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Author Topic: If you were to recommend ONE VBP ball for a person wanting to try them out...  (Read 2750 times)

bigsexyhammer

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What would it be?  I have predominantly thrown Hammer equipment my entire life, starting with the best ball ever made (IMO of course) the Blue Urethane Faball, and moving on to the current equipment.  I have been intrigued with Visionary for a long time due to their connection with the Faball product, I love their ball names and logos, and the overall opinion of their users is almost always positive.  Another plus is the small business style of operation that they run in a city that is near and dear to my heart (GO CARDS!!!)

Ok so with all of that out of the way, I want to try one...but I don't know what to get.  I am a one ball kind of guy usually in the sense that I like to adjust to lane conditions, and not just pick another ball out of my bag.  For me it makes me feel like I am a more competent and flexible bowler.  Don't get me wrong, I bring more than one ball to the lanes, but I am not going to just switch to a different one because I am dead set on throwing the same line every shot.

I thought I had it all decided with a Solid Ogre, but Charlest's "more adventures" thread brought up a few (although slight) concerns.  So I thought I would just ask...what do you think is the ONE piece you would recommend?  The ubiquitous "benchmark" ball so to speak.

Sorry I was so long winded...I got it from my mom, who teaches English and Writing...
Looking for any 14lb Hammers, particularly older oddball stuff.
So if you have a 14lb Faball or Diesel or Vicious or Blade or Hawg laying around shoot me a PM

 

Rock77

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Well, I'd have to give my vote to the Ogre Solid. However, I would not use it in box condition. I have mine at 2000 abralon and it is the PERFECT benchmark ball. This is becoming one of the best balls I have EVER thrown.
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Eddie M

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My first ball out of the bag is the Ogre Solid.  Although unlike most people, I had the surface taken upto 4000.  With this surface it is still strong enough for alot of oil, and still fits above the Ogre Pearl nicely.
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scotts33

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What kind of lane condition do you normally bowl on and that this ball would be mostly used on?  Is it a wet/dry THS wall or more even blended?

What are your stats.?
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Scott

Scott

shelley

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I agree with the solid Ogre.  Hard to go wrong with a medium-RG, medium-diff, matte-finished solid reactive when you're looking for "benchmark".

SH

pop_1

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What conditions do you usually see?  But, if I would have to pick, I like the Immortal Solid or the Pearl Ogre...Something for more oil, I would suggest the Fankie May.

bigsexyhammer

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I kind of purposely didn't mention style and house conditions just to get a broader response, but here you go...

My typical "comfort" shot is 15 to 5 mild swing with low/med revs and a eerily consistent 14.5 mph per Quibica.  However I can pick up my revs and swing the ball more if I need to, and I can pipe it straight down and in as well.  I play in three different houses that are all drastically different.  One is a synthetic that has a seemingly endless long flat pattern, one is wood that is usually a walled THS, and one is a wood that is fairly dry.

So far it seems that my original choice is indeed the overwhelming favorite... And to the last guy, the Immortal Solid was one I had considered highly as well.

Edited on 10/24/2007 10:12 AM
Looking for any 14lb Hammers, particularly older oddball stuff.
So if you have a 14lb Faball or Diesel or Vicious or Blade or Hawg laying around shoot me a PM

scotts33

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bsh,

You've got a wide range of conditions to cover with a "benchmark" ball.  Benchmark to me is a medium ball with a medium type layout <ie. pin next to or around the ring depending on speed and revs w/ 60 deg. layout>.  This ball would be used first out of bag to the lanes.  Some folks don't really know what a "benchmark" ball IMO.

What I want and most do out of a "benchmark" ball is and even reacting ball.  The OS is that but with it's built in low differential .029 you may struggle if you can't stay straighter thru the lane.  <IMO....a true benchmark ball would have a solid cover of reasonable strength and a differential of around .035 to .045>  On the other hand on a wet/dry THS OS will even out that over reaction.  I like the OS on this kind of condition.  

