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Dr Rick New user Manchester, UK 72 Posts |
I know it's largely going to be a matter of personal preference but is there much variation between the available balls in terms of learner progression
I was once told by a golfer friend if I couldn't afford good clubs make sure I use good balls I've nothing to add to the cups debate but is this important? Bill - is there a ball museum? |
BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
I can only speak from my own experience. I suggest starting with crochet-covered balls that have a solid core and some weight. The RNT2 balls have a wooden core and the textured surface helps palming. Rubber balls like superballs feel great in the hand, but the friction against the side of the cup makes sliding the cup really tough. You might start with a diameter with which you can do the sleights comfortably at first -- maybe 7/8" or 3/4". In time you might feel in control enough to go to larger sizes. Good luck. It's fun.
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
For Gazzo cups I like the Gazzo soccer balls. They have a good size and weight to them. They also don't bounce, which is a plus.
For smaller cups I still like something a little larger and with a bit of weight to them. Some of the small stitched baseballs are good. I've also used mouse balls which was easy to get when I worked in IT. We used to throw away tons of mice. The only bad thing is their color (wall putty). It tends to blend in with my skin, which could be a good or bad thing depending how you look at it.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
I do like Vernon.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
I have several sets collected over the years, they all have their pro/con. As you know it is personal preference but performing venue can have an effect on which you choose.
Of the sets I have one is made using an old style computer mouse ball covered in a monkey fist pattern with a nylon twine. They are very heavy compared to other sets and can be noisy in the cups but they have the advantage of staying put outdoors when the wind picks up. The other sets are a standard crochet balls and a set of plain cork balls. Bother are quiet, easy to handle but can get away from you if you work outdoors. Balls are pretty inexpensive so picking up several different styles/sizes and finding what you like is easy.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
I tie monkey fist knots out of magicians rope. This helps keep them from rolling off the table in the wind.
One spool of inexpensive magicians rope will make a whole bag of them quick and easy like, there are YouTube tutorials on the monkey fist knot, -JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Paul Jester Special user UK 759 Posts |
My favourites are rubber ones, they grip you back! But I can see why others would find them annoying to work with, they grip everything. For cheap and cheerful I've made little pom-poms, just a ball of wool and a fork will yield a lot of balls for little investment. They are great for clip/pinch-style palms! Plus they come in whatever colour I choose from the haberdashery and I can choose the size. The downside is they're quite lightweight so will blow in the wind.
The traditional balls were just cork, which I have worked with and they're actually very nice, but the crochet does add some advantages against unwanted sound and rolling. The Rolls-Royce of balls I've purchased were leather monkey fists. They are a pleasure to use, don't roll, feel nice and work whatever the weather. But they were far too expensive! |
KirkG Inner circle 1391 Posts |
There is a lady in Florida who makes balls for cups and balls and chop cup. She uses a super ball for the inner core, so they have some weight and firmness. She can make them out of any yarn, but I have directed her to do the tight not and non fuzzy yarn, which I prefer. You can see her work on her Facebook page.
Karen's Magic Crochet Here's the link. You probably have to join before you can see anything. https://www.facebook.com/groups/103045600126865/?ref=search |
BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
As JoeJoe said, monkey fists are not hard to tie, and instructions are easy to find. I've made several sets out of leather. Go to a large fabric store like Joann Fabrics or a craft store like Michael's, and you can buy several yards of leather thong in many colors -- different shades of brown, white, black, red. Experiment to learn how long a strip you need to buy. For centers, you can buy cork or wooden balls in various sizes on the Internet.
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Sidney A. Salmans New user 45 Posts |
If I could get someone to make them, it would be a set of balls that were like small, tightly packed Hacky Sack balls. They would have the properties that I would be looking for - they would not bounce, would not roll, and not make much noise when secretly loaded in a cup.
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Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
Think outside the ball.
Key limes are really nice, if you can find small ones. Great texture and grip, don't talk, don't bounce. Big grapes, strawberries, don't drop them too much. Fake rubber bugs or whatever. I don't do C&B much anymore, but I still like going to toy stores, dollar stores, yard sales, and related searching for an epiphany. Or tie your own. I make balls too, they're sold through Theambitiouscard.com, Frank also sells Felt balls and I believe leather Monkey Fist.
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Josh Riel:
I bought a set of your Emerald Green Monkey Fist Balls from Frank at The Ambitious Card for my Mendoza Combo Cups and THEY ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BALLS FOR CUPS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! He used to have my comment on the web site, but it went bye-bye........not sure why..... |
Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
Thank you, I'm glad you liked them!
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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mindacrossrhino New user 70 Posts |
I recently purchased a Don Alan Mini chop cup from Rings-N-Things and this came with an adjustable chopped crocheted ball i.e. you could change the strength of the m****t with a special tool they provided. Personally not needed to do this as it was set perfectly on receipt, but some people like a firmer/less firm release. Especially useful I would think if you switch between an in the hands routine and a table based routine.
In my experience (limited I've only ever owned six different cups/balls), these are the best I have come across. I would think that the tailorability of the balls makes them the gold standard, at least in terms of function. |
Sideshow Rod New user Portugal 52 Posts |
Anyone know where to get the soft Gazzo style footballs like EvilDan has mentioned??
Cheers SSR. |
kcmagic1 New user 78 Posts |
The soccer style ball that Gazzo uses can be found at party supply stores.
Designer of the 1000-G cups - the most durable cups in magic www.kristiancharles.com/1000-g
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kcmagic1 New user 78 Posts |
Brett Sherwood working balls are nice they are heavy rubber cored for a nice weight(not a super ball), however, they only come in 1 1/8". I have heavy rubber core ( not a super ball- heavy food grade rubber) 1 1/4". Again, it's about the weight and quietness of loading the balls, as well as, the ease of manipulation. I believe that Michael Kaminskas also has his version of a rubber cored ball as well. I am not a big fan of the wood cored because they are too light and, in my opinion, the stainless cored balls are too heavy for actual manipulation. The choice of what ball to use really depends on your personal preference, but once you use a rubber cored ball - not super ball but actual heavy rubber, you will more than likely not go back to using anything else.
Designer of the 1000-G cups - the most durable cups in magic www.kristiancharles.com/1000-g
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jerdunn Inner circle 1735 Posts |
Brett Sherwood also sells 15/16 " balls: https://sherwoodmagic.com/manBalls.php
They are the "Midi" balls. Cheers, Jerry |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
My favorites are monkey fist mouse balls
Made by Josh riel. They weigh 1 oz each which makes everything better And they will not blow away.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There is a page of balls and loads on the Museum site. It's fairly comprehensive.
Regarding weight of the balls -- heavy is good, except for chop cup balls. If the gaffed ball is too heavy, it will talk when it hits the mat. To alleviate this, use a light or medium weight ball with a soft-ish outer surface, or use a thick, soft mat. Heavy balls are okay with a normal c&b routine, because the balls and the cups hit the table about the same time. More important than the weight of the ball is the COLOR of the ball. It should contrast with your mat and your clothing, so the balls can be seen. The balls should be brightly colored. If the ball can't be seen, then you aren't doing anything, as far as the spectator is concerned. There was a video link here a few years ago of a performer dressed in white, performing against a white background, with white balls and shiny metal cups. You couldn't see ANYTHING! Major fail! Frank used to make some really nice felted balls. Quote: On May 22, 2017, Dr Rick wrote:
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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