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Author Topic: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart  (Read 8652 times)

BowlingForDonuts

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How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« on: December 08, 2018, 09:33:38 PM »
From what I can tell the easiest way to tell the Green Gargoyle apart from the Slate Blue is the Green Gargoyle will have the phrase "USBC*" on a line between the serial number and the Made in the USA line.  Like many older balls blue seems to fade to green over time on these Gargoyles so going just by color of often crappy internet pics is asking for trouble.  Let me know if this is not true.  Examples below (pics taken over a decade ago so color was still obvious back then)  Thanks.

Green -

Blue -
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2018, 09:43:14 PM »
For example my two gargoyles not so easy based only on color.  Got lucky and people who sold me them didn't lie but see some others on ebay not advertised right I believe (to be fair seller might not even realize).  Also I am mildly color blind so everyone might be shaking their head at me.




« Last Edit: December 08, 2018, 10:04:54 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2018, 10:48:03 PM »
Looks to me that in Reply #1, the Green Gargoyle is the bottom (second) picture, the Slate Blue is in the top picture or the reverse order of the OP.
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2018, 11:32:26 PM »
Looks to me that in Reply #1, the Green Gargoyle is the bottom (second) picture, the Slate Blue is in the top picture or the reverse order of the OP.

Not good at telling my greens from blues but that is kind of what triggered all this was me getting confused.  I trust the sellers and the top was sold to me as a green and rolls like an older pearl reactive and not urethane.  The bottom was sold to me as a slate blue and the seller got burned thinking it was a green and trust him as well.  Haven't had that one re-drilled yet so don't know how it rolls.  I got lucky I believe but easy to get them confused imo which is why kind of made as a public service announcement and to confirm.  I think the bottom one is more green due to lighting and camera in that pic (I didn't take) than in person but only glanced at it before I put it away in storage but remember it not being so green.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2018, 11:55:51 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2018, 12:21:24 AM »
Looks to me that in Reply #1, the Green Gargoyle is the bottom (second) picture, the Slate Blue is in the top picture or the reverse order of the OP.

Not good at telling my greens from blues but that is kind of what triggered all this was me getting confused.  I trust the sellers and the top was sold to me as a green and rolls like an older pearl reactive and not urethane.  The bottom was sold to me as a slate blue and the seller got burned thinking it was a green and trust him as well.  Haven't had that one re-drilled yet so don't know how it rolls.  I got lucky I believe but easy to get them confused imo which is why kind of made as a public service announcement and to confirm.  I think the bottom one is more green due to lighting and camera in that pic (I didn't take) than in person but only glanced at it before I put it away in storage but remember it not being so green.

Now I am confused after reading your reply.  It is late, so I will read this again tomorrow (actually it is technically 'tomorrow', so I mean after I wake up and have some coffee in me).  But, the Green was a reactive pearl.  Also, it was a requirement by the USBC to start putting the 'USBC' on new balls at some point after USBC was formed to prove that it had passed their approval system, so that was not a way of determining which ball was which, I don't think.
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2018, 08:45:59 AM »
Looks to me that in Reply #1, the Green Gargoyle is the bottom (second) picture, the Slate Blue is in the top picture or the reverse order of the OP.

Not good at telling my greens from blues but that is kind of what triggered all this was me getting confused.  I trust the sellers and the top was sold to me as a green and rolls like an older pearl reactive and not urethane.  The bottom was sold to me as a slate blue and the seller got burned thinking it was a green and trust him as well.  Haven't had that one re-drilled yet so don't know how it rolls.  I got lucky I believe but easy to get them confused imo which is why kind of made as a public service announcement and to confirm.  I think the bottom one is more green due to lighting and camera in that pic (I didn't take) than in person but only glanced at it before I put it away in storage but remember it not being so green.

Now I am confused after reading your reply.  It is late, so I will read this again tomorrow (actually it is technically 'tomorrow', so I mean after I wake up and have some coffee in me).  But, the Green was a reactive pearl.  Also, it was a requirement by the USBC to start putting the 'USBC' on new balls at some point after USBC was formed to prove that it had passed their approval system, so that was not a way of determining which ball was which, I don't think.

Ah gotcha. Might be more after certain date thing then and since green and blue were out around same time cant go by that. Sorry for confusion. Yes in my second reply top picture is my green pearl reactive gargoyle. Bottom is slate blue.  Thank you for info.
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TappaKegga

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2018, 10:05:18 AM »
Agree with what was mentioned about "USBC" engraving not being a good indicator.  For example, I have a Slate Blue that I bought directly from the factory (I live in St. Louis) and it has the USBC engraving.  Unsure if the Green was produced after USBC came into play (if so, there could be Greens with the USBC mark, if not, then I would think all Greens would not have the mark).

As a shot in the dark, maybe pin color??  I know my Slate Blue and the others I've seen have a black pin.  Unsure on the Greens, but maybe they have a different color??  Could be trivial, but knowing Visionary's quality control and inspection of every ball off the line, I'd think they were consistent with their colors even with the pins.

I didn't know that the Blue might change color to Green----I will have to watch over time to see if that happens with mine!  So far hasn't changed over numerous years!   ???

TappaKegga

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2018, 10:19:13 AM »
Also, looking more closely at the pics, I think the pics in post #2 are not the same ball as referenced in post #1.  Grips and slug colors don't match, but I know that could have changed easily.

