Next Arsenal Dilemmas: Part III

[Aslan]

I'm about halfway through my arsenal. I think I have about 480 games on this arsenal...I wanted it to last me 1000 games...but after giving the Jab away to a needy bowler...and the early retirement of the Asylum due to the fact that ball was essentially worthless....I'm down to 3 balls....and I rarely use the Dark Encounter...also somewhat useless...I figure maybe I should switch out the arsenal at about 600 games...because most of my games are now on the Lethal and Loaded Revolvers.

So, my next arsenal has been a bit of a quandary:

Option A (2015):
I was thinking of using some of my undrilled balls from the "Closet of Destiny"...putting together an arsenal that looked like this:
- Rotogrip Defiant Edge, Ebonite Warning Sign, Ebonite Innovate, Track 300A.

The problem with this arsenal...is I have NO faith whatsoever in those two Ebonite balls. I've had terrible luck with Columbia...and an arsenal 3/4 Ebonite and Track kinda scares me.

Not to mention..that would be 3 balls with identical 2.49 RGs....which seems like a stupid strategy...not to mention...I seem to suck terribly throwing low RG equipment.

Option B (2015/2016):
Scrap the Ebonite balls...use the Defiant Edge and Track300a...but un-retire the 900Global Bullet Train. This gives me a spread of 2.49. 2.55, and 2.57 RGs...kinda like what Rob preaches in terms of using the RGs to develop an arsenal.

Downsides...again...the only ball to get excited about...the DE...has a 2.49 RG. I have a feeling...that might be the failed Encounter experiment all over again...or worse...the Asylum. Not to mention, the Asylum kinda ruined me on RotoGrip. And the 300A is a glorified spare ball....that I likely won't be able to use except for practice, extremely dry conditions, or no-tap tournaments.

Upside...? I really liked the Melee Jab. It was erratic...but I liked it. It was a Pearl....the Defiant Edge is a Pearl. Maybe the Defiant Edge with it's pearl, polished cover...will go a little longer before losing energy...maybe the stronger core actually gives me some angle downlane....maybe.

Option C?:
I dunno.

I looked at my list of balls I've thrown thus far...ranked them...and here's the list with RG and 0-5 *s:

1) Brunswick Melee Jab (2.487 RG)****
2) Brunswick Loaded Revolver (2.504 RG)****
3) Brunswick Lethal Revolver (2.520 RG)****
4) Hammer Rhythm (2.50 RG)***
5) 900 Global Bullet Train (2.55 RG)***
6) Storm Frantic (2.53 RG)***
7) Brunswick Slingshot (2.586 RG)***
8) Columbia300 Dark Encounter (2.50 RG)**
9) Rotogrip Asylum (2.50 RG)*
10) Columbia300 Encounter (2.51 RG)*

Looking at this list...I seem to throw better (Rhythm aside) bowling balls with a 2.54 RG or higher. And, Dark Encounter aside, a differential of 0.050 or higher. The lower I get in RG...it just seems like the ball wants to hook and roll SOONER than I want it to hook and roll. I can find the pocket...but by the time it hits...it's weak, weak, weak...

Now...yes....drilling options blah blah blah...I could buy stock in Abralon pads....play with the surfaces to make them go longer, etc... I could increase my speed...maybe start playing more inside lines....yes, yes, yes...there are other options at play...but lets, for the sake of confusion, just put all those things aside for a moment.

Lets just assume...for whatever reason...my lack of skills and the lane conditions I play on...that I just do better with a > 2.546 RG... > 0.049 diff. I seem to roll better with Brunswick...I seem unable to score well with Columbia300. Those are the metrics...based on that...what options do I have in the "Closet of Destiny"? Balls in italics are 15#, non-italics are 16#...so that further complicates arsenal selection...because I don't want to mix weights. I can throw 14,15, or 16...but not 14 AND 15 AND 16.

