I'm struggling with the decision on which bunny bucket I should buy. Here are my two choices:

http://www.houseofenchantment.com/pages/duckbucket.html

http://www.magiclegends.com/davidcopperfieldmagic.html

Quite a big price difference plus, would there be a drawback of the Mak bucket because of its color?....because maybe people would be more suspicious of it? I'm going to purchase one next week and I have been going back and forth on this in my mind for a couple months now. Please help!

Take care,

Bryan

Spend the extra dough and go with the House of Enchantment Bucket!

Jay does Very Nice Work, and you will not be dissapointed!

=Frank=

I strongly disigree I love my MAK bucket. Plus the audience likes the look of the MAK bucket. I've had several more people comment me on the bucket than the animal it's self! Get the MAK. You'll not be disipointed.

Sorry - what I meant to ask was does the red bucket by Jay look more gimmicked to people than the mak?

Thanks

Bryan

The other one does look more gimmicked.

Explain to me exactly HOW does it look more Gimmicked???

Because it is a better looking Bucket?

Because it is a color and not just wood?

There are NO VISIBLE Gimmicks that ANY layperson can see, so I don't understand how one can say that it looks more Gimmicked?

Sorry guys, but I still think that Jay's Bucket is the Better one!

This is, (of course), MY opinion which is what was asked for in this topic.

=Frank=

Frank, no need to have a heart attack here,....i just wanted peoples opinions if they thought one bucket looket more gimmicked than the other......simple question. Is this why people get discouraged in asking questions on here?....lol

Take care,

Bryan

I like the old wooden looking bucket.
Daytona used to make a nice version,
check with Them if They still make it.

I think that a natural wood bucket is nicer. The fancy painted one looks like a magic trick. Audience is thinking: "C'mon, no one would put water in a painted bucket. Must have been made just for magic. Must be a trick." That is why most metamorphosis trunks are just old crummy looking packing crates instead of fancy velvety painted things. Looks more like something real and not a prop.

I use a Chalet bucket to produce a white Maltese dog and it is absolutely amazing. It is natural wood and really nice. However, you will be surprised how many lay people still find something "unusual" about the inside of the bucket. They actually suspect a m*****. (That is how a lot of lay people think we do all the magic anyway.)

The bucket reflects light like a beacon and you can see it in the "actual inside photos" of the bucket on the house of enchantment site. See how it seems "oddly illuminated" in the middle of the bucket? Do you see triangles of light where none should be? Uh huh. Yep.

So the moral of this story is: You really have to check out your lighting before the show and be careful how you hold the bucket when you show it empty!! My bucket has always looked fine to me from my vantage point, but from the rehearsal videos I can see a weird "too bright" place inside my bucket. All of the buckets are this way. Just so you know.

Another moral to the story: Only buy Mak Magic if you like a poorly made prop. Not to disrespect anyone, but I worked in a magic shop for years and saw the problems. I could not see the name brand in the picture, but someone else said they like their Mak bucket.

Check out the breathing space in whatever bucket you get. You may need to make some hidden airholes! My bucket was pretty tight and I made extra holes. A smothered bunny is not too entertaining Happy magic!

I actually won a Mak bucket in a raffle (They did not announce the prize before hand)and I later sold it. My opinion about Mak are the same as MorningStar's. However, compared to other Mak Magic, the bucket seemed fine and sturdy. I would say it is "serviceable." The bottom of the bucket is simply black with a design reflected on each half. I wouldn't say that this adds to the deception. However, the walls of the bucket are natural finish and hide the ****** quite well. The walls of the Mak hide the gimmick more so than the other versions,in my opinion. However, I can't say much for the bottom of the inside of the bucket on the Mak

The Chalet bucket is brilliant. However, it appears that they no longer make it (it's not on their list of products on their website). Just out of curiousity, why have you chosen the bunny bucket as opposed to a different rabbit production? Is it for a particular routine (like a reproduction combined with a vanish?) I use a Sheppard Bunny in Balloon and have always gotten a great response out of it. For a small prop it can hold a large rabbit too!

Cris

I'm not havin' a Heart Attack, it just perplexes me that someone can say that something that a Lay person cannot see, ( i.e. the m*****), looks gimmicked!

Only WE as Magicians even know that it is there!

That's all I was trying to get accross.

=Frank=

Have you guys seen the 21st Century Duck Bucket?

http://www.xrillusions.com/animal-magic-products.htm

Looks interesting, however I can't seem to find any details on it at the web site.

I might be wrong but do a search for XRILLUSION, I think they ripped some people off.

The best duck bucket on the market is found here:
http://home.att.net/~harlinmagic/harlin.htm

Dave Harlin custom makes them and he sends pictures so you can measure your animal.

G0THIKE

I quite agree whit you Frank.
How many people ever seen a real wooden bucket?They wont even notice.
House of Enchantment (Jay Leslie) makes great props.
I'll bet his bucket is better made and much lighter.
Spend the extra and you'll enjoy the difference in quality.
Richard Lyn

Only magicians can argue over buckets... that's funny.

If you get the red one, some people will say, "nice looking prop... this guy is a pro." and some people will say, "that looks like a bucket a magician would have, hmmm, maybe it's tricky..."

If you get the wooden bucket, some people will say "wow, how did he pull that animal from a regular ole bucket like that?" and some people will say, "what a junky looking wooden bucket... this guy can't be very good"

So, I guess it comes down to, "It doesn't matter!"

Little do we know, Bry1513 already bought a bucket, and hasn't checked this thread in days...

Ive checked this thread everyday, thank you. Now that GOTHIKE has thrown this other bucket into the mix, I'm even more confused than before I started. I like both Jay's bucket and the one from Harlin Magic......and I have $400 burning a hole in my pocket..........


Take care,

Bryan

Bryan,

Harlin can custom make the bucket for you, if you notice the pictures from his site, his bucket has the drop down feature. I don't think Jay Leslie does, Harlin's bucket is wood color, Jays is red. Just visual compare them, contact both of them and see which one will work for you.

Email Harlin or call him, he will send you a diagram on how to measure your bunny for the bucket. I really have no idea what size bunny you have, personally I use my bucket to appear an adult chicken and I love it.

G0THIKE

REALLY?!! sorry I didn't know? I like the pine bucket of harlin.

I just read the posts about XR Illusion and man is this guy BAD!!! don't EVER DEAL WITH THIS PERSON!!! Thank you for the info GOTHIKE. and I apologize for promoting him.