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Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
I'm sorry Pablo for saying you posted the link, I confused your post with Olivier's. I knew something was wrong with that question! My mistake.
I'm not offended Olivier. I'm not that thin-skinned. I hope I have not sounded offended. I only want to clarify the misconception that the current Mendoza Combo Cups are somehow inferior to the original prototype that John himself endorsed. John's only complaint in his critique was in regard to the strength of the attraction of the ball he was using, so fortunately I can easily clarify that. I must write to John and introduce myself. I respect his option immensely and I would like his support. Donnie |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The attraction in a set of combo cups needs to be a little stronger in order to accomplish the pickup move. When working with a triple chop set, this will be even more critical. In fact, it may necessitate a method that shields the outside of the cup from "the force."
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
Okay, I'm late reading this so maybe nobody will even see my reply. We'll see, but I do want to chime in since I am mentioned and my ad on the big auction site is referenced. First, let me say Thank You for all the kind words some of the posters had to say about my work. Those who know me personally, not just through print and DVD's, know that my genuine interest is in magic for the paying public. My concern is, and always has been, to earn a living with the performance of magic and not to just show the latest thing at the magic club or cause teenagers to squeal in disbelief on the street. Some people have bad mouthed that perspective, but I have earned my entire living and sole income from magic for almost 40 years now, so I never looked at it as a hobby except when I was very young. It is that perspective that is the foundation for much of my writing so if earning income with your magic is your interest, you might find what I have to say of some value. I hope so. Thanks, again, to those who do.
Next, I should clarify that there is a significant difference between the Tim Star Cups and the Mendoza Cups (I did not name them, but did agree to it.) The Tim Star cups were the inspiration for the Mendoza cups, however, they are not the same. I have seen sets all over the Internet being sold as the original Tim Star cups that he made for my lecture tour and, more often than not, they are not Star cups. First, Tim made 48 sets of the cups for my tour. They were supposed to be the only ones he made, however, I am aware that he did make additional sets, however, they were different metals. I just recently sold an aluminum set, which was item being offered in the ad referenced to in this thread. The 48 sets Tim made specifically for me were all made of bronze. All but two of the 48 sets were sold in Europe, so finding a set here is almost impossible. They sold originally for $85.00 which was, at the time, an unheard of high price for a set of cups. The most expensive cups back then were RNT original cups in copper or steel at about $25.00. So, these were nearly three times the cost of expensive cups of the day. Despite that, they sold out almost immediately within my first three stops in Europe. Much of that sales success was due to the wonderful assistance of Richard Vollmer in Strasbourg. The most immediately noticeable difference between the Star Cups and the Mendoza Cups is the size. Tim's are smaller than the RNT2 Cups. The inside diameter of the cup is a full 3/16" smaller and in a cup that is a dramatic difference. The climax load ball I use with my Sherwood cups will fit into the Mendoza Cups, but will not fit into the Tim Star cups. The second difference is the magnetic strength. As I have often stated, Tim found the perfect magnetic strength for my routine. The only other cup that has this correct strength (for my use,) exactly, without the need to adjust anything, balls or cup, is the Johnson set. They, too, have found the correct strength. The magnet must be strong enough so that a ball placed on the top of an inverted cup will be picked up when covered with the magnetic cup. Yet the strength must be weak enough that it does not require a slam to release it. My criteria is easily measured. If you lift a cup quickly, the ball should stay inside. If you jerk or snap the cup up, the ball should tumble out. That works precisely for me and the Johnson and Star cups both do exactly that. Now, the first prototype Mendoza Combo Cups I received several years ago from RNTII (not the current owners,) was perfect, like Tim's and Johnson's. I then decided to carry and sell them and sold my prototype set thinking I would just keep one of the sets I stocked. Well, the later runs were not the same. The magnet was way too strong. WAY to strong, in fact, so strong that it required a good slam to release the ball and often the ball would release, bounce off the pad, and then get picked back up by the magnet! I then received an "adjustable" ball from this company, but could never get it to work right; no matter how I adjusted it, it always remained too strong. That brings us up to current. I guess having read this ad, Don Beckley sent me a set of the new RNTII Mendoza Cups, along with a set of his Magpie Adjustable Balls. The instructions included with this set of balls is excellent and tells you exactly how to adjust these. The cups themselves, like the previous company's, were beautiful but still way too strong. However, the adjustable balls were easily fine tuned to the exact strength required and work perfectly. Interestingly, I found that these balls could also be adjusted to work well with other Chop Cups I have which are way too strong as they are. The adjustable ball is an excellent idea. I should mention, however, that the Star and Johnson Cups both worked perfectly with the adjustable balls regardless of how they were adjusted, high strength or low strength. I'm not sure why, but they do. It would be my recommendation that anyone who bought a set of Mendoza Cups from the previous RNTII and may find them too strong to use, buy a set of these adjustable balls. They will