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Melee Jab

Average Customer Review: 5 of 5 stars

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
220
PAP:
4 1/2 over 1/4 up
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Melee Jab great ball to read lanes it will get through the front and let you know how much backend is there.

Ormond Pro Shop Manager
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6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

The Melee Jab is my go to ball and always the first ball out of my bag regardless of what I am bowling on. The motion this ball provides me is unlike anything I have ever thrown. I can stay right with this ball or I can jump left and score either way. I usually pull out the jab once my stronger equipment (Mastermind, Intellect, Genius) start to read too early and become unpredictable. The jab allows me to either stay where I am or move a little left and open up my angles to find the pocket. This ball glides through the fronts and reads the mids really well. When this ball hits the back part of the lane is when the magic happens. This ball is very strong off the end of the pattern. In my opinion however it is one of the most predictable balls I've ever owned. I have had most success with this ball on Medium to Longer oil patterns and Medium length flat patterns as well. The versatility this ball will give you is unreal and I really think that EVERYONE needs one in their bag.

Rico Dodson
Brunswick Staff Member
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5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
220
PAP:
4-5/8 x 1/4 down
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
194
Ball Review: Melee Jab
Layout 45x5x25

Tester: Taco Suave

Right Hand, 275-300 RPM, 14-16 MPH, 70 Degree Axis Rotation
PAP 3-13/16 Right 7/8 Up

Lane Condition: THS, synthetic surface

Evaluation: The Jab inherits the best qualities of the C(System) Versa Max plus an upgrade in the backend recovery. When used on medium to heavy oil the Jab cleared the front without threatening to hydroplane. It transitioned into a strong, angular path through the pins. Do not let the pearlized coverstock fool you, this ball is strong! I recommend laying out this ball with pin positions you may commonly use on your favorite strong asymmetric bowling balls. When comparing the Jab to the Melee Cross expect easier length and a more violent change of direction down lane. For me personally I found the Jab to out hook the Fortera Exile and Intrigue. This is certainly a must have for anyone’s arsenal!

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5 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
229
PAP:
4 5/8 over
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
I drilled the Mele Jab with a pin under the middle finger hole down drilling (same as the Cross and regular Mele). This ball is a look that I have never seen from Brunswick at this price point. It is a good 2 feet cleaner than the red Mele and easily 5 stronger at the break point. On a fresh THS, this ball looks really good. Even with the strong backend , I can go more left to right than the red Mele, and get the ball to return with no problem. The nice thing with the Jab is that even though the ball is a skid flip reaction, it is not over sensitive or too jumpy off the break point. I haven’t seen a lot of carry down since throwing it to know if it is not strong enough, but with the layout I have, I highly doubt that it would be. This is another great ball from Brunswick.
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4 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
238
PAP:
5 5/8 over, 1 up
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Bobby Benton
Maryland

Brunswick Melee Jab (http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/balls/detail/melee-jab/)
55 x 5 x 50 (OOB Surface)

Personal Stats:
400-450 RPM
18-20 MPH
PAP – 5 5/8” over, 1” up
Axis Tilt – Estimated 8-12 Degrees
http://youtu.be/XywVojKDWR4#t=1h12m50s (example)
Current League Average: 237
Sanctioned Sport Average: 210

Intended Use:
I drilled up the Melee Jab looking to fill a big hole in my bag. In my current 6-ball arsenal, prior to drilling the Jab, I had no pearls. Even when expanding to 9 balls, I didn’t fit a pearl in the bag. Only when travelling with 12 balls did I find use for a pearl. In other words – I don’t have any pearls I like! That CHANGED with the Jab. I was looking for a ball that is clean up front, but with my speed still tractions downlane on deep, inside angles. This is a motion I was lacking for later in blocks on medium/long patterns when I am very far left on the lane. Normally, I would use something like an LT-48 or a Mastermind Genius when trying to play this deep, but neither ball was “the answer”. I now have that answer!

