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doowopper Elite user 492 Posts |
I have been using Bob Solari's effects for more years than I care to remember. As others have written in the Café, there is always truth in advertising regarding his effects. One especially nice feature of many of his effects is that they can be done in a basic fashion "right out of the box" - good for beginners. Then, you can embellish them with your own touch, depending on your skill and creativity. Anyway, as others have done, here are brief reviews of some his effects:
"World's Best Thumb Tip" - Soft rubber. Excellent detail, if that is important to you. The best feature to me is the color - very natural. It is my TT of choice now. "Soft Thumb Tip" (with something special added inside of it) - I use it when that something special (m.....) is required. It eliminates palming and ditching that special something. I use it regularly for the Cap in Bottle. Even with that special something in it, there is still plenty of room for other things, so it also can be used as a regular TT, which I have done. The color on this one also is very natural. "Ink-In-A-Blink": Take a blue cap off a common ball point pen with blue ink. Put a red cap on the pen. Instantly the blue ink turns to red ink. Then put the blue cap on the pen. Instantly the red ink changes to blue ink. I then switch in an examinable blue pen (has to be obtained on your own) but the switch is not necessary. Nice quickie for informal situations. "Solari's Impossible Aces" - It's hard to imagine a more direct version of the Four Ace effect using gimmicked cards. I love this one - no moves and very easy to do. Four aces are removed from a face up deck and placed on a table. Three cards are put face down on each ace, casually showing the faces of some of those cards, if you like. The ace of spades and the three face down cards on top of it, are placed in the card box. The three face down cards on each ace are turned face up and all the face up cards are then put in one pile. The spectator cuts the deck and the whole pile of face up cards is placed face up in the face down deck at the cut, and the cut is completed. The deck is ribbon spread, face up and then ribbon spread face down. The aces are gone. When the spectator opens the card box, the four aces are in the box. The effect comes with a deck. As good as this effect is, the one drawback is that the deck cannot then be used for other effects. That's also true for other gimmicked versions of the Four Ace effect, unless one switches out the deck or cards. "Name that Card" - Spectator thinks of a card and you say that you will name the card. You then call out a name, such as Elmer. You then ask the spectator to name the card. You then remove the card and turn it over. On the back of the card is written the name you mentioned. The backs of the other cards are shown to all have different names. Very nice effect and easy to do (no moves). I have used it for younger spectators with great success, but of course it is suitable for any audience. "Bookmark Miracle" - A spectator picks a card from the deck (no force) and writes anything on the face of it. The card is returned to the deck and the deck is mixed. The performer tries to find the card in the deck and is unsuccessful. Showing both hands empty, the performer then removes a paperback book from his/her back pocket. The selected card is in the book, serving as a bookmark. The deck can then be examined and used for other card effects, because it is "clean." This effect requires a very simple card move, that is one of the first moves learned by anyone doing card magic. If you are looking for an easy "card to.." type of effect (no palming), this one fits the bill. It is primarily for stand up work and the audience has to be in front of you. "Signed, Sealed and Amazing" - As with the, "Bookmark Miracle," this is a card to..." type of effect. Most of what I wrote about the, "Bookmark Miracle," applies to, "Signed Sealed and Amazing." However, in "Signed, Sealed and Amazing," the signed, chosen card appears inside a completely sealed envelope that was placed in view before the beginning of the effect. In contrast to the "Bookmark Miracle," "Signed, Sealed and Amazing," can be done standing up or sitting down, and surrounded. I like this one a lot and use it as the finale for my Amibitous Card Routine by altering the handling, so that I do not mix the cards when the spectator returns the card to the deck. If you are looking for a very effective card to envelope, with no palming and minimal sleights, this is the one. I am delighted to review Bob Solari's effects and pass on the word, since I have been so uniformly pleased with his effects for so many years and have never received a "dud" from him. He is a nice guy and will quickly respond if you have any questions about them. If you are interested in viewing his web page, it is at http://www.gmrcreations.com/bob/. Many, many years ago, I purchased his three, "Spy Before You Buy," videos, which provide demos of just about everything he sells - good investment if you decide to regularly order from him. Richard |
gio Loyal user Genova - Italy 247 Posts |
In another thread magicinsight asked an interesting question: how is "Signed, Sealed and Amazing" different from David Regal's "Special Delivery", where spectator's signed card is also removed from a "sealed' envelope and there is also no-palming required?
If you know Regal's effect a comparison would be nice Cheers, Gio |
doowopper Elite user 492 Posts |
Hi Gio,
Yes I am familiar with David Regal's Special Delivery. Comparisons: The handling of the chosen card is similar in both effects (although described differently in the instructions, since Bob Solari has a handling that is pitched to beginners). The method of removing the card from the envelopes is different in each effect, although both are relatively easy. Neither envelope can be examined without a switch, although both methods are clever and the envelopes do not arouse suspicion. In both effects, the envelopes can be shown empty, perhaps a little easier to do with Regal's effect. In "Signed, Sealed and Amazing," the hands are shown empty before reaching for the envelope to cut it open - a strength of the effect. In, "Special Delivery," the card can be seen through the window of the envelope as it is being removed from the envelope - a strength of the effect. So in, "Signed... it is most visually strong regarding a view of empty hands. In, Special..," it is most strong in seeing the card through the window of the envelope as it is being removed from the envelope. I have used both effects and they both play strong. It would be difficult for me to choose between them - both are terrific. As an aside: My wife and I were in Italy twice in the last two years. We toured the country on one trip and stayed in Amalfi and toured the Amalfi Coast and nearby areas on another trip. What a wonderful and beautiful country - steeped in history, friendly and passionate (in the general sense) people (as if I have to tell you ) - better stop here and not get too far afield. We'll probably go back next year. Richard |
gio Loyal user Genova - Italy 247 Posts |
Richard, thank you very much for the detailed comparison. I'm glad you liked Italy
Gio |
magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Gio,
Thanks for bringing up the comparison question again. While Mr. Solari's items are top nothch, for this particular item, I think I will stay with special delivery. I like the fact that you can see the card through the window of the envelope. Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Vincent Loyal user New York Metro Area 270 Posts |
Just to add another vote in favor of Solari's "Worlds Best TT" I also found it to be very realistic with good detail.
It also has a good 'nail' to it and its coloring is good. Thanks, Vincent |
MagicCarisio Inner circle 1061 Posts |
I would like to add another wonderful effect to the list. Bob's "Hell Bent". I just received it yesterday.
It's a great psychic key bending effect and very easy to do! Effect: Performer displays two ordinary house keys lying flat on his outstretched palm. One key is silver the other is brass. Spectator is asked to choose a key. One is discarded. Performer closes his fist around the remaining key and concentates for a few seconds. When the performer opens his hand the key is bent at a 45 degree angle!! This is psychic key bending at it's best. Bent key is 100% examinable, no sleights, key is not switched, nothing is hidden in hands. Very nicely made. It'[s a winner! Buy it, you won't be sorry! Would you believe it's only $8.50! You can check it out at Hank Lee's. http://www.hanklee.net Gerard |
magicbyswh Inner circle North East Tennessee 1548 Posts |
I have ordered this effect as well as the Link key effect. As soon as I received them I will post a review.
Steve
Creator of Cereal Brainwave, Creator of the Tossed out Book
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