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dunraven Regular user Austin, TX 124 Posts |
I just bought the TV Card Frame by Tony Karpinski from MJM magic. I wanted a version of this classic illusion that looked like it naturally fit in with my piano room, so this seemed perfect.
However, my first concern arose when the official instructions stated that the plates should be placed in the diamond formation with one corner pointing down to the base (the most popular configuration for this illusion) and yet the pictures online showed it sitting in the frame in a square configuration. In fact, the trick WILL NOT WORK in the square configuration shown in the promo picture on the website of every company that sells this. That of course raises the question of . . . WTF? Your own promo pic shows the configuration incorrectly? For clarity, if you try to place the two glass plates in the configuration shown in the promo pic it won't work. Why? Because the two "guides" within the frame do not match up unless the glass is placed in a diamond configuration. OK. Let's put that issue aside. Now onto the rest of the review. The "hidden" card is visible in the trick as delivered. What???? Exactly. You can literally see the edge of "hidden" card when placed in the trick as delivered. I had to go to my tool bench and make some modifications so that the card is not clearly visible when loaded into the rame. And guess what? When you make the needed modifications, the card is now visible from the BOTTOM of the frame when loaded. Why? Because the frame was built with essentially not enough space for normal sized playing cards. Okay, putting all of that aside, you can still use the illusion in a parlor setting. You have to be VERY careful with your angles, but it can work. That is, if you play LOUD music during the card reveal. Why? Because the gimmick is VERY LOUD. For me, this is not a big deal because I generally perform in a parlor/small stage setting and can crank up the music. But no way this can be done with anything close to close-up. It would be like, "and now, look at the frame," KERKLAAAAANG. Wow, a card appears. Amazing, right? So bottom line, disappointed in the craftsmanship and design. But it is useable in a parlor setting with modifications upon arrival (get our your wrenches out and get ready to start bending). Here is my final routine, with all of the modifications made, in a parlor setting. https://youtu.be/Bjrrmabb948 Feel free to PM me with any other questions. |
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Do you think this apparatus may have been designed for use with bridge-size cards?
Julie |
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dunraven Regular user Austin, TX 124 Posts |
Presumably, but wouldn't you note that in the instructions? And product description? And why wouldn't you design it for standard sized bicycle poker cards, which the vast majority of magicians use? It would've required a quarter inch larger piece of wood for the base. And even in its original configuration, the firing mechanism is visible under the frame when loaded.
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Don't shoot the messenger.
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mikenewman Inner circle Kent Island, Maryland 1114 Posts |
You did a great job with it for sure!
You should have returned it. But thank you for your honest review. You should review it on their page as well, so others don't waste time and money.. |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Here is an advantage to buy from a brick and mortar store. IT seems there is so much close-up no one know anything about stage props. Even World Magic reviewed this a week or two ago and got it wrong.
Mak-Magic has the right to the TV Card Frame, this is most likely why this made his to fit within the Frame square. What you have to do is use 2 diagonal rubber bands on the plates. That is the way all of them work. Not one rubber band, but two. The original model did use bridge size playing cards, because that was very popular back in the 1960's. Haines House of Cards had he market cornered with all gimmicked decks and special cards in bridge size. As far as any noise, the effect is not just an appearing card between plates. The deck is cascaded in front of the plates, or as the original, the deck is thrown at the stand and the card sticks to the plates, but is found to be between the plates. If thrown, the magician holds the stand in front of him. Comedy situation can be played up by the person poor throw. The cards fly all over and fall to the floor. I love how it is always the manufacture fault for the trick not working, never the purchaser here on the Café. Watch how Dave spoils the trick, he did not bother to read the instructions, because he thought he knew how this worked. You must use two rubber bands. There is a famous quote: Quote:
If all else fails read he directions! |
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dunraven Regular user Austin, TX 124 Posts |
Bill: I agree that the Wizard reviewers didn't give it a chance. That said, my main complaint was with the directions. One, they did not specify bridge cards. Two, they were inconsistent with the publicity shots of the item (which showed the glass improperly installed in the square configuration instead of the diamond). If Mak-Magic has the rights to the TV frame and Karpinski is trying to get around that by falsely advertising in marketing materials that his frame works in the square configuration (when in fact it only works in the diamond configuration), that is a problem. Despite these issues, I made it work, as I hope my Youtube video reflects. I love this illusion, which is why I was looking for the "perfect" version of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjrrmabb948 |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The TV Card Frame is and has never been a close-up trick. It is a stage effect and Parlour (with some distance) trick.
I purchased the Mikame Card Houlette, and it does not fit Poker or Bridge playing cards at all. Can't return it because, why through more money after already lost money. Have you tried to put the plates in square with the frame using 2 diagonal rubber bands, one on each side. I owned an old Abbott's version, where the performer only held 2 real glass plates between his hands, square onto the audience, one hand on each side, not the corners. No frame at all. The performer went into the audience, had a card selected. Returned to the stage, the audience member threw the cards at the plate/performer from off stage front. Nice video. |
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dunraven Regular user Austin, TX 124 Posts |
Wow, that Abbott's version sounds awesome! Yes, I tried to use it in the square configuration several times. Since you know the illusion very well, you know how the sides of the frame are integral to making sure the card properly appears (trying not to give too much away here). In the square configuration, the plates will not properly align -- no way around it. It is only in the diamond configuration that they fit like a glove.
