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Author Topic: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON  (Read 14911 times)

admin

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Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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Finish: Polished (1500)

Hardness: 75-78

RG: Medium (2.55")

Flare: Medium (.030" differential)

Length (1-10): 7.5

Back end (1-10): 9

Hook (1-20): 10 (oil) -18.5 (dry)

Avail. Wts: 13-16# (Gryphon core)
10-12# (on request - light wt. core)

Lane Conditions: Medium - Lighter Conditions
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BowlPro

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2002, 11:59:13 PM »
The Blue Sparkle Gryphon is Here!

Our New Visionary Gryphon's arrived today and it was off to the drill press to get this new Visionary entry on the lanes for a test spin.

We followed the Visionary Gryphon drilling suggests and drill one of our balls with the "Plain Label" drilling, pin at 2:00PM. and CG in the palm.

Our second Gryphon was drilled "Full Leverage" with the pin and CG in the 12:00 "Strong Position". Balance hole 6" over from grip center.

When looking at the "Gryphon" weight block design on the drilling sheet makes me think of a "Concrete Cinder Block" with the corners cut off.

Its very unique and different from anything I have ever seen before. This only raised our expectation level even more to hurry-up and get this ball on the lanes to see what it could do.

Visionary describes this ball as being designed for "Medium Oil" lane patterns. The Blue Sparkle Reactive coverstock makes this ball a great looker.

We took our pair of "Gryphon's" to the test lanes, freshly oiled for the evening leagues. (Typical House Condition) I started with my "Leveraged" drilled ball and from the start this ball was VERY smooth to the break-point and then, BAM! A strong change of direction and HOOK! It kinda of caught me by surprise that this ball would make such a strong turn to the pocket that I had to realign my target and strike path. My second shot found its target and again, BAM! a strong hook and total pin destruction!

I continued to roll four complete games with this ball and found that is was VERY forgiving and it allowed me to play just about any angle I wanted to the pocket. "Once I got my feel for its strong change of direction and Hook".

The Hitting Power and Carry is as Visionary stated....UNBELIEVABLE!

I continued to roll two more games and I did not want to put this ball down!
I found a "Reactive Ball" that suited my style Very Well! Those of you who are of average release and average speed and average Revs, "Tweeners" will find this ball to be very friendly and controllable. Those of you who can "Rip" the cover will also enjoy the control of this New Visionary ball.

After six complete games with the "Gryhon" I was feeling too tired to continue with the "Label Drilled" ball, so I passed it too my Proshop Associate who is a "Cranker" type, and asked him to give it a run. He changed the grips to his size and opened the thumb abit and he was off to the same pair of lanes that I was on to see what he could get out of this ball. As I watched and took theses notes, I was again amazed at the smooth transisition this ball provided down the lane to its break point and then, BAM! Change of direction and strong hook!

Even with my Cranker friend attempting to put everything he had into this ball, it did not lose its control! The "Label" drilled ball in his hands had as much hook and carry as my "Full Leverage" ball did in my hands!

After three complete games with this ball, My Proshop Associate told me that he was "Keeping" this one! and that I could deduct its cost from his paycheck.

Visionary has always put some very strong performers on the lanes in the past, but this new ball, I believe to be their "BEST" to date!

James Wonders and the good folks at "Visionary" have a "TRUE" winner on their hands with the New Gryphon! Also, another great feature here is that Visionary Bowling Products are PBA licensed, so those of you who bowl on the PBA Regional Tour can put this one in your bags immediately!

I will agree that the New Gryphon is a great "League Condition" ball! and I highly recommend this ball to all bowlers.

This ball looks to be very driller friendly, but we suggest you consult your local Proshop Professional for the best way to set this ball up for your individual bowling needs.

BowlPro
www.discount-proshop.com

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Bowlpro

Train Wreck

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2002, 12:19:08 PM »
This is the best ball I have ever used by Visionary.  It is very controlled and has a wicked transition from wet to dry.  I drilled this ball label leverage with the pin at 12:00.  I took it out on a fresh house shot and let her rip.  I am a tweener, throw the ball 15-17MPH.  This ball is great!!!  I shot 761 out of the box.  Absolutely a great buy.
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Bill Ruehl

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2002, 01:39:30 PM »
Great ball.  I got it drilled lst thursday on label.  It works very well on drier lanes.  The first game I shot with it was a 207 (I average in the 170-180 range).  Had a Dutch 200 through nine frames until I struck in the tenth.  It hits as hard as advertised.  A great ball.
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TheDude

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2002, 08:41:13 PM »
Got this ball from Visionary in a hurry for a tournament last weekend but the ball never got to shine. That was until i went the following day to my sunday morning league nicknamed" The Cake Hole" The shot is a wall basically. On most days of the week you can walk in to find lanes with dry outsides and strong backends. I can use a very weak ball polished to about 2500 and as long as it is put outside the 5 it comes back.

