|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
RaveMastaE New user Texas 54 Posts |
Hey guys, I just found a good amount of money in a secret stash that I completely forgot about, and I have the sudden urge to buy a set of cups, somebody stop me. I'm looking at buying the Phoenix Cups, they're a set that I've had my eye on for a while now, and I was wondering if anyone had anything bad to say about these cups, because I've heard plenty of good things.
Thanks Guys, Evan |
|||||||||
geemack Loyal user Greg McNeil Peoria,Illinois 296 Posts |
You might type Phoenix Cups in the quicksearch box at the top of the page. There are lots of comments about these cups in previous threads. They're pretty solid, well made cups.
Greg |
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The chief disadvantage of these cups is the lack of attic space.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
If you can afford better cups, get them.
they are fun cups but they wobble, stick together, no attic (as bill stated), etc. not bad for the price but there's a lot more out there to consider first. I have a set because I like how they look. They also accomodate a tennis ball which is more than I can say for other cups of that approx. size.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
|||||||||
rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
If Bill mentions a disadvantage to a cup then listen carefully. Bill is a gentleman and speaks ill of a product with great reluctance. Trying to get him to say something that is not a compliment is like pulling teeth. He will always understate the negative and play up the positive.
So I've learned that if he has anything negative to say about something then I avoid that something like a plague. If you REALLY want his opinion, ask what is good within a certain price range. He won't tell you what's best because that is, necessarily, saying what is NOT best and thus it is a negative remark. It took me a while to learn to understand Bill. Just think "Southern Gentleman" and you'll understand him. By the way, Frank is right. The price of the Phoenix cups is really close to some really good cups. |
|||||||||
stormchaser Regular user Calgary, AB 200 Posts |
I saw they cost about 200 dollars. Is that true? If so, have a look at the Auke Van Dokkum mini cups (http://www.cupsandballs.nl/). I don't have the, but I've been drooling over them for quite some time.
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice.
A magician is an actor playing the part of a magician. Don't run when no-one's chasing you. |
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
You can get Phoenix cups for various prices on eBay.
You can't go wrong with van Dokkum cups.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
Chris Becker Veteran user New York, NY 371 Posts |
Brand-new Phoenix cups are regularly offered on Ebay. I've seen them go for as little as $58. They look fancy because they come in a nice wallboard box.
Bill's right, though, you can only use these with really small balls because of the lack of attic. More like a shell game, if you ask me. -Christof
- - -
<BR>Cards don't cheat people. People cheat people. |
|||||||||
Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
I have the pheonix cups and have had no problems with them.
Mine do not stick and as long as I use the balls that came with the set I have no problem with the attic space. The cups are quite sturdy. R-N-T 2 is reworking them though to accomodate the problems people have written about. That being said I would reccomend both the Van Dokkum cups and the Sherwoods. I picked up the Sherwoods because I liked the look more and have not had a problem with my working sets...no problems at all. I use them everyday. I have the coppers and the brass smooth sets. Later, Mobius |
|||||||||
Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
There are a lot of nice sets out there.
