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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 2, 2012 10:31pm
I just bought Professor Cheers, and the diagram in the directions do not agree with the rope that I received. The diagram shows that the short piece is about the length of one's leg, but the short piece of rope that I got is about 12 inches (I'm not that short).
This changes the "pulling" that I will feel - I will feel the pull in the opposite leg than I need to pull on next (and opposite to what the directions say)
Is my rope just manufactured wrong? Should the short piece be much longer?
Thanks;
John
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viler
Regular user
Norway
183 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 12:40am
Hi John
PM'ed you.
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 12:40pm
Based on the responses I've gotten so far, I think my prop was not made correctly.
But, to be clear, When I said "short" rope, I was referring to the rope that goes down my right leg. It is only about 1 foot.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 1:33pm
I have always entertained getting this routine but alas, I never have. I might suggest you contact the dealer that you bought it from (if it was a dealer) and ask them if it should be the way it is. If they do not know, they might be able to replace the set. Also, it would be good to ask them because your set may not be the only one made this way (if it is made incorrectly). Yada yada, they might be able to help you figure out how to fix it if replacing it is not necessary.
Good luck, and I hope this helps!
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Bill Hegbli
Eternal Order
Bill and Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana
12890 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 3:19pm
Again, it is important which model you have, currently Ickle Pickle is making this effect, supplying it in a square brown box, with a page of instructions. Years ago, of course the original was available and Repro Magic in England made a model as well.
What you have, I have no idea. If you want to check, the trick is published in a book by Magic Inc. "Your Buttons are Loose" by Gene Krik.
http://www.magicinc.net/yourbuttonsareloose.aspx
The short end should be longer then 12", although the piece that has the shorts attached to it is that short. Do you have the shorts attached to your outfit.
It is hard to help when you do not give enough information.
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 8:10pm
Wmhegbli
I have the $20 version, it came in a square box as you said. But, I don't think the basics of the set up differs between "cheap" version and the ~$100 version. Other things change, but I doubt if the part that I'm talking about would change.
The shorts were attached to a short rope, but I was referring to the rope that goes down my right leg.
Today I did talk to the dealer that I bought this from, and pointed out that the diagram that came with this set-up was not possible, due to the very short rope (that goes down the right leg. He seemed a little fuzzy about the details of the props, but said he would check the one he had use before (which was at his home).
I don't think I need to buy another description of the effect - my directions, and those that others shared with me, and my own analysis of what the props need to look like, all indicate that the right leg rope needs to be about 4' (not 1').
What I was hoping to hear from others here, was confirmation that their (cheap) props support my beliefs, and thus I will have confidence to request a replacement. If need be, I will buy 4' of rope and make the change.
Thanks;
John
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actorscotty
Veteran user
wilmington nc
392 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 10:51pm
Bought mine years ago at a magic flea market at a ring meeting. also way too short, I just got better ,longer rope and remade the thing to fit my 6'4' frame.... been using it on occasion ever since no problems
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 3, 2012 10:52pm
I was thinking the same thing earlier that it may just be cheaper to buy the correct length of rope to replace the one that is too short. As long as you can match the 'brightness' of the rope close enough, (how white is it, or how off-white, etc.) the texture and weight of the rope will not matter.
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KMFrye
New user
75 Posts
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Posted: May 4, 2012 10:17am
John, I think I bought the same version - after laying it out on the floor and studying for about an hour, I replaced the short rope with one about 32" long. That's my inseam.
That corrected the issue, and the new piece runs down my pant leg and tucks into my sock.
Regards,
Keith Frye
P.S. I love Prof Cheer's - It's a bugger to rig, but it always gets a good response. I usually do it early in my show, after my ring and rope performance.
Posted: May 4, 2012 10:19am
P.S. Standard white Magician's Rope matched well with the rope supplied in the trick.
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Pete Biro
V.I.P.
