On 2004-02-20 21:04, Frankm6 wrote:
Anybody know how to make copper cups tarnish faster? Thanks.

On 2004-02-21 13:03, hkwiles wrote:
Bill,
Thanks. I'll see how I get on with the book first.
Just another question, with all due respect to all the other posters,
Does it really matter what cups you have gone for once you have decided (based on what has been said on here) that:

Aluminum are too light, so get Copper or Brass.

Get a cup that will nest 3 1" balls without rocking.

A wider mouth enables you to use larger loads.

I know you "get what you pay for."

But aren't the expensive cups over doing it a bit other than self-indulgence.

We would all like a Rolex, and I know it’s superb piece of instrumentation BUT, at the end of the day it only tells the time and nearly as accurately as a £20 Quartz crystal one!!!

Anybody know how to make copper cups tarnish faster? Thanks

On 2004-02-21 13:03, hkwiles wrote:

We would all like a Rolex, and I know it’s superb piece of instrumentation BUT, at the end of the day it only tells the time and nearly as accurately as a £20 Quartz crystal one!!!

Howard

On 2004-02-23 16:17, videoman wrote:

Not to get too off topic but actually Rolex's are notorious for keeping time very poorly. They cannot compete with the quartz and electronic watches of today when it comes to timekeeping. However, they do hold their value (and increase in value in many cases) and bring a certain status and prestige to those that own them (at least in those circles whose members can appreciate them).

On 2004-02-25 17:53, shane_delon wrote:
I have to comment on all of the people who are somewhat downing the use of coffee cups, or mugs.

And don't get me started on using coffee
cups. Sheesh! That is like just performing
the end of Hamlet, rather than the whole
play. This also goes to those who say, I
don't care about the early phases, anything
will do, as the audience only remembers the
loads anyway. Well, perhaps the way you
perform it.

This is not to say that some can't do a
passable job with those props. But they could do a more respectful job with the correct props. Just do a different trick if you don't have the props with you. Do the coin under the hat/breadbasket. Malini killed with this.

It has a big load which is all they remember anyway (sic).

There is never a "need" to "invest" in
expensive cups. These are "wants" and a
amateur or a professional all have wants.
Now, a good quality cup, IS necessary for
maximum growth.

On the subject of mugs, I don't want to
offend anyone one who uses these props, but
give it some thought. Have you ever seen a
mug routine that is as good as the best
"standard" cup routines? I think no. They are all shortened or lesser versions. Does that mean no one will ever think of one? No, absolutely not! So by all means continue to explore and develop and you may create the one that gets me to say, "I got to get me some mugs!"

You must remember we are discussing a classic of magic. Classics are such because they have stood the test of time. The plot is clear, the magic strong. Can they be improved? Of course, but beware, a lot of time and thinking has already taken place, so your first thought may not be something that hasn't already been tried and discarded. If it doesn't really make the trick more amazing and more strong, just different, is it an improvement?

Howard, Congratulations! At least get some cups that don't have handles on them, so they are a bit easier to work with.

By the way, I am of the belief that a good
set of cups should be purchased at some point in time by everyone. They don't have to be the Sherwood cups but at least get a good set like Johnson's, Von Dokum. Magic
Makers/penguin etc. Then after that you can
have a good over view of the cups and pick
which ones you want to use.

I think that's a rather harsh assessment.
Nobody has downplayed using coffee cups, or
anything else for that matter. You won't find a more "open minded" bunch anywhere else. Or working pros for that matter.

Considering the tone of your post, I'd
suggest reading "How to Win Friends and
Influence People" and try us again when
you've finished.

Actually, I would go farther than that. I
would strongly suggest that shane_delon read all of the many posts and threads on cups and balls that have been on this forum during the past couple of months. Then he would have some real information upon which to base an opinion.

Personally, I think anyone who would STEAL
props from a restaurant he was working in, in order to practice a Cup and Ball routine for the customers would not remain a working pro at that establishment very long. But a performer who asked the management if he could borrow or even purchase a mug and a butter knife, would find that the management would probably
bend over backwards to provide the necessary to do the work.

I probably would not do a cup and ball
routine at table for restaurant customers.
All of the material I do in restaurant
settings is geared towards keeping my props
off the table as much as possible. I know
that when I am eating, I don't particularly
like to have foreign objects in my grazing
area, and I think a lot of other people are
like that. And I would NEVER do a cup and
ball routine with a coffee mug a customer was going to drink from or had been drinking from. It's rude.

But if I did a cup and ball routine at table, I wouldn't do a pretty good (sic) routine. I would do an excellent one. I can't see John Carney doing anything less.