Reaction:
Where the LT-48’s solid cover lacked the punch downlane to get corners out, the Mastermind Genius’s Asymmetric Core was too over/under off the friction on a burned up condition. This Melee Jab has solved ALL of those problems. It easily clears the choppy heads with its Pearl cover, retains the energy and releases it downlane, off the back of the pattern, to create excellent entry angles from deep inside where I prefer to use it. What has impressed me most about this ball however, is how versatile it has been on softer house conditions. Since drilling it, I have used it almost exclusively in league for 4 sets ranging between 720-750. On softer conditions, I prefer to use weaker solids/hybrids with surface to play closer to the friction and maximize carry. With the Jab, I can play the same part of the lane with success. The clean cover allows the ball to glide through the dry track area on a house pattern and create excellent entry angle. The cover is also strong enough that misses in the “puddle” on a house pattern don’t hydroplane. This has created more room on a house pattern than I have seen in a while!

Overall:
This ball is a winner. Not only has it filled a hole in my bag exceptionally, it has become my go-to ball on house conditions as well. It has worked exceptionally well for me as a high-rev/high-speed player, but the pearl cover will also be perfect for lower speed/rev dominant players as well.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
228
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
This ball has a strong continuous angular motion, with tremendous hitting power. I have two of them drilled up. I did drill one with a shorter 4 inch pin; when clearing the pattern this ball responds quickly and is more of a strong continuous arc.
The other Melee Jab I have drilled up is (75 x 5 1/2 x 30) This ball gets down lane, responds predictably in the fraction and is very angular.
I would suggest using this ball on your medium to lighter oil pattern. You will also find this ball is very responsive to cover alterations. If you feel it reacts too strongly, putting it at 2000 will smooth the reaction down lane.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
212
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I am left handed and my ball speed i around 15-16mph.
The ball surface I have on the Melee Jab is Right out of the box.
The drilling that I have on the Melee Jab is I have the Pin below my ring finger, and the Cg kicked to the left with a small weight hole. The pin is 4"
I was missing a ball in my line, and this is the ball motion that I have been missing. This ball gives me really clean through the heads and mid lanes and it gives me that hockey stick motion in the back, and this ball has really helped on the THS patterns. I have used this ball on THS, and also Sport Patterns like High Way to Hell, Route 66, Sydney, and Mexico City, and have done really well on all of them. This ball works the best on Medium to Oily Lane Conditions. If you are going to use this ball on Long Oily lane conditions, you will probably need to hit the ball with some surface. The Melee Jab is the most Versatile ball I think out on the market and with this ball I am able to play straight up the boards, or move right and open the lane and either line the ball still hits hard. Lately this is the first ball out of bag and if the ball is going to long, I go to my Diva Divine. If the Melee Jab is not enough ball in the back, I jump to my Thug Unruly. These 3 balls compromise each other really well and they have been the only balls besides my spare ball I have been taking to league, or tournaments. Brunswick has hit a home run with this ball, and now we have a ball that will compete with Storm balls that have the Hockey Stick motion, and this Melee Jab looks cool also. I don't have any dislikes with this ball at all. The tournament season is in high gear, so get to your local pro shop and purchase a Melee Jab today!! You will not be disappointed! Brunswick Brands I think are the best balls on the Market! www.brunswickbowling.com #brunswickbowling

Doug Cutler
DV8 Regional Staffer
PBA Regional Champion
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

THS
75 x 5-1/2 x 40
This ball is a great pearl symmetric that everybody will have a blast throwing. It is an extremely versatile pearl with the new additive package that Brunswick has pumped into this ball. The Melee Jab will be great for slower ball speeds needing a ball to get thru the heads, and will also be great for the power players needing a benchmark pearl in their bag.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
220
PAP:
4.5 / up .5
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
The Melee Jab is one of my favorite bowling balls in my bag. I used it for a Tournament in Jan in Las Vegas and shot 300 the first game. I used it on the fresh THS pattern. I have the pin under the fingers and the CG is about ½ inch right of center line. I kept the OTB surface. My rev rate is around 360. I really liked the roll of the ball. The ball pushed through the fronts picked up a good mid lane roll. The pocket hit kept the pins low and the ball had good drive through the pins. A few weeks later I tried some surface on the ball and was surprised the ball didn’t roll out. With the surface I could use the ball in heavier oil. On either pattern I could move in when the shot broke down and the ball didn’t lose the hitting power. The other great aspect of the ball is great color.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

