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Peter Austin Magic New user 8 Posts |
Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone had seen or purchased that new "Floating Dove" trick I saw on ebay. It sounds really good and seems to be a fair price compared to other's I've seen. They claim it is a new design and different than Dan Birch's version. There is a demo video and although it's kind of fuzzy it seems to have the same effect as the other's Ive seen. I guess done correctly it could be a great illusion. Any comments, advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Peter Austin |
tdowell2007 Loyal user Springfield, IL 267 Posts |
Since he makes a reference to Dan Birch's levitation, I would ask them how it differs. I have seen Dan's and it is a class piece from a very nice guy! Based on the demo video, I just don't trust this item. Can't put my finger on it but.....my advice: Go with Dan's. Better yet, call him and talk to him.
Tony |
Peter Austin Magic New user 8 Posts |
Tony,
I've read the previous posts regarding the "levitating dove" and saw some people who felt Mr. Birch's item was poorly made not only in quality but in its design concept especially for the price. I have personally seen his gimmick and I also felt it needed some "improvements" but that is just my opinion. Most of us know what the basic principles are for levitating a dove, there aren't many choices. The question is, how effective does it do the job, and how easy is it to manipulate and handle? I've spoken to quite a few other magicians who have purchased Mr. Birch's item and all of them said similar things. The most common complaint, besides the design, was the difficulty to "hook it up." Bad video or not, if this version of the illusion addresses and improves these previous obstacles then I think its worth looking into. I'm going to write the seller and see if I can get any more information. I'll post the answer when I get it. Thanks for your response! Peter |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
As I mentioned in a PM to Peter, I'd be concerned with a video that starts and stops and brags up the effect so much. She says she went into Tannens in 1990 and John Blake just reached under the counter and brought out a dove. I find that hard to believe and I think anyone that frequented Tannens would agree. In any event, that was 17 years ago so this method is definately not new. This just sounds too good to be true and usually if it sounds that way, it is. you get what you pay for.
Where the magic begins
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Peter Austin Magic New user 8 Posts |
Dave,
Thank you for your comments and insights... I've never been to Tannen's or met Mr. Blake so I wouldn't know if that story were true, or just another magician's "patter." It would seem, based on what you said, that you have frequented Tannen's and are also very familiar with Mr. Blake and his personality. I'm not so concerned with the advertising methods, demo videos, or a true/untrue story or "ad copy" as much as I am in the actual item. I am not one to quickly judge or scrutinize something just because it is new and unknown... I am the kind of person that likes to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and try to keep an open mind as I would hope they would do for me. Yes, from my experience you are right, generally you do get what you pay for, but that doesn't always apply to magic items. I'm sure we have all purchased at least one magic item that we were disappointed with and felt it was not worth the price paid. I know I've definately been disappointed on more than one occasion. I have written the seller with some questions and I'll post the answers as soon as I get them. Peter |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Yes, I used to frequent Tannen's. I'm in New Jersey so it's a short trip for me to New York. I knew Lou Tannen personally and followed the history of the shop from him to his brother to Tony Spina to John Blake and now the current owners. I never met John Blake however and I'm not saying anything about him, just that the events this ebay seller is describing just wouldn't happen at Tannen's as far as I know.
Where the magic begins
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Steve Anderson New user Texas 30 Posts |
Peter, I just looked at the floating dove for sale on ebay. The first thing that bothers me about it is that it says it is good beginners. I would have to disagree. I don't think that a dove levitation is something a beginner should take on, no matter how great the gimmick is you are still working with a live animal which you have to spend a lot of time training. I would stick to one of the better known products that have been tried and tested by other magicians.
Steve |
Peter Austin Magic New user 8 Posts |
Steve,
Thank you so much for your imput... Wow, so many negative things about this item...lol This is very interesting... I guess even though most people would want someone to give them the benefit of the doubt, most people are quick to find fault in others. Yes, you make a valid point and perhaps you are right about this not being an illusion for a beginner but perhaps they mean a beginning dove worker... I know I didn't start working with doves untill I was already doing magic for about 5 years. I was a beginner at doves but not a beginner at magic. Nevertheless, has anyone taken the time to look at the person's feedback? With over 500 positives and a 99.6% postive feedback rating this person can't be all that bad can they? I saw at least 2 positives specifically regarding the "floating dove" and MANY other positives on other magic items they have sold. I even saw one that said: "I won the internationals with the help of this trick." This makes me think this seller is serious about magic. Does anyone have something positive to add to this discussion? Peter |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Peter, I think just about everything that can be said about this has been said and we are just running around in circles. I'm not sure what else you are looking for. You asked for opinions on this effect and that is what you received from 3 very knowledgeable people. Not patting myself on the back but if you can't take the advice of Steven, Tony or myself, then there isn't much more that can be said. It is not that we are quick to find fault, only that we are using our prior knowledge and experience to keep you from making a mistake. You are right, all of the comments have been negative and that should tell you something right there.
