The Big One review

[blistershurt]

well....didnt plan on reviewing the Big One til next week, but I got an unexpected treat today at a bone dry house. Oil.

So...new lanes, 40 foot heavy shot. Series: 200, 168, 192
The 162 was my fault, problems adjusting, 200 had one open that was my fault, left a seven pin. Shoulda shot 200 last game, a 10 pin stood up half off of the lane, and the machine was cycling very fast (right when the ball cleared the deck it did, literally one second) so the pin didnt have a chance to fall, when the machine set it back in place for the second ball it fell.

Well, I couldnt play out of the oil. This ball is a monster in oil, it makes an early move at 40 feet and hits very hard. The midlane is a heavy roll, backend continuous, for this reason you really dont have the option of playing a late big angle.

I liked the way the ball looked, need to get the thumb redone, the pitch is wrong. Biggest problem today was the way the lanes were breaking down. The breakdown was such a problem for everyone, I had the high series on our pair and the #1 bowler in state was on our pair. It was just bizzare. Great experience though.

[Sin City Hammer]

Is that a new Hammer ball?

[BubbaRay]

Is that a new Hammer ball?

the Big One is made by Ebonite. It's the predicessor to
the "ONE" by Ebonite. After the Big one came the Infinate One. .

[Thepainscoming]

Than the angular one.

[Sin City Hammer]

the Big One is made by Ebonite. It's the predicessor to
the "ONE" by Ebonite. After the Big one came the Infinate One. .

Thanks, I was 1/2 asleep from watching the ravens/49er game when I realized it was a non-Hammer ball, and from the mother company.

[blistershurt]

Anyone know the cover finish OOB? I need to get it to react less, right now it has a tendency to roll out easily (and its polished)

[idlehourlegend]

Heres all the info I can find about it but it doesnt contain what it is OOB.

http://www.ebonite.com/products/detail.php?PRKey=247

[BubbaRay]

The Big One Info

Coverstock: Reactive Resin
Color: Navy/Purple/Green
RG: 2.460
Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy
Finish: Matte
Performance: High

[Thepainscoming]

I've heard 2000 no polish.

[blistershurt]

mine is already polished, I want to bring it up to either 4000 or 4000 with polish...i need alot less reaction, the mass bias isnt even in the strong position either, thats scary.

[Street Racer]

i'm pretty sure its 1000 or 4000 grit....

[mongoliantreesloth]

Probably plagiarism, however I've credited both writer and website so I should be ok on this one....
Two reviews by the same bloke for two different balls. Hope this helps.

Credits: Jeff Ussery for the reviews, and www.Totalbowling.com.au from where I lifted them.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pin to PAP Distance: 5 1/2"
Preferred Spin Axis to PAP Distance: 5 3/4"
Balance Hole: None
Surface Preparation: Box Condition

What I Was Looking For in this Ball and Layout:

I wanted a ball that allowed me to play straighter angles through the front portion of the lane while still retaining a "pointed" or sharp looking breakpoint. If you read my ball review on the Big Time from June 3rd, you'll see in this review how planning out a desired reaction can be the difference.

What I Ended Up With in this Ball and Layout:

The Big One is exactly what I expected in the front part of the lane. The ball is a very aggressive coverstock from Ebonite and needs sufficient head oil to get through the front. With my physical game, this matches up great anyway. No way will you see me going straight through the front if there is some friction available. In this layout, I'm using a moderate pin position to control the early track flare. By combining pin position with my knowledge of the coverstock, I know exactly what I'm going to get in the front part of the lane.

I chose to use a 5 3/4" PSA distance from my PAP. By placing the preferred spin axis in this position, I still get that quick move when the ball begins to lose axis rotation. Notice that I was even lucky enough to get a center of gravity that lined up to the right of the pin-psa line. By placing the center of gravity closer to my axis, I tend to get a quick move at the breakpoint followed by a lot of controllable forward roll. This gets the ball into a heavy end over end roll, which is great for playing straighter angles with my game.

