Ok, I already got the ball rolling (pardon the pun) on this subject in a different thread, but didn't have all the details to go with.  So here goes...

Basically, I'm looking for a good second shift ball.  The house is wood, med/heavy oil THS, 7 - 7, to 40 ft.  The first shift tends to play down and in around the second and third arrows.  When our shift starts I actually love the shot for the first and second games...play about 10/12-5 with nice room right and a teensy bit of room left (although too far left and your looking at buckets or washouts).  I will throw either the Contender or the Triton Elite Pearl, depending on which reads better on a particular night.  

The problem is by the third game the heads are absolutely fried and there is a LOT of carrydown.  At this point the Elite becomes too erratic.  Move left the slightest bit and it skids in the carrydown and never turns the corner.  Move a little bit right and it snaps way too hard too early.  The Contender becomes a victim of over/under as it can't clear the heads.  Move right and it rolls immediately.  Move way left and swing, it makes it to the pocket and hits like a marshmallow.  I can pipe the Code Red SE to the pocket but it leaves a ton of tens, fours and nines.

So I think I'm looking for something that can clear the heads (ala the Elite) but can turn the corner a bit harder to handle the carrydown.  Now, I know absolutely nothing about laying out a ball, I just know how to throw 'em...LOL.  These are the layouts for these three balls...

http://community.webshots.com/user/gerwd

The Slash and Crunch Time have been suggested as they have the same core as the Elite.  The Hexplosion and Sheer Havoc have been thrown around as well.  If anyone has any suggestions on which ball, with what layout and what surface prep would fit this bill it would be GREATLY appreciated!

My apologies for the novel but I am just trying to sort through all of the options that are available and I don't have the luxury of just drilling out a bunch of different balls to see what MIGHT work (limited funds ).  Some of you guys make me jealous .

Thank you in advance for any light that anyone can shed on this.

Edited on 1/29/2005 11:56 PM

Give it a try now.  Sorry...not exactly a computer whiz.

Edited on 1/29/2005 11:57 PM

Thanks Ex...I had originally thought that the Xception would be a good fit but was initially warned that it would be too skid/flippy.  Do you have any suggestions on a layout/surface combo that wouldn't be too radically angular but would still have enough oomph?  Also, I've neard some say that it handles carrydown like a champ and others that say it can't do squat in carrydown.  Any comments?

Thanks again.

No problems for me with the X in carrydown. I only see problems with carrydown with weak cores/covers. I would agree with Ex with the X...very good piece, especially for what you are describing.

Clint
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Clint Daley-Owner
Lets Go Bowling Daley
Salem, Ohio 44460
TRACK ADVISORY PRO SHOP STAFF

gwd,

Based on your profile I would suggest something like this: Pin about 4- 4 1/2 inches from PAP---I would keep it high though, probably above the finger line, and I would place the MB in the strong breakpoint position about 1 inch right of your thumb. This layout should allow length and a strong enough backend that it will recover nicely.

If you have any other questions feel free to message me,
-EX-
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C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio

Track Intl.-Amateur/Pro Shop Staff

Hey gwd,

Ex offers a great choice and layout but what I'm picking up is that the shot becomes pretty over/under.  If this is the case, you're still going to have to swing the Xception but it should turn the corner better than your Contender.

Another possible option is a harder ball like the Crash (w/polish?) drilled to go long and turn late.  As we've discussed before about the difficulty in hitting O/U shots.  Either we can go around it from inside hitting the breakpoint very late or to try something harder and go up the dry.  Just thought I'd throw this out there for you.....
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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Intl. - Amateur/Pro Shop Staff  
Vise Inserts Staff