Hi All,

I recently bought 'Scotch & Soda' and my main question is WHY??? Is it just me or is this a truly awful piece of coin magic? Seems like a poor-man's Coin Unique. Nine times out of ten the thing won't even nest properly and when it does I might as well have had a mini-vice clamped to the table to do the job - my fingers go blue through squeezing! Then there's an audible 'pop' as the 'deed is done'. Now maybe I've got it all wrong and as the 'ad.' says it's '...one of the fastest selling coin tricks...' and maybe I’ve bought a duff, but £21 ($31) for *this*? Maybe this post should be in the ‘Good, bad or garbage’ section. Under 'Garbage'.


Frank.

Yeah, I watched it once and when he did it, it made that nasty pop of the coins fitting into each other. So nasty. I thought he messed up and I didn't say anything.

So, gimmick1586, you mean I *haven't* bought a duff? It **really** is c***? I was going to return it Mon. am.

Frank.

I think you should tell us who made the set that you bought. Perhaps it's just a poor brand and is cheaply made. Buying the same gimmick from a quality vendor might make all the difference in the world.

Yes, I'll tell you, it was cobbled together by Sterling Magic.


STERLING; adj. [usually before noun] (formal) of excellent quality.


Frank.

I have a set from Johnson and have never had problems with it-no popping, no problems nesting; sounds like it's the manufacturer?

It totally depends on the company. I got one that is perfect and people can examine it all they want, but my cousin bought one just a few weeks ago and it almost falls out if you turn it upside down. Make sure you get a good one if you're going to buy it.

Well the one I heard that pop was a Sterling Magic one.

You know you guys can tighten or loosen the gaff if yours is too loose or too tight.

To tighten it, un-nest it and roll the silver half on its edge on a hard surface like tile.

To loosen it put a silk in the silver half and nest the gimmick very tightly, then use the bang ring to bang it back out.

Now as far as uses.... I saw a routine once that used a change purse, the extra Centavo, the Gaffus Coins and the Bang ring.... the ending is neat as all get out too! You need to see this one.... I forget the guy who did it, all I know is he raved about how he is the only one that does it that way.

Chase

You can avoid any problem with the gimmick simply by not using a gimmick at all!
That's why I came up with my No-Gimmick Scotch and Soda that appeared in my Showtime column in the Linking Ring some time back.
It also avoids reset problems (and that "wonderful" bang ring) and the phony sound and feel of the gimmicked coin.
If anyone is interested in my routine and handling, e-mail me privately and I'll be happy to send it to you gratis!
(Aren't I a nice guy?)
cheers,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com

I got the same set, mine works fine, it used to make a little pop but after using it, it works fine, maybe you got a junky one.

Just to let you all know, I exchanged the S&S I had for another today. Looks as though the first one was indeed a duff.

Thanks to that kind Gent, Peter Marucci, I am now studying his routine for said effect. Thanks, Peter.

Frank.

Between a good set and Peter's instructions you should be able to slay them. Remember to save your coin set for when you run into trouble and they demand to see the coins up to the last second. Peters handling is great. Been doing it for about a week or so, and its starting to feel very comfortable and natural now.

Peter,

You are a nice guy! The routine you wrote on this subject works well.

For years (when I worked out of the Reno area) I was known as someone who did not use any "gimmicks". Then the shhhh, secret was let out.

Sleights or "gimmicks" the magic is in you and directing and entertaining your audience whether of 1 or 1000.

Harris

There are many routines and miracles that can be performed with the scotch and soda. I avoid the classic handlings like the plague.

You got to buy a Johnson product or you are wasting your money. The craftsmanship is perfect. Same thing goes for hopping halves.

I bought one on e-bay for like $15 and it was made by a c***** company but it still works great even though I don't like the trick itself.

-Dave