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r1ch-oxford Regular user Oxford, England 182 Posts |
Hi Everyone!
First of all sincere apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, I have searched to the best of my (rather basic) IT skills for a subject on it and not been able to locate anything. I have just received the August 08 Magic magazine and noticed that both the Walter Blaney Ladder Levitation and his Suspension 3001 are advertised inside. I am seriously considering purchasing one of these. However fairly obviously I am interested in why there is the rather huge price difference between the two? I can spot some of the minor differences, however I am unable to see anything from the clips on the websites, that tips anything that makes the ladder levitation worth 3 times the price? Any advice or info from my friends here at the Café would be sincerely appreciated so that I can make an informed decision before contacting either of the builders. Thanks again! Rich |
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Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
The ladder levitation is hands-down a more deceptive illusion. Very little about it screams "magic prop." It's also significantly more difficult to build.
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amazingcarrington Veteran user 307 Posts |
Both are excellent. I own the 3001 and spoke with Walter before purchasing it. He clearly put a great deal of time into the thought and design of both.
Some prefer the 3001 because of a slightly better angle situation. I've received great reaction from the 3001. Yes, if I had the money, I would have gone with the Ladder Levi. There's no denying that it is the more elite of the two but you do pay the price. I think Walter's idea was to create a top notch levi that was still affordable and thus came the 3001. You won't regret either. And don't forget....it's still all about your presentation. Good luck in your choice. |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I am performing the 3001 this summer in my resort shows. It is a practical and powerful illusion. For the price I think it's hard to beat.
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Rich:
Here is a great video performance of the 3001 by magician Jamie Salinas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMZGp2BXjR4 This should help anyone make up their own mind as to whether the 3001 is right for them. Chris |
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Steven Steele Chief of Staff 1868 Posts |
I thought long and hard about the two and finally decided on the ladder suspension. I talked to Walter about it as well as other performers. Ultimately, the type of client I market my shows to was the determining factor.
However, I thought the ladders would be much more deceptive than the pedestals. Again, if your venue is more modern, then perhaps the 3001 would fit better. I think, in the end, there is no correct answer, it's the version that fits your situation the best.
Coram Deo
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briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
I've got a serious, honest question here...and I hope I don't sound ignorant.
How is the Ladder Levi and the Suspension 3001 even comparable? I don't mean any disrespect by this question, b/c there is nothing wrong w/ Susp 3001. To me, they are nothing alike. Ladder is pretty complex, whereas Susp 3001, upon first glance, is quite simple unless there is something major I'm not seeing. Isn't Susp 3001 pretty similar to something like, say, Sommers Walk Away Susp? Obviously Susp 3001 is much nicer, and of higher quality, and doesn't look so cheap...but isn't it pretty much the same concept? As I mentioned, I appologize in advance if I sound ignorant....please fill me in if I'm wrong. |
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
First - let's get our terms right. Neither is a levitation. Both are SUSPENSIONS where the subject does not rise.
Both have their strengths and weaknesses with the Salinas performance looking good at 3001 -- and the ladder work on Walt's sight being its equal. The ladder is more acceptable to the audience as a common prop than the saw-horse chocks of the 3001 IMNSHO. I have used (and sold) both types as I did my original Gamalo LEVITATION having converted it from 120 to 12V DC. Of the three I prefer Levitation as the up and down is impressive --- but the engineering is more problematic for a smaller show if you use audience subjects. I have had and sold a number of various Harbin Chair suspensions -- great for kids parties but are as impressive to adults as the latest model Yugo automobile. So - if looking for a SUSPENSION - I found the ladders good for my style. Walt's work is impeccable and if you can get his steel hoop at the same time -- you'll never regret it. I had the great white and while it worked I never got comfortable with it -- and always worried about transporting it in the Arizona heat.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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Mark005 Loyal user 212 Posts |
Well, most of the latter are based on a "super X" concept, as put forth in the Harbin Book.
IMHO, the best of this type was put out by Burling Hull many many years ago, re put out by Sammy Smith many years ago. I can't say much as this is an open forum, but the "board" is not there, it is cut away to a minimum and is hidden when the girl is on it. There is a "table" that she lays on (think about it) then moved away and she is floating in mid air with no support. You also do a single hoop pass, and throw the hoop into the audience as it is solid and ungimmicked. As I said there is a lot to this. Perhaps the most interesting is when Hull set it up, he put a huge bag over it which said "DANGER 10,000 volts, electric illusion" Kept people from messing with it, or looking it over. |
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amazingcarrington Veteran user 307 Posts |
I suppose with questions still looming, let me suggest that those who are interested contact the builders directly. Start with Walter. Then contact the current authrorized builders.