Bowler Style:
Rev Rate: 280-300 rpm
Speed: 16 mph
PAP: 5' right x 1/2" up
Layout
70 x 3.5" x 25
x-hole: N/A
Surface: OOB
Comments:
This ball is not like any other ball that I have thrown from the Brunswick name. It is extremely clean through the front 2/3 of the lane, and then it makes a strong movement and continues all the way through the pins. I have had both of the preceding melee balls and this one is the most versatile for me. I have had an opportunity to throw this ball on fresh challenge and sport shots and this ball still didn't go too long for me. It has been one of the best balls on medium level house shots as well, on them I was able to start straighter and use it all night while chasing the shot inside.
Overall this ball has been very good for me, compared to the Brute it is cleaner, longer and more backend (2-3 boards).
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
238
PAP:
5 5/8 + 1 1/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
222
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Out of the Melee line, the Melee Jab is my absolute favorite. I chose a unique (35 x 5 x 80) layout for my Jab because I didn’t want the ball to hockey stick off the end of the pattern. It reads the lane early while providing a continuous strong motion off the breakpoint. It’s perfect for medium length sport patterns (37-41) and traditional house shots.
I won a local tournament recently using my Jab. It was contested on the 2014 USBC Open Championships pattern. I used my Melee Cross on the fresh and as the pattern began to break down I switched to my Jab and moved inside to third arrow. The Jab gave me a look my competitor’s motions couldn’t duplicate.
I recommend keeping the surface at Royal Compound and touching the cover with a 4000 Siaair pad. The Melee Jab is an excellent compliment to my arsenal.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
Not set
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Slow
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Beginner
This is a great ball that has a lot of versatile. This ball is so good that every league bowler or tournament bowler needs one of these. I drilled my ball with the pin drilled out in my ring finger with the cg kicked 1" out from center of palm. This ball is so good that I get the length and still have enough hooking power on the back that it hits like a truck. I tested it on both a sport and THS and this is such a great ball with the versatile of changing the cover to get what you need out of this ball.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
220
PAP:
5 11/16 1/2 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
205
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
This ball is going play a big role in my arsenal. I have been missing a strong pearlized symmetrical bowling ball and this one is just what the Dr. ordered! This ball is super clean through the front and middle part of the lane and is all back end hook. This is the perfect compliment to the Melee Cross, a little further down the lane and quite a bit more continuation. This ball will be a great option for you once the lanes start to dry up, medium to dry lane conditions are when this ball will shine. Perfect step down ball from my Exile. If you don't think Brunswick Balls hook down lane you might try this one!

Perry Goldman

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
245
PAP:
4 x 3/4
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Posts: 494
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Personal Message (Online)
Re: Melee Jab
« Reply #10 on: Today at 12:22:34 PM »
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The new Melee Jab is a great addition to the Melee balls. This Melee fits right in between the Cross and the original Melee. I have loved all three of these balls. They have provided me with a great benchmark reaction. The Jab is a pearl but doesn't exactly react like a pearl. It is very clean in the front, with the midlane predictability of a solid.

Drilling #1 is 65x4x35. I drilled this one with one intention, friction. This one is super long and very angular. I wanted this one to flip so I went with this layout. This ball is used on high friction surfaces or deep in a longer format when I need the ball to completely ignore the fronts.

Drilling #2 is 45x3.5x70 with a hole 2" down on my VAL. The intent with this was to use the strength of the ball. This is a strong pearl and I wanted to utilize this one that way. I am going to add some surface to this ball because when it encounters a too much is will go a tad long. I just need it to slow down a tad sooner. The strength of the ball and drilling forces me deeper but most times the angle is a too steep and I ring a lot of ten pins. This will be fixed with the surface adjustment.

