Author Topic: Granite Gargoyle (Read 18297 times)

admin · « **on:** December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »

The Granite Gargoyle is equipped with the same great core as the Green Pearl Gargoyle but encased with a totally new "particle" cover stock that gets down the lane better and offers much more backend than previously released "active" cover stocks from Visionary. When there's too much oil for the Green version this Granite Gargoyle will bite through the oil with devastating results. The specifications are: Low RG: 2.54"; RG Differential: .040"; Color: Granite; Hardness: 78.

Aud21946 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 23, 2003, 07:46:53 AM »

Perfect condition, Perfect results! 754 with back to back 267 with oil in the fronts and and hook to the right ... --------------------
Visionary Test Member
P.b.a. Southwest Regional Member
Don Jonietz Pro Shop
San Antonio, Texas

BigDaddyBear · « **Reply #32 on:** April 06, 2004, 01:04:50 AM »

This was the first Visionary ball I ever bought. This all happened in Reno talking to Frankie May. Alas I did not do to good in Reno but I came home and been shooting great since. I was kind of in a slump but this ball has brought me back into the limelight. I was talking to Frankie May about his three ball arsenal set up and found out that I needed one in my bag. So after I won some money in the slots, I went and purchased the ball, I'm talking about right now. Frankie drilled it up for a controlled layout because I have three balls that are arc drilled and one stacked and my good old plastic ball for spares. But I can't say enough about this ball. After two weeks of owing it, I bowled a 735 with it on Wednesday, March 31st. I bowled a 244 256 235. Not to mention 639 set and few other six hundred sets. But the ball is very easy to control and hits like a brick hitting a plate glass window. It was well worth the purchase price. I'm not saying you gotta go out and buy it today but give it some thought. For one, it works great for oily lanes and espically the way I have it drilled up. My friends all look at, then watch it work.. One of the coolest balls to look at. I'm looking to bowl my fourth career 300 with it and maybe just maybe grab my first ever 800 set with it. Like I said every ball is different for each bowler. Think about Visionary for your next ball purchase. I plan on buying a Slate Blue Gargoyle to my arsenal soon, since I have alot of hand and dry lanes give me trouble.

stouchie · « **Reply #33 on:** October 01, 2004, 06:28:18 PM »

I joined the Visionary Test Staff the middle of last year and was injured most of the second half of the season last year. I am now back on track and healthy. This ball was much too dull out of the box. I had it highly polished and drilled with the pin 1/2 above the ring finger. I am not too technical when it comes to drilling. This is the smoothest rolling ball I have ever owned. When there is too much back end for my G-3 Gryphon or Green Gargoyle, I pull out this ball. It is smooth and hits HARD. Last week I had a 300 with this ball, my first in six years on a drier condition that most others were struggling with.

M1313 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 04, 2005, 01:00:28 PM »

Pros
* Power and control for oiler conditions
* Excellent hit and carry
* Responds well with polish/surface changes
* Coolest cover on a bowling ball ever
* Great price

Cons
* Picks up dirt better than a Dyson vacuum
* Frequent cleaning a must

Overall
Granite Gargoyle drilled label leverage. This ball always finds its way back into my bag. It's a heavy rolling, arcing ball that is very predictable. The Granite finds ways to carry, even from deeper inside. One of the hardest hitters I've thrown ... sometimes too hard. The key is to have the proper surface on it for the conditions you face. The 320 box surface works with lots of oil. 600-800 is much better for typical house shots. I've also polished it for medium conditions with success.

There's a reason Visionary has kept the Gargoyle line around for a long time. If your home house is putting out a lot of oil or need something that hooks more, the Granite is a great ball to try. And be prepared for people to ask, "What ball is that?!"

louie · « **Reply #35 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:14:26 PM »

14# ball drilled label. Pin is at finger height about 5 inches from Pap. This ball really comes dull! If you can't get anything to hook try this in box condition. The original 320 grit finish was to much for me. I tried the ball 2000 grit dull and also highly polished.
At 2000 dull this ball needs oil in the heads and mids so it doesn't hook too early. Everything else I roll is polished. When nothing else is rolling soon enough, the GG will roll up controllably and destroy the pocket. Great ball for oil or carry down dull.
Highly polished you have a really nice control piece. Easy through the heads and mids with a nice controllable arc off of the dry. If I used it on fresh lanes it pinged some ten pins because its move was so mellow. When the backends were jumping, the GG was a beast. I could strike at will with it when I had just a bit more friction.
If you are looking for a control ball with carry, you really can't do better than this ball. Just keep in mind that you will have to have the right surface prep for the condition you face. I ended up leaving mine at 2000 dull just because I really have balls that cover every other condition besides heavy oil or carrydown.
You can really use this ball on medium dry all the way to the heaviest of oil with the correct surface prep.
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

Bowler19 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 28, 2005, 06:47:31 PM »

I got this ball about two months ago, drilled it 45 degree mass bias pin 3 3/8 mass bias on my VAL. I am a high rev player.
I tried to use this ball on a pattern where the outsides were OB. It came back very strong.
I sanded it to 600 grit and bowled on a 42 foot sport pattern and the ball rolled smooth but was still two aggressive. So i brought it up to 1000 grit and threw it on a 44 ft sport pattern. The ball worked great during practice and the first game. By the 3rd frame of game 2 the ball was going left fast. The ball felt like it had just come off the spinner at 600grit.

