I am going to buy a combo cups and balls with chop cup set.

I would prefer it in aluminium.

Which is the best set to get

I don't like the large cups that look like the breasts on the outfit madonna wore...ha

Any info would be grate!

In My opinon (For whatever it is worth) Do not get a combo set. If you want to get a chop cup fine but if you buy a combo set you very well maybe very sorry. It is easy to get messed up as to where the M.ball is etc... I know some magicians seem to be very happy with there combe set but this is something you need to really think about before you buy it.

You could waite and get a set of Johnson cups and the chop cup they sell as well that matches there cups and balls set. If you just want a cup that matches the cups and balls set you are going to use well that maybe the way to go.

If you just want a cups and balls set and a chop cup. Buy a regular set of cups and a standard chop cup.

Agreed. I got combo sets and found myself WORRYING about where the what was and it hinders your routine, timing, etc.

Go to ebay and buy the cups you like if you don't have a nearby magic shop to visit (which is the best way)...

Or, learn the routine using coffee mugs, paper cups, whatever. Then move up.

I strongly suggest learning the classic three cup routine, such as the Dai Vernon handling, then once mastered (it may take some time) you can Jazz around with the routine.

The best "sampler" for learning is the cups and balls tape from http://www.stevensmagic.com

Let us know how you do.

I don't want to sound like Pete's "yes man," but he speaks the truth. If you have your head set to use a combo set, take a look at several of them.

I personally do not like the feel of aluminum cups. Even though copper and brass cups require some occasional polishing, unless you let them acquire a patina, I'd rather maintain them than use aluminum cups. Aluminum cups are just a tad too light for my taste.

You can get copper combo sets for as little as $20 (Uday) or for as much as about $50 or so (Morrissey)

Morrissey also offers aluminum combo cup sets. If I wanted a set of aluminum combo cups, I would probably order them from Morrissey, simply because they originated them. Their combo sets also look very good. They come in two sizes.

The idea of purchasing a set of Johnson cups and adding a Johnson chop cup to it is also a good one. They are brass cups, they have a nice weight, and they look and feel great!

Or you can order a set of combo cups from Auke van Dokkum -- http://www.cupsandballs.nl

In any case, get the Stevens Cups and Balls Teach-in video. It will give you a lot of information.

I am thinking of getting the combo set because I prefer to do the cups and balls with 2 cups.

Then I also have a chop cup.

I have been playing with this effect for about 10 years with cups or empty yogart cartons.

I am actually going to get some after all these years.
I found this effect great to just play with but know I'm going to polish the effect.

I have been reading about the Bazar da magia set.

Does anyone own these or have opinons on them?

Thanks

kukram

Because of the nature of the Chop Cup, I would advise against a combo set in aluminum. A mouth-down cup is already easy enough to accidentally bump and tip over. An aluminum cup, being lighter weight, is all the easier to accidentally overturn. I'm sure there are some who use aluminum combo sets and feel confident about their stability, but my way of thinking is an aluminum cup with the additional weight of the gimmick in the bottom is an accident waiting to happen.

The advise of Pete and Bill is sound. The Johnson cups plus their matching Chop Cup is the only way I would really consider making a combo set. I have such a set, and it is versatile. I can do a regular not-combo three cup routine when I want, and if I choose I can pull the special cup out of the mix to do a Chop Cup routine. That means only carrying the three cups.

But having just said that... I still prefer to use other not-combo cups for straight Cups & Balls, and a cup made specifically as a Chop Cup for the single cup routine. The combo cup routines require extra effort to keep track of a particular cup and ball, and if either is in the wrong place it'll wreck your day.

Greg

Kukram. Since you want to do a two cup routine have you looked into the Tommy Wonder Cups and balls routine? It does not use a chop cup but it is very good or how about John Ramsay's sp? routine since you have been using yogurt containers anyway.

I would strongly again advise not getting a combo set like I said earlier and as both Bill and Pete have said as well. Unless you have really given this much thought as to what you want to do with this set.

Both of John Mendoza's routines with the Combo Cups are terrific, proven audience pleasers.

There's NO PROBLEM keeping track of anything because you are performing a learned (and PRACTICED) routine.

The lighter cups are just fine for these routines with no concerns whatsoever about knocking the cup over, etc.
If. as a matter of personal preference, you want to buy a heavier set of cups, that's ok, too.

Just have fun and don't borrow trouble!

The two cup routine in The Flicking Fingers book (called, oddly enough "The Book") use two thirds of a combo set.

It's easy to keep track of the gaff because the routine (apparently)uses two balls of different colors.

Plus, it's a combination of some of the best moves and ideas printed in the past couple of decades (well, except Alex Elmsley's salt pour ending).

Agreed. Another solution is to follow the suggestion Marlo is quoted as making in "Arcade Dreams" and have all three cups gaffed. That way, no worrying about what's where when.

Remember, I said, "I find myself worrying" that doesn't mean everyone will have the prolem. I happen to have ADD and cannot remember sequences very well at all, that's why I appear to be ad libbing and doing jazz kinda routines. I just forget stuff easy, always been that way.

Pete,
Can definitely relate to the ADD issue, I've had to deal with ADHD. I find that I can remember concepts and outlines better than I can memorize an entire script or routine. I have everything that I do written out for the purpose of review, but I don't do anything in my act "word for word".

As for the initial issue on the C&B combo set, I think I see where he's going on this. "Get the combo set, use the two regular ones for a two cup routine, have the gimmicked cup for a separate chop cup".
Right?

Rick

Rick

Dave Williamson's routie from his book is also a top notch two cup routine.
I don't like alluminum cups myself but not for the same reasons as others have posted here. I think that alluminum is too light yes but more than that it dents really easily.
Johnson's cups seem to be your best bet for quality and consistancy.
R-n-T cups were also nice but are now quite collectable.
The most durable cups in my collection are the Sisti cups but those also are now collectable.
I would strongly suggest the johnson cups and their chop cup.
Later,
DK

I was thinkin about gettin the football or baseballs for the cups and balls and undo the stiching and put a small magnet in it, for my combo I bought it becuase I wouldnt to do a cups and balls routine and say you couldn't keep track of the balls in three cups so ill use two then use one ( the chop cup) and it be a nice ending becuase when I say ill only use two cups ive loaded the first one when I say I will only use one I load the second and when I make the ball completley vanish from the first ill show the first one while loading the third one.

Also I'm working on a final load, of batteries. (dont ask... yet)
Matt

You can get baseballs that have the chop cup gaff in one ball.

Chase Curtis has beat you to it with the batteries!

NOO! I hate when you think you have invented somethin but you havent, what does he do with the batteries when hes produced them?
Matt

I do a chop cup and cups and balls routine. personally I like the johnson set. it is the best set. there is one routine I do that is the best. the routine is by uh G------------.

How about glasses of live goldfish?, possibly not to practical on the street.
Matt