- Melee Jab Special Edition

First Impressions
The Brunswick Melee Jab Special Edition presents itself as a reissue of the popular classic with modern technologies. With the newly developed Savvy Hook 2.0 Pearl reactive coverstock, sanded with 500/1000 Siaair and polished with Crown Factory Compound, the ball should offer strong midlane traction and the characteristic "JAB!" motion off the backend. The symmetric Melee core carries an RG of 2.487 (15 pounds) and a differential of .050, which is typical for versatile, medium-strong reactions. The ball series uses Brunswick's innovative DynamiCore technology as the outer core layer, which shows less compression at impact and should thereby increase hitting power as well as create a noticeable difference in sound and pin carry.
Comparison
Compared to the original Melee Jab series, the Special Edition offers a modernized surface with the new Savvy Hook 2.0 cover. With its symmetric Melee core, the ball should deliver an all-purpose motion that is perfectly suited to handling tricky lane conditions. Compared to more aggressive pearl balls like the Brunswick Zenith Pearl or the Storm Phaze II, the Melee Jab SE shows a more controllable, more continuous reaction. Unlike the later Melee Jab Carbon with its AXH Pearl cover, the Special Edition with the Savvy Hook 2.0 offers a somewhat different backend character. Its reaction strength is rated at 80 on a scale of 1-100, placing it in the category of medium-strong performance balls.
On the Lanes
The Melee Jab Special Edition works excellently on medium oil conditions and is aimed primarily at bowlers looking for a dependable, versatile ball for a variety of lane situations. Brunswick fans traditionally reach for this ball line for performance on medium conditions, when a strong but predictable shiny ball is needed. The ball suits both bowlers with a medium to higher rev rate and those who prefer a controllable hook motion. With its polished surface, the ball glides easily through the heads, builds strong rotation in the midlane and saves axis rotation for the backend to allow a better entry angle into the pocket for outstanding pin action. The DynamiCore technology should additionally provide improved hitting power and carry, which makes the ball especially interesting for tournament bowlers who depend on maximum pin action.