However, look at the closeup of the 2nd pic in post #2.  Serial number doesn't match any of the serial numbers in post #1.  Plus, shows a black pin in the middle of the bridge, again not appearing to match the Slate in post #1.  It *might* match layout of the Green in post #1, but here again the engravings don't match (serial number different and Green in post #1 has the USBC, while the last pick in post #2 doesn't).  Plus, in the post #2 closeup, there appears to be a plug/repair right on the edge of the "Made in USA" engraving (not seeing that in post #1 pics).

Truthfully, I think you have apples to oranges between the 2 posts with respect the pictures, but could be wrong!  Super sleuthing continues!  Lol.

Throwing out the pics in post#2, my opinion on the the balls in post #1 are same as what you have written:  Top=Mean Greenie, Bottom=Slate Blue
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 10:55:39 AM by TappaKegga »

BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2018, 12:55:42 PM »
Yes I am sorry for not being more explicit.  2nd post is my two gargoyles (but pics taken by prior sellers).  Top post I got from some BBE thread to show more clearly different USBC engravings between two and are two totally different balls from mine.  Thank you for the help guys.

(edit:  My green and blue gargoyles both have a black pin as does my Granite gargoyle so not sure if can go by pin color either).
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 01:01:52 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2018, 01:01:16 PM »
Yeah, I noticed the serial numbers were different too but just thought that he was using two known pictures of which ball was which in his first OP post.  Still confused though on the second set of pictures as to which is which. 

In the second set of pictures, what color does the plug look to be in the bottom ball?  I would think that it would have been matched to the color of the ball.  Is it possible to check the color under the surface like in one of the finger holes behind the inserts?


Edited to add:  BFD, you posted while I was composing my thoughts on my post but you posted what I was thinking of the source of the first set of pictures.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 01:02:49 PM by MI 2 AZ »
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2018, 01:06:16 PM »
While I was composing my last post, I did a quick Google for Green Gargoyles but could not find any good clear pictures that showed the pin color.  I am not currently at home or I would have simply checked mine.
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2018, 01:18:48 PM »
Yeah have bottom ball stored in ball box at work but can check tomorrow.  Plug looks to be a darker greenish blue.  Prior seller though he had green gargoyle ball was so green by then so not sure can go by plug.  I am pretty sure if I drill bottom one will be able to tell quick the difference as the slate blue is going to be spare ball straight for me on THS.  The top one hooks like a pearl reactive on back end so almost sure its a green. 

(edit:  Nope looks like based on some other pics found on BBE Green Gargoyle has orange pin.  Darn.  Now I think about it only have used it in a few lower volume houses and that slate blue ball hits more like a reactive than a urethane from what I have heard.  Oh well.  Orange pin looks to be what to go by for the future.  Got both of them fairly cheap at least (Wow forgot got top ball for $24 shipped).  Those flare pretty decent for a pearl urethane.  Maybe even a bit too much for a spare ball.  That core is great.  Think Santa might be bringing a 15lb ball to a relative lol.  Thanks for the help.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 02:22:40 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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charlest

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2018, 08:51:45 AM »
Sorry you're having such a hard time, due to some color non-differentiation by your eyes. (Does that even make sense?)

You should be so grateful to the bowling gods that you have 2 such great balls. So very sorry I traded mine away. :)

Yes, Visionary should have put the names on the ball to begin with.

I've seen some color fade over the years, but very little. The Green Gargoyle, to my eyes, is a distinctive Kelly green, while the Slate Blue is a light bluish turquoise.
I cannot mistake one for the other; I have had both.

(I have my own eye problems, as my wife says that because my eyes are blue, I see colors different than she does with her brown eyes. Of course, that makes, the male, wrong and her, the female, correct. :) )
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2018, 10:06:32 AM »
Sorry you're having such a hard time, due to some color non-differentiation by your eyes. (Does that even make sense?)

You should be so grateful to the bowling gods that you have 2 such great balls. So very sorry I traded mine away. :)

Yes, Visionary should have put the names on the ball to begin with.

I've seen some color fade over the years, but very little. The Green Gargoyle, to my eyes, is a distinctive Kelly green, while the Slate Blue is a light bluish turquoise.
I cannot mistake one for the other; I have had both.

(I have my own eye problems, as my wife says that because my eyes are blue, I see colors different than she does with her brown eyes. Of course, that makes, the male, wrong and her, the female, correct. :) )

Yep not too upset as they are great balls.  Actually a perfect starter ball for an adult family member as it still hits hard, doesn't require much maintenance, will last forever, very controllable and can be used for spares as well.  Of course keeping one as that ball semi retired my Gunsmoke Cobra.  Still a Green Gargoyle will come around eventually at good price as I can throw 16 and 15 and bowlers getting older and dropping down in weight often these days.
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Spike2112

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Re: How to tell Slate Blue and Green Gargoyle apart
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2018, 04:28:57 PM »
I agree, the pin color will dictate which ball is which- the Slate Blue has the black pin and the Mean Greenie has an orange pin. I am always on the lookout for another Greenie as I have a mint condition Slate Blue. Those are the ones that seem to pop up for sale under the title of “Green Gargoyle”. Even if they take a crappy pic, you can tell by looking at the pin color.

Spike