Adam Baer
Brunswick Regional Staff
Vise Staff

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

very clean through the front and strong off the spot very good when pattern opens up or add a little surface and very playable on the fresh
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

very clean through the front and strong off the spot very good when pattern opens up or add a little surface and very playable on the fresh
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

The Melee Jab is one of the best balls out there !
Dont let the great look of this purple pearl fool you...it is awesome.
The Jab is great on medium oiled lanes and I have even had success with it on odd carry down situations.
It clears the front and middle of the lane clean and smooth and at the break point it just wants to go with a big back end. I use the Jab When my Exile starts to check up too soon. A great compliment to and bowlers arsenal.
A must have
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

Im going to start off saying this melee jab is amazing! Not olnly does it look great but it rolls great! I drilled mine pin up and man does it impress. It is a lot cleaner than the original melee..and it seems to never stop hooking off the end of the pattern! it hits like a TRUCK too! This will be a great ball for anyones arsenal..i would highly recommend this ball to anyone!

Brunswick advisory staff, Seth Carden
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
220
PAP:
4 1/2" Over and 1 1/2" Up
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
205
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
DRILL PATTERN
Dual Angle Layout: 60 x 4 1/2" x 75
X Hole (if there is one): 2" down my VAL from my PAP

BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker
Ball Speed: 16.50 mph
PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track

SURFACE PREP
Grit: Box - 500, Royal Compound
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished

BALL REACTION
Length: 7 / 10
Back End: 8 / 10
Overall Hook: 7 / 10
Midlane Read: 7 / 10
Breakpoint Shape: Clean through the front with angular motion down lane

The Melee Jab is the latest ball and will compliment the Melee Cross. With the same lower RG core and a 100% pearl cover, this ball will be a go to when the Melee Cross is hooking too much. The Melee Jab clears the front of the lane and will have a stronger hook motion off of the spot. I have used this ball on THS and Sport conditions with no issues. If you are looking for a ball that is versatile, then the Melee Jab is your answer.

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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
203
PAP:
4 1/2 X 1/2 up
Ball Speed:
Slow
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I was looking for something that would get through the front part once the lanes started to transition. I drilled it pretty much standard for a house shot 4x4 by 2 with a balance hole. I have mid speed 16 mph and my revs right around 350. What I needed was something that wasn't going to jump of the spot. So far so good I did play with the surface and I hit it with a 2000 abralon pad sanded it by hand and that smoothed out the reaction. On the second shift first 3 games 179, 257, 258. The 179 games featured 3 opens,(need to make spares) but this ball gets through the heads and isn't jumpy in the mid lane which I had been struggling with. I hadn't bowled in a league since 1979-1980 or tournaments since 1977-1978 so imagine someone who last seen the lanes with a white dot or yellow dot. I am in contact with some of the older senior tour bowlers and they have been helping me on pattern shapes and I have been surprised at how some balls over react to friction while this Melee Jab seems to get through the heads and reads the mid lanes and then makes a great move to the pocket.I will have to learn to make spares again, but this Melee Jab when the lanes break down has a great read and stores its power for the end. The read in the mid lane which I believe for any bowler is king and I start seeing rev up in the mid lane and then it makes the move to the pocket. I have mine weighing at 14 pounds 12 ounces and realize that weight is about perfect for me. I might consider another with pin down . I have been using this on broken down lanes and hope to use it possibly shorter patterns.
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5

About the Bowler

Style:
Cranker
Experience:
12/15/2014160Practice12/16/2014170Practice
Got this ball like 2 months ago. its my favorite ball that I have ever owned its so predictable and strong. Just great ball great ball.
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
210
PAP:
3 15/16 Right
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Brunswick Melee Jab is Brunswicks' newest release in their all purpose line. This ball is designed to provide a flawless transition from the melee cross or original melee when the lanes start to transition. This ball allows for a clean look through the front and a smooth continuous back-end motion, if you are a Brunswick fan and you really like the motion that the older balls have given you, you will defiantly see it in the Melee Jab!

Call or email if you have any questions.

