Bowler Ratings

PatternStTwCr
Oily:668
Medium:99.59.5
Dry:877
Sport:667

Bowler ratings are from 1 to 10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR)

General Info

Brand:
Name:Melee
Reviewed:November 2013
Empty
Coverstock Specs
Name:Savvy Solid
Type:Reactive Solid
Box Finish:500 SiaAir / Royal Compound / Royal Shine
Color:Red
Empty
Core Specs
Name:NA
Type:Symmetrical
RG:2.539
Diff:0.050
Int. Diff:0.000

For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.

The Melee is the first solid single-colored ball since the C(System) Versa-Max. The ball stores a good amount of energy, while not over-skidding in the oil.

This heavy rolling ball gave us our best look on the medium test pattern. Cranker and Tweener really liked it on this pattern. They felt they could be as aggressive as they wanted at the bottom of the swing without the Melee going sideways when it saw friction. Stroker had a good reaction on this pattern as well, but it just was not as good as Cranker and Tweener saw. We did not feel we would be doing this ball any justice by altering the coverstock on this pattern.

We also left it at the box finish on the dry test pattern. The polished cover gave Tweener and Stroker enough skid to allow them to open up the lane on this shorter pattern. Cranker saw a little too much hook for his liking until he started projecting the Melee farther out on to the lane. The loft gave him the extra length to catch up to Tweener and Stroker.

Stroker and Tweener needed to remove the polish with a 2000 SiaAir pad for our heavy test pattern. The added surface texture gave them the grip they were lacking from the box finish. Cranker was able to keep this ball at the box finish on this pattern also. He moved his feet right and was straighter through the front with his angles and was able to strike plenty.

Tweener and Stroker made the same surface adjustment on the sport pattern as they did on the heavy pattern to find their best lines to the pocket. Cranker again liked the box finish best on this pattern. We usually see too much angle when a polished ball exits this pattern, but the Melee rolled so heavily in the mid-lane for Cranker, he was able to control the back end just fine.

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque7.5
This is one of the heaviest rolling balls we have thrown in a while. This resulted in all three testers having increased pin carry on all our test patterns.
Length15
The polished solid coverstock provides medium length for all styles of bowlers. This ball at the box finish is best suited for medium oil conditions.
Back End17
This ball is just shy of being a skid/flip reaction. The back end is a really strong movement, but it's more on the arc side than flip.
Total Hook51
The Melee is the most versatile of this month’s Brunswick releases. It fits right between the Mastermind and the Ringer Platinum Pearl in reaction shape and total hook.

Strengths

The Melee offers a unique motion going down the lane. The ball is remarkably clean through the front while picking up strongly in the midlane with an arcing motion through the back end.

Weaknesses

There is little the Melee cannot do on the lane. Our lower rev testers had a few problems on the heavy oil test pattern.

Overall Summary

The Melee is the most versatile release we have seen from Brunswick in quite a while. This ball can find use in almost any bowler’s bag.

Brunswick Melee Comparisons

Click below to see a comparison table of each pair of bowling balls shown:

To compare the Brunswick Melee to any other bowling ball(s), please use our Bowling Ball Comparison tool.

The BTM Ball Testing Team

About The BTM Ball Testing Team

The BTM Ball Testing Team is led by Eric Martinez. Our team of three testers has thrown and reviewed hundreds of bowling balls for Bowling This Month. When not testing balls for BTM, Eric owns and operates University Pro Shop in San Antonio, TX and he is an avid competitive bowler. Click here to learn more about how we test and review bowling balls.