Options:
- 900Global "The Nuts" (2.543 RG, 0.050 differential)
- Brunswick Fortera Exile (2.512 RG, 0.050 differential)

Other Possibilities:
- Brunswick Vintage Rhino Pro (2.520 RG, 0.048 diff)
- Track 300A (2.58 RG, 0.023 diff)
- DV8 Ruckus (2.540 RG, 0.052 diff)
- Track 706A (2.53 RG, 0.047 diff)
- 900Global Bullet Train <unretire> (2.55 RG, 0.040 diff)

Longshots:
- Rotogrip Defiant Edge, Radical Reaxx Pearl, Brunswick Aura Mystic (these balls have significant differentials...which means I think they can hit hard enough...but their RGs are 2.481 to 2.492...NOT my forte).

Probably Worthless:
- Ebonite Warning Sign and Ebonite Innovate
2.49 RGs and 0.041 differentials. I see these as all the problems I had with the Asylum...with even less powerful covers...essentially the Encounter situation all over again.

So...for the ball nerds out there...based on the above information...what are your suggestions and why?

Realize, a few rules/guidelines:
1) I'm more likely to accept "spec-based" theory than "I like that ball, I rolled a 244 once with it, and I like that it's green, and I'm a Storm fan." All very interesting points...but generally worthless as far as arsenal advice goes.
2) While I'm not opposed to suggestions of other (non closet of destiny) balls, I would like to use at LEAST one of these balls in my next arsenal. I'd actually like to start using these balls rather than display them undrilled on my homemade bowling ball rack...while they slowly shrink or crack or some other issue.

I mean, is there ANY way I can throw the Defiant Edge with a 2.49 RG? I'd really like to give Rotogrip another chance....and bowlers generally liked the Defiant series...but I just don't know if I can throw low-RG equipment on the lanes I play on where the pattern is so dry outside. Every time I try...the ball reads about 1/2 way down the lane....then limps into the pocket like a wet noodle.

Maybe go with what works and replace the Revolvers with the Nuts and the Exile. But then what? Do I use the Rhino Pro as a dry condition ball to round out the arsenal? Do I try to find a 2.52-2.53 RG ball with a 0.052-0.054 diff...something to start off with or use on heavier oil conditions? But everyone I've talked to that has used the Fortera series or the The Nuts...lets just say NOT ringing reviews!

Maybe I drill the Track 300A. Scrap the Defiant Edge for now...fill in the arsenal with the Ruckus and 706A. Maybe unretire the Bullet Train...maybe not. Maybe use the Ruckus out of the gate...hybrid cover, stronger diff....use the 706A as a ball down option...for Game 2 or 3 depending on how things are going? Maybe unretire the Bullet Train and wedge it in between the Ruckus and 706A? Or maybe I don't need the Bullet Train? But this makes me worry...the Bullet Train is a STRONG ball...I'd have to really surface the poo out of it to use it. Does that mean the Ruckus is a lost cause and I'll likely never use it at my current house (too strong)? I dunno.

Ultimately, I'll get my coach's advice...but both my coaches are sponsored by different ball companies. Now, one of them is a little more open to helping select balls from other manufacturers...but neither of them actually THROW other brands. So, even if they're "open" to the idea of recommending a competitor's product...they might not have a great deal of knowledge about other manufacturer's products.

[RobLV1]

Before replying with suggestions, you need to go back to the Brunswick website and re-evaluate the RG's of your bowling balls. For some reason, known only to Brunswick, they list the RG Max and the RG Min separately. This translates to the High RG and the Low RG. You have listed the RG Max for your bowling balls, when the actual Low RG is the RG Min. For example, the low RG of the Melee Jab is 2.487. The 2.562 number is the high RG which is totally useless (to find the high RG, all you have to do is to add the Low RG and the Diff.).

[ChuckR]

I would suggest the Melee Hook as a replacement for the Melee Jab. The numbers are the same. The difference is in the coverstock which gives the HOOK more finish at the pins and good versatility in surface preparation. I won it here and the ball works great on medium to medium heavy conditions.

[RobLV1]

I would suggest the Melee Hook as a replacement for the Melee Jab. The numbers are the same. The difference is in the coverstock which gives the HOOK more finish at the pins and good versatility in surface preparation. I won it here and the ball works great on medium to medium heavy conditions.

Having seen both of you bowl, NOT a good idea for Aslan!

[Aslan]

Having seen both of you bowl, NOT a good idea for Aslan!

Thats either insulting me, insulting Chuck, insulting both of us, or complimenting both of us.

Before replying with suggestions, you need to go back to the Brunswick website and re-evaluate the RG's of your bowling balls. For some reason, known only to Brunswick, they list the RG Max and the RG Min separately. This translates to the High RG and the Low RG. You have listed the RG Max for your bowling balls, when the actual Low RG is the RG Min. For example, the low RG of the Melee Jab is 2.487. The 2.562 number is the high RG which is totally useless (to find the high RG, all you have to do is to add the Low RG and the Diff.).

I re-entered the low-RG number from the manufacturer websites for Brunswick, DV8, and Radical.

I'm not sure how I entered the information into my spreadsheet. I "believe" to try make it consistent manufacturer to manufacturer and source to source (yes, I actually found some balls where specs were different depending on the source), I would use the average of the high RG and low RG. Probably should have just used min RG across the board...but it's not a big deal as long as I use the same system for all manufacturers. Most of the Brunswick ones I fixed were like 0.020 lower or something like that. Brunswick is actually a good site because they have almost all the specs right there for every ball. Some of the sites won't even give you specs on older balls or it's harder to get to.

Okay, so numbers fixed...feel free to evaluate. I'd be interested especially in you and Chuck's opinions simply because I think you guys are the only ones I know that primarily throw Brunswick...but also have thrown other brands...especially Rob having reviewed balls for the website.

It's just weird, because Brunswick et al are known throughout the industry as balls that tend to hook early. Radical, Brunswick, then 1-3 spots later DV8...all regarded as hooking early. EBI balls, tend to have the opposite opinion throughout the industry, that these tend to hook later. Yet, when you look at RG...it's the opposite. I seem to perform better with a late-hooking RG and an early hooking coverstock. If it's just a matter of canceling each other out, why do I do SO poorly with EBI and less responsive/early hooking covers but with a low RG to hook earlier?

This was so much easier when I thought the balls were solid balls of rubber with holes drilled in them for fingers. Learning is hard.

[Aslan]

Great. That messed up the whole spreadsheet...my whole premise is now off.

Excuse me while I do some analysis and re-ask this question.

[Aslan]

Well...now there's no correlation! It turns out I'm equally horrible despite RG value.

However, this did cause me to issue the 3rd version of my arsenal selection system and I answered my own question.

But, still interested in comments!!!

[JJKinGA]

Track 706A goes really long. Much longer than I expected for something in the 700 series. I love how it looks, but I really have no place for it. I much prefer my cyclone over it for drier lanes.

[Amyers]

I think from what I see in your reviews of your past balls is you prefer mid to higher rg and if you are going to use a lower rg ball it had better be a pearl with a higher a differential and a polished finish. I am also taking into account your lower speed delivery that you have been using.

I try to set my arsenals up in this method which works well for me:

Medium-heavy: A medium to lower rg with some surface so if I run into a heavy pattern I have something that will work. This ball may not get used a lot.

Benchmark 1a: A medium oil ball in the 3 to 4k surface range that offers a classic movement.

Benchmark 1b: A medium oil ball with a polished surface that has more of a skid flip action for when I need to play more left to right

Lighter oil: a lower oil ball that will handle the breakdown and useful for open bowling when there is less oil.