Likes: Rolls smooth, Hits hard, great in a lot of oil.
Dislikes: Eats oil fast, to much cover for me

This ball is great for the bowler that is looking for a ball that really moves and doesnt put a lot of turn on the ball.

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Bowler19

A winner is one who keeps on trying

Androooo · « **Reply #37 on:** July 31, 2005, 08:25:31 AM »

Possibly one of the UGLIEST balls ever. (Up there with the AMF White XS!)

Drilled 4" at 90 degrees for a nice even rolling ball, and it is just that. Now with my rev rate, even with a fair bit of speed, I am not a great fan of dull balls. This ball my friends, IS DULL... 320 grit to be exact. Even before drilling it got a trip to the ball spinner and was hit with a green scotchbrite pad to about 600grit. Running your hand over the ball, it feels like gravel... but that's just the start of it... more about that later!

Even at 600 grit, this ball needs a lot of juice. Carrydown?? Pffft... that wont stop it! On the occasions I have been able to use it it gives a great smooth roll, great read of the oil line, and solid hit. The big thing about this ball is that it gets more agressive the more you throw it. Running your hand over the surface after about a game on some pretty serious oil, and the ball feel rougher! It's like the particles have grown just like 5 o'clock shadow! Weirdest thing I have ever felt.

For the bowlers that need a smooth rolling heavy oiler, or for the knuckle-ballers that have no hand, this ball could be just the ticket.. If you can stand looking at a slab of Granite

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Visionary - They're not imaginary!

JessN16 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 22, 2005, 03:35:28 AM »

This was the first Visionary ball I ever bought, because I tend to avoid smaller companies as a general rule. I've been burned before.

I'm pleased to say, though, that this ball is probably one of the best and consistent I've ever had the opportunity to play. Even with the 320 box finish, it's a very versatile ball. I can play a variety of lines with the ball whether I'm on a wet shot or a dry shot.

The totality of the hook is just amazing. It hooks, keeps hooking and never seems to stop hooking. The ball doesn't know the meaning of the words "roll out."

The ball carries like a truck, too, but it will leave corner pins on light hits if I'm trying to play across too many boards and ask it to come back too far. Not a lot of swish zone carry with this one but I don't think that's what it was made for.

I've owned a lot more "prestigious" bowling balls that were supposedly built for flooded conditions, and this ball has outperformed every one of them. It automatically goes in the bag when I go to any tournament.

Jess

robbief17 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 22, 2007, 10:13:10 AM »

ok ok ok listen up to those who are joining the pba experience league. I am not gonna get all fancly on you I'm just gonna tell you like it is. my house is doing a pba experience league and for now till it gets going they're doing a practice night with all the different patterns. every week is a different pattern. I did chameleon 201, shark 215, and the viper 221. have not tried the others yet. I am a 170 average bowler who started bowling a little over a year ago and I got those scores with the granite gargoyle out of box finish. here are some of the others I have and tried to use on these patterns and failed. brunswick fury, brunswick total inferno, brunswick radical inferno, morich awesome finish, and hammer black widow. I didn't get half the reaction that this rock is giving me. I'm telling you this is the way to go even on regular house shot. which I almost shot 300. I got front 10 and than choked. but if your doing that pba experience its an inexpensive ball and its worth every penny. GO GET ONE NOOOWWWWW.

leftyinhawaii · « **Reply #40 on:** June 08, 2007, 06:40:38 AM »

Picked a used Granite Gargoyle off e-bay for a few bucks. Had it filled and drilled and am very happy with it's overall performance. Doesn't turn quite as much as my Columbia Reaction Roll, but it still does quite well in heavy oil. Nice smooth arc to the pocket. Take a look at this vid:

http://media.putfile.com/Visionary-Granite-Gargoyle

As you can see I'm a stroker with medium revs. The ball consistently finds its way to the pocket even when I miss my mark by a board or two. Carries darn good and hits solid. A great heavy or medium/heavy oil ball. Haven't tried polishing it up, but I have plenty of other equipment for lighter oil. It does pick up a ton of crud, but cleans up fairly easy with any ball cleaner. I'll also throw it on the spinner occasionaly and use a green scotchbright pad with Dawn dishwashing liquid on it. Comes out looking like new and the surface texture is perfect. I would highly recommend this ball.