17755 Posts
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Posted: May 4, 2012 10:53am
I'll be brief. I was set to do it at an award banquet. The speeches, etc. ran looooooooooong... the MC said, "We had Pete scheduled to entertain us, but we've run overtime, and will have to skip the show, I'm sure he'll be able to come to next month's regular meeting and do his act."
Dang... now I had to go into the men's room and pull the rope out.... 
STAY TOONED... @ www.petebiro.com
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 4, 2012 10:56am
Thanks for the response. This confirms for me that the rope should be longer. I wonder why, and for how long the manufacturer has been providing props that would only be appropriate for a midget?
I'll talk to the dealer again, but make plans to replace that rope.
John
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Bill Hegbli
Eternal Order
Bill and Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana
12890 Posts
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Posted: May 4, 2012 11:00am
John Long, I was not referring that you purchase the expensive version, which is only the same rope and a cloth tube set up so it is easier to just put on. As you stated, now I know you have the Ickle Pickle version, and you may have received one with a short rope. I had to ask about the shorts as you did not reference it in your original question. Sure you know what you are talking about, but none of use do unless you give the facts. So not knowing which manufacturer version you received and not knowing if you bought it new or used, I had to ask.
So it looks like you got a defective short piece of rope. You did the correct thing in contacting your dealer, hopefully he will make it right for you. If not contact Ickle Pickle in the Saint Louis area, and hopefully they will correct the outfit. Ickle Pickle does not have a web site, so the best way to contact them is by telephone.
I can't find my booklet, and I looked for it, or I would have told you the length it was suppose to be.
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 4, 2012 7:48pm
I talked to the dealer today, and he seemed to agree that this is a manufacturing mistake, and he is to be contacting them.
Meanwhile, he doesn't seem to have any that are made properly, so I may just make the modification on my own.
Thanks for the input.
John
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 7, 2012 4:38pm
Apparently the manufacturer has been making the set-up this way for 20 years!
I attempted to splice in an extension. I used plastic tape, and it pulled apart the first two attempts.
After this failure, I just continued by pulling the original right-leg rope out my pants, and that rope's loop (on the other end) broke (it too only had tape holding it together.
Can anyone suggest ways to make these repairs?
Thanks;
John
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viler
Regular user
Norway
183 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 12:43am
I don't think it's easy to splice in an extension. Why not make a new rope?
The loops on my ropes are sewn together.
One loop got a bit too loose, so I just sewed it a bit tighter with white thread.
Vidar
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 9:18am
Vidar:
I think I can tie a "bowline" knot to provide a replacement knot, but I need some rope. So I wrote the dealer for 4' of the same type of rope.
Sewing in the loop is a better way, but I'm not sure I want to try that.
John
Posted: May 8, 2012 12:52pm
Another tip for those that have the cheaper version, store the extra rope in a fanny pack.
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Bill Hegbli
Eternal Order
Bill and Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana
12890 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 1:09pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-08 12:52, John Long wrote:
Another tip for those that have the cheaper version, store the extra rope in a fanny pack.
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Don't understand that statement. As Craig Ferguson says on the Late Late Show, "it's in your pants!" Or was it the Robot Skeleton. 
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Motley Mage
Loyal user
Moving up slowly from just
231 Posts
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Posted: May 9, 2012 5:50pm
John Long, I would suggest (and I may be out of line here) that you should press the dealer for more than 4' of rope. I would ask for a standard 25' length package of magicians' rope most dealers sell. This avoids the possibility of another mismeasurement and should allow you to create a whole new rig using the defective prop as a model/pattern. And I second the motion to sew the likages in white cotton thread rather than splicing (weak) or knotting (bulky).
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 10, 2012 2:09pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-09 17:50, Motley Mage wrote:
John Long, I would suggest (and I may be out of line here) that you should press the dealer for more than 4' of rope. I would ask for a standard 25' length package of magicians' rope most dealers sell. This avoids the possibility of another mismeasurement and should allow you to create a whole new rig using the defective prop as a model/pattern. And I second the motion to sew the likages in white cotton thread rather than splicing (weak) or knotting (bulky).