I bought bridge-sized playing cards and yes, it was clearly designed for them. I hate having to switch deck types for one trick, but so be it. I have done this for several people now and everyone enjoys it. |
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canaday Special user Florida 740 Posts |
I have known Tony personally for a few years and always found the stuff he made to be superb quality. He is an artist with wood. I haven't seen this and am not disputing your evaluation. I am just saying that this doesn't sound like his usual quality.
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TommyJ Inner circle Foxboro, MA 1750 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 26, 2016, canaday wrote: I've known Tony for years, been to his house and workshop. He is an older guy and not too computer literate. I can GUARANTEE you the advertisement photo is not his. I actually have one of his card frames and it IS manufactured for a bridge size card. I do agree the sound is a bit noisy but under cover of springing the cards, it covers it nicely. Me personally, I LIKE the decor of the Mak version and have used it for years and it is a mainstay in my primary show. Afetr years of use I purchased a new one and it said "MAK" on it but it's clearly made in India and I had to do a few modifications to the new one to get it working properly. It IS frustrating, getting a new prop and having to "fix" things with it.
"Keep the Kids Laughing!"
https://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store |
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
We bought one of these from a wholesaler. It didn't work well at all, but it gave us a pre-built prototype to work with, The first thing we did was take the sheets of plastic and put them aside for the time being. The next step was to take the gaf out. Great gaff, but no engineering skills were used when installing them at the building stage. We replaced the plastic first with real glasss and round polished edges. The next step was to clean up and fine tune the gaff. You can do it in the square position, but the triangle position is better. Rubber bands are necessary for obvious reasons. It works perfectly.
We own, a Ride , Milson Worth, Owen Supreme and an Abbott's version, these are the best on the market. We'll probally make a few more later this year if we have time. As for the MAK version, junk. They even ripped us off for the coins through table and told us tough luck, so I don't even look at MAK products anymore. *** shame he ruined his father's name associated with MAK Magic.
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 11, 2016, Julie wrote: Julie, I dug out an old set of Fox Lake cards, went though the routine. with Jake Jr. and the bridge deck worked fine. We did it about 6 times and no problems. Mad Jake Sr.
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Hi Jake
I thought as much. Are you considering making a "new" version from the ground up? If so, there are a couple of vintage ideas that seem to have been forgotten that might appeal to you. PM me if interested. Julie |
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Hi Julie, it's nice to be back and see you are here still. My son Jake Jr. still has it in the works on paper. He only really like working with rare hardwoods. The problem really, he has another business that commands a lot of time.
He only makes 1 item at a time in most cases. Or a few of an item. Thank you for writing me and I'll send you a PM shortly, always open to help from the consumer and performing magicians. It's an a effect with so many possibilities. Sincerely Yours, Mad Jake Sr. If anyone would like to contact Jr. directly, his screen name here is Mad Jake Jr
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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daviddelrey New user 75 Posts |
Interesting as I was looking at this item.
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Since we're snowed in I was going through some of my TV frames. All pre-date what is available today on the market and use Bridge size cards. Even Lyn Johnson from Milson Worth made his TV frame to suit Bridge size cards.
I have an original Thayer Brothers TV Frame and it will take a Poker Size Card, but I'm sure it wasn't designed for Poker size. In my opinion I have to agree with John Mendoza that the John Snyder Jr. version is the best. I have 2 others made by Floyd Thayer when he went to work for Magic Wand magic, these too will take a Poker size card. I bought a Chinese version just to add to my collection and they take a Poker size card and while not the prettiest design, the gimmick works perfectly. It was a bit noisy, but nothing a very small piece of felt didn't cure. If you keep an eye on ebay, you can sometimes find one from Tricks Ltd from Japan. I like the set up with that one. Another honorable mention of course is the Owen Magic TV frame. Bridge decks are still available thank goodness as I have a lot of effects that use Bridge Size cards. If you want to use Poker, you can always trim the deck down. I'll have to get one of Tony's for my collection and tinker with it.
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Hi Jake
Another thought regarding using bridge size cards for this trick: you can purchase bridge size Bicycle Playing Cards. Switching a poker size deck for a bridge size deck with the same back will fly by 99.999% of your audience... Julie |
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lpmorgens New user 27 Posts |
I know this post is old, but I saw Tony today and my son got one of the TV Card Frames. Tony mentioned how it has been modified to work with ALL cards, so the whole Bridge-card only issue appears to no longer be an issue. We LOVE the craftsmanship of it!
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lpmorgens New user 27 Posts |
Tony also said he uses the metal spring because the elastic or rubber ones wear out. We're planning to use this with a forced-card trick, and have the card that appears have a bullet hole in it... and have the spectator shoot a cap gun at it... that will hide any sound and work with the card that comes up.
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