I have wanted both of these balls for quite some time now and because the mean is older naturally i have wanted it longer. I have recently decided to put more 15s into my line up so i saw the opportunity to get each of these this week so i took it.
I bowled friday with the mean and it was great at first then the reaction went away .Since it was a used ball i figured it might be oil soaked so i gave it a bath and a rub down with a green scotch brite pad. The rising i had taken to 500.I meant for the rising to be my strong ball for the sunday morning heavy oil shot. the shot at first was bewildering ,but now most everyone knows how to play it. I had been shooting with my odyssey and battle ,but today i didnt need them .Let me say that the odyssey at 500 is still the strongest ball i have but the mean machine is a very contollabel and forgiving second with the battle being third and the rising being a dissapointing fourth.
the mean machine is 4 boards with the feet stronger than the rising. Standard drill on the rising and the mean is set up 4 x 1 with cg/mb kicked out 60 degrees i think. this ball is awesome. the mean machines move carry and readabilty or to good to be true. This ball will strike and it will move in oil with the right surface prep. picked up the mean for 28 bucks off ebay and its probably going to help my avg by at least 10 pins. shot my first 600 series today while watching others struggle. If you are looking for the oiler and trying to decide between these 2 i would by the meany all over again .the rising might be a good ball on meds ,but it isnt close to what i was expecting and the mean is just the opposite i didnt expect it to be so good and its great. my mean and my odyssey ,my 2 favorite balls .i recommend these 2 as a must have in the bag, the rising is ok ,but not a must have. with right surface and drill the mean is definitely no 1 for the heavy going to try the rising tonight on the ths which is very week just to see what it will or wont do. i used the machine all the way thru the third game today first time i have been able to do that in awhile with any ball. It wasnt enough foir the first game ,but when the odyssey starts to burn up the mean machine will be next no hesitation
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my style, the art of bowling without bowling