Update 9/16/07 - Ball still going strong. Rolled it tonight on heavy oil, first game struck 9 out of 12, second game struck 10 out of 12. Stayed on the same line both games. This ball is soooo solid. Just a nice smooth arc to the pocket and BASH! 10 in the pit! I had another GG given to me by a friend who has the same span as I do and it was drilled almost identical to mine. I decided to run it up to 4000 abralon and polish it with Bean's Secret Sauce. It works really great on medium/light conditions. On heavier oil it carries a good bit longer and makes a strong move to the pocket. Very versatile ball, much to my surprise.
--------------------
It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...then it's hilarious!

(\ /)
(. .)
c(')(')

tomf · « **Reply #41 on:** March 14, 2008, 03:39:54 PM »

My specs:
Left handed, ball speed around 16 MPH, rev rate around 300 RPM, axis rotation of around 60 degrees, and axis tilt around 30 degrees.

If you can still find one of these, you should really consider picking it up. On second thought donâ€™t bother considering, just get it. This is a truly unique ball. It can handle medium conditions, heavy mediums, and heavy oil. But even on mediums, it doesnâ€™t hook as much as you might think. I must admit, itâ€™s pretty scary in box finish. You would think that this thing will hook on Teflon (and I think it will). It feels like itâ€™s made out of concrete. In fact, one guy asked me if I had â€œpouredâ€ it that morning when I took it out of the bag. But it still gets through the heads on mediums, as long as you have solid coverage. Some others have remarked how the feel of this surface changes after bowling on heavy oil. One person described it as the ball â€œgrowing a five oâ€™clock shadowâ€. Heâ€™s right. Itâ€™s the weirdest thing Iâ€™ve ever felt on a ball.

For me, the ball has more of an â€œarcâ€ finish and has the heaviest roll of any ball Iâ€™ve ever thrown. One guy watching it go swears he saw the lane sag under the weight of the roll. The hit is outstanding. It really lays the pins down and throws them sideways. I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve had a pin get above the height of the ball yet. Itâ€™s almost like the pin deck just sucks the pins down. Even messengers shoot across at â€œankle heightâ€. This ball can give you a real advantage on heavier oil with clean back ends. Great traction and roll without overreacting to the end of the pattern.

This ball does get dirty in a hurry. It picks up dirt faster than a vacuum cleaner. But just a few seconds on a spinner with a bit of dishwashing liquid or any commercial ball cleaner and it is right back to â€œout of the boxâ€.

This is the only particle ball Iâ€™ve ever tried where you truly can get it back to a â€œlike newâ€ reaction after resurfacing. The particle material must be completely different from other balls because it takes resurfacing better than any other particle ball Iâ€™ve ever tried.

In summary, this is a great medium to heavy oil ball. It is truly unique in its coverstock and performance characteristics. When the conditions match, I donâ€™t thing thereâ€™s another ball out there that can compete with it.

Spike2112 · « **Reply #42 on:** June 15, 2008, 09:51:32 AM »

Snatched up this gem directly from VBP after hearing they had some 15lb blems available. Ball was a steal and had great specs- 15lb 3oz, 2 1/2" pin, 2.3oz top. Decided on a basic label leverage drill, cover left a 320.
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/Spike2112/visionary/Fall%20arsenal/?action=view¤t=GRANITE1.jpg
Ball matches up great with the heavy oil house shot I see each week. Great first ball out. Able to play the Granite in my comfort area- 10-12 board, out to 5, with enough left on the backend to take out the 10. Ball hits as hard as a concrete block! Keeps the pins low and seems like more messengers sent flying on less-than-flush hits. Put it in the pocket and the Granite will reward you, but ball will definitely punish you if you don't. Surprised I can actually use this one for a 3 game set with only minor moves and slight hand adjustments. Kept it in box finish and has become my number one oiler! Only negative is the high maintenance cover. Gotta keep this one clean after each set, as it picks up dirt like no other ball I've ever had. Cleans up easily and has to be one of the most unique looking balls out there! Great job on this awesome piece VBP. After throwing all of the Gargoyle lineup, it's easy to see why this line lasted so long.

visionarycole · « **Reply #43 on:** January 30, 2009, 01:42:33 PM »

Have a great story with this ball. My proshop operator hated the look of this ball so put it on the rack. Specs were pretty close except for thumb pitch but I thought I would play with it. Drilled righty pin above fingers with a weight hole ( I am left handed.) So I have lots of negative weight to work with. Probably the only way I can throw it since I have a decent amount of hand and its a sandblasted particle ball. Anyways decided to use it in a New Years tournament. Ended up winning the tournament averaging close to 240 for 5 games. 2nd game shot 287- left a 7-10 on 11th ball. O well, it was all worth it. Walked out with almost $250. Pretty good for a free ball nobody wanted.

Cole Martin
Visionary Test Staff
Left Handed
Revs
(275-450)