Does anyone want to see a new MP video?  I ordered two, not entirely sure I want to drill one, almost want to just stash them both.  With it not being that old, there are still good videos on youtube of it, and since it was a limited run, if you didn't preorder one, they're likely going to be hard to get ahold of, so I wasn't sure if a new video was even necessary.  I've already got two tournament bags full of stuff that I want to throw all at the same time and can't, really don't need that decision made harder.  I know, cry me a river right?  At the same time, I've never thrown one, kinda want to see what all the fuss is about . .

First reply and I'm somewhat already off topic, but:


I'm actually more interested in your tournament arsenal. More information and/or video on your 6 ball set-up, the reaction shapes you were going for, and where you intend to use each ball?

My arsenal is gravitating more and more Storm-only, so I'm more interested in how everything pieces together than I am about one ball in particular.

Haha ok . . I'm going to do a tournament essentials mini series like I did with my essentials collection, but I don't think there are really any secrets as far as my tournament essentials go.  I'll still make the videos, but here's what I carry around:

No Rules Pearl:   70 x 4.5 x 35 - Box Surface    Asym
Dare Devil Trick: 70 x 4 x 35 - Box Surface       Sym
Code Red:          65 x 5.25 x 40 - Box Surface   Asym
Code Black:        65 x 4 x 40 - Box Surface       Asym
IQ Tour Solid:     65 x 5.25 x 40 - 1000 polish   Sym
Hyroad:              65 x 5.25 x 40 - Box Surface  Sym

Depending on what I'm bowling on, I may sub in the Hyroad Pearl and MAYBE the Hectic, but I don't really like taking any of these 6 out, however I really don't like carrying around more than 6 to ANYTHING.  Too many options cause more problems than they fix, and nobody is ever 100% confident when they say, "The ball I really need is at home," that means that everything else you brought didn't work and it's just wishful thinking. 

I carry a full set of abralon pads around, but I'm just a box surface kinda guy for the most part aside from the IQ Solid.  It goes too long, so 1000 polish is actually a stronger surface than the 4k that it comes at.  Occasionally I'll drop the Trick to 1000 if I'm trying to blow a hole in something, but most of the time it fits just fine as a game 1 and 2 ball at 2000.  Not big on changing angles much, and my drill angle will never be smaller than my val angle anyway, pin to pap differences I feel produce bigger changes in reaction, and keeping the angles in this range here leave me with a lot of post drilling x-hole options to fine tune.  If I go 35 x 5 x 70 and don't like it, I don't have a whole lot of x-hole options without drilling the thumb to china, and besides, I also like building some pop into the layout with the angles because I can smooth reaction out if I need to, but I have a hard time getting stuff to jump if the backends are soft. 

Until I got the Code Red, the Hyroad Pearl was in the bag, I just didn't use it much.  I think there are better balls than the IQ out there, and you don't REALLY need a Hyroad and Code Red together, there's also a tad bit of overlap with the NRP and Code Black, so the Exist and Show Off will most likely bump a couple out.  I'll likely remove the Code Red, Code Black, and IQ in favor of the Exist, Show Off, and Marvel Pearl.  Exist will get my NRP layout, Show Off will most likely get my Hyroad layout, and Marvel Pearl will probably get Code Black Layout.  I think those changes will balance things out better because if I need HOOK or a solid cover, really don't have it right now. 

My "go to" layout of 65 x 5.25 x 40.  Bowling balls are really a lot stronger than people think they are.  Much past 5.5 inches the reaction can get wonky or more niche, and those angles give me the shape I want without being too extreme as well.  On the layouts with the stronger pins, the angles still give me some shape while the stronger pin gives me more traction.  I'd argue that shape is more important than hook, all I'm really doing with the layouts and ball choices is creating different shapes.  If hook was the most important thing, urethane wouldn't be making a comeback . .

Awesome response Luke! I look forward to the videos as well.

I think I'm starting to favor the longer pins 4.5-5 myself. Which of those layouts would you consider your most energy retaining layout to ensure the ball still has enough to corner?

I personally, would love to see a video on the marvel pearl (again).  I'm torn on purchasing another one. 

Yes.  I need the punch of the shorter val angles to get the ball to finish.  I have no problem getting something to be smooth, getting stuff to finish is usually my issue.
  I use small val angles because I need stuff to be bouncy on the backend, but yes, this stuff all works fine at tournaments too because the pin strength will smooth out the reaction just fine. 

I would like to see another, but I understand if you don't. I had 3 so I know what I want out of it. I'd watch it for fun!

Also, a bit of a hijack question. Why don't you use higher VAL angle layouts? Do stronger pins slow down enough for you to not use such layouts?

I think I'm going to do it, I've never owned one so ordering two just to let them sit in the basement when I've never thrown one before doesn't make a lot of sense, so I want to at least see what all the fuss is about.  If I'm gonna drill it, might as well make a video.  They're arriving tomorrow, so I'll likely have a video up Friday.

This was my same thought process with my order of 2 minus the video part as I don't do that. I gotta see what's up with it.

The Marvel Pearl and the Code Black with the same layout will be completely different reactions. The MP will bel a lot earlier and stronger in the mid lane. Not sure it will be a good replacement IMO.