Hi Whiskey,
Advancements are being made in every aspect of a bowling ball. As icewall and Nor Cal said, the core shapes may be close, but slight modifications to shape and density can make very significant differences in a balls reaction.
We tried to prove this with the AMB Core design. If you look at the Immortals, Centaurs and Ogres, we used a very similar shape in all of them. However, we modified the weight distribution, changed cap and body densities and added or removed caps to completely change the way they all reacted.
In general, the core in the New Breed does look quite similar to the Spike, but it is definitely not the same. If I remember correctly, the body is larger and more dense than the Spike and we added a mass on the side similar to the Gladiators.
That being said... advancements in coverstocks are more noticeable, and might have the greatest opportunity for modification from here on out. Obviously we can still change cores to assist in a balls reaction, but with the current USBC guidelines, I don't know of anything we can do to create a totally unique reaction simply because of a core. You never know though, many people thought there was no way we could come up with something that was better than polyester....and then thought that there was no way we could make a coverstock better than a urethane. We will continue to look for new materials and modifications that will be the next big breakthrough.
Jason
Edited on 12/31/2008 12:28 PM
