The Choice Comes in Pearl..

First Impressions
The Choice Pearl left an indelible mark for all of us. Each bowler really liked it and that’s a good sign when a ball is that versatile.

Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 5 x 40
Intent: Medium/long roll with a medium transition at the breakpoint

Jason Jeffries (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 460 rpm
PAP 5 & 1/4 up
Average Speed: 19.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low degrees
Axis rotation: 60 degrees
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 5 x 40
Intent: Medium/long roll with a medium transition at the breakpoint

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Higher Tilt Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/4 & 1/8 down
Average Speed: 17.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 4.5 x 35
Intent: Medium roll with a slow transition at the breakpoint

Thanks to Jeff Smith and Pure It Bowling for drilling our equipment.
Buy the Ebonite Choice Pearl at PureItBowling.com.
Thanks to Limerick Bowl in Limerick, PA.

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Test Pattern:
THS: 40ft, 23ml
Sport: PBA Dick Weber: 45ft, 23.45 ml, 3:1 ratio

Value
B+
We have historically found pearl asyms pretty versatile balls and the Choice Pearl continues that trend.

Specs
The Ebonite Choice Pearl uses the Mod-1 asymmetrical core inside the GSV-1 Pearl coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .054, mb of .021
14 pound = RG of 2.51, diff of .054, mb of .021
Coverstock finish: 500/1000/Powerhouse Factory Polish

Overall
THS: B+
Sport: B+
Ebonite continues with the Mod-1 core from the Choice in the Pearl version. Th GSV-1 coverstock also continues in the topline from the Choice, Impact, and even the Verdicts. The motion is very interesting. The core is rolly. The cover is a pearl but not very quick reacting to dry. But it’s quick enough to give it punch but not so quick that it makes it unpredictable. We’ve spent enough time around bowling balls to feel comfortable saying this is likely to be a pretty predictable and reliable motion. We all saw that core rev up while the cover still let it get through the mids quite easily. Then it smoothly turned over. If you’re expecting huge boom, this isn’t it. But we all really enjoyed the way this ball transitioned.
For me, 14 to 8 was the line and you can see everything I described. It was the kind of motion where you can get more direct without feeling like it’s all of a sudden going to explode through the face. You can make small adjustments and get that back on lane. I tried several lines and trajectories and you can see what I mean. Made me feel really comfortable throwing the Choice Pearl. Compared to the Choice, you can see how much earlier the Choice reads. Move about 6 and 3 and the Choice is in its element.

Next, I’ll introduce our latest high rev tester Jason. Initially, he was surprised at how smooth it was off the spot but ultimately he did see that strong pearl reaction that we ultimately expect. That smoothness made it very predictable. His line was around 18 to 7. He had good forgiveness missing in and out although because it is a little slow off the dry, out can 2-8-10 on him. It didn’t take long at all for Jason to understand this ball and feel completely at ease throwing the Choice Pearl. Easily a THS ball for him.

The testament to versatility is typically how the ball fairs for all of our bowlers. We know it’s worked well with mine and Jason’s style. How about Bryan with the lower rev rate and higher tilt. Well I’m happy to report that it worked great. Bryan plays closer to the friction and the ball is clean enough not to burn up in it while still driving heavy to the pocket and through it. Sometimes these pearl asyms just aren’t enough for Bryan but shot after shot, he just crushed the pocket. I would venture to say he had just about the best look out of the 3 testers.

Sport Shot
We’re testing on the 45ft Dick Weber Pattern. Typically in no way would I use shiny on this pattern but that smooth predictable motion made it surprisingly easy to get to the pocket and strike. The Choice is even more sure footed with it’s 2000 surface finish which means I can start with that and drop to the Choice Pearl to see the same motion but with more length and down lane motion.
For Jason, he is around the same zone as the house shot but he can’t leak it outside 7 or he is asking for a 2-8-10. He wouldn’t need a ton of surface for this pattern but taking the factory polish off would probably be the better bet.
Bryan had the same good look on the sport pattern.

Final Thoughts
The latest high performance releases from Ebonite have been pretty impressive and the Choice Pearl didn’t disappoint. All testers enjoyed tossing it and it is the kind of ball that can be successful on both house shots and sport shots. Although the top line has 2 hybrids with the Choice and Impact and a pearl with the Choice Pearl, these 3 balls feel like they can be nice compliments, especially if you change the surface on the Impact.