits as well as their reputation.  Best cenario, they are going to make sure all problems are worked out and there are going to be lags in their new eox stuff.  Worst case cenario, they are going to abandon the eox all together, and take a long time coming up with something new.
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #21 on: June 02, 2006, 03:47:07 PM »
I thought the cracking problem thing was taken care of by now.
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greenefam

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #22 on: June 02, 2006, 04:10:28 PM »
Ultimately a bowling ball company has two things they can change with a ball - coverstock and core.  I'd agree that Storm's management may be a bit gunshy based on the whole EOX cracking problems they had - but I don't think that will drive their product strategy.  It will just be one of those 'let's not have the same mistake twice' conversations that happen during normal product definition meetings.

Personally I have no problem with what Storm is doing right now.  It is my impression that over the past year or so they have lost some marketshare ground to Ebonite and Brunswick (I don't have any data to back that up - just a gut feeling).  Assuming my feeling is correct the logical move is to seriously shake up the product line in order to have a whole new look heading into next year's league season.  The best way to do that is leverage what is working (Reactor) and come up with some new uses (the new Master-Agent line) in order to reinvigorate sales.

Let's look at some of the logic so far:

1.  A new-look Master line that doesn't directly compete with the Paradigm balls but is clearly the highest end non-Paradigm ball.  BTW, I don't buy the Agent is too close to the Fired Up comments.  I've thrown both and I can tell you the Agent is much stronger.  I'd say the Agent is the same amount stronger than the Fired Up as the Fired Up is stronger than the Screamin Banshee.  All the same cover but with progressively stronger cores.

2.  The Dark Thunder has been a great underground success - so why not capitalize on it by building a new line of balls using the same core?

3.  Update the reactive pearl ball in the Fire Line.  Primarily a marketing move to introduce a 'new' ball.

4.   New releases in the sucessful Hot Line.  To me the best of these balls since the original Hot Rod was the Hot Rod Hybrid - so why not refresh that ball with a solid and pearl version (Jolt)?

5.  Build out the sucessful lower end balls with some new colors.

These all seem like reasonable product decisions to me.  Are they 'innovative'?  Not really.  Can they help Storm sales?  The next 6 months will tell.  Would I like to see some new coverstocks?  Sure!  But there is only so much you can do with urethane.  I'd bet there will be 1 or two Paradigm-based EOX balls released between now and next fall.

cnimsk

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #23 on: June 02, 2006, 04:24:23 PM »
I find it interesting that, with the notable exception of the Double Agent, all the new releases are 1500 grit polish. Neither good, nor bad, just interesting. As for me, I think that there is so little difference between the Fired Up and the Spit Fire as to make that a wash, so much so that it seems almost a waste of resources to put out the Spit Fire. However...and this is a big however, Storm usually knows what it's doing and I don't know what their master plan is so I assume that there is good reason for doing so.

Chuck

Jeff Carter

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #24 on: June 03, 2006, 03:40:22 PM »
Let me try and clear a few of these things up

Storm is currently streamling the entire product line. In some instances there are just too many balls in a line to keep in the catalog. Also its time to do away with a few lines and start over. When all of you complain about companies "flooding" the market, you have to take into consideration what the market demands. Just because you may like a ball, doesnt mean that it translates into sales nationwide. That means that your favorite ball may get discontinued from time to time. There are a lot of very intelligent people working for every ball company, and they spent a lot of time and resources to bring to market what the customers are asking for. With that being said, here is whats going on :

The Jolt line will be replacing the Hot Rod Line. Very simple, 1 solid reactive, i pearl reactive

The Thunderstruck Line will be replacing the Banshee Line. Again very simple

The Fired-Up is not leaving the line, but the Spit Fire is a compliment to it. The difference being the inverted core has been lengthened, changing the dynamics. The Spit Fire should be a little stronger than the Fired-Up

The Agent Line has replaced the X-Factor Line. The Double Agent will be coming factory dull and even though it is a pearl, this ball should be a good replacment for the Trifecta. There just isnt much demand for solid particle balls anymore

I hope this answers some of your questions and helps to avoid anymore confusion
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greenefam

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #25 on: June 03, 2006, 04:05:24 PM »
Thanks for the clarification Jeff.  It doesn't sound that far off of some of the assumptions being made here - but its nice to hear the plan clearly laid out for the Storm faithful.

Any chance we can get a hint as to when the new balls will be available?  I have been extremely happy with the Agent, and I am holding off replacing my worn out Ace with another Ace in hopes that the Double Agent will be available soon.

Jeff Carter

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #26 on: June 03, 2006, 04:08:02 PM »
I'm assuming that most of the new stuff will be out around Bowl Expo / Trade Show time ( end of june - early july ). I dont think the Spit Fire will be out until fall though. Again, i'm just assuming. I dont know the release schedule
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LuvThatWhiteDot

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #27 on: June 03, 2006, 06:26:22 PM »
I want a Thunder Struck just because the name's cool

/chick mode off

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CHawk15

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #28 on: June 04, 2006, 03:27:48 AM »
I might have to try a Double Agent, I've been looking around for a low RG / Hi Diff Pearl Particle to help with a house that likes to flood the lanes.

TheDude

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #29 on: June 04, 2006, 12:31:06 PM »
I'm looking forward to the return of accu-tread, and the new jolt series. But just incase i got my hands on the last two NIB Super Sport Solids my distributor had.
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BallsDeep

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Re: --- 6 new balls: specs inside ---
« Reply #30 on: June 04, 2006, 04:58:04 PM »
As far as the Eox cracking problems, they may have been cleared up finally.  I haven't heard about any cracks recently, however it seems as though the coverstock may be difficult to predict.  The origional Paradigm came out and had moderate cracking problems, above average # but not extreme.  Teh Passion comes out with just a solid version of the Eox and all of a sudden its a huge problem that calls for a recall of the unsold Passions.  

I to think that they will just make sure that whatever variation of the Eox they use has been thoroughly tested.  However it may be the reason that they are taking a bit of time before releasing another.

I to an extent understand their marketing strategy, but Ebonite and Brunswick have the two of the most well known and best coverstocks on the market and proven core designs.  They are firmly at the fore front of the market.  More than just the direct effect of having such good stuff is the fact that they seem to not have such a fear of innovation.  Brunswick has developed numerous versions of the Activator recently, and more so than Big B, Ebonite seems to develop a new cover with each release they dish out.  

Storm has to stabilize their company, and in the short term they should focus on this, but for the long haul, nothing can replace innovation.

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four fried chickens and a coke[/size=4]