Hey Guys this is a two part question:

One, I have been using an awful set of metsl cups for the past year and am ready for an upgrade but I can't buy sherwoods or porper's or anything like that because my budget is under $250. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions as to which cups I should get? I want something with some weight so I think copper/brass would be my best bet. I also perform a stacking phase, so there needs to be enought room between the cups for at least one ball without the cups stacking weirdly. I really need some help as to where I should look because I am very lost with all the options out there.

My second question is what type of wand I should get to replace my old one for this routine. I would like to buy something under $75. I know most wands have wood shafts, but for this routine do you guys like/suggest metal tips or a wood tipped wand. I also do wand spins so weight is important and I would like something that is at least 14". I've been performing magic for quite a while but have NO idea where to go in the specified field of cups and balls. Please help?

Posted: Jun 10, 2009 10:34am
Also, my final loads are not huge like baseballs or anything but I would like a cup that can at least hold a moderate size final load. Depending on the venue and what routine I put it with sometimes I use plastic fruit and sometimes a smaller sized billiard ball.

You might try looking here.

That site is a must. You won't get prices from it, however. So you won't know what's in your budget. Here's a nice set of cups for sale that I would jump on if I needed yet another set of cups:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......rum=76&2

Check this area regularly, a lot of people throw out some great deals. Heck, you may even find a set of Johnsons on there for something in or around your budget.

Eddie

The link wont work?
edit. doesn't matter I know why now I need 50 posts

8thking: As new users, we have to get 50+ posts before we are allowed to enter the buy/sell area.

Oh yeah... My apologies, forgot about that one.

In the past few months there have been some great pricing on used Cups. If you can’t get into the for sale sections here you might want to check out the Genii Forums or listings at CupsCon.

Do visit the Cups and Balls Museum as suggested and do some searches here at The Magic Café.

In your price range or lower, I have seen Johnson Brass Cups which are great and many RNT2 Cups such as Squatty 2, PF and Monti Cups.

Good luck with your quest and if you catch Cup Fever there is no cure.

Take care,
Bruce

Hey Bruce! How goes it? I've got to get back on cupscon...

As Bruce says, don't catch that cup fever or you'll become the Dorian Gray of the cup world...

I have so many cups that they are destined to stay young forever and about 3 sets of real workers that I actually use all the time....

Hey Eddie… I am doing well thanks for asking. I hope all is well for you.

Bruce

Well of course it depends on your load sizes, and what you find aesthetically pleasing.

Once you get enough posts, definitely check the tricks for sale section. Until then I would also look on that one big famous auction site--right now there is a set of copper Pheonix cups that comes with a wand. Those would do you nicely, and fit your budget. You could also check here: http://www.stevensmagic.com/shopping/sho......lose-ups

Morrissey and Bazar de Magia also make serviceable cups for extremely cheap.

Funny you should say that Ethan, I have had my Morrisey cups for around 16 - 17 years and I still go back to them often...

Morrissey cups from 17 years ago were much better than the current crop.

Michael Ammar's Mercury Wand is very nice...and within your budget, however its 13.5".

A wand with some weight to it does help a little with the wand spin, but not to say you can't do a wand spin with a lighter wand. I do the wand spin vanish using a plastic wand.

I think this is a great wand for $16. It is made of beautiful hardwood with heavy brass tips.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=537

It is weighted perfectly for wand spins. Just don't drop it on your toes! I get a lot of compliments on the wand.

I have had several of those Penguin/Magic Makers wands. If you get a good one, they are okay. However, I have seen several of them that when they were screwed together were not straight. You can tell if a wand is straight by rolling it along a level surface.

I must have gotten a good one Bill. Mine is as straight as an arrow (I'm rolling it as I type).

:)

Other than my Sherwoods, my favorite cups are by Jim Riser. His Standard cups are right around $250 I think. http://www.jamesriser.com

I have the Penguin wand as well. It is actually turned brass stock covered with a VERY THIN Wood Veneer. Drop it and that veneer will spilt. Mine did.
I like the length and weight so I cut wood grained contact paper to the correct width and rolled it around the wand until I got the correct thickness.