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Author Topic: Red Sorcerer  (Read 12595 times)

admin

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Red Sorcerer
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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The Fireball Red Sorcerer represents a new breakthrough in Urethane technology. By pushing the limits of polymer compatibility and complementing that with our High Pressure Technology, we have produced a urethane bowling ball that approaches reactive back end strength without sacrificing the controllability of urethane.

The telltale phasing swirls and streaks are characteristic of the technology and are similar to the phasing typically seen in reactive urethane balls.

We feel this new technology will be of great interest to bowlers seeking stronger back end action but who do not want the sometimes erratic action of reactive urethane balls. Specs are: Finish: Satin (600)
Hardness: 75-78
RG: Medium
Flare: Medium
Length (1-10): 5
Back End (1-10): 7
Hook (1-20): 13(oil)-16+(dry)
Avail. Weights: 13-16#

 

Pye

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2001, 11:07:23 AM »
Having purchased this ball as part of my test staff membership I was unfamiliar with the Visionary product line.  Originally I only looked at the fact that this was a urethane ball and I intended to use this for second shift or broken down conditions and the like.  Experience has proven that when Visionary uses words like: "Strong" or "Very strong," you better pay attention!

Mine is a 15.2 lb ball with a 2.5" pin and a top weight of 2.56 oz.  This ball shares the core of the Orange and Blue Warlocks.  (That should have been the first clue this wasn't your dad's urethane ball!)  The ball is drilled up 4.5" X 5" with finished finger and side weights of right at 3/4 oz.  Box finish is 600 grit and it's a medium rg ball at 2.590 and offers medium flare potential with a .046 differential.

In this condition this ball REALLY needed some oil!  It started to move as soon as it hit the lane with a heavy but even arc generating about 4" of flare.  This was not what I was looking for.  Two of my other test staff balls were the Midnight Scorcher and the Granite Gargoyle, hook was not what I needed!  Without spending much time with the ball in this condition I can tell you that if you are looking for an even, heavy arcing medium to heavy oil ball here is your ticket.  I however was not and here is what we tried...  In the spinner we found that this ball is resistant to taking a shine but, with effort and some serious leaning we did finally get it up to a nice glossy finish ending with TEC shine.  This helped but the ball was still too strong offer a compliment to my Green Gargoyle.  As a last ditch effort we axis holed it back to zero side.

Now we're talking!  Between the shine and axis hole the flare is down to about 2" and very controllable.  When the Green Gargoyle starts to jump too hard I can take this ball back at my original mark or a board so tighter and stay in the pocket for as long as I bowl on this pair of lanes.  Smooth and predictable with good hit and carry.  There is a little room to tug but, unless the outsides are bone dry there isn't the recovery of a reactive if you let it out a bit.  While this seems like a lot of work the ball really fills a nitch in my arsenal now.

While this would make a good oil ball in anyones arsenal it also has the flexibility for a wider range of conditions with the right tuning.

Another solid Visionary performer!

mfd301

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2001, 10:34:37 AM »
now this was the ball i was looking for. i won this ball on visionary's website contest and am very glad i took this ball. the ball has a 3" pin and 3oz of top weight. ball is 600 grit out of the box. for a urethane ball this thing hits hard. great combo of core and cover. drilled the ball over the label with pin 4" from pap and even with ring finger. in box condition this thing hooked more that i expected it to. makes a nice hard arc to the pocket which is what i was looking for. shot some good games with it this way but the ball rolled up too early so off to the spinner. took the cover to 1000 with light polish, and now i got what i wanted. great on med-light oil conditions. lets me play further outside and the ball gets down the lane better. still nice hard arc to the pocket, with power to spare. if you are looking for something that hits with out overeaction give this ball a try

Ball_Tester

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2002, 10:01:10 AM »
Recently I have been having difficulty bowling in the area I live in.  The major reason for this problem, is that the lanes have become extremely wet/dry.  Reactives, including those that are tamer coming screaming out of the dry way to hard.  I decided to give a urethane a shot figuring it would help reduce the problem I had.  The three balls I was looking at were the sorcerer, thunder flash, and black messenger.  I decided to give the sorcerer a try because of the recent luck I have had with Visionary products.

Some stats on me:
My stats:
Right Handed Tweener
15.0 to 16.5 mph (typically, but dependant on shot)
Above avg. Hand


I punched up the sorcerer with pin over ring finger and cg kicked out to get the ball into a slightly earlier roll with still enough hit on the back.  I will say that I was extremely suprised when I threw this ball.  This ball is like not urethane I had ever throw in the past, it is a complete monster.  On a normal house shot oiled to about 37 feet this ball reved up quickly off my and and arced the entire lane.  The hit was also incredible.

On more of a wet/dry condition this ball is outstanding.  The ball rolls heavy enough to hook through the oil if tugged and will not coming screaming off the dry like a reactive.  Although, I will say this one coming off extreme dry still makes a move.

This one was a little strong for the house wet/dry condition I have been fighting lately, but can still get the job done over the reactives in my bag.  I can also see this ball being an outstanding wet/dry tourney ball because of the more even roll it has.  When the  heads start to burn up put this one away though as you will ring corners all day, due to the ball burning up in the heads.

Heavy Oil - This is not really a heavy oil ball, but you can get away with it on this condition due to its early roll.  Square up a little more with this one and it will still hit well.

Medium -  This ball will play well on medium to medium heavy.  Put it away later in your shift, as it will start to burn up in the heads.

Light - This ball has too much surface on this condition, less it;s your only option to the pocket put it away.

Overall, I am very pleased with this ball even though it plays much stronger than advertised IMO.

Ratings (1-20)

Hook: 17 (this one hooks much more than advertised)
Control: 19 (nice even arcing urethane)
Length - 7 (this ball rolls very early, but that is part of its nature for being a control ball)
Backend - 10 (the hit is incredible, but it won;t come screaming off the dry like most reactives)
Versatility - 10 (this ball will be great on wet/dry conditions, but put it away when the heads start to fry)
Overall - 17 (this ball can be somewhat condition specific, but plays extremely well on the conditions it was made for)


lebowski

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2002, 08:47:44 AM »
I got this ball as part of my Visionary test staff membership and it was one of the last ones I got drilled. All I have to say is, why did I wait so long? This is the most consistent ball I have ever rolled. I can't believe they discontinued it and am planning on buying another one before they are out of stock. The lanes I bowl on are wood with oil conditions that are anywhere from dry to light-medium. This ball hits the pocket every time and sends pins flying! I bowled a 287 with it the other night, my highest score so far! Before the sorcerer, my best game was a 222. I had it drilled so as not to have a major hook, but I've noticed that this ball is also pretty speed sensitive. If I need a major hook i just slow my delivery down and it'll go gutter to gutter. For the past few weeks this has been the only ball I've been using. For spares as well as strikes. This is an incredibly controlable and consistent ball! I absolutely LOVE this ball! I have nothing bad to say about it, it's the perfect ball!

HskrPwr

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2002, 09:53:13 PM »
I purchased this ball about a month ago and have bowled 3 games with it, all on fresh oil. The one game I shot at a usually wet house was a 287.  At my league house on fresh oil I shot 243 and 225.  Needless to say I'm happy with the early results.  I'm a 225 league average with an old Columbia Black Knight drilled straight.  This ball I have drilled with the pin just to the right of the fingers.  So, I'm way out of my comfort zone with this ball which based on my 3 scores with it, shows the control that this ball provides.  I bought Visionary equipment to tackle the sport shots.  I'll update further when I have the chance to get it on a sport shot.

bowlinggodbink

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2002, 10:05:07 PM »
This is my spare ball. I also use it for when the lanes are not too forgiving.
It has a nice roll and even hook into the pocket. Must be cautious on dry lane conditions. This ball can get away from you sometimes. Over all this ball reminds me of my old urethane Hammers. Great ball for the price.

leftyjimbo

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2003, 06:33:29 PM »
15#
Pin:2-3
T.W. 2 oz.
Drilling: 2 x 4  no extra hole needed and 0 static weights
Lefthanded stroker w/ low to med revs and med speed
Typical house shot: 38 feet with dry backends

I got this ball to combat the dry lanes at my home lanes.I drilled it to roll early and try to get rid of the big backend all my other balls are giving me. It starts early and just keeps going...so I started polishing it in steps to get the reaction that I have been looking for. I was afraid that if I shined the ball I would get more of a skid/snap, but was surprised tha polish made this ball go longer with less of a backend. Right now I have it shined with storm's extra shine, which is around 3500 grit

Great Job Visionary

drexell

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2004, 05:55:40 AM »
THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST BALL I HAVE EVER THROWN AND OF COURSE IT IS DISCONTINUED.THE FIRST DAY I USED IT I  SHOT 12  PRACTICE GAMES AT ABOUT 3 PM THEN BOWLED IN A 5 MAN LEAGUE, THEN BOWLED 11 MORE PRACTICE GAMES.AVERAGED 224 FOR 26 GAMES ON CONSTANTLY CHANGING LANE CONDITION. mY AVERAGE IS ONLY 193.BEFORE RESIN I AVERAGED 210 WITH URETHANE.LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME OVER 190 SINCE 1990.Of THE 50 plus balls i have used since 1998 none have HIT HARDER THAN THE SORCERER.SOME EQUALLY AS HARD.BUT REMEMBER THIS BALL IS JUST SIMPLE URETHANE!!!CONTROL, POWER AND CARRY,PERFORMS ON OIL THROUGH CHOPPY TO DRY.NO SWITCHING BALLS, NO STANDING IN FRONT OF BALL RETURN OR GETTING OUT A SPARE BALL.JUST BOWLING AND HAVING FUN LIKE IN THE 80'S.THIS BALL WILL OUT PERFORM ANY SO CALLED HIGH PERFORMANCE BALL ON A REAL LANE CONDITION LIKE ON PBA TOUR.IF YOU CAN FIND ONE TRY IT IF YOU PUT ALOT OF HAND INTO A BALL.MINE IS 2INCH PIN 4 OZ TOP. DRILLED PIN JUST BELOW GRIP MID LINE AND ABOUT AN INCH OUT TO RIGHT WITH BALNCE HOLE.BOWLING FELT LIKE A SPORT AGAIN INSTEAD OF A GUESSING GAME OF LUCK LIKE IT HAS BECOME.

harrylegthigh

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2004, 07:14:21 PM »
I purchased one of these recently to see what urethane straight was like and so far have not been happy. The ball I got was 14lbs and pin out 0-1. As soon as I got it I put some docs elixer on it and  a little polish to. Mistake! I cannot get this ball to turn for beans. It hits hard as can be but its basically a straight or spare ball in my hand, plus the thing comes back from the ball return just swimming in oil even when its been fairly dry. I guess its carry down. I cleaned it today and scuffed it up well with a scotch brite green pad before taking to the ally for another chance. No cigar. Still no turn. I am a stroker with medium speed. Most of the balls I use have a strong skid/flip so when this thing barely arcs to the pins I wish now I hadn't gotten it. I do have a Visonary Dc Tour which is one of my best balls but this is major disappointment.

JessN16

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Re: Red Sorcerer
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2008, 04:00:28 AM »
The ball: 16 pounds, 2.5-inch pin
The drill: Pin right of ring, CG in palm area under ring, works out to a 3.5 x 3.5 drill for me. No weight hole. Finish is box.
Me: PAP 4 over 3/8 up, tweener revs, good speed, good circumference coverage

---

Got this ball from a member here on BallReviews (thanks, Frank!). The ball had very little game traffic on it and was practically new.

It sat in my bag for a couple of nights of league before I could find a use for it, but when I arrived for league this past week and the lanes were already hooking more in practice than they were at the end of a block the week before, I figured it might come down to the Sorcerer before the night was over.

I was correct. By the middle of the third game, every other ball in the bag was hooking out of my hand -- solid, pearl, it didn't matter. The Sorcerer was my last chance to play in my preferred part of the lane before I would have to make a drastic move and play a part of the lane I'm not comfortable with.

The Sorcerer proved to be a great weapon for broken-down, dry-as-a-bone lanes. I have both this ball and Visionary's Slate Blue Gargoyle, a urethane pearl. The Sorcerer feels like it's been polished, although it's a urethane solid underneath.

The Slate Blue, even though it's a pearl, hooks more than this ball. It gives roughly the same length, but when the Slate Blue starts its move, the move is stronger. Continuity on the backend also favors the Slate Blue.

The Sorcerer's characteristics are more of an arc than the Slate Blue -- which is plenty arcy in its own right but does tend to be a little angular on lanes with very dry backends. The Sorcerer is never angular.

The Sorcerer will also move earlier if it sees dry up front. After not being able to get it to finish playing up 10, I tried moving out to 5 but the heads were so dry at 5 that I couldn't get the ball to clear them.

Carry is very good on good hits and even on light hits, which surprises me a little for a urethane. Carry on heavy hits, however, tended to leave split combinations involving the 4-pin. This ball doesn't get robbed on many good hits but it does demand a greater degree of accuracy, which one would expect given its construction, in order to keep pace with newer reactive equipment.

It did allow me, however, to play a part of the lane no one else could at that time. Others on my pair were either dealing with burn-up or were chasing the oil and having a problem with the ball finishing. I did not have that problem. The summary:

Positives: Continuous move, good hit and carry for urethane, great for drys and dry-mediums, no surprises downlane.

Negatives: High hits tend to leave pins, can't push through bone-dry heads, "no surprises downlane" also means no free recovery.

Overall: Classic urethane performance from a company that knows how to build quality, durable bowling balls.

Jess