I have two measles balls and two red circles. I can draw two tables with all of them. When I play with the mud ball (fri-sat the bar does not open the tables for me), I can draw just the same. This tells me that they are all roughly the same weight/size. That being said, I do feel they react differently with cut shots and slight cut stun shots. I assume this is related to the balls having different finishes. Obviously the mud ball does not have a nice finish like the Aramiths and I feel it is easier to hold the ball on slight cut shots. I haven't been able to put into words the difference between the red circle and measles ball, but I feel a difference on certain shots. There certainly is a big price difference. I think I like the red circle more, but I find myself using the measles ball more because I like to watch it spin.
What is the best quality Aramith cue ball to buy?
- Thread starter justinb386
- Start date
The red circle is a non-standard ball, ballset-bundling-wise. Aramith considers the red circle a "specialty" ball, and has never bundled it with any of their ballsets for that reason -- because it's very different from the object balls themselves. Folks that prefer the red circle are by and large 9-ballers, because it's "easier" to draw their rock.
Sure, you may find some "customized" ballsets that have a red circle thrown-in, but I guarantee that was put together by the mom & pop shop selling it, rather than Aramith themselves.
I'd prefer to use the cue ball that comes with the ballset -- as put together by Aramith themselves. If in doubt, I'll use my Measles ball or Centennial blue-circle cue ball. I prefer to rely on my stroke to draw the ball, not the "specialty" makeup of the ball itself.
-Sean
I believe the red circle is included with the Aramith Premium set. I draw about the same with any clean ball I use... though the red circle does seem to play slightly slicker, glancing more on slight angle draw shots (at least to my perception). So yeah, maybe at distance the red circle would require slightly less stroke to draw the ball. If this is the case, the difference is too small too have any affect on my game. Maybe someone with a sh**t draw stroke would feel a bigger difference. I like the way the ball plays. And if it were easier to draw, why would that be a bad thing? The slicker the ball, the higher quality the finish/polish work.
Not true. See here:
http://saluc.com/html/billiard/index.php?idlien=10
http://saluc.com/html/billiard/index.php?idlien=41
The black-logo ball is bundled with the Premium, Premier, and Tournament sets. The red-logo ball is bundled with the Super Aramith Pro set. The Measles ball is bundled with the rest.
The problem is that you can "get used" to the unique characteristics of a specialty ball like the red circle, and even depend on it (if you carry one around with you and use it in *every* game).
It is a preference thing, though, and as long as one can keep the use of his/her preference consistent, there's no big deal. But once you're in a situation where you're forced to have to use the cue ball that comes with ball sets (e.g. a tourney, and you're not allowed to swap-out the cue ball), a little bit of learning curve and settling-in is induced.
-Sean
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Thanks for clearing that up. I saw a picture of the premium set on aramith's website and the cue ball was that off white color, so I assumed it was the red circle. I agree with you and am fortunate to play in situations where I'm using many different cue balls, so I can adjust within a few minutes. I honestly like the way the mud balls at my local bar the best... when they're cleaned of course. Never thought I'd say that...
the logo on the cue ball in Tournament set is different from other two mentioned. That's the reason I'm asking if Aramith sells it separately. Because I own a set of Tournaments but I decided to replace the original cue ball from the package with measles ball until I see I can get a replacement of the original if it is damaged, scratched or gets worn out. So far it rests waiting its turn...
Sean, the cue ball that comes with the Tournament set is almost assuredly different than the one that comes with the other, lower cost sets. The T's are a matched set so it is doubtful the CB is different in composition from the rest of the set, especially since they are touting it as the most heat resistant and kindest to the bed cloth. So I'm sure it too is made from the Duramith resin. This is their top of the line set. If they were going to include a CB with it that was different, I doubt they would have dipped below the Super Pro resin to any even less expensive CB.
Also, the logo is not really the same. The logo on the Tournament CB is a black logo inside a broken circle.
V, I'd imagine you could special order the T cue ball. There has to be a way to order single replacement balls for that set, including the CB. It is very possible they are just not a stocked catalog item because the set is new and there aren't that many out there yet. That's likely the reason the blue circle and red logo super pro CB is readily available - there are so many centennial and super pro sets in the field there is a need in the market for replacement CBs for those sets.