John Hancock
Deltona Lanes Pro Shop
386-774-2800
[email protected]
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
210
PAP:
4 13/6 over, 1/2 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
45 X 4 1/2 X 70....small WH on VAL

I wasn't sure about this ball because of the way I drilled it. I tend to have more of my equipment pin up, but I went pin down and I have to say I am truly impressed with this reaction. I throw this ball on more of a burned up pattern and I can get way left, and project it out, and it recovers nicely. It is a very smooth, controlled ball motion.....exactly what I was looking for in this ball for both leagues and tournaments. This ball is a great compliment to the Melee Cross.

Roger Harley Jr.
Brunswick Advisory Staff
IBPSIA Advanced Certified Pro Shop Technician
USBC Bronze Certified

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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230+
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Nothing I can say about the Melee Jab that has not already been said. Been waiting for a strong symmetric pearl and it was worth the wait. Anyone that says Brunswick balls do not hook down lane will want to get this in their hands.
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
232
PAP:
5 13/16" up 3/4"
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Personal:
Right handed
300-350 RPM
PAP-5 13/16" up 3/4"

I drilled this ball 70 x 5.5 x 50. Even with this drilling the ball has length and great continuous backend motion. I was looking for a ball to use when the lanes break down and the heads go. This ball is amazing it gets through the heads with ease with a very predictable motion.
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
0.00
PAP:
Ball Speed:
Style:
Bowling Hand:
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
OMG! This is the ball I've been waiting for! I used a 60 x 5 x 30 drilling with no extra hole on my 15lb Melee Jab. This ball is super clean and makes a smooth continuous mid-lane move with strong back-end. This may be the most versatile ball in my bag. I feel like I can use it to go straight on the fresh, but this ball is it's best when I need to take a big step left and curve it! This is a must have for any serious bowler looking for a versatile piece!
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
193
Ball Speed:
Medium
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I got this ball 3 weeks ago and bowled my very first 300 game with it . Plenty of back end to carry
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
193
Ball Speed:
Medium
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I got this ball 3 weeks ago and bowled my very first 300 game with it . Plenty of back end to carry
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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
Not set
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Melee Jab is a great compliment to the Melee Cross in the current All Purpose line of balls. This ball’s pearl cover enables this ball to go much further down the lane than the Cross. I am able to angle this ball further away from the pocket and it gives me plenty of recovery due to how well it goes through the front part of the lane. When the lanes start to hook too early for the Cross this ball is a great go to ball. The color of this ball is a really good looking purple which makes it really easy to be able to see what the ball is doing going down the lane.
Greg Piper
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5

About the Bowler

Bowler Stats:
18.5-19.5 mph
400-450 rpm
7-9 degree tilt
40-60 degree rotation

Layout: 60 degrees by 5.5" by 45 degrees

Initial thoughts: The Melee Jab takes the tried and true Melee Low-RG core and combines it with a new pearl version of the Savvy Hook coverstock. A symmetric Low-RG pearl is historically very good on my wallet. Couple this with talk of this ball being a slightly stronger (and more angular) version of the original Melee and Versamax and I can't wait to throw it.

On the lanes....WOW! This ball gets back from anywhere for me. Plenty of length through the front part of the lane before absolutely unleashing on the backend. On fresh house shots, all I have to do is just send it into the friction and let Jab come screaming back. I can almost stand as far left as I want on house shots and hook it as much as I want, as long as I get it out to the right. The pearl cover at the OOB surface combined with the low-RG core gives the perfect amount of push with misses outside (thanks to the cover) but goes through the pins well even when pulled inside (thanks to the low-RG core). It's perfect on medium to long tougher patterns after a couple of games where some friction has been created to the outside. Once that happens, it's the exact same story: send it to the friction and watch it come back. So far with this Jab, I have been able to play as deep as I want without ever worrying about it not coming back strong enough to send 10 back or snap out 10 pins. Compared to the LT-48 with the same layout, the Jab is about 5 boards stronger for me with all of that coming from the backend. This gives me a great 1-2 punch later in blocks.

Closing Remarks: Backend, backend, and more backend! All this ball does for me is turn left at the breakpoint and absolutely run the pins over from any point on the lane. Mine has earned it's spot in both my tournament bag and my league bag by giving a strong backend reaction and a shape that I've never seen before.



