Yes and no. Yes, the GP2 should start earlier with the same/close to the same drill as the Epic and for sure will be earlier than the 5.0, but not necessarily less on the backend...you have to remember, the GP2 does have a high Rg helping it get down the lane better than most heavy oil balls of today....I can't tell you how many times people have said "that ball hooks twice" once up front and again on the backend.

I noticed you mentioned both the 5.0 and Epic have weight holes in the thumb quadrant....while the 5.0 is a backend machine, in general, by placing  a weight hole in the thumb quadrant, you remove thumb weight and add finger weight, which translates to more finger weight=more length=more backend. Although possibly minute, it still adds to that happening.

As for a drill to start sooner, I would go with pin below ring, cg kicked toward your axis, and have the mass bias placed on your VAL, and if a weight hole is necessary, place it on your PAP. While this may be similar to your other drills, by placing the pin any higher translates to more length, not what you want as that will also add backend, and moving it further away from your PAP will also have the same effect, more length and more backend. The only item I can suggest for drilling other than what I have already said is to possibly put the pin closer to your PAP than what it is currently on the Epic and 5.0...shorter pin to PAP distance makes the ball want to roll quicker.

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

http://www.trackbowling.com/

http://www.startabowlingrevolution.com/

That's exactly what I wanted to hear.  Thank you Clint and Mike.

Don

no sweat!
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All this can be yours............

What?? The curtains??

Rick-
  Give me about 5 minutes and I will post pics of the layout...better than me trying to describe it.

Don

Hi Don,

Based on your pap of 5 1/8x3/16 up, I'd say that layout was about 4.5-4.75x3.75-4.25 maybe?  The mb on the Epic looks to be near your val.  This is actually a pretty strong layout by definition.

Okay, since your pin is 2.5 on the GP2, I'd say you could replicate the layout and get the reaction you're looking for.  I'd try the ball at about 1000 to 1200 first as the GP is stronger in comparison to the Epic.  If you keep the same layout, sanding it down could really give you quite a bit of movement.  However, keep in mind that it is particle and doesn't possess the same reaction properties of a resin ball.  Therefore, it won't be "jumpy" at all if you need to alter the surface.  Being a tweener, having lower tilt and speed of 17mph should also help hold the backend reaction down some.  Hope this helps some...
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Rick Leong - Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Intl. - Amateur/Pro Shop Staff  
Vise Inserts Staff
www.Trackbowling.com

*El Presidente of the Track Revolution

Well, I got the GP2 punched up yesterday, and I'm not real happy right now.  I showed the driller my Epic (it was not drilled by the same shop) and told him to copy the fit and layout, but put the MB on my VAL.  He looked at it for a minute, and told me he could copy the layout and put the MB in the strong postion.  I repeated that I did not want it there, that I wanted it on my VAL to start it up earlier and mellow the backend.  He proceeded to tell me that with it being a particle ball, that it wouldn't have that much of a backend as it was.  He is a friend of mine, but he is new to ball layouts and drilling.  I honestly believe that I have more knowledge on the subject than him.  I just asked him to do it how I want and if it didn't work then it was may fault.  I then stepped out for awhile.

I came back as he was working out the thumbhole.  Sure enough, he laid it out how he wanted.  I told him that that would be the last time he worked on any of my equipment.  The ball fits great, which suprised me.  He resurfaced it for free although it didn't really need it.  Now I'm gonna have to mess with the cover to mellow out the backend.  

This is off-topic, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to find a competent ball driller.  I have found one, but he is over an hour away.  I go to him for all new equipment, but it's just too costly and time-consuming to drive over an hour to drop off a ball to be plugged, then drive back to pick it up.  I'm sure I can find a spot for the GP2 in my bag, but it really irks me when you tell someone exactly how to lay out a ball and they disregard your request.  At least it fits good...

I have yet to throw it, because leagues were coming in.  My first chance will be tomorrow night in a 3rd shift league that I've always had trouble in.  I can't ever get a ball to move through the insane carrydown.  I think I will be able to move far enough inside with the GP2 to get it down the lane and still cut through the carrydown.  If anyone is interested, I will post how it does.  BTW, thanks to mediumrevs for the ball.  

Don

Ram-
   The only positive is that it didn't need a hole, so I told him not to put one in until I throw it and see if it needs to be tweaked.  I'm sure it will be an awesome ball, but I want it to be different enough from the Epic so it's more useful.  Thanks again guys.

Don