I'd give a few of the retailers a try and see if they can order the Tournament CB for you.
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Since they are now promoting the T's more, I'll be curious to see if they come out with a Duramith 6 dot ball to mate specifically to this set. It wouldn't surprise me if Aramith makes Duramith measles at least in small quantities that they provide to marquee televised events. I can't recall if I've seen a 6 dot being used with the Tournament TV set. If it has, I'd love to know if it is a Duramith measles ball provided by Aramith or if the promoter is just throwing a super pro 6 dot in with the duramith set.
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Mitch & Vahmurka:
Yes, I know that the Tournament set is definitely special, in that it's a different material used (i.e. Duramith instead of the normal resin).
Thus, it goes to show that the cue ball bundled with the Tournament set is also different by definition. I glossed over that fact like wet ice upon wet ice.
But most assuredly, my point was to unquestionably counter the notion that the Red Circle ball was "bundled" with any Aramith set, especially since Aramith themselves consider the Red Circle ball a "specialty" cue ball.
It was mainly a "here, look at these pics on the Aramith website, and what logo or marking do you see on the cue ball in these bundled sets? Definitely not a red circle ball." thing.
Thanks for the clarifications. I think you're right, Mitch, in that it'll be interesting to see if Aramith make a Duramith-resin-based measle ball to match the Tournament set. It would make sense that they would, especially for TV purposes.
-Sean
Yes, I know that the Tournament set is definitely special, in that it's a different material used (i.e. Duramith instead of the normal resin).
Thus, it goes to show that the cue ball bundled with the Tournament set is also different by definition. I glossed over that fact like wet ice upon wet ice.
But most assuredly, my point was to unquestionably counter the notion that the Red Circle ball was "bundled" with any Aramith set, especially since Aramith themselves consider the Red Circle ball a "specialty" cue ball.
It was mainly a "here, look at these pics on the Aramith website, and what logo or marking do you see on the cue ball in these bundled sets? Definitely not a red circle ball." thing.
Thanks for the clarifications. I think you're right, Mitch, in that it'll be interesting to see if Aramith make a Duramith-resin-based measle ball to match the Tournament set. It would make sense that they would, especially for TV purposes.
-Sean
Sean, I see your point.
thanks a lot, but in the meantime I don't need to buy one. I just decided not to use mine until I know I can get a replacement. It would be sufficient if I just know such possibility exists. Then I could start using original ball I have with my set.
rogedjohn
Registered
This is very, very late information, but I just discovered it ... It is an email from Aramith (Saluc) that informs about The different kinds of ARAMITH cue balls ...
http://billiards.colostate.edu/resources/Aramith_CB_info.pdf
I hope that this will help someones decision making process ... !~
http://billiards.colostate.edu/resources/Aramith_CB_info.pdf
I hope that this will help someones decision making process ... !~
I understand this, but here's something else to think about... If the measles ball and the red circle are the same ball made from the same resin, why does the red circle drop in the Diamond Smart Table, but the measles ball doesn't?
Only comes in the set.
Do they offer it with a calendar? :duck:
ST uses an optical sensor so if that is happening it would be a color/contrast difference not size or wt.
denatured alcohol dabbed on a magic eraser is the best combo I've found to remove deeper miscue scratch marks on cue balls. Some on here have said a magic eraser is too abrasive, which I don't really understand - its just a sponge!
Actually they are a micro-abrasive. Basically a glass hard resin that is processed into foam. It can be hard on some surfaces. I would think it would take shine off pool balls. Y/N??
I have the Blue Logo ball that came with my Aramith Premium set, over 6 years ago. It is very affordable through Ama***. As low as $11.62 shipped, assuming it hasn't also been faked?
The Aramith Red Circle cue ball sells for less than $20 shipped, assuming it hasn't been faked?
Magic Eraser is equal to 1500-2000 grit sandpaper. It would definitely take the shine off a new set of balls, even the new heat vitrified ones.