make your set perfectly usable. Now, to correct an earlier stated opinion of mine, I would now heartily recommend the Mendoza Combo Cups from the new RNTII if you use them with the adjustable balls. They may even come with an adjustable set, but I'm not sure. And, I really urge anyone who bought a set of early Mendoza Cups having difficulty with them, to invest the small amount needed to get a set of adjustable balls. Also, to fully clarify, I still think Tim's cups are superior, simply because they are inherently the correct magnetic strength, however, since they are impossible to find, the point is moot. My reasons for this opinion may simply be as a result of years of successful performing with them and nothing more. Finally, one footnote. There is no such thing as the Mendoza Chop Cup. I've seen some ads to that effect, but the item offered is simply the Chop Cup provided with the Mendoza Combo Cups. That is, the Chop Cup without the two regular cups. That cup is not the Chop Cup I use. One day, I will release it, in fact, already talked to one builder about making them. As of right now, there is one little step that adds too much to the cost of making them, but we'll see what happens. Okay, thanks for reading. |
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cupsandballsmagic Inner circle 2705 Posts |
"My concern is, and always has been, to earn a living with the performance of magic and not to just show the latest thing at the magic club or cause teenagers to squeal in disbelief on the street."
Ain't that the truth. I was chatting to someone the other day about reading books... Nobody seems to really want to do that anymore, they just want to know "what's new?" While $85 may have been a lot at the time it sure seems like a bargain now! Not having ever handled a set of the original Tim Star one's I couldn't comment but I've only ever used the adjustable balls with all my chopped cups and combo sets. As I understand it though Tim matches balls for each cup for a perfect action. Bri |
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
All the Mendoza combo cups came with "adustable" balls from day 1, even the set you had which was retail version of the set had a set of adjustable balls. I created the adjustable ball to work with ANY chop type cup.
Jake
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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Dale Houck Veteran user Dakota J Magic at Saint Cloud, FL 343 Posts |
John Mendoza's comments about magnet strength remind me of an old spy movie where someone could tell if a gun was loaded because of the weight. I arranged for John to do a lecture once for the Springfield, MO IBM club and remember his comments about magnet strength from that lecture, probably 10 years ago. He really knows his props and effects. While I know him more as an expert on collectible magic than for his routines, I was impressed with how practical his lecture was. He provided a lot of great useful advice for those in attendance on doing magic for a living. I've always been an amateur, in fact I worked under contracts prohibiting me from working outside the school districts I served. However, I've always been a little envious of those who could follow their dream and make it pay the way. If you want to get inside the mind of a successful working magician, I would recommend trying to book his lecture when he's in your neighborhood.
--- BTW, the RNT2 adjustable balls are a huge leap forward for amateurs and professionals alike who use chop cups or combo sets.
Magic is where you find it.....
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
First of all, for the benefit of Olivier -- posts that are linked to eBay auctions are strictly prohibited by the staff. It's in the rules that everyone is supposed to read when they sign up. Most people don't. Then they get torqued when a post gets deleted. As Dave V pointed out, the reason that direct links to eBay are not permitted is that they are ethereal. They disappear when the auction is over.
Nobody was really offended, though, with the exception of Donnie, which was understandable, because of the awkward situation. I have admired John Mendoza for a long time. He knows his stuff. He has a reputation as an expert, which is greatly deserved. To see Donnie demonstrate to John how the adjustable balls work, and for John to try them out shows me that there are still guys who understand that an expert never quits learning. Bravo to both of you.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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pabloinus Inner circle 1683 Posts |
I am glad that John was able to try out the adjustable balls and that with them the Cups work with his routine, because I bought a Mendoza combo cups to learn his routine (and Rannie Raymundo's routine that is based on John's routine)
I bought the 3 Mendoza's dvd (My Best)mainly because of the 3 cups (3 of them) and chop cup routine, all of them excellent, and the variation on Vernon's routine to avoid the hand to hand to hand vanish is very good. I recommend these DVD's they also include wallets, dice, cards and coins tricks. I personally find John's explanation and language top notch, with a lot of tips that goes beyond the explanation of a given trick. I asked Brooks to have John Mendoza as one of the monthly guests, I believe people will enjoy his views and experience, will see. Pablo |
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Olivier BIENVENU New user France 61 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-30 11:14, Bill Palmer wrote: Thank you for the info. I won't do it again. My goal were to provide some informations. I did it the wrong way, but in the end we get a full explanation by the person concerned. Is not this the most important thing ? |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Perhaps, perhaps not. Of course it was important for all of the information to come in. The resolution between John Mendoza and Donnie Buckley was also important. However, YOU would not have gotten your knickers in a twist over having your post deleted if you had read the rules before you posted. You could have simply cut and pasted the information, and the same resolution would have occurred.
And you would not have felt as if someone were picking on you. Wouldn't that have been better?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Olivier BIENVENU New user France 61 Posts |
Yes it's true I didn't read the rules for posting, but I wouldn't extract the comment from it's context. I thought that to avoid any misunderstood it was better to give the link than extract some text.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
You are repeating yourself. What do you hope to gain by that?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
Hi John, I am so glad to read your positive comments about, and endorsement of, the Mendoza Combo Cups and the Adjustable Balls.
I just wish I could have gotten my hands on those original Tim Star cups... Donnie |
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
Just to clarify, a couple of the posts here sound like there was an issue or problem between Don Buckley and me. That is not the case. There was never any issue between us. He won an item of mine on that auction site and then began corresponding about the Mendoza Cups and I told him my thoughts. He generously sent me a set and some of the balls along with clear instructions on how to adjust the balls and I was VERY pleased with the results and let him know how good I think they are.
Take care, everyone. |
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Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
I won a wonderful set of original Thayer Dr. Q Slates from John's auction - I've always wanted a set.
John got a set of Mendoza Combo Cups in Antique Bronze with Yellow Stinger balls and Original RNT Red balls. Guys like John Mendoza, Jim Sisti, Jonathan Schweid (JES) - they get a set of their cups, in any finish, any time they want - for life. If I make YOUR cup, you can get the same deal. Back to work... |
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Magic Mark Inner circle After this post I will have 1520 Posts |
My Mendoza gleaming copper Combo Cups are in the hands of my postal carrier and scheduled for delivery today. I'm giddy with anticipation for my little self-indulgent early Christmas present.
Thank you, Donnie, for shipping them so very quickly! Mark
Doing tricks can be easy, being an entertainer is much harder.
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Magic Mark Inner circle After this post I will have 1520 Posts |
Rings N Things Mendoza Copper Mirror Cups are outstanding. It took me 55 years to invest in a set of quality cups! Photo:
Much larger version: https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GKqD......DrVs.jpg I need a larger close-up mat! I'm still playing with the adjustment of the one ball. It's a little bit finicky. If I get it where a chop cup placed on top of another cup will grab the ball from the saddle of the lower cup (every time), then it's sticking too strongly to the chop cup. I think slightly larger balls may be in order. I have one from a different set (and it's a little larger) and the chop cup will snatch it up (out of the saddle of the lower cup) every time (and it releases fine too). Unfortunately, I don't have 4 that match in that larger size. If I can't get it just right I'll shoot off an email to Donnie. Mark
Doing tricks can be easy, being an entertainer is much harder.
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Magic Mark Inner circle After this post I will have 1520 Posts |
I'm having a tough time finding 2.5-2.6 inch red rubber balls to use for final load. 20 years ago I could find them in any Five & Dime store. I've tried a couple of 99 cent stores and I've come up empty.
There are some 2.6 inch balls on Amazon for dogs. But they are reportedly quite heavy and they are $11 each. Yikes! What happened to tennis ball sized red rubber balls that cost under a buck? Suggestions? Mark
Doing tricks can be easy, being an entertainer is much harder.
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BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2537 Posts |
Any reason that you don't want to use tennis balls? You can get 'em in all kinds of colors these days.
https://www.amazon.com/Zanies-Puppy-Prid......87&psc=1
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
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Magic Mark Inner circle After this post I will have 1520 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 28, 2018, BarryFernelius wrote: Tennis balls are what I'm practicing with (already had them). But I'd prefer solid red balls for final load and I don't really care for the branding/logos that are on every tennis ball I've ever seen. I can't believe I'm considering 2.58" crocheted balls from Brett Sherwood. They are cheaper than the RNT balls of the same size but still crazy expensive. My wife and I visited 3 different 99 cent and dollar stores today. Two of them had lots of balls but nothing like I was looking for. Mark
Doing tricks can be easy, being an entertainer is much harder.
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