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teedpop New user Check out my 91 Posts |
Hey guys,
I'm a newbie and I would like to start coin magic. I like Kennedy Halves, and would like to buy a set. What gimmicks are the best and where should I get them? Thanks, -Teed |
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Rizzo Inner circle East Coast 3346 Posts |
Welcome Teed! Just start wth the Kennedy's that you like already and get comfortable with just them by themselves. Coins through the table effects etc.Then get a Kennedy $***l and go from there.
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TC Ryder Elite user Florida 496 Posts |
I second the Kennedy Half [. If you get one I recommend a Johnson and then get some matching halves from a bank. You also may want to invest in a Copper/Silver coin and a Silver/Copper/Brass set. Then get some DVD's on Coin magic by Roth, Rubinstein and other well known coin guys and you should be set.
TC |
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
If your hands are large enough to handle the 50-cent pieces, fine; if not, you can use quarters instead. It may be a while before you find what size coin is best for you.
In addition to one or two gaffed coins, I agree that you should also get a primer on basic coin sleights. Even an effect with a gaffed coin can benefit from some added sleight of hand (to ring the gaff in and out, for starters). The Johnson Products coins are moderately priced but very well made, and they will last a long time if handled with care. In my experience, they would be a good investment. One very good DVD of basic coin sleights is Volume 1 of David Roth's "Expert Coin Magic." Mr. Roth also did a DVD on some common gaffed coins, it's Volume 1 of "Ultimate Coin Magic." As far as where to buy these items, they are all pretty standard and any magic shop should carry them or be able to get them for you. If you want to go online, I have had good experiences with The Magic Warehouse over the past six years, and that's where the above links (in orange type) will take you when you double-click on them. I have no financial interest in the company, I'm just a satisfied customer. Good luck and welcome to the Café! SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
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mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
The Johnson Hopping Half is one of the best sets to start with. It is a strong set with many routine possibilities. Along with normal shells, it is one of the best selling coin sets we offer.
Also get yourself a copy of Bobos Coin Magic. Its where all the guys that have dvds and stuff out now learned what they know. GO to the source - stick with Bobo to start.
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
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teedpop New user Check out my 91 Posts |
Ok so how does this sound?
An okito coin box A coin safe The bended half dollar A double sided heads The folding/bite out half and a copper/silver half -Teed |
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teedpop New user Check out my 91 Posts |
The more I think about that the more it sounds like a lot
Idk? -Teed |
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
The coin box and the copper/silver coin are the best of the bunch. The coin safe is a puzzle and the double-sided half is a con game. The folding coin is OK, but will require practice and sleight of hand to use, you may find it frustrating.
If you want a relatively self-working coin gaff, get a Scotch & Soda set or a Dime & Penny set (same idea, just smaller coins). But the Hopping Half suggestion is really one of the best, it's a great utility item, not just one trick. The Bobo book is also a good idea, it's a standard reference, but it's a lot of information to digest. I'd suggest you start with a couple of gaffs and sleights, and work your way up from there. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
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lorenwade Special user 869 Posts |
Start simple, I say. If you're new to coin magic, I'd highly suggest reading the basic sleights first! I'd suggest starting with Modern Coin Magic by JB Bobo, or even some DVDs like Modern Coin Magic by Ben Salinas (goes through the book) or Coin Magic by Michael Ammar.
As far as coin gaffs... a simple copper/silver coin and/or a shell will treat you just fine. Those two alone will do a number of routines. Hope that helps! |
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teedpop New user Check out my 91 Posts |
Ok then how does this sound?
Modern coin magic by J.B. Bobo Okito coin box Copper/Silver Half and mabye a shell but what type? Slippery or Expanded? -Teed |
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lorenwade Special user 869 Posts |
That sounds great.
I would go with an Expanded, which is the basic starting block. From there you can move on to whichever or whatever you like! |
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KendallScot Regular user Denver, Colorado 133 Posts |
Since you like Kennedy halves, go a little bit out of the way to a coin shop. Get a set of 6 or so 1964 Kennedy half dollars. They will run around $5 - $7 each but are worth it. They are nicer in color since they were the last year the coins were made with silver. Not 100% of course, but they make a really nice sound when they jingle! And you can still get gaffs made out of 1964 Kennedys to match.
Good luck!
Kendall Scot
"The art of a magician is to create wonder. If we live with a sense of wonder, our lives will be filled with joy" **Doug Henning** "I drank WHAT?"" **Socrates** |
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Rizzo Inner circle East Coast 3346 Posts |
Agreed with the 64 Kennedy coins, look good and sound good. But...the price is a little higher now with the cost of metals,silvers,gold etc at a high now.They will run about $10
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Rich Cupcake New user 58 Posts |
Teed,
Yes, they will run about $10.00 each from a magic shop. I suggest going to a local coin dealer, where you can find them around $8.00. Also, David Roth's Expert Coin Magic DVD series is a great resource for starting out with coins. He goes through all the routines very slowly and meticulously; and only uses half dollar sized coins. Instead of a shell, I would start with a couple copper British pennys and a half dozen Kennedy Halves. Good luck with your coin magic. Happy New Year, Rich |
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Doctor Xombie Regular user FL (formerly Planet X) 109 Posts |
Ok this is thread is a bit old but I wanted to add that the Hopping Half set is probably my favorite. It includes two Expanded Coins (one half dollar and one English Penny) and a Sun and Moon Set.
