I recently bought 'Magic on Stage #3 by Jeff McBride' for the purpose of the dancing cane explanation.

However, it also describes the zombie ball, and different moves with it. I have been looking to buy a zombie ball with a foulard, but have not yet seen one that looks as good as the one Jeff McBride uses on his videos. Can anyone point me towards what brand of zombie ball Jeff uses, and where I can get it from?!
Thanks.
Sam

The best zombie balls and zombie gimmicks are sold by General Grant magic. He simply has the best you can get out there and he is an awesome guy and teacher.

Kyle

Save your money if you want something MORE MAGICAL, unbelievable in the way of floating, and get Losander's Floating Table.

Pete ,
sure the Tables from Dirk are great . But ... it would take me (17) about 3 years of saving all my money to be able to purchase one , of course if I wouldn't "work" as a magician and teacher (non magic) on the side (I've allready got one of Dirk's tables). And to me it seems that Sam is just a teen like me .
Besides , I'm still using a modified Zombie Routine in my full-evening shows , and I really have to say .. I like my Zombie-routine more than my floating-table-routine .
It's because of the possibilities a Zombie has : appearing , vanishing , transforming ... these are effects you normally wouldn't or couldn't do with a table , unless you are an illusionist .

For the beginning I would stronlgy recommend to buy a Zombie and just get in touch with the art of floating an object without a thread . After that I'll second , a Losander Table is a big one .

And Sam ,
if your new to magic or the Zombie , don't go for the best thing you can possibly find unlees you really know your going to perform the Zombie in your act/show .

Ciao , bye and tschüss
Philipp

You obviously haven't seen Losander work with the zombie, it looks SO convincing that the ball is alive. What about Neil Foster's routine? It's excellent too, much better than the one on magic on stage.

Research more than one man's routine, Sam. It will be more beneficial.

Thanks for the help.
Kevin, I re-read my earlier post, and it was a bit misleading! I meant that the actual zombie ball that Jeff McBride uses was the best I have seen around.

I am sure that there are better performers at the zombie ball than him, but was just interested in what brand the zombie ball he used was!!!

Kyle, do you know where I can find out more about General Grant magic, and where I can find the zombie ball that he sells?

Thanks for the help.
Sam

After owning several through the years, the one I have now (5") is the best one I've seen...got it from Morrissey:

http://www.morrisseymagic.com/morrissey_stage6.htm

Take a look, see if this is what you're looking for...

Hope this helps!

Doug

Does anyone know where to get the curve gimmick for the zombie Jeff uses or is there a Zombie package that includes it? If there is any better solutions out there other than the gimmick Jeff uses what are they and where can you get them?

The curve can be added to the standard zombie gimmick. I like Losander's zombie gimmick as it creates a much better illusion, however, arm balances etc. can't be done with his.

So both gimmicks have advantages and disadvantages.

I also know that Tommy Wonder has a great idea and set up for his zombie as well and I think he covers off on it in his Books of Wonder.

Kyle

If you plan to do anything serious with the Zombie, please read Al Schneider on Zombie. He was one of the first to use the curved gimmick. His thinking on the zombie is some of the best.

Encore Magic sells the Losander gimmick for $20.

http://www.encoremagic.net

Go to:

http://www.losander.com

for the Zombie video. I think his is a curved gimmick.

Only other choice is to bend it yourself. Extra gimmicks can be purchased from

http://www.morrissey.com

If you want to wait to see if Rings and Things II will start making their Zombie balls again or you can contact them. They were the best. Morrissey's is very good also. They come apart, where some models do not.

RNT2 will be at SAM National in St. Louis as I will be. I plan to talk with them and see what is up with the new company. I did have a chance to talk with Sandy Byrne last summer at Midwest Magic. She is always such a pleasant lady.

I would not worry about getting a used Zombie at an auction to play around with. They always said to practice over the bed to prevent the dings in the ball from dropping it on the floor.

I have seen Zombie still play well in the real world. No not for magicians but real people. With the right movement and acting, and more acting, the ball takes on a life of it's own. Dale Salwak does a very good routine as does Maverick who was a protégé of Neil Foster.

But I agree with Phillip to see if it will fit your act before spending a lot of money on a zombie.

Losander's gimmick is a little more complex that the typical curved gimmick. It allows all your fingers to be seen, and both hands at rest, yet the ball continues to animate. It is a great illusion!

Thanks for the help! Encoremagic sells the losander gimmick for the zombie, and I am thinking of buying this with the video. Which zombie balls would fit this gimmick, and are any specially made for it? Do you know roughly what size zombie ball Jeff McBride uses in his 'Magic on Stage' videos?!
Thanks again for the help.
Sam

Buy the Losander zombie video . He shows you on the video how to make his modification to the gimmick. All you need is a pair of pliers and a standard gimmick. If you have money to burn the gimmick pre-made by Encore will save you some time . (but you don't need it if you buy the Losander video and already have a standard gimmick )

The end of the gimmick that attaches to the ball is standard for most any zombie ball on the market.

Sam it doesn't really matter which size McBride uses... yo use a size which is comfortable for you!! For sake of completeness, it is around 4.5"

I know that it may not be that important, but what does everyone else prefer, a gold or silver ball?!
Thanks for the help.
Sam

P.S. Would the losander gimmick fit the morrisey balls which were mentioned earlier?

Yes.

David is correct, I can justify him. I use the Losander gimmick with a morrissey ball.