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Author Topic: Granite Gargoyle  (Read 18388 times)

admin

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Granite Gargoyle
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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The Granite Gargoyle is equipped with the same great core as the Green Pearl Gargoyle but encased with a totally new "particle" cover stock that gets down the lane better and offers much more backend than previously released "active" cover stocks from Visionary. When there's too much oil for the Green version this Granite Gargoyle will bite through the oil with devastating results. The specifications are: Low RG: 2.54"; RG Differential: .040"; Color: Granite; Hardness: 78.

 

rob clark

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2000, 02:00:00 AM »
I don't own one (yet)! But one got used against us last night and the bowler had 10 strikes the first game for a nice 267. He left (2) 10 pins, missed the 1 in the 2nd frame, strung 9 in a row and left a 10 pin on his 12th ball. The lanes broke down and he didn't move fast enough, so he only shot 231 the second game and 184 the last. ANYTHING near the pocket (high OR light) was a strike. I want want right now.
Rob Clark
St. Louis

BuddiesProShopcom - Bill

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2000, 02:00:00 AM »
Visionary was kind enough to send us one of these ball for review.  The Granite Gargolye has the same great core as the Green Gargolye, with a "particle" shell.  

I drilled this ball up using a 4 1/2" by 4 1/2" stacked drilling.  This is leverage for me.  I threw this ball on fresh oil and it was very clean through the heads and started to make its move in the mid-lane.  This ball was a truck when it got to the pin deck.

This is a very strong ball and didn't flutter in the oil when I pulled it inside, it just recovered and held the line.  Out of the box, this ball is great on the fresh oil.

I took the ball back to the shop and sanded it with 400 and 600, then 600 high speed and used TEC shine.  I went out and through it on the same shot and found that the ball when a lot longer and snap more, instead of the heavier roll, when dull.  The ball still held the great hitting power and recovered well on bad shots.  

On a scale of 1-10, I would give this ball a strong 8.  You can make easy surface changes to meet any bowlers’ game, quickly and easily.

Thanks

Bill

Thanks
Bill
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SKIP

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2000, 02:00:00 AM »
OK, here is the second of a few posts of Visionary equipment I will have. I had this ball drilled with the pin 4.5" from my pap and the cg is 4.5" from my pap. The cover stock in this ball feels like a 3 day old beard.  One would think just feeling this ball that it should go left as soon as it hits the lane (WRONG).  This ball actually goes long, it clears the head oil easily and continues on towards the break point, then (EXIT STAGE LEFT).  The ball makes a hard move at the break and hits the pins right nice.  A lot of balls send pins and mesengers all over the place, but this balls sends them in the pit(FLUSH). This ball is a keeper.  Wake up and give Visionary a try.

Paul Meyer

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2000, 02:00:00 AM »
First of all i polished mine with Black Magic to try and cut back the hook of the ball. Drilled mine with a 5x5 drilling with pin at 12:30, CG in palm. Let me just tell you that this ball will give every manufacturer a scare, a big hooking ball, it clears heads easily and just flips. As i continued to throw it seemed to become gritty, it almost lost its shine, reminded me of my La Nina.

This ball is incredible, and at the price it is a must have for everyone.

Paul Nosek

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2000, 09:44:36 PM »
I've drilled up a GG with the pin at 4 and 3/4 inches, about 1" below the ring finger and CG on the grip midline about 3/4" below the center of the grip.



In the shop, the ball creates a lot of interest with its unusual appearance and feel. On our liberally oiled synthetic lanes, it creates a lot of arc. At the pocket, it creates a lot of strikes, and a distinct thud.



Flip is not in this ball's repertoire at all. With a decent layer of oil, it gets downlane nicely then strongly arcs to the deck. The movement is reminiscent of the old "skid-roll-hook" of the urethane era. Despite its apparent early roll, it still has plenty of pop left for the pocket. I have yet to see any noticeable deflection from this ball going on about three weeks of use.



