WOW----this is an easy question to answer....and a difficult one also.

These are definately 2 of my favorite bowling balls of all time....and definately of the last few years.

The Animal is great in oil, it gets the early read that you need in oil and gives a strong arc to the pocket. The GP2 gets the same early read that the Animal does-----but it has a bigger backend reaction. On oil, you cannot go wrong with either, but the GP2 is the better of the 2 in oil. A year ago I do not know if could have honestly said I would ever see a ball as good in oil as the Animal. The GP2 has changed my mind. I have never seen a dull ball, especially dull particle ball backend the way the GP2 does.

I hope this helps,
-EX-
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C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio

Track Intl.-Amateur/Pro Shop Staff

Inverted,

That would be an aggressive layout simply because the GP2 is an aggressive ball. There are stronger layouts that you could go with. It really depends on what you want to get out of the ball. I would expect decent backend out of the GP2 with that layout, but it is definately going to read the lanes sooner than the TNT.

Goodluck,
-EX-
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C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio

Track Intl.-Amateur/Pro Shop Staff

Hey ws5580,

The Gp2 is stronger in comparison to the GP2.  It offers more backend strength then any particle as of date.  My Animal (sanded to 400) can read a little quicker but is smoother in the backend.  Overall, the GP2 OOB can still handle more oil with a strong finish as well.

Inverted1, with your pap of 5 1/4 and 1/4 down, I'd go with a 4.75-5 pin and 4.5-4.75 mb with the pin about 2.75-3 above midline.  This should give you good length and a very strong backend finish.  In regards to your 3x5 question, if the mb is in line with pin and cg, that would place it near to or left of thumb which causes for extreme length and not a lot of finish (arc layout).  Since you're track is inverted, I'd also recommend not to place your mb too close to pap (under 3.5) because you shouldn't normally have much trouble getting the ball into a roll.  Be careful with your mb 2 inches right of thumb idea because your pap sits under the mid line and that may push it a little close to an earlier roll layout.  With the longer mb placement, we want to help create some length so it can store more energy for the backend.  Hope this helps or feel free to pm me and I can explain in more detail, thanks.
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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Intl. - Amateur/Pro Shop Staff  
Vise Inserts Staff