This is not an effect for a beginner in dove magic. This particular version is not new nor is it well made or completely safe for the dove. The review on ebay is super hype and the video is cut and edited so much that it is hard to tell what is real and what is not. I've pm'd you several times with additional information about this person yet you still seem to defend them and feel the effect is something you should get. At this point, there are really only two options. One is to ignore our warnings and suggestions and go ahead and buy this version or, the second, look for a different effect that is proven to be reliable. What does the comment "I won the internationals with the help of this effect" mean? International what? And did they use the effect totally as is or did they have to modify it. Did the person actually purchase the effect or is it one of the sellers buddies adding to the hype? I don't know the answer but with so much negative feedback here on the Café from reputable people, do you really want to trust comments from people you don't know? It all comes down to a choice you must make.
Where the magic begins
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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Peter, take the advice from people who understand this. From people that have been in this business for a long time. While the product looks one way, look at the listing itself! First, instead of showing their gimmick, they used Dan Birchs video to demo it. What is the first thing wrong here? - IT'S NOT DAN BIRCH'S GIMMICK THEY ARE ADVERTISING and I can guarantee they didn't get permission from Dan Birch to use his image to sell their product. That is against the law!
Secondly, they put a note on their listing that said "This is not Dan Birch's gimmick..." blah blah blah, and then go into saying that they have received a Dan Birch Gimmick from one of their customers....WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD SEND ANOTHER GIMMICK TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR THE SAKE OF SENDING IT!? That's almost funny to even comprehend. " Oh ok, here ya go, let me send you this gimmick since I paid $159.00 for it just so you can compare it to yours...." WHAT?! NOT! Thirdly, the Blatant Video edit in the dove production demo is pretty much "lying" to you when they say is a heavily guarded secret, and will not be sold.... Peter, just think of the extremes that this seller is going through to sell something. The product may be legit, yes, but trust me when I tell you this, if the seller is willing to go through all these loops and holes to sell you a product, and obviously telling "untruths" about some of the things in the listing, do you think you would really want to deal with that person? I am not saying that the product doesn't work, I'm sure it may. What I am saying is that, too much "Meat on the Bone" can cause an upset stomach, especially if you eat the whole thing. But, on the positive end of things, which is what you are seemingly looking for, the dove levitation is a good effect, but also realize that you cannot perform this effect in every situation, and the effect itself is not something a newbie to dove magic need to be trying to do. It can be a disappointing effect if not done properly, and you'll be standing there looking fairly silly. Trust me, I have been in that situation with a dove levitation. If your dove gets spooked.....its over. Good luck.... |
haywire Special user Philadelphia 760 Posts |
I have spoken to Dan Birch when I saw this item and verified they had, and still have no permission to use his video to sell this product. This product has no affiliation with Dan Birch.
That alone should stop you from purchasing this effect from them. Why would someone use Dan Birch's video to sell their product? Doing that is definitely immoral, and may be illegal since they never even asked to use his demo video, which is probably copyrighted material. Obviously if this is not Dan Birch's dove levitation it works entirely differently from his, and may not look nearly the same in performance. Its very misleading then using his video to sell their product. Steven |
Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
They may have removed the video from the post. After looking at this thread, I went to Ebay to take a look at what was being discussed, and didn't see any demmo video on the listing.
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
Steve Anderson New user Texas 30 Posts |
I just checked the listing on ebay and the video clip has been removed. That should say it all about the honesty of this seller.
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haywire Special user Philadelphia 760 Posts |
Well at least this thread served that purpose, now that will not be able to use Dan Birch's hard work to sell their competing product.
I know a few weeks ago, they were indeed using a portion of his dove act (the dove levitation portion) to sell this product. Steven |
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