You can do a lot of stuff with that. Also they are decently priced. |
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BanzaiMagic Inner circle 1339 Posts |
Since no one else remarked on this, I wanted to let you know that Bobo's comes in two forms: paperback and hard bound. The hard bound Bobo's has a bunch more routines than the paperback. Check Amazon for a used copy and even though the paperback is cheaper, don't settle. Bobo's really is the "bible" of coin magic. Coin magicians start with it, then find themselves going back to it again and again as their skill level improves. You won't "outgrow" Bobo's. In addition to (and not instead of) the book, you may want to purchase Ben Salinas' multi-DVD demonstration of Bobo's routines (Personally, I find it easier to see and not just read about coin routines).
Gaffs are great, but you will thank yourself later if you begin practicing the skills now (knuckle roll, Bobo switch, classic palm). Regards. Alan |
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
I would get an inexpensive gaff or two for now - mainly just to satisfy your curiosity - but really you should start off practicing some basic sleights and actually just getting used to handling the coins. Don’t get too gaff-happy at first, though I imagine that we all did at the start if we didn't have a mentor guiding us. Believe me the gaffs will come in bunches later; and you'll be spending more on them than you ever imagined!
Jim |
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Hare Veteran user 323 Posts |
I think it's a huge mistake for any newbie, (as the thread starter puts it), to magic to begin coins by buying gaffs.
Coin magic is the most rewarding branch of magic, (to me), for learning the most basic principles of the craft. Coins are simple, elegant, pretty items that force a person to see the concepts behind the holds and moves involved in making the things come and go. There isn't a lot of clutter or color to get in the way of the prinicples involved. And most anything can be done without gaffs. You can make coins come and go, you can transpose and multiply and seemingly defy gravity, without the help of gimmicks at all. There is only a "first time" for undertaking any hobby or art once. If you go into magic thinking the props do it for you, you wreck your own perspective towards understanding what magic is...an art form, a craft that doesn't have to rely on anything but YOU the conjuror to accomplish seeming miracles. Props, gaffs are fine when put in their place...as tools to do "more". But, to start, a budding magician is 1000% better off psychologically to purchase learning books or videos, and treat magic like the craft that it is. A person can spend thousands of dollars, buy a costume, a table, a bunch of self working tricks, and "appear" to be a magician and string together a bunch of effects without understanding what makes things tick...but that person isn't a magician, and probably never will be. This sort of approach inspires laziness and a lack of respect for the art form. Better to spend 50$ on Bobo or,(better yet), Henry Hay, and grasp onto just what it is that makes people believe magic is happening, how to physically create a trick with just a half dollar. Not only will this result in more pride and feelings of accomplishment than the guy tossing money around to "buy" his ability, it also will teach the person about life, about themselves, and about the nature of magical effects. In short, being a magician is no different than being a musician or artist. It requires work, thought, and more work! Props, gimmicks, gaffs are fun. They assist. But be ought not completely subsititute them for the more rewarding and vital aspects of the art, especially at the start of our journey. And most especially with coin magic, where so much of the magic that happens takes place in our hands.
"Better described in The Amateur Magician's Handbook"
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BanzaiMagic Inner circle 1339 Posts |
Hare you are absolutely right, but I can't help thinking that a young guy will probably read your post like this:
"Blah blah blah blah. gaffs are fun. Blah blah blah blah blah" I certainly didn't listen when I should have. The rare high quality young magician would be wise to read and re-read your post. As for the rest, do yourself a favor and dedicate some time to learn and practice the skills while you are playing with the "fun" gaffs. |
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reelin123 New user 27 Posts |
Hi
I totaly agree with Hare. Even though magic with gaffs is great I find it nice to be able to take any coin and just do some magic without needing gaffs. You can buy gaffs for some fun routines once you know at least the basics. To learn these basics I recommend either: Complete Intro to Coin Magic by Michael Ammar DVD or Encyclopedia of coin sleights by Michael Rubinstein DVD Or Expert coin magic vol 123 by David Roth DVD After that, if you want some gaffs I recommend these: a shell, a flipper coin and a coin box. For routines using these gaffs I recommend Hommer Liwag'c Coinone and Cointwo DVD, Troy Hoosers shell raiser DVD and J.B Bobo's Modern Coin Magic book(great to learn the basics as well) I am NOT trying to tell you what to do, or force you to do anything, I am simply giving my opinion. For more info and advice I recommend you pop into your local magic shop! Best of luck Reelin |
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