|
|
Justin Hepton Regular user Surrey, in the UK 136 Posts |
Well, after much research, I am still unsure as to which balls to get - of course this is down to personal preference but I would like to ask a few questions...
As much as I love the look of the Mike Rogers Baseballs - do you think if I were to use them, it might arouse suspicion? As Baseball is pretty much non-existant in the uk. Which leads to the question "why not try the mini footballs? Like the ones Gazzo uses?" Now, I have given consideration to this, but I'm not sure as there doesn't seem to be any justification for using footballs - unless I was to perform at a football club or something. Do you know what I mean? In addition, I am not sure whether to go for the "monkey fist" balls, as recommended to me, or some other hand made varieties that look great! My point here is that, due to my inexperience, I don't know what would make a good choice and would rather get balls that I know are good due to the fact that they are used by the Pro's - or are of "professional quality". Whilst I have been writing this (or typing it!), I have whittled it down to five choices... 1 - The "Monkey Fist" balls from Hocus Pocus 2 - Some very nice looking balls made around a lead shot by Café Member "Euangelion" - anyone else had these? They look great! 3 - The Mike Rogers Baseballs (Although Bill Palmer has suggested an alternative of better quality) 4 - The Mini Soccer Balls (like the ones Gazzo Uses in his routine) 5 - Some very interesting sounding leather balls made By Frank Starsini that have been suggested to me by Bill Palmer (the man is a genius!) - I may contact him directly about these, but will see what happens here as I'm sure Frank is a busy man! So, your help here would be much appreciated! My Head is spinning!! Thanks! Justin
"After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box"
- Italian proverb |
eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
I'm English and use mini-baseballs and nobody cares !
The last thing you want to be worrying about when learning the cups and balls is something like this. The balls are not important ! The routine is . When you have the routine off then start looking at nice cups and pretty balls. I really think you are making hard work of this . |
Justin Hepton Regular user Surrey, in the UK 136 Posts |
Thanks Eddie,
I had a suspicion I may have been making heavy weather of this, but on the other hand, I'm not looking for "pretty" - just what will work well and wont hinder my practise. In other words, if I can get balls that don't "Talk" or roll as much as others, surely it would be better to start work with them? Im just trying to get off on the best possible foot. I really don't want to be practising hard for weeks and weeks to try and, for example, work out why the balls make a noise from inside the cup when I'm placing a supposedly empty cup down, only to find that if I had gotten another type of ball, perhaps of better quality or different style, I could have solved this problem immediately, perhaps not even had it happen if I had been using the better balls in the first place. Do you seem where I'm coming from? Of course, Being far more experienced that me, I totally appreciate your advice and do take it on board. Please don't take my comments as arrogance, just want to get off on the best possible foot. If you and other more experienced magicians believe it makes no difference which balls I start work with, I will stick with what I have. Would appreciate some further opinions on this, with respect, Justin
"After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box"
- Italian proverb |
chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
What kind of routine are you doing, and what cups do you use? The Gazzo footballs are nice, and don't bounce much, but are quite big at more than an inch. I also have the Mike Rogers baseballs and they are nice, but really have a bounce and can take a nice trip into the crowd if they are dropped. Monkey fist balls do not roll much and are easy to use.
I used to fret about how to explain the type of balls I use, but eventually it seemed a little too much. The spectators don't seem that interested. At least here in the states, there are so many kinds of balls in the toy store, that they don't seem to wonder that much about what we are using. I would only make a big deal about the balls if it fits the story line of the routine you use.
Chris
|
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I don't blame you for being a little picky about which balls to use -- I agree that you don't want to make things tougher than they are.
On the other hand, almost any ball will do if 1) it's heavy enough to go where you drop it and 2) it's the right size for your hand. Anything with sufficient mass will work -- even a 1" or 3/4" dense acrylic pom-pom is OK. Some of the plastic C/B sets use very light and fluffy pompoms, which are no good. Some people even use dollar bills crumpled up in the shape of a ball! I think the Morrrissey crotcheted balls are fine for starters, are less likely to "talk" than some other types, are inexpensive but durable and also look good. Of course, there are much fancier and more expensive balls available, but I'd jump in with any of the above and get started learning your sleights and moves. Once you have a little more experience, you can select a set of balls that may be a better fit with your individual requirements. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Justin Hepton Regular user Surrey, in the UK 136 Posts |
Thanks Guys!