Think before you buy and you will be happy with your purchase. Later, Mobius |
|||||||||
Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-18 17:33, Christof wrote: Wallboard? Eh, NO! Wallboard, also commonly known as drywall, two totally different materials. Don't confuse people, they may be disappointed when they can't wallpaper or paint thier box. Really small balls? Eh, NO Again! I use 3/4" crochet balls with my Phoenix cups, come to think of it I also use 3/4" with my Monti, Paul Fox and some others. Really small balls would be considered 1/2" or smaller IMHO. Most of the Phoenix cups take a tennis ball as a final load so that is a strong point. Another strong point is that I have dropped mine quite a few times, and they have withstood the fall, these are some workhorse cups. They do tend to wobble a bit, but that is being corrected, they also have this horrific mouth bead, that's being fixed too. Attic space, well we have been in contact with Bob Vila and he's helping us fix up the attic. Also the new final load capacity will be that of a Bocce Ball, oh and no more "microscopic 3/4" balls", 1" crochet, monkey fist etc will nest comfortably on the saddle and allow the performer to stack the cups. All in all the Phoenix cups have been great workhorses for a lot of us and should not be sold short of themselves. Jake
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
|
|||||||||
MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
I regularly use Gary Knight's Animal cups, and I've got Gazzos, too, but I've got no complaints about my Phoenix cups. I don't stack more than one ball in the attic in my routine, and if you don't either, the lack of attic space is moot. Hit 'em with a little Brasso and they look like a million bucks. As for not stacking properly or wobbling, well, I beat the #$!& out of all my cups in my routine (same routine, different cups), and the Phoenixes stand up to a beating with the best of them. Tom Frank regularly puts up sets on eBay, complete with carrying box, wand, tayade balls (which I like so well I ordered a spare set), and the cups. They do not have the certificates that the $199 sets came with, then again, he puts them up for bid and usually has a "Buy It Now" price of $75, last time I looked. I'd call that a bargain. I've paid more and I've paid less. I have three sets of them. That's my $.02 (USD) worth on the Phoenix cups. Of course, YMMV. Joe in KC |
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The boxes that the Phoenix cups come in are made of a combination of hardwood and thin plywood. They are durable and fit the cups well. While not as elaborate as the maple inlaid boxes that the Porper cups come in, they are not as expensive, either.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
I have a set of the Phoenix Cups and I love them.
I put them up against a set of Brett Sherwood cups for entertainment value any day of the week. It's not the cups you use!!!!!!! It's what you do with them!!!! Once you figure that out you will have one of the true secrets of magic! Am I making any sense? TF |
|||||||||
carbone1853 Loyal user RI USA 239 Posts |
I must respectively disagree,
It is not the cups or what you do with the cups. It the balls and what you do with them, particularly the final loads. If we were rational about the routine we would spend all of our time obsessing about what kind of balls and final loads to use. Of course if I were rational I would probably spend all may time obsessing over retirement plans. Chris |
|||||||||
rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
Another respectful disagreement here.
It's not the cups. It's not the balls. It's not the final loads or even the routine. It's the whole thing, all wrapped up in one big package. I've been speachless watching magicians doing cups and balls with Dixie cups. I've been spellbound as Patrick Page did them with balls made from rolled up bread. I've seen the routine performed WITHOUT final loads. In the end the CUPS vanished. I've seen two cups, one cup. One routine with SIX cups. Take my word for it. The magic begins with the magician's ability to get the spectator to suspend disbelief. It then depends on his personality and ability to keep the spectator engaged and entertained. It ends with his ability to surprise the spectator. ...and you can take THAT to the bank. |
|||||||||
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Thank you Mr. Tony Baretta!!!
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
|||||||||
Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
So why are so many people obsessed with whether or not a cup wobbles?
|
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
First of all, regarding the issue of inferiority or superiority of the Sherwoods vs. the Phoenix cups, in the area of entertainment value, I would disagree with Tom Frank. You can use a larger ball with the Sherwoods. That means to me, that the balls would be visible over a longer distance. There are also a couple of moves that work much better with the Sherwoods, which I cannot mention, because the person who made the discovery asked me to keep them under my hat. One that I can mention is the "rollback." I would never do that with my Sherwoods, because the "rollback" is followed by the "falling off the back edge of the table," when I do it.
As far as the wobble is concerned, it's not an issue for me until it becomes excessive. I don't consider the balls that come with the Phoenix cups practical, because of their construction. I would replace them with small crocheted balls from Morrissey. These will compress slightly so they fit between the Phoenix cups without difficulty. I used these in the Ireland Commemorative Copper Cups, for the same reason. The entertainment value of the cups and balls is not in the cups, the balls, the loads, the table or your costume. The entertainment value is in the way the operator communicates to the audience. However, the cups, the balls and the loads are the media that convey the message. If the media interfere with the message, then it becomes less feasible to use them and to switch to something else. It would be like having a really good singer trying to work with an out of tune piano. The piano would detract from the performance. However, if you want absolute proof that the media are of less importance, get a copy of Bob Read's Penultimate Cups and Balls Routine. That will prove exactly what I mean.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
Well put Bill, that's exactly what I meant!
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ever so sleightly » » Yet Another Question Regarding Cups and Balls (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |