Looking for a new ball

[resstealth]

Correct me if im wrong, but I believe you're saying you're getting too much hook? If that's the case, Id try a ball a little less strong then a vg. Im throwing the VG NANO, extremely high ball speed and extremely high revs and I can't get close to the pocket on dry lanes, its just an absurdly strong ball. A good ball that ive thrown that I believe would suit you would be a Hammer Brick. Fairly strong but still controllable on a dry lane.

[bowl1820]

No clue how you got to that hook rating but do you mind posting one for the Frantic? My two favorite balls of all time were the Thunder Storm and Red Hot. So I'm looking for something similar, and since they are from the same line I don't think I can go wrong. From what I've read the Frantic has a "hook" rating more than the victory road/Crossroad but from the reviews states it goes longer. Any info on what your sources say?

And thank you again for all the help.

Okay, the hook rating and other numbers are from a magazine called "Bowling This Month" (BTM).

It's about the best bowling information magazine out used by about everybody now. In it they test and review all the balls.
They give ratings for hook,backend,length,torque,flare,rg and the OOB surface.
They also rank the performance on oil,medium,dry and sports conditions for strokers,tweeners and crankers. Plus other information.

The Storm Frantic is in issue 10/2011
It's a Symmetrical core Hybrid ball
Hook is 49
Backend is 15.5
Length is 13.5
Torque is 7
Flare 6.6
It's ranked all 9.0's for the Mediums, thats good.

The Storm Victory Road is in issue 2/2011
It's a Symmetrical core Pearl ball
Hook is 48
Backend is 16.5
Length is 15
Torque is 7
Flare 7.5
It's ranked all 9's also for the med.

As for the Crossroad It's review isnt out yet. But from looking the mfg. info it looks pretty close to the above ones. As for the Red hot thats a old ball from the 90's and is not in my database (it only goes back to 2000) I'll have to look it up in the back issues I have. Theres a lot of storm balls with thunder in the name, I would need the exact name for it.

Overall every ball mentioned here, has pretty similar numbers. They are all symmetrical, hybrids or pearl and a lot have the same OOB finish on them.

So basically any would be a good pick, so if you like the Frantic.

Once you pick a ball, discuss with the proshop what the best layout for what you want the ball to do is.

[bowl1820]

Correct me if im wrong, but I believe you're saying you're getting too much hook? If that's the case, Id try a ball a little less strong then a vg. Im throwing the VG NANO, extremely high ball speed and extremely high revs and I can't get close to the pocket on dry lanes, its just an absurdly strong ball. A good ball that ive thrown that I believe would suit you would be a Hammer Brick. Fairly strong but still controllable on a dry lane.

The Brick for Dry! Think not.

While it's not as strong the Nano, The ball's numbers are similar to his virtual gravity, so it wouldn't do for drier conditions for him.

Now it might work for you on the dry. You said it yourself, you have extremely high ball speed and extremely high revs.


Yeah you could use a long pin to axis layout with a weak mass bias to kill it some. But why get a racecar and take the engine out of it.

Virtual Gravity
Reactive Solid coverstock.
Hook 53
Backend 16.5
length 11
torque 7
Flare about 7"

Hammer Brick
Asymmetrical core, Hybrid coverstock.
Hook 52
Backend 15
Length 11
Torque 6.5
Flare about 5"

[resstealth]

The Brick for Dry! Think not.

While it's not as strong the Nano, The ball's numbers are similar to his virtual gravity, so it wouldn't do for drier conditions for him.

Now it might work for you on the dry. You said it yourself, you have extremely high ball speed and extremely high revs.


Yeah you could use a long pin to axis layout with a weak mass bias to kill it some. But why get a racecar and take the engine out of it.

Virtual Gravity
Reactive Solid coverstock.
Hook 53
Backend 16.5
length 11
torque 7
Flare about 7"

Hammer Brick
Asymmetrical core, Hybrid coverstock.
Hook 52
Backend 15
Length 11
Torque 6.5
Flare about 5"

Wow I didn't realize the brick was rated that high. The one ive thrown is used and probably had some oil soaked in. Honestly if you're bowling on dry lanes and you don't have alot of arm behind the ball, you might want to try a spare ball. Ive seen some guys throwing slingshots on dry lanes with pretty decent success.

[DaveAyotte]

Just a heads up, and this isn't to negate anyone's advice - but don't get "spare ball" confused with polyester (plastic) balls - ie vizaball. These will not hook more than 2-3 boards, regardless of the lane condition, unless they were striped and not oiled, or you're trying to hook it on purpose.

[bowl1820]

Wow I didn't realize the brick was rated that high. The one ive thrown is used and probably had some oil soaked in. Honestly if you're bowling on dry lanes and you don't have alot of arm behind the ball, you might want to try a spare ball. Ive seen some guys throwing slingshots on dry lanes with pretty decent success.

The Slingshot, with the pearl powerkoil 17 cover, would be ok for a drier condition. But he all ready has the Vibe and he wanted stronger ball than it. And the Slingshot is a lot weaker than Vibe.

[DaveAyotte]

What about something like a Track 503C, or a Roto Grip Rising Star? Both should hook more than your vibe, but less than Frantic, Brick, etc. I know the 503 has a high polish on it too, so it should get down the lane further for you on the dry conditions.

[bowl1820]

What about something like a Track 503C, or a Roto Grip Rising Star? Both should hook more than your vibe, but less than Frantic, Brick, etc. I know the 503 has a high polish on it too, so it should get down the lane further for you on the dry conditions.

He numbers on the 503C are almost the same as the Vibe, so not much difference there.

Now the Rising Star would be pretty good. The numbers for it are basically the same as the Dagger, Reckless, victory road.

Rising Star
Symmetrical core, hybrid
Hook 48
Backend 16
Length 16
Torque 6.5
Flare 6.3