Hello again Seth! What a wealth of information you are! Thanks. I appreciate the kind words too. The more I think about it, the more I think the Mini Baseballs may be absolutely fine. Those or the monkeyfist balls. I am now tending to agree that maybe the spectators aren't going to be overly bothered by what sort of ball you use. Does anyone have any experience to the contrary? Either of those I can obtain fairly cheaply from here in the UK so I may go for those. I would still appreciate any thoughts anyone may have on this! Thanks again! Justin
"After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box"
- Italian proverb |
Euangelion Special user 688 Posts |
For some people weight is important for others it is not. This is the reason I have started making felt balls in two different weights, pure felt or weighted felt. So far they sell almost equally.
Bill Esborn
"Lutefisk: the piece of cod that passes all understanding." |
Richard Evans Inner circle 1379 Posts |
If you're going to go for baseballs, I'd highly recommend Christian Jedinat's baseballs. The price is only marginally higher than for the Mike Rogers balls and shipping won't cost much to the UK. There's also a choice of colours. I have the red/white stitching and the yellow/black stitching (the reds are my faves).
Richard
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three. Elayne Boosler
|
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Chrisrkline said:
Quote:
I would only make a big deal about the balls if it fits the story line of the routine you use. ..and I agree. If you have a script, wouldn't the type of balls you use depend that? If the presentation is not about soccer or baseball the why use those? |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Regarding baseball and the UK. I found it somewhat amusing that the two places I went to purchase sporting goods while I was in London during the Centenary celebrations had a fairly good selection of baseball uniforms, bats, gloves, etc.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
One more point about balls. Beyond the minimum weight needed to perform the sleights, the weight of the balls is mostly a consideration only if you plan to perform outside, where even a slight breeze can make a mess of your C/B routine. If you do use heavier, more substantial balls, I would also suggest that you add some extra padding to your tabletop, to prevent them from "talking." Even a thin (1/16") piece of sheet foam from a craft store will do the trick. Like well-behaved children, the balls should be seen, but not heard!
Finally, my own personal ball preference would be for something that doesn't look unusual or uncommon. Balls with decorative lacing or glitter, and odd-shaped balls like the Monkey Fists would in my opinion be more likely to generate suspicion as "magic props". I'd rather show up with three slightly discolored old tin (brass) cups and some plain white or red balls, then perform miracles with them. In the nineteenth century, most magicians used balls made of cork, which were then blackened over a flame for better visibility. These have largely been replaced by cork balls covered with crochet yarn. Without taking anything away from other well-crafted balls (felt balls, leather balls, etc.), both of these options have stood the test of time and are still very workable. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
cataquet Veteran user England 363 Posts |
Despite some good advice, it ultimately depends what you end up doing with the balls. For example, the baseballs are about 1-1/8". You may want to put all three on top of your cup, but (because of your cups) you may find that they don't fit. So, you now have to find smaller baseballs, and unless you are willing to pay up for it (which I don't recommend until you have a routine sorted), you'll have to alter your routine. So, to not constrain yourself, my advice is to get a cheap set of balls and sort out what you want to do. Then when you're comfortable with the routine, get the right cup and ball set to do what you want it to do. Afterall, you may decide that the cups and balls are not for you and move on to something else.
Harold Cataquet
|
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-09-27 06:06, The Strider wrote: Do the cups look any more common? As well as the close up pad or wand if you use them for the cups/balls routine. It's nice to know that ALL can be examined before and after the demonstration. Those leather balls made By Frank Starsini sound great! Go with the set that pleases you most and good luck on developing the routine. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
What feels best and looks right for YOU? I like the Monkey Fist balls from James Riser as they look interesting and don't roll off the table easily.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
|
Justin Hepton Regular user Surrey, in the UK 136 Posts |
That's all sound advice, and makes a lot of sense.
Of course, you're right Mr Biro, and on that basis, and after a lot of thought, I have decided to get a set of Monkey Fist balls AND a set of Mike Rogers Baseballs, so I can interchange them if, as and when I need to. The other reason is because I can obtain these at a reasonable price from a UK source, saving me money! Anyone that's read my previous posts will know that ive got two very young kids, so any money I can save on anything is a bonus!! Thanks for everybodies help on this topic, and feel free to add any more comments/thoughts as I will read them all, or PM me! Justin
"After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box"
- Italian proverb |
ursusminor Elite user Norway 443 Posts |
I've used Mike Rogers baseballs for years, never heard anyone comment on them being baseballs. To an audience, they're BALLS - period.
As one of the previous posters said, what are the cups supposed to be? No need to run when nobody is chasing you. Bjørn
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them
pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." - Winston Churchill" |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ever so sleightly » » More info on "Balls" for my Cups & Balls pleeeease! (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |