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hayabusafan New user 62 Posts |
I have been acquiring a number of coin gaffs recently and decided to go with Tango as the brand (can't afford the custom stuff and Johnson is almost double for most effects). At any rate did I make a wise choice as far as picking a brand or should I have gone with sterling, sasco, or kueppers?
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Hi, hayabusafan!
Welcome to the Magic Café! Are you in the U.S.A. or are you in Europe? Elsewhere? Without knowing where you live, it is difficult to say. Tango is a great European supplier, although I have heard they don't quite live up to the Johnson Products quality. I have only dealt with Johnson, because in America, they are my best source. I have avoided the fancy gaffs. I have a C/S (Half/Eng Penny), an Expanded Shell (Quarter, Half, Ike Dollar) and Chinatown Half. I have heard Sterling, and Sasco to be inferior, and mixed reviews on Tango's quality. Johnson has a lifetime replacement in place for their products, and that sealed it for me. Now that I think about it, Sterling makes Lethal Tender, and that is the only non-Johnson gaffed coin I have, oh, other than Mike Rubinstein's FUSION. I have heard good things about Tango, so if you're happy, I'm sure the audience will be too. Also we magicians tend to be more critical than necessary when it comes to "quality". I used an Expanded Shell for years and finally decided I did not like how it looked compared to the other coins. So I called Johnson and they offered to replace it. They did. Then later, a magician buddy showed me his Expanded Shell and its relief was not as deeply detailed, just like the coin I sent back to Johnson! He said it was no big deal and showed me a real coin with the same "relief" problem! The shell and that coin MATCHED! Wow. Johnson replaced it without question. I have heard those in Europe and Asia say it is very expensive to get Johnson Magic Products as inexpensively as we Americans can. That's why I applaud Tango. I just hope they keep up their quality! Let us know, hayabusafan, will you? Best, Doug |
hayabusafan New user 62 Posts |
Hi Dougini,
Thanks for the info. I am located in America and have been able to get really good deals on Tango effects at online magic shops. I got the silver, copper, brass transposition for $33 shipped. The quality is very good but then again I havent seen Johnson, Kueppers, Sterling, or Sasco to compare. Word is Johnson, Kueppers, and Tango are better than Sterling and Sasco but I may have to find a brick and mortar shop to compare. Do you know of any good brick and mortar shops around Knoxville Tennessee. |
jconstantine Special user Long Island New York 566 Posts |
I have em all and the old saying you get what you pay for says it all here. Lassen then Schoolcraft Johnson then tango.
Misdirect yourself regularly before you attempt to misdirect others!!!
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kcquinn50 Loyal user 230 Posts |
Smokey Mountain Magic in Gatlinburg. At least the last time I was there a couple of years ago. There might be 2 shops in Gatlinburg if I recall correctly.
Kelvin
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
Wait a minute.. the Tango CSB set that hayabusafan purchased will work in performance just as good as the same coin set from Todd Lassen, Jamie Schoolcraft, or any other gaff-maker. Sure, the ones made by the custom gaff makers are prettier, better made, have closer tolerances, and probably a number of other similar features (that I'm sure others will be quick to point out!). But you can perform just as well with any of them. Like any product, you can buy something that is usable and useful, and then you can spend more and buy the same product in a much higher quality form. But they will all do what you need them to do, just as well IMO.
Remember the magician performs the magic and no gaff or other prop can make you perform the magic better. Practice, rehearsal, patience, and good sense will all help you get there. Not custom props. You'll do just fine with that set, hayabusafan. And someday if you perform professionally and have the cash you might want to indulge yourself and buy a nicely made fancy set from a custom maker, not because it'll work better but just because you can! Or perhaps a nice gift from a loved one. But the Tango set will serve you just fine. Jim |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Tango and johnson both are very good mass produced
manufactors of coins.i love kueppers for a special coin you want to have made. |
mgsmagic New user Torrance CA 26 Posts |
I've found that Tango's Coins aren't as good as Johnson. Unfortunately they're heading out of business (or so I've heard, they aren't supplying much), Sterling is already gone, and Sasco is good if you're a beginner (most of their shells "chatter". Roy Kueppers makes a nice set though I had found the shell chattered a bit more than I'd like. To be honest I'd try to locate either a regular set of Johnson or their Magnetic set. Additionally there's a version where you needn't any shells at all and only utilizes a Sun/Moon 1/2 Dollar (the British Penny on one side and the Kennedy on the other) and a regular 1/2 Dollar (though a regular British Penny may/might be needed also, not sure). For me I've always found Johnson quality to be best followed by Sterling who made the set of Hopping Halves I use daily. I own a Sasco set and a Johnson also...The Johnson is a beautiful set and I use it for "special performances only". The Sasco may eventually end up on Ebay.
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hayabusafan New user 62 Posts |
Mgsmagic are you saying tango or johnson is going out of business?
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Octopus Sun Special user Wiggle Wiggle 586 Posts |
Gotta get that Walking Lib TUC from Mr. Tango asap if he's shutting the doors to his biz.
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Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
I'd be devastated (and somewhat surprised) if Tango closed up shop.
Their products are exceptionally well made and their pricing is very fair.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Tango is not closing up.
and I have heard nothing of johnson closing either. |
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-03 19:53, bowers wrote: Thanks for the confirmation Bowers. I should have known better really - I've read countless posts on this forum over the years stating that the USPCC were stopping the production of Tally Ho decks; but year in year out, they remain available. I really wonder why people have to spout this kind of BS when it's totally unfounded. Are they too dense to realise that it could potentially harm someone's business and, I'm quite sure, could actually be deemed libelous? Any comment mgsmagic?
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
Could be talking about Johnson. Their quality has suffered since the father died and the son took over, plus he doesn’t seem to have a strong interest or commitment to their magic side of the company. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnson stop making magic products. Of course I don’t know anything for sure regarding Johnson; just repeating what I have read recently.
Jim |
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