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Author Topic: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator  (Read 1742 times)

scotts33

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Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« on: March 17, 2008, 11:58:19 PM »
For those wanting some input and this is by no means an in depth review which I will do later this month after I bowl more with the Glad.

Paul aka pnj is right on as was Jason in my communication with him....the Solid Gladiator in one word is SMOOTH.  

I punched it up yesterday afternoon put the exact same drill on it as my Cell just to see how much difference.  Started with a 15.05 lb 2.99 oz. TW ball exact specs. that I requested....thanks Jason!  Color is very nice.  It's a 4.25" pin to PAP layout pin above ring CG kicked out on my midline to a 40 deg. or a 4.25" x 3".  My driller calls this a 40 deg./ 40 deg. dual angle layout. Wound up with 1.25 oz. postive so he put an small X-hole 1/2" below my PAP on the VAL to take it to 7/8 oz. pos.  Left it 2000 ab OOB.

Tried it last night/5-man league at a center that I'd say has a medium to heavier medium shot with some decent length around 40' feet decent oil across the lane not wet/dry but still a THS.  2nd Generation Bruns. Anvilane about 6 years old.  

Practice first few shots, I immdediately saw what pnj was talking about very smooth rolling ball.  OOB surface makes for some of this more polish you could get some flip.  Checked the flare about 4"s for me very even flare lines about 1/4" apart which I like.  

Reminds me very much of the Char. Ex in roll and carry.  For those that would like a Cell/Gladiator comparison.  I tried the Cell with same drill and same surface 2000 ab.  Tried the Cell in practice on same line sliding 24, 12-13 at the arrows and 7-8 break point.  This is by no means a final conclusion but the Cell was about 2-3 boards stronger more midlane and not as smooth as the Gladiator with my technique on this type of lane condition.  I think an FMG would be much like the Cell if I were comparing Visionary balls one for one.  

One other factor, I should mention and it's been said by Jason.  The Gladiator works very well on missed releases.  I hit it twice a bit to hard at the bottom...didn't really grab it but they weren't top notch releases.  Glad held the line better than any other ball I've used in awhile.

Solid Gladiator looks like a keeper and fills that niche in a medium differential ball that Visionary hasn't had since they dropped Executioner line.  I am looking forward to the Pearl Gladiator.

Oh....249 1st game missed 7 pin and a 4-9 split.  Switched to OP as heads started to go and I moved deeper for better carry.  Glad in first few frames of 2nd game left ringing 10's......if it was more polished it would have carried better.  I want to keep it OOB for awhile and see how it matches up though.  

I'll add to this thread after I get some more games on it.  I'd think about trying it tonight in an older wood house but don't want to tarck the ball out right away.  Saving it for some tourney's the next 2 months.  BTW....I bet the Glad gets decent sport shot numbers from BTM.  



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Scott



Edited on 3/18/2008 8:25 AM
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Badger856

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2008, 08:07:48 AM »
Noooo....don't throw it at Village!!  Just kidding, great review on the Gladiator.  I think the ball is much better looking in person (love the silver glitter letters) definitely one to add to the wish list.  So, would you say this is ball could match up better for "control" players?
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getuaload

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2008, 08:08:36 AM »
Exactly what i have seen so far with my glad as well.

This ball is very smooth, I added a light polish to mine and will try it tonight to see what that does to it.
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scotts33

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2008, 09:01:23 AM »
quote:
So, would you say this is ball could match up better for "control" players?  


What do you mean Darin?  A good ball to control the midlane/backend?  Or?
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Badger856

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2008, 09:16:18 AM »
More of the type of bowler.  Scott, I would categorize you as a "control" bowler, one who can swing it if need be but mostly a person with less revs and usually plays the down and in shot.  IMHO balls that are huge hookers or severe skid/snap don't match up with bowlers of this style.  To me the Cell is a unique ball that it can be both (depends on drill).  One of the reason I think Scroggins is doing so well on the tour, he has ball that fits his style and I would put him in the "control" category.  For myself, I'm certainly not a control player and have had hit/miss nights with the cell.  I'm not saying this ball can't be for the cranker but from my experience, crankers seem to get less out of the ball and often abandon these gems for balls that give them the high reward.  Now I'm rambling so I will stop.
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scotts33

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2008, 09:35:56 AM »
I'd think if you polish the Glad up and put a drill on it more or less like I did....relatively strong it will flip a bit harder and finish more than what I have now.  That's just because I've decided to keep it in OOB surface....just my preference.  