Caveats: First, this ball gets pretty grimy looking, but without any apparent effect on the performance. I have used citrus-based cleaners and the ball comes right back. The "beard" effect isn't as noticeable after about the third cleaning (I have not altered the surface at all except by cleaning).



Second, if the head oil goes, so does this ball, into the bag. It seems to hit a bit flat if the oil isn' there to conserve enough energy.



This is my first ball from Visionary and I find it very useful and scorable on our house shot, one of the less user-friendly house shots. YOU WILL NOT FIND MORE HOOK FOR THE MONEY, 'nuff said....go buy one.




Slick_ML

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2001, 03:23:31 PM »
I drilled this ball up stacked leverage with the pin 3 3/8" from PAP.  I threw it on fresh oil 10 to 10.  It gets clean through the heads and around midlane starts to make its move.  Also, I noticed that when I pulled the ball into the heavy oil, the ball didn't just slide down, it kept the line and came up enough to get to the pocket.  One thing this ball does not lack is carry.  I've been looking for a good med-heavy oil ball, and now I've found it.

strike12

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2001, 01:53:36 PM »


Since becoming part of the Visionary test staff I have had the pleasure to finally through their bowling balls.  I now know that I should not have waited.  These are perhaps the best I have used.  Before I go in the the review I should note to you that I was throwing AMF NightHawk SPT and Revenge; I also use a Lane#1 Buzzsaw and recently moved to a new house to bowl where the lanes have a little more oil.  I was down for the league on average but; I have drilled and been playing with the Granite and Green Gargoyle (check that review also) for the past few weeks.  

These two are perfect for eachother.  The Granite has a rather unique feel to it out of the box and the only way I can discribe it is to tell you to go outside and rub your hands on the cement driveway; it literally feels like that.  I am right handed and have medium speed and rotation.  I usually stand 22-25 and through 9-10.  This ball HOOKS, in fact it hooks early and you will need oil to use it.  I had to put a light polish on it to get better control of it and since then it has worked perfect; still has a very strong hook and when it hits the pins they fly.  Even light hits carry more then they have in the past for me.  If I had to name a bad thing about the ball is the fact that is gets dirty, meaning; because of its texture and color you pick up all the rubber marks from the return and pin setter, not a big deal but it is the only bad thing I can say about it.  Since throwing these two as a pair the past 3 weeks I have upped my average about 10 pins or more.  In one league alone I bowled a 678, 694 the past few weeks.

Make sure and check the Green Gargoyle review also.

Great work and great products.  If you are looking for something different and want something that wont break the bank this is it.


sluggo

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2001, 03:14:43 PM »
The Granite Gargoyle is an awesome ball.  I have had it for 4 weeks now and I have yet to bowl less than 610 in the 2 leagues I bowl in.  My average before this ball was 182 and 186.  The flush hits just boom the pins into the pit.  On not so solid hits the messengers will fly around and take out any pin that might have stayed up.  Had a 287 last Friday and actually think a 300 is possible with this ball.  I am a Lefty with medium/slow ball speed and not much rotation.  I am standing almost at the right gutter and throwing it out to about the fifth board.  It turns into the pocket like no ball I have used.  Was throwing a Ti Messenger Pearl, but haven't had it out since I got the Gargoyle.  This is a great ball from a small company that should at least get your consideration if you are looking for a new ball.

The drill pattern I have is the tame label drilling.  Can't imaging how it would hook with a more aggressive drill.

The cover feels almosted textured. It does tend to pick up a ton of dirt, but that is the only bad thing I can say about this ball.

If you have the chance, you should try one.

