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CCPCris Loyal user Alabama 280 Posts |
Has anyone accutly purchased the plans from Stevens Magic Emporuium? Is it complicated to build? I have a builder that has built several pieces for me, and wanted to see if he could tackle this project, as I might like to modify it a little.
making the unreal, real...really!
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Not sure what Gale gives as description now, but the original plans were VERY detailed. Would take someone knowledgeable with cylinders though.
Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
I'm curious as well.
Will I be able to obtain the parts locally, or will there be a lot of special ordering etc. Blair, do you mean hydraulic cylinders in that reference? Finally, what will the project cost (approx) and how much time are we looking at. Thanks for any info! CPH |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
I believe pneumatic (air). All items should be readily available, or alternates.
Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
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makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
Blair:
it's based on the mechanism in a dental chair if I'm not mistaken... In my opinion, it's a bit slow on the up and down..and the speed is not adjustable. |
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keithmagic Veteran user 375 Posts |
The Gamalo (in its original configuration at least) has nothing to do with pneumatics or hydraulics. I would HIGHLY doubt a lightened version of the effect would either.
on the Trickery site, there is a pretty decent overview/ FAQ about the effect - http://www.thetrickery.com/?nd=31 . It has its uses, but is certainly not the end-all, be-all of levitations. Keith
Author of "The Festival Entertainer" The Professional Entertainer's Guide to Booking and Working Outdoor Fairs, Festivals, and Events.
Available at http://www.howtobookfestivals.com |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
True, it uses a fixed speed linear actuator. It is smooth and slow so you don't notice the starts and stops as much but it moves at about 1" per second if I remember properly. I've used mine for years and it's a small practical device but there are many other options.
Ray Pierce
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Keith or anyone,
What IS the be all, end all of levitations??? |
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
The be-all, end-all levitation is going to be different for different people. It's like a car. For one person the be-all, end-all would be a Rolls Royce, and for others a Prius. The objectives, and therefore the definitions are going to be different.
For the performer who must perform more or less on-the-fly, with little control over their performance environment, they will find one kind of levi to be the ultimate, vs. the performer who has complete control over stage, lighting, angles, budget, etc., will find another to be the best. |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Frank,
Trying to keep it on topic I suppose what I meant was; for light weight, practicality, ease of use, and maximum deceptivness and impact for your former example (magi on the fly!) what is the best way to go if not the Gamolo FL? A friend of mine has much success with Super X for B-days (child or small female etc), but is there a new "hotrod" version of it? It sure is an old method, but sometimes those always win in the end! I don't much care for the chair suspension, or the carpet and I'm trying not to buy 4 (like we all do with so many effects) to find later that one would have taken care of my needs. Thanks! |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
In addition, I'm also hoping to get answers for my earlier question:
"What will the project cost (approx) and how much time are we looking at average (including obtaining parts/motor)? For those that have gone through the time, trouble, cussing, sweating, spitting etc. of making one of these (and there's gotta be some of you out there!) would you do it again, or buy one ready to go??? Basically, if plans, parts, motor and all add up to 2K and a 3 month project, one has to weigh their options carefully......... This will certainly be my biggest magic investment to date, so thanks again for any info guys! I know the good ole' Café` magi will come through! |
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lebowski Veteran user 377 Posts |
The Gamolo is essentially a motorized Super X,is not particularly quiet, and is not best presented in a living room for a kid's birthday. The chair suspension is tye most practical for that type of use.
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
Again, I don't think that there is a single be-all, end-all levitation, even for run-and-gun performers. One will swear by the Gamolo (or as we affectionately used to call it, the Guacamole), and another by Yogano. Both are excellent illusions in some peoples' hands and both are atrocious in other peoples' hands.
Of course I am sure you know that presentation is at least, if not more, important in determining an illusion's effectiveness. So the best you will ever get is someone's opinion as to what is the be-all, end-all levitation. Personally I really liked the Gamolo with a few little tweaks here and there. It trouped really easily, and was a real workhorse. Of course, we were always on a stage and had reasonable control over our lighting. I would never perform one in close quarters. Unless you are VERY well-versed in metal working and basic mechanics (or have someone lined up who is) I think you'd be better off getting one already built. Mine was made in 1983 and then it cost about $1100. |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Thanks to you both for your great feedback!
So, is everyone going to agree that the chair is the only way to go in a living room/basement? I just hate to be limited only to a suspension, but want to add one of these classics to my act. |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
As for the "end all levitation":
I know I'm gonna get flamed for this, but I don't think there is ANY really good levitation-suspension for close-up like parties. Kids will call you on EVERYTHING, will scoot up to look under the things, etc. "Take away the other chair?" Etc. etc. They'll run up after the show and try to touch and look at it all. Despite what you might think, kids are not dumb. They are really curious and do not hesitate to point out the obvious or even not-so-obvious. I know, there'll be people who will chastise my comments with "You have to ROUTINE it to prevent those problems." "You have to CONTROL your audience." Yeah yeah yeah ... I, for one, am a realist, and prefer not to look like a doofus trying to hem and haw my way around a bunch of shouting, curious kids. I've had a lot of suspensions -- chair, carpet, super-x, Blaney 3001, and even a few "hybrids" that don't have names. They can all be foolers, but IMO they are not suitable for close-up use. (BTW, I am selling my Blaney & hoop, really good condition, if anyone is interested.) |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
For living-room or b'day party type presentations,
Starrpower I have to agree with you 1000 percent! Magically, Walt |
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
One thing with the Gamalo. Since it uses that stuff of magic called "electricity" I found that to be truly portable I needed to convert to a DC system and buy some motorcycle batteries to run it (batteries fit in the case.)
Finding all the parts can be a chore -- and I burned out a few things while trying to convert myself and had to pay a local electronics wiz a couple of hundred. Also found a place to extend its lift range -- and did......for about $300 at the time. Sorry I sold it.....
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Starrpower and Walt,
Gosh darnit....don't you know that close up guys that have only worked in bars that want to move into B-day parties don't want to hear stuff like that??? Seriously though, I don't want any part of looking like a DOOFUS!!! I don't know why you'd get flamed for expressing your opinion. Having owned all those, you certainly aren't ignorant to the experiences it sounds! Chmara, thanks for the info on the Gamolo! cph |
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Yr velcome!
BTW- my opinion - a better birthday prop is a GOOD set (Smith?) of a chair suspension. Levitation such as Gamalo may be too hard on set-up-knock down to keep "secret". GC
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
People who have not seen a GOOD quality chair suspension should be aware it is BIG and HEAVY compared to the Klamm, for example. It's TONS better, but not something you shove in the back seat of the Cooper and carry under your arm into someone's house!
I wish David Seebach would chime in here. He owns an excellent one and I suspect he'd agree with my assessment. P.S. Zaprig, I guess I was a little assumptive in thinking people would jump on my comments. I stand corrected, and my faith in the people here has been restored. |
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