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First Impressions
The Rock Star is smooooooth.
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 330 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: 4 x 40
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 4.75 x 40
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 5 x 45
“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.”
Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Roto Grip Rock Star uses the Rocker + AI symmetrical core inside the NanoStar Solid coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48 diff of .050
14 pound = RG of 2.50, diff of .046
Coverstock finish: 2000 grit abralon
Stroker’s Stance
You’ll notice I’m starting with Bryan as the Rock Star looked best for him. Let’s start with the ball itself. It uses a new Rocker core with pretty middle of the road numbers that should make it versatile. It also uses a new coverstock known as NanoStar. Roto Grip says it fits between Microtrax and eTrax. For us I’d say it was closer to Microtrax. It’s a diggy cover that creates a very smooth shape downlane. It is not very responsive to friction in the sense that you will not see it snap down lane. It is decidely arcy. We have another new pattern but hopefully one that will stay. It’s 44ft 25.8ml 12:1 ratio. For Bryan, he can stay pretty close to the friction wall and really take advantage of what the Rock Star is good at which is strong midlane read and arc to the pocket. With that read he can’t really miss in. As Bryan start to open up, you see how arcy the ball is and carry starts to go down a bit. A quick look at the Summit Ascent (which happens to be freshly finished to 4000) and you see how different the shape is. Much cleaner but also much more angular. Bryan felt that it’s actually a better look for improved carry. Another comparison to the Motiv Lethal Venom and again, while the cover may have similar theoretical strength, the balls as a bit different in that it’s a touch cleaner and has more giddyup downlane. Quick look against the Jackal Onyx and this is obviously in a different league altogether. Earlier roll but also way more capable of angle downlane. Interestingly, even while having a really good look to the pocket with the RockStar, it was least preferred for Bryan of the other balls for this pattern.
Tweener’s Take
Now let’s take a look at the Rock Star for me, a lefty Tweener. As you can quickly see, it’s too strong to go direct so I have to keep edging in until I find the angle I need through the fronts. Near the 3rd arrow when I first find the pocket, it hits flat so I keep going to get it to store more energy but then the hit is soft near the 4th arrow. I adjust the breakpoint closer to 10 and that’s where it looks best. Basically the ball is so arcy it prefers more closed angles. So my miss room was pretty limited. I couldn’t miss out as it doesn’t come back hard enough. I can’t really miss in since I’m already targeting in. I really expected it to be way easier with the new house shot being 44ft and 25.8mls however, being a house shot, most of the volume is in the middle so when I play more direct, there is not enough oil for the Rock Star. But when I move in, there’s plenty of oil but also length from the pattern. It was way trickier than I expected but basically I think the Rock Star will be more suited to a flatter pattern where you can use closed angles with its very smooth shape. You’ll see the Summit Ascent is cleaner and so I have to move further left back into the oil. But once I do, the ball is way more suited to this pattern. Now I have good angle, appropriate length, miss room in.
Power Player’s Persective
Next up is Tyler. Generally speaking, he had a similar experience as I did. He has a look to the pocket in between 3rd and 4th arrow. He tries to bounce it off the outside friction and he gets several of those light swisher strikes, a couple of flush shots as well. However, he also saw some washouts and 2-8-10 type leaves with the ball not really making up the hill. He also didn’t have much miss room in. We were both a little surprised that it wasn’t a bit easier on the longer pattern but it seems the cover and surface is a bit strong for the fronts which forces you more in than the arcy nature of the ball is capable of managing. Quick look at the Summit Ascent and you immediately see the way harder left turn it makes down lane. Just a better match up here. The Motiv Lethal Venom had a similar look as the Rock Star. The Jackal Onyx again is simply a lot more ball both through the fronts and backend over the Rock Star.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a control ball in terms of good early midlane read and a very predictable smooth arc from more direct lines, the Roto Grip Rock Star excels as a mid control ball. Clearly Bryan’s more direct style matched up with the Rock Star better than Tyler and I. It may be versatile in some sense but I was honestly surprised it didn’t make this pattern we are on easier. I actually think a flatter and a bit shorter sport shot may make the Rock Star look quite good.
Thanks for watching.