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Darth Ewok Loyal user Greeneville TN 228 Posts |
I'm thinking about buying a gibralter percussion table for my show because it looks pretty portable. and the table size is big enough for both my cups & balls and the multiplying bottles.
heres a link to what I'm thinking about getting http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/p......u=483550 so has anyone ever used one for thier show? would love some feedback before dropping any cash |
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Nope. Never even seen one! I like it though. Wonder how high it adjusts to? It looks like a nice table and, being a drummers table, should be really durable.
Mark. |
Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
The ridge looks a bit high. If everyone's standing and you keep the table low, it should be all right. Otherwise it might block the view of a small ball.
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I think this type of table base is as ugly as sin. I hate to rain on your parade, but one good rule of thumb when it comes to stage furniture is to think of it as furniture. Would you have a table with a base like that in your house?
It is fairly typical of percussion tables. If you go to the section "Where to Put it All" there is a constant discussion about tables there. If you really must have a metal base, check this one out: http://www.vikingmagic.com/?nd=full&key=929 They aren't cheap, but they are really sturdy. BTW, adjustability is not important. If you must, use an adjustable stand to figure out how high a table needs to be. Then have someone like Viking shorten or lengthen the column of one of their tables to fit your needs.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Darth Ewok Loyal user Greeneville TN 228 Posts |
I like the way it looks. and it will be a lot easier to carry around than the big wooden table I made a year ago. I mostly do birthday parties and retirement homes and to me the set up and pack up needs to be faster. (I work alone so I do it all myself)
the only difference I can see from the link Bill gave is the Gibralter table's legs fold in, and is height adjustable. and I like those options. Mr Palmer, I HIGHLY value your opinion. you have more knowledge on more subjects than I can sometimes believe, but I'm not a working pro to any degree. as far as I know I'm the only magician in my entire town. I mainly get work from word of mouth and don't advertise too much. my real job is a minimum wage clerk at a gas station. heck a sub-trunk for me is an impossible expense atm I wish I could afford the best stuff, but trust me the table I'm thinking about is a pretty good upgrade for me. here the one I'm using now: http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286......able.jpg that sucker weights almost 40 pounds and the table top is a separate piece so it requires two trips to the car (i also use a side table, which is just a folding pastic table from wal-mart. now THAT is ugly as sin) I try to give my people a good show, using the best props I can. my multiplying bottle set are made by Uday. I had to buy 2 sets and re-label them myself just to get a SOMEWHAT passable set. but I'm trying to upgrade to better when I can. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Okay. I'll enumerate the differences.
1) The metal column is two pieces. It unscrews in the middle. 2) The individual legs unscrew from the brass base. 3) It has a much steadier pipe flange than you will normally find on a percussion table. I'm speaking from experience on both of these. I have had tables that were made from these percussion stands, and I have used one of these CW tables, as well. It's standard issue on Jumbo Sidekick. It takes down small enough that you can pack it in a briefcase. The folding tables loosen with use and age. Regarding your trestle table -- you could cut the weight of that thing in half. For one thing, use lauan plywood for the table top. Use poplar for the edging. If you have a table saw, or access to one, you can cut a groove down the center of the edging to accommodate the plywood. I have a feeling that you used 3/4 inch plywood for the top. That's the only way it would weigh 40 pounds.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
I have used a mallet table, (that's what they called when I was a musician) as a magic table. It's a good practice table. I don't think it looks very nice for performances.
You can see the model I used here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9cU6qGGv9o It's a different brand: Aspire. They make several sizes. I've seen percussionists with even larger models. Mine is sturdy. If somebody paid me to show up and do magic, I'd drag a better looking table. KG |
Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
Considering the price...you could get a good one for magic porpouses for the same or less bucks.
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Darth -
Shop around and you can probably find one of those for less. I have one of these and it was my preferred stage table for...mmmmmmm...twenty-five years or so. The lip around the edge is nice in that it keeps things from escaping to the floor. As for close-up/parlor use I had a piece of stock cut to a bit larger than the existing edge, framed with 1/4 inch stock for the lip, and fastened to the original tabletop using velcro tabs. If you might be worried about the ugly as sin base you could have a skirt made for the table, I did. I also made a shelf unit for storing props out of sight that hangs from the back of the table which made a table skirt necessary. I think it looks fine, I don't look at a stage table as furniture for my home. (Sorry Bill!) FWIW
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I agree with bill on the base itself. The top of the table is good. Especially for the bottles. I recently had Bev Bergeron use his bottles on a table like that, and the bottles tipped. The lip kept them from rolling on to the floor.
The triple legged drum style base might be problematic if you stand near the table. I have, on occasion, tripped on those legs, and even kicked it as I passed the table. The rounded base is best to avoid that. So, either that or a roll-on table with the box that goes to the floor. -------- Ditch the three legs, keep the top.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Sir Richard Special user 650 Posts |
I use a combination of a table top that I made myself and a Teak wood tray stand that
Resturants use for setting heavy trays of food on. I've gotten many positive comments on it and it isn't very heavy either. Like you, I'm not all that much of a pro....yet! Still, I like to be ready. Sir Richard.
"In the land of Murphy there is but ONE law!"
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
I'm building a new table as we speak.
It has a dark leather top over a non-skid yoga mat over 1/2" birch ply with a routed maple frame and maple X legs. A 16"x20" working surface seems plenty large enough for my purposess. The optimum height is TBD. I have seen some busker tables that are actually tilted forward - not too sure about that. Never needed it myself.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Darth, don't be hard on yourself and your small town. I've been there many times. I grew up in JC. The people you perform for are very appreciative, I'm sure. Just find what works for you and go with it.
Mark. |
punx469 New user New England 46 Posts |
Not that it matter's but when I was drumming Gibralter always put out a great reliable product, I think you will be quite happy with that table if you chose to go with it, But I have seen Bill Palmer in quite a few other threads and he has always had a knowledgeable and informed opinion and he knows what he is talking about, so his argument has reason don't dismiss it to soon.... especially for a difference of 50-60 bucks. But I also think that the Gibralter table looks more sturdy and for being ugly a table cloth or banner off the front would take care of that.(not taking a shot at you Bill) But hell its all up to you good luck Darth Ewok!
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
In the old days magic tables were made for small acts or feature tricks. Most of the time the act was only 12 to 20 minutes long. Today, most magicians are hired to perform anywhere from 30 minutes to 1-1/2 hours.
These small tables are not suitable for this length of show. That is why a Suitcase type of table is suitable as well as the one with 3 shelves. I don't know if you have seen this posting, but a member of the Café was nice enough to provide custom and compete plans for his Suitcase table to be built by anyone. Go here and take a look: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=26 This was very nice of this gentleman. |
jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
That box qould be great for larger props and an excellent woodworking project. Lots of possibilities with it.
Yes, Gibralter is as tough and sturdy as it gets for drum equipment. Too bad it soesn't come in black for magicians. As punx469 said, maybe a skirt (even with a servante) would diminish some of the chrome glare.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
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