I rate it a 10+.

cool_kevin1029

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2002, 08:51:08 PM »
I would like to start off by saying that this ball hits like a mac truck.  I got this ball drilled with the pin above my fingers and this ball really hits hard. I have had the ball for about 6 weeks now and I have to say that this ball is great for the money.  This ball chews through the oil and hooks on any condition except for long heavy oil patterms.  This ball is great even though after a few dozen games it looks like a dirt ball.  I give this ball a 9 out of 10.  A must for the value

strike12

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2002, 02:59:48 PM »
Well it finally happened my first 300 and my first sanctioned 700 series.  Both using the Granite Gargoyle.  As you may have seen in my other review I love the way this ball rolls.  I seem to use it more then my other balls right now.  I have moved and now stand about 23 and my target is 15 (3rd arrow) and I swing it to about the 9-10 board.  

Last night it was just screaming back and crushing the pocket.  In my 300 game I was fortunate to only throw two bad shot; one in the first frame that went brooklyn and blew all the pins to the back and the second shot in the 10th (my 11th strike) got a little wide on me and hit light but carried and at that point in the game that is all that mattered; it carried!!!

After getting my nerves settled from the first game I recovered the second game closing the last six frames for a 206, then started the third game with the front 5 only to be stumped by my first solid ten of the night and ended the game with a 213 for a 719 series.

I average 194 in that league and continue to improve with this Visionary equipment.  It is all I throw now and plan on getting the new Executioner very very soon.  If you are looking this is the way to go; you will not be disappointed.


Aphique

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2002, 02:55:30 PM »
This ball is by far one of the best bowling balls that I have ever thrown.  Up until my purchase of the Granite Gargoyle, I only threw Ebonite product.  My favorite ball was the Matrix TPS III, but that has all changed.  The Gargoyle has a great particle feel to the ball and has a very predictable hard arc on the back ends.  This ball eats through oil without predjudice and can be very forgiving if you miss your mark wide by about 5 to 7 boards.  

This is definitely not a ball for dry lanes, but it can handle medium to heavy oil without any problems. The key to this ball is keeping it CLEAN!

I am a 190 average league bowler, and in the first two weeks of using this ball for the first time on my Thursday night league, I shot 650 and 706.  For the price, this ball has to be one of the most economical and performing balls out on the market.  My salute to Visionary for making an excellent ball at a great price.

cool_kevin1029

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2002, 08:06:36 PM »
This is my second review for this ball.  I have this drilled with the pin above my fingers and this ball hits very hard. I recently threw a 279 and 258 with this ball on a long condition with fresh backends.  This ball is great when the backends are fresh but when they break down so does this ball.  I left so many dimes it was rediculous.  All in all a great ball when the backends are in tact.

walker300

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2002, 02:01:18 AM »
All i can say about this ball is it hooks.  It is controllable and carries well but with the out of the box finish it doesnt last more than 2 games.  A great ball for heavy oil and to find an inside line when everyone else is outside and burning up the shot.  Also carries well from most angles I can Play.

Gene J Kanak

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Re: Granite Gargoyle
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2002, 07:57:43 AM »
Hey everyone,

  Well, I haven't had this ball for very long, or thrown it a whole lot
 just yet, but I like what I've seen thus far.  This ball does a good job of getting through the heads, and makes a strong arc into the pocket.  This ball can cover a lot of boards, but is not nearly as snappy as my Eraser Boost.  This ball makes a controlled turn on the backend, and boy does it hit when it gets there!  I don't think that I've ever used a ball that hits quite as hard as this one does.  Light hits send messengers flying, while half and pocket hits sound like a grenade is going off!  Lastly, this ball seems to be forgiving as well.  If you get it a bit inside it holds the line well in the oil, but still has enough power to clear out the ten-pin.  Likewise, there were a couple of times when I got it outside of the oil a bit early, and it didn't fly through the nose the way some other balls do.  I averaged 225+ in the games that I've thrown with this ball so far, and can't wait to attack some tournament shots with this one.  This is a great ball at a phenomenal price!  The only somewhat negative thing that I can say is that the out-of-box finish will shine up very quickly, and will require frequent cleaning/soaking.  However, if you really care about performance, soaking a ball in the tub from time to time isn't too much to ask.  Great job Visionary!  Good luck and good bowling to all.