So for you here is what I would do with what you have available:

Medium Heavy: DV8 Rukus might change the surface to 2000 or the Ebonite Warning Sign (neither of these are pefect for this slot but both offer more traction than your other balls and should still get enough length to be useful. I'm not an ebonite fan either. Unretire the Bullet train could be an option here too. If I did make either of these balls Benchmark 1a. If I could I would happily trade both of them for a Brunswick Mastermind (any of the somewhat surfaced ones) or a Hammer Arson High Flare Solid but you got what you got.

Benchmark 1a: Radical Reaxx Pearl- Again not a perfect choice but most of your balls fit the class 1b better from everything I've seen the Reaxx is the erliest rolling most benchmark reaction of your choices here. You could put the DV8 Rukus in this spot without a surface change in this spot also

Benchmark 1b: Rotogrip Defiant Edge- The edge is the most aggressive and offers the most backend reaction of all the balls you have. Honestly most of the balls in your arsenal would fit in this spot and is where they belong.

Low oil: Track 300a or the Fortera Exile. I know that's a strange place for the Exile but honestly from what I've seen and I bowl with quite a few guys who own one it's where it belongs and wqould be where it's at in their arsenals. There was a reason why this ball was on clearance for $69.

Seriously myself I would pitch the Ebonite or track stuff maybe a proshop will give you 5 for 1 deal (I included the Exile in the trash pile) on something that you could use. I wouldn't worry about the Defiant Edge I haven't seen it in person but I've seen lot's of Defiant's and Defiant's souls and they've been really good. Your Asylum was a drilling mistake the took a bench mark ball and drilled the differential out of it trying to make the ball work as a #3 ball in your arsenal.

[Amyers]

Thats either insulting me, insulting Chuck, insulting both of us, or complimenting both of us.


I re-entered the low-RG number from the manufacturer websites for Brunswick, DV8, and Radical.

I'm not sure how I entered the information into my spreadsheet. I "believe" to try make it consistent manufacturer to manufacturer and source to source (yes, I actually found some balls where specs were different depending on the source), I would use the average of the high RG and low RG. Probably should have just used min RG across the board...but it's not a big deal as long as I use the same system for all manufacturers. Most of the Brunswick ones I fixed were like 0.020 lower or something like that. Brunswick is actually a good site because they have almost all the specs right there for every ball. Some of the sites won't even give you specs on older balls or it's harder to get to.

Okay, so numbers fixed...feel free to evaluate. I'd be interested especially in you and Chuck's opinions simply because I think you guys are the only ones I know that primarily throw Brunswick...but also have thrown other brands...especially Rob having reviewed balls for the website.

It's just weird, because Brunswick et al are known throughout the industry as balls that tend to hook early. Radical, Brunswick, then 1-3 spots later DV8...all regarded as hooking early. EBI balls, tend to have the opposite opinion throughout the industry, that these tend to hook later. Yet, when you look at RG...it's the opposite. I seem to perform better with a late-hooking RG and an early hooking coverstock. If it's just a matter of canceling each other out, why do I do SO poorly with EBI and less responsive/early hooking covers but with a low RG to hook earlier?

This was so much easier when I thought the balls were solid balls of rubber with holes drilled in them for fingers. Learning is hard.

I'm not sure that you can really say this much anymore. True Brunswick doesn't make a super angular stand right throw left ball but the MM Scholar and Braniac and the Absolute Nirvana offer more than enough backend now for most bowlers. Try to find a good benchmark ball in Storm's lineup now. The Lock is too aggressive for that, the IQ Tour is old really old and too low a diff, and the Match is a low oil ball. Hammer is pretty complete but you've got to choose from 50 balls to make it that way, I like some of the newer Track stuff but I don't trust them and you couldn't get me to throw Ebonite or Columbia if you offered me a staff contract. Rotogrip seems ok but there lineup is full of holes at the moment too. Honestly between Brunswick, Radical, and DV8 (I prefer Brunswick and Radical) you've got the best choices in my opinion.