The Purple Pearl will arc and come off the spot a bit harder because of it's cover which is what most are doing with their OS's....taking them to a higher grit and applying polish or compound polish...so in actuality what they really have is closer to a Purple Pearl Ogre than a Solid sheen/matte Ogre.  

In actuality, some old Visionary users would probably agree that right now Visionary doesn't have a great "benchmark" ball.  I'd say the Blue Warlock was their best ever "benchmark" ball.  Even rolling arcing ball with an adjustable cover.  2nd would be a Char. Ex at 2000 to 4000 abralon.  3rd would be a Red Sorcerer same surface finish.  

Hope some of this helps and let us know what you decide and how it works for you.  


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Scott



Edited on 10/24/2007 10:31 AM
Scott

MC

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I use my Ogre Solid oob as my "benchmark".  Best part might be that it is easily altered. My Dad has one also and his ball speed is similar to yours. Currently we are playing with the cover of his.
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42swaff

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the immortal pearl would fit the bill its very versatile

scotts33

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A bench mark in every-day language is a point of reference for a measurement.

The term bench mark originates from the chiseled horizontal marks that surveyors made in stone structures, into which an angle-iron could be placed to form a "bench" for a leveling rod, thus ensuring that a leveling rod could be accurately repositioned in the same place in the future.
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Scott

Scott

darkman

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Should you be looking for something similer to urethane (hard hitting faball urethane era) in a reactive I would say the Green Centaur would be my pick.  It is a very versitile ball that probably if necessary could be ajusted to use in just about any condition.  With its original coverstock it handles dry to medium well.  And if you can play straight up the boards this thing just might work in heavier oils.  I always look for control type balls no matter what the condition because I have success with consistent hard hitting equipment.  I have a love for Faball as well, I currently own a Black Hammer, Red Pearl Hammer, Pink Hammer, JPF Axe, Red Sorcerer, Glowing Amulet, Slate Blue Gargoyle, Green Centaur.  From what I can tell the Centaur is a notch above the urethanes and hits better and best of all it still has control that is very similer to urethane and this thing no doubt loves dry boards like many have said it just doesn't role out.  Though not for all conditions this ball does cover several and in my opinion when drilled right roles similer to an old sanded urethane for it has that powerfull arcing type motion.  Most reactives hook too much, roll out, or have too much over under this Centuar surprisingly is the best reactive I have thrown since I owned a danger zone.  In my opinion Centaur would be my number 1 choice for anyone to get to know what Visionary has to offer.  Just a thought though as many of the other balls visionary makes are very good I especially love there urethanes.  Good luck in making a choice there are just too many balls out there great to see your interested in supporting a smaller USA company, hope you find much success with what remains of the great Faball Team.

Mvpbowler

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I do agree with what everyone has mentioned above. The Ogre series is a great line of balls! If you are someone that might need a little bit more help with hook then the Ogre Solid is the way to go. But if you are like myself and have no problems getting the ball to hook, I really like the Ogre Pearl! It gets through the fronts really clean and on the oil is still enough, but when they start to break down I really like this ball!! I think everyone should have one of the Ogre's in their bag!
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charlest

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I'd like to take a sidestep and say that the Ogre Solid is a good choice ONLY if you have the equipment to take easy and quick surface changes.

BTW the Immortal solid also is in the same category UNLESS you face a LOT of oil. Otherwise, it needs either a smoother surface or some polishing.

I also like the AMB solid; it may be a more generic ball with its stock surface than either the Ogre solid or the Immortal Solid, but that's no guarantee you'll find its stock surface ideal either.

If you can't or don't make easy surface changes then the Ogre Pearl or the Immortal Pearl are better, safer choices.
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mrbowlingnut

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Old one that is still out there the g-3 gryphon hands down the best league condition ball i have from visionary.

The great orange pumpkin would be my second choice but it needs oil to even work right, it also does not swing well for most players.