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Yeah; the dealer just didn't think it was that big of deal (I'm surprised that his supplier is selling something that is falling apart, and not consistent with the directions). He was nice about it, he offered a return, but I want to do this effect. So, I will either add in a piece of rope (that won't quite match), or cut off 4' from the 40' length, and make the needed alterations. I'm not sure I trust my sewing and the thread.
wmhegbli:
The fanny pack would be located on my backside (during performance), under a jacket. It would prevent the rope from drooping below my jacket (as it does when I stuff it in my pocket), it is more comfortable, won't require a belt adjustment after performance, and is less binding than in my pants, it would provide a way to transport the set-up, and it is about $100 cheaper than the other version.
John
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 10, 2012 4:11pm
John: Does the rope that came with the effect have a cotton string core in it? If so, let me know as I may have a relatively easy idea for you in fixing your problem.
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 12:46pm
The rope has a core of several woven strands (or may even be part of the woven exterior. I'd have to pull it apart to be sure. Its not hollow core, and the center is not a plastic core like I seen on some ropes.
John
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 3:46pm
PM sent your way John.
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John Long
Inner circle
New Jersey
1779 Posts
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Posted: Jun 5, 2012 9:02pm
Thanks all, for your input.
After realizing that the props were not made correctly (at least not consistent with the instructions), and both "loops" broke after just 1 or 2 tries, and the store not being able to supply some extra rope (so I could try to make the repairs), I dropped it from my show, and decided to send it back for a refund.
Its hard to understand how the manufacturer (I'm told Ickle Pickle) thinks their product is ok. Maybe others will be forewarned.
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: Jun 7, 2012 8:21pm
I just bought one from Hank Lee because I ordered their catalog and wanted free shipping. I think I paid something like $12 to 15 bucks back in 1960. Hank charged $19.95. The right leg rope should be long enough to go in your sock. I did it 4 to 5 times a night (every tour bus) sometimes. Once you learn to fold it and do it a few times, it is an easy setup. You can also lengthen the r. leg and the big pkg. rope to a 100 feet if you really want to annoy people. The $100 plus thingy is a total ripoff you can make yourself with velcro and a piece cloth for less than a dollar. (You can also get a hundred feet of soft clothes line rope at the dollar store for a cupola bucks) I am always amazed at the length some magic dealers go to rip off unknowing newbies. #^&&*$W#.
Spartacus died for your sloth
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Regan
.JPG)
Inner circle
U.S.A.
5437 Posts
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Posted: Jun 11, 2012 10:43am
I ended up sewing mine. I even made up several new, complete sets with different boxers for special occasions!
Regan
Mister Mystery
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paullong
Regular user
120 Posts
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Posted: Aug 26, 2012 2:30pm
I bought this ages ago (Hank Lee) and hardly ever used it.
Today I did it for a wedding anniversary family party booking. I had just finished Fibre Optics (my opener) and put those ropes away when I took my jacket off and the first end was hanging out of my sleeve. I started pulling then got a couple of kids out of the audience to help. It went down an absolute storm. What a great effect, I'll be using this more and more from now on - especially with kids in the room.
www.paullonghurst.com
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Mike Maturen
Inner circle
building a horse pen and needs
1992 Posts
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Posted: Oct 5, 2012 8:25am
I bopught one probably 33 years ago. I used it once in a rehearsal and it broke. Never did get it replaced...probably couldn't find it now if I tried.
I wish I could...I'd love to re-build the prop and start using it. Sounds like something my school/kid audiences would almost pee their pants watching.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment
The Magic of Mike Maturen
989-335-1661
mikematuren@gmail.com
AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life"
member: Fellowship of Christian Magicians, KIDabra International
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