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5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/4x 3/4 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3
Starting Top Weight: 3.2 oz
Ball Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz
DRILL PATTERN
Ball: 55 x 4.5 x 70
X Hole (if there is one): none
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 375 rpms
Ball Speed:17.5 mph
PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit: 800 Grit Siaair plus polish
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished
LANE CONDITIONS
Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house and 39 foot Viper
Volumes: moderate
Type: house and sport
BALL REACTION
Length: Clean through the heads with slight read of midlane
Back End: strong continuous arc
Overall Hook: moderately aggressive
Midlane Read: none
Breakpoint Shape: strong arc
COMMENTS
Likes: Versatility, consistency, strong move at the breakpoint
Dislikes: none
The Melee Jab is a stronger version of the original Melee. It gives me a very useable step down from more aggressive balls like the Melee Cross with more recovery down lane than other options like the Ringer Solid. The Melee Jab picks up the read a little sooner than the red Melee while still giving plenty of length and recovery. This ball will be my go to benchmark ball to read ball reaction on any lane condition. It has the consistent reading characteristic of a solid, while also having the back end recovery of the pearl. This ball seems to play well from all angles across the lane. I was able to start playing up the 7th board on Viper and wind up pitching it left to right from the 3rd arrow all the way to that breakpoint with no issues. The ball would get as angular as I wanted it to be with more axis rotation and would also smooth out properly without rolling out too early when I rolled up behind it more. It has been an absolute pleasure to roll! This is truly a ball that most any bowler could use effectively. If you are looking for a benchmark ball with length and recovery throw a Jab!

Chris Garrett
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5

About the Bowler

Brunswick Melee Jab
My information
Ball speed-14 mph average/ Rev rate- 270 average
Axis tilt-15 degrees /Axis rotation-45 degrees
Ball drilling on the ball reviewed-60 x 30 @4” P 3 X-hole


Ball stats: Core-Melee Low RG Symmetrical Coverstock- Savvy Hook Pearl
Surface-500 siaair Pad /Royal Compound ,RG-2.487 RG Diff-.-0.050
Color-Deep Bruise Pearl

Overview

The Melee Jab cover and core combination creates less friction
friction than the Melee or the Cross. Clears the heads and midlane
and has a quicker respond to the friction downlane.
The ball also has more skid flip than the other Melees.
The Melee Jab creates less overall hook throughout
the lane than the Melee or Cross.

The Melee Jab compared to the Melee and Cross

The Melee and Cross has more overall hook through the entire lane.
The Melee Jab has more length and greater response to the friction.
With more backend at the end of the pattern than the Melee and Cross.

On medium oily lanes 43’ house shot on 15 year old Anvilanes.

The core and cover combo creates less hook throughout the
entire lane. But has a quick response to friction when it encounters
friction at the back end.

The Melee Jab clears the heads and midlane nicely, but has a lot of
axis rotation left to create a big move on the back end. When it hits the friction
at the back end of the pattern, it turns and doesn't quit. When the lanes
start to go through the transition stage The Melee Jab really shows
what it’s made of. The ease through the heads and midlane and the skid flip
motion allows you to move deeper into the lane,and still get recovery.

As the shot transitioned during games I could easily move deeper to created
steeper angles. With the steeper angles during the transition the pin carry was
increased. The miss area wasn't so critical .The ball now had extra area to come back
without overreaction.


Closing comments:
The cover and core helps supply length and decent revs,
for medium conditions.With 4’ flare..The ball does what it is
designed to do.It gave more length and a sharper move
downlane.It got through the drying heads and light push,
all the while maintaining a sharp angular turn at the breakpoint.

The Melee Jab was best on medium oily volumes.
Higher oil volumes might require you to scuff it up some to
improve traction in oil.

Higher rev players may find they will get a great look with
with more surface on fresh oil.

The length the Melee Jab gets through the heads easy,and still keeps
its axis rotation which helps to conserve energy when coming
in contact with the pocket.

Overall a great ball for most styles.Just find a condition that
medium,and you will not be disappointed.
Melee™ Jab | Brunswick Bowling.webloc


Angela Wilt
Brunswick Regional Staff Member.



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