I spoke with Walter and then was referred to his current builder BillBlagg. Bill and his father were extremely nice to deal with and very helpful. This month's Magic magazine has an ad for both suspensions as well as their respective builders. I should think that all questions and inquiries could be answered by going directly to the sources. Good luck. Carrington |
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Bill Blagg III Regular user 169 Posts |
I would just like to clarify that Bill Blagg Jr. is the builder of the Suspension 3001. He and Debbie Blagg own ProCraft Illusions. There has been some confusion that I was the builder, etc. which is not the case. I'm just a performer who is fortunate to have parents who also fabricate illusions. My dad started building effects for me years ago and his quality and craftsmanship attracted the attention of Walter and other major illusion designers so he decided to pursue it professionally.
Personally, I perform the 3001 in my show and I absolutely love it! What sold me on it was the 360 walk around where you walk in-between both trestles and the board while the person is floating. I've been doing the effect now for 3 years and it's always a solid crowd pleaser. |
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amazingcarrington Veteran user 307 Posts |
Hello Bill,
Sorry about the confusion. I knew that but wrote is incorrectly in my posting. Let me say again....Bill Blagg Jr. and Debbie of ProCraft were fantastic to deal with every step of the way and the construction is outstanding!!!! Likewise, I had the privilege of picking it up directly from them at a performance of Bill Blagg III. Bill's show was likewise fantastic and topped off a perfect evening....of seeing the show, chatting at length with his folks and then loading up my Sus 3001 from them as they had graciously agreed to bring it to the show thus saving me shipping costs and travel. All the best . Michael "Amazing Carrington" |
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johnmagic Regular user 13419 fitzhugh road austin tx 78736 109 Posts |
If you have to ask ? Buy the 3001. Walter Blaney and his Ladder Levitation Illusion changed my life , and changed Walter's life to. It's been over 35 years scents I first saw Walter Perform his Ladder Levitation .All I knew was I saw real magic, not a trick .You did not separate Walter Blaney's name from the Ladder Illusion ,they were one. The though of owning one was out of the question .So after many years Walter decided to sale one to David Copperfield and that open the door for magician to finally get there hands on the Ladder. I waited for over a year and finally it arrived.The Ladder has years of though in to it Walter covered every little thing. Sometime I look at it and say wow he though of everything. The Ladder Levitation is t perfection. So you see it's more than just the Ladder or the 3001 . One is History! http://www.illusionistjohnwright.com see video
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Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-01 03:06, chmara wrote: You are, of course, correct, however I believe most of us refer to Blaney's "Ladder Levitation" because that's what he calls; i.e., that's the name he's given the prop. |
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amazingcarrington Veteran user 307 Posts |
That was heavy....
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Flying Magus Loyal user 286 Posts |
Is there a way that the ladder lev can be done without the board?
Magically yours,
Michel Fouché Believe in the Impossible |
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mgcmal New user 36 Posts |
NO
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Walter's reasoning behind calling his illusions levitations rather than supsensions has some good points.
From Walter's POV, a suspension is an illusion in which the person floating is actually touching something visible, such as a chair, a sword or a broom. A levitation is an illusion in which the person floating is not touching anything visible. I don't know who decided that a levitation meant that someone actually rose. It seems to me, from the POV of a layman, that the apparent absence of support at any point is much more important visually than the rising and lowering. This said, I never refer to any of these as levitations or suspensions in the presence of the lay public. Why should we tip them to our jargon, for that's all it is. It's a matter of which end of the egg you break, the large end or the small end. I call my Harbin Walkaway Suspension "a floating lady." The only person who can take issue with that is the lady's friends, relatives or spouse. She may actually be a floating harridan, but for that moment, she's a lady. And most members of the lay public will thank you for "levitating" their friend. So, should I correct them and say, "No, I did not levitate them. I suspended them." That, my friends, would be idiocy. Regarding the Sommers product, if any of you have seen it, the relationship of that illusion to what Walter Blaney sells is about the same as a roller skate to a Rolls Royce.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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puckmagic Loyal user Orlando, Florida 260 Posts |
Hands down the ladder over the 3001 if you have the money. I have bought and sold a lot of illusions in my time and will not even consider selling my Ladder. It's one of those things that even if you only use it a few times a year it will become a staple for you as much as the thumb tip is for the close up worker.
I think the most important thing that everyone misses is the fact that you actually build the illusion right in front of the audience. This gives the premise that everything is as ordinary as they look and there is complete separation. This sells the illusion for all watching in my opinion. I even put one leg between the board and gimmicked ladder ( as Lance does) to show there is no connection. This is done on the down beat in the premise of fixing the womans pants or skirt. Anyway, it is worth every penny Walter asks and the metal hoop is a must as well. This is the perfect portable illusion that every pro should own. If your a part timer the 3001 is probably your best bet. My two cents....... Puck |
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Keith Jozsef Loyal user 212 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-04 18:51, Bill Palmer wrote: I'm not sure I follow that logic...The person floating is most certainly touching something visible--THE BOARD. Keith Jozsef |
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