As far as my technique,  I'd say I am like a lot of shall we say mature bowlers who certainly is NOT a strapper swing and bring it type player but also NOT a fluffer.  Over the past year and half I've freed up my arm swing because of the help from Hank Boomershine and Steve Richter which has allowed me to amp up my ball speed from what I was. I'd say off my hand I am around 16-17 in heads and 14 at the pin deck.  No where near what you are Darin.

I think the Glad will have some Inferoesque qualities that you liked in that ball.  Not sure what the Pearl will be like but the Solid is smooth and a player like you with a higher rev rate with the right drilling and surface definietly can use this ball.  

I think some of the other guys like getu are higher rev....see what they say.
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Scott

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230-n-up-or-bust

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2008, 09:47:40 AM »
Don't let scotts33 fool you.

He was Southern WIsconsin's first "Captain Backswing".

He could still do this, if he wanted to.  He chooses, merely, to slowly pick you apart in a manner befitting a gentleman of his advanced years.
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REvans284

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2008, 12:23:18 AM »
quote:
Would anyone out there say the gladiator is more smooth or more of a control ball than an immortal solid? Also...kind of an open question here, could anyone compare those 3 balls, gladiator vs.immortal solid vs.cell ?


I would say the Gladiator will compare more to a Columbia Rival than that of the cell or immortal solid.  This thing isn't going to be a big hooker or an oil hog, but its going to be something smooth and controllable. Maybe also comparable to a Brunswick Wizard.

And about the stroker type players (control as described).  In my experiences of helping one (my better half) who is speed dominant, stronger balls drilled strong give her a better look than anything else.  Its almost a similar look in hooking the ball for her to what we heavier handed players feel.  I had a GG drilled 4X4 pin over ring CG below and this was a very snappy ball for me (too eradic to control).  I put it in her hands and she made it look great and its more of a banana shape in her hands.  Same with a stacked leverage FMG, and a Pin down drilled Track Rising.  All of which she really likes and are strong.  Myself being a rev dominant player, I tend to stay away from the stronger balls because theres not many conditions I can use them on and when I can its usually not for long because the heads go too quick.

Later,

REvans284

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livespive

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2008, 12:04:44 PM »
quote:
 

Reminds me very much of the Char. Ex in roll and carry.  


--------------------
Scott



Edited on 3/18/2008 8:25 AM



DId you say CHarcoal Executioner (I a m drooling now)
I guess it's time to go get mine.
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
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scotts33

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2008, 02:58:25 PM »
quote:
DId you say CHarcoal Executioner  (I a m drooling now)
I guess it's time to go get mine.


Eric,

I think you'll see a lot of the same characteristics in the Solid Gladiator as we saw in the Solid Charcoal Executioner. Very close to each other I think.

I took my old Char. Ex out the other day after work to compare and although the heads were fried from non-oil and I was in at 19 at the arrows the balls seem to me to roll very much the same.  I'll have to find some more head oil to see how they do on that condition.


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Scott

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livespive

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Re: Initial Impression-Solid Gladiator
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2008, 12:01:19 PM »
Cool,

Let me know if you think they are very close, because if they are,
I will be placing my order for a case

quote:
quote:
DId you say CHarcoal Executioner  (I a m drooling now)
I guess it's time to go get mine.


Eric,

I think you'll see a lot of the same characteristics in the Solid Gladiator as we saw in the Solid Charcoal Executioner. Very close to each other I think.

I took my old Char. Ex out the other day after work to compare and although the heads were fried from non-oil and I was in at 19 at the arrows the balls seem to me to roll very much the same.  I'll have to find some more head oil to see how they do on that condition.


--------------------
Scott


--------------------
Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
 Visionary Test Staff Member
http://www.visionarybowling.com
http://www.maysbowlingandbilliards.com
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