My Stats are in my profile, my Starting topweight and pin were 3 1/2 pin with 2.98 oz of tpwt and my drilling on this wonderful ball is 4 1/2 X 2 with the pin just above my ring finger. the CG on the mid line with a weight hole 6 inches over making the final side weight a clean 1/2oz positive. Out of the box this ball is polished to 1500. The coverstock has MICA giving it an attractive sparkle to it on the rack. This ball flares on average 5-6 inches for me and my rev rate is about 380 to 400. This ball has a better area of recovery as promised but sometime it flips so hard it doesn't always want to sit. This ball is designed to open up the lane because of the good midlane recovery and insane backend. Just looking at the core of this thing shouts out Flipping backend. And expecting an arc from this ball you will just be fooling yourself.

The Blue Sparkle GRYPHON is designed for more walled up shots. With a solid coverstock and MICA particles it handles more oil than the Crimson Executioner but creates a very strong entry angle to the pocket. This Ball Flips and when i say Flip I mean watch out cause your gonna be whiplash in your neck from looking at the ball path of this thing. OWIEEE!!!! lol

For the Med to low rev player this ball is good because it creates a strong angle of entry to the pocket. it has very continous motion in the backends to the pocket never giving up on finding the 8-9. Even with low revs it still can create some incredible angles to the pocket.

But when you can turn it up a bit more you can open the lane up for sure. It is great for going deep when you can't play the middles. It gets past all the oil and carrydown with total ease. I played with this ball on a shot were the lanes were re-oiled but not restriped. everyone complained of weak backend and carrydown. all using dull equipment. me standing proudly with my gryphon i made my way through it all. out playing everyone with a 732.

This ball plays well on synthetics and wood lanes. it passes through the heads well but not as well as the red crimson. It can handle so much more oil than given credit for. It is has only one down fall for a ball this great there is bound to be one. It creates such a strong angle to the pocket that it leaves 9s and stone 8s more occasionally than most balls would from visionary. It hits hard and lol the 9s can prove it. But for the weaker hand player it will give them a very interesting and dynamic look on the lanes. if you have a higher rev hate take a giant step left and rip'.

Great ball and hope that maybe a pearl version with the same core or possibley slightly tweaked a bit will be on the design boards.

Tim Thompson. Visionary Canadian ProStaff.(VCP-VBP )
--------------------
Visionary bowler, I see the future!
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Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec-Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
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plippens

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2002, 10:29:36 AM »
A great ball from Visionary.  Where do I start on this one.  Easily five more feet of length compared to the Crimson Executioner.  Very strong flip on the back like the Green Gargoyle, but with the drive and carry of the Executioner line.  

I had my ball drilled with the pin above the ring finger and the cg stacked directly below in the palm, or a 4 1/2" pin placement for those of you who like to be specific.  

First night of league with this ball was 258, 279, 268 for an 805.  The lanes were synthectics with a walled 5 to 5 pattern 38 feet long.  Next night I still managed to shot 708 for three games on a shot with more carrydown.  

This ball is very controllable and also very smooth throughout the heads and the midlane.  The backend is strong and precise but not with a hard to control flip.  Like many of you who have commented on this ball, I have left a few more nine pins but its fair to say the ten pin seems to fall more frequently so its a fair trade off.  

Overall I give this one a 10 out of 10.  Best house shot ball Visionary has made since the Crimson Executioner.
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L7H2N

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2003, 07:16:28 AM »
Lefty - 202 average

Drilling: Pin under "Bird" finger about 1/2". Cg under ringer finger 3".

I have a tendency to put a lot of hand in the ball. The Gryphon takes what I put in it and runs! On medium oil, I am able to send it out and it will come charging back. So far I have rolled 12 games with it and found that fresh oil in the heads is best because when the Gryphon hits the dry boards - it is turning and gaining revs! I would like to see what I can do with it on medium to heavy oil patterns. The lane conditions it is supposed to be for is medium to light but I found the opposite to be true medium to heavy oil. I can't see this ball staying on the lane on light oil patterns.
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L. Nelson
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Tosweetballs

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2003, 01:39:59 PM »
My PAP is 5 over 1 up
speed 18-19 mph
high rev rate
pin is 2-3 pin drilled 3 3/8x3 3/8
 This ball is very forgiving on a typical house shot. It is very speed sensetive but still hooks plenty with a good amount of speed. I can play anywhere from third arrow out to first arrow. I left with box finish of 1500 polished. I reccomend to anybody that wants a ball that recovers well and still has enough backend to carry the ten out i reccomend the GRYPHON!!!!
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Formerly Iamthegreat

Aphique

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2003, 09:52:58 AM »
Purchased this ball about a week ago, and I would have to say that this ball far surpasses its performance.  From most of the reviews that I read about this ball, it was labled as a light to medium oil ball with not much of a hard back end flip or snap.  I would say that this is not the case.  