The overall hook of my Big One ball is similar to my One ball. The main difference is the front end look. By using a stronger cover with a lower pin height, I've created earlier roll on the lane. My partner Jesse may not have liked my intent with this ball, but this layout gives me exactly what I was looking for when I went to the drill press.

Length from 1-10 (Early to Late)
3.0

Breakpoint Move from 1-10 (Smooth to Sharp)
7.0

Overall Hook from 1-10 (Low to High)
8.5

A picture of this ball and the layout can be seen on our website if you are interested in seeing them.
__________________
Jeff Ussery
Powerhouse Training Clinics
www.proshoptraining.com
jeff@proshoptraining.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Pin to PAP Distance: 5"
Preferred Spin Axis to PAP Distance: 7 1/2"
Degree Layout Conversion: 105 Degrees
Balance Hole: None
Surface Preparation: Box Condition

What I Was Looking For in this Ball and Layout:

The first Big One that I drilled (reviewed early on this website) gave me a decent ball reaction but really laid off in the backend portion of the lane. This shouldn't really surprise given the layout that was used on it. With this Big One, I wanted to keep the box surface but get a reaction that gave me just a little more "pop" in the backend. I was going for a reaction that had similar length to my original Big One but continued through the backend just a little more.

What I Ended Up With in this Ball and Layout:

This Big One is a great example of how a bowling ball can work out for you if you just think through the layout and lane play process a little bit. This Big One clears the front portion of the lane similar to my first ball. The Big One needs some head oil to push through the heads. It's very difficult to get the ball down lane without some front-end skid. This shouldn't surprise anyone, and the fact that the ball reacts in this manner is fine, given that there are many other options with more length in the Ebonite brand line. I tested this ball alongside a new Angular One, as well as a new RXS300. This ball rolls significantly earlier than either of those.

The breakpoint move I get with this ball is very predictable and is perfect to accomplish my goal. The move at the spot is very smooth and controllable due to the 105 degree layout. When the ball begins to respond to friction, it just "tips" over and doesn't make any sudden moves. This is advantageous for my game, as I need smoother reactions at times. I've used a 5" pin distance to control the amount of track flare in the reaction. By then combining with the weaker preferred spin axis location, I've managed to create a smooth reacting dull surface ball.

In overall hook, this ball would be pretty deceiving to the untrained user. The problem here is that the RG, differential, and coverstock are strong enough to play inside angles. But through layout, I've created a smoother reaction ball. This ball and layout is best when playing outside angles closer to the gutter with my game. When I have to start throwing this ball away from the pocket, carry drastically decreases and it's time to go to a lesser friction ball. This Big One has the ability to cover a lot of boards, but it's just not beneficial in the layout I've chosen. By staying with straighter launch angles, I'll optimize my chances for success with this ball.

Length from 1-10 (Early to Late)
3.0

Breakpoint Move from 1-10 (Smooth to Sharp)
5.5

Overall Hook from 1-10 (Low to High)
7.0

To see a picture of this ball layout, please visit my website at www.proshoptraining.com.
__________________
Jeff Ussery
Powerhouse Training Clinics
www.proshoptraining.com
jeff@proshoptraining.com

[slap]

Anyone know the cover finish OOB? I need to get it to react less, right now it has a tendency to roll out easily (and its polished)

4000 grit abralon

[blistershurt]

I think it needs a fresh polish then, or complete redrill, I need to redo the thumb for sure, but I dont like how early it is, reacts very bad on short oil. I'm thinking about getting MB placed in my track. (just to the left of the thumb hole, like half an inch or less)

[slap]

what conditions do you intend to use ball? It was released as a heavy oil ball...

[blistershurt]

So far I have used it for heavy in league, but I want it to be slightly more flexible and cover medium-heavy, where the Vibe skids a little too much.