After bowling a tournament and league play where the lanes were heavily juiced, the Gryphon not only has great length, but incredible back end flip with carry.  Just to add to the great movement on the ball, it hits tremendously hard.  In regards to the other Visionary balls that I currently own and throw, I already have the following:

Purple Ice Executioner
Midnight Scorcher
Granite Gargoyle

I am awaiting my Green Gargoyle.  But by far, the Grypon is the best ball that I have ever had the opportunity to throw.  Up until that point, the Granite Gargoyle was my favorite.  I am currently a 195 average bowler, but so far the Gryphon has easilty added another 10 to 15 pins to my average.  I would have to say that I am totally pleased with Visionary and all of their equipment.
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PJM300

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2003, 11:29:05 AM »
I reeived my gryphon through my test stff membership.  Specs are 16lbs 3.6 top weight and a 3-4 pin. Right handed

Had this drilled with the pin over my bridge and cg under my ring finger.  I use this ball on a typical house shot 38 feet of oil heavier in the middle with drie outsides and fresh backends.  I must say this is an excellent ball for this condition.  Ball gets down the lane and has a noticeable yet controoled move at the breakpoint.  The carry on this ball is unbelievable.  Lots of messengers and barely any corner pins.  I can use this ball throughout the  whole night even when the oil begins to carrydown.  I just move my feet right and play a little more direct.  I had people asking me what is that ball and commenting on the hitting power.  This is a solid 10 in my book.

Test Staff Member
Pete M.

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beeker

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2003, 10:49:30 AM »
You may want to read my review on the Granite Gargoyle before you read this to get a little perspective on myself.  

Now if you read the gargoyle review then you will be able to follow this review.  
The Gryphon is an excellent ball.  It gets into a roll almost immediately after it leaves your hand.  It gets through the heads easily and then turns the corner very hard.  It is a smooth transition but it "snaps" more than the gargoyle or the purple ice.  This is more of a backend ball compared to my other balls.  When the back ends are right, which isn't all the time, this ball is just awesome.  When the oil carrys down and the break point moves further down its time to switch balls.  The biggest problem I have found with this ball is that it doesn't work on a wide range of conditions.  It only works when the lanes are just right.  It could be used for a wider range but I feel that I am constantly changing my shot to adjust to the condition.  Which I am not good at doing.  If the backends are too oily or too dry I switch balls but when the lanes are right this ball is almost automtatic.  It hits very hard and sends lots of messengers.  As long as I throw it properly and the condition is right this ball is awesome.   I would rate it an 8 out of 10.  Only because it is very condition specific.  If you are only going to use one ball I would recommend something else.  But if you are looking for a great backend ball to compliment your arsenal than give the gryphon a try.
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kamerlin

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2003, 04:22:05 PM »
This ball is 16lbs with a 2-3 pin and 2.8 top weight.  It is drilled with the pin above and just to the right of my ring finger with the cg in the stacked position.  

In my opinion this ball is stronger than advertised.  It goes long with a strong flip on the backend and the hit is incredible.  Just a great ball from Visionary.
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Lane1fanatic

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2003, 01:01:23 AM »
I found that the Blue Gryphon is an good ball between the Green Gargoyle and the Purple Ex. Needs room on the lane to roll back into the pocket. It's a very good ball when you need the rolling backend. I would definatly get this ball if you want to raise your average.

Steven Black
Test Staff Member
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tomtom123

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2003, 11:18:00 PM »
this is a good ball if u use it on the condition it was made for.it hi its hard but i cant tell where the carry is any better than most balls. i found it easy to push it to long down the lane and left a few head pin splits and i left a few solid 8s and 9s to.i also found out it doesnt like carry down. but with 38 feet oil taperd down with a clean back end and this ball will turn the coner fast. a real giant back end i couldnt belive it.i give this ball a 8.!
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leftyjimbo

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Re: Blue Sparkle GRYPHON
« Reply #14 on: May 19, 2003, 06:35:30 PM »
15#
Pin:3-4
T.W. 2.5 oz.
Drilling: 4.5 x 4.5 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

This ball gives me good length with a strong arcing backend, and is the most even rolling ball in my arsenal. I would recommend this ball to anyone looking for a good all around ball that can be the first ball out of your bag most nights.

Good Job Visionary
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