Hello; I really would like to purchase a fine set of cups and balls with a chop cup. Could you tip me on where to find one that may resist a lifetime of using?

Since I don't make one as you asked about, I would go to http://www.stevensmagic.com and buy a set of Johnson Cups and a Johnson Chop Cup that matches, then you have about as good a set as possible.

However, if you want a routine like few are doing, check out the Cups and Balls "teach in" video at Stevens, look at Johnny Paul's routine.

Then buy the cups I make (Joe sells 'em) and you will have what is like a chop cup in each cup without magnets, you will have a routine that is more ENTERTAINING than the usual and be DIFFERENT than 99% of the other magicians.

Believe me!

I bought a set at Steven's Emporium some 20 years ago and they are still working.

Mago Mai

Many thanks Pete, I don't know about your set but I will search for intel on that. Do you have a demo vid ?

WOW big mess in my post today.
Pete do you know where I can find a demo vid of your product ? You will understand that $255 is an amount that you don't spend without a bit of demo, even if the quality looks great on the picture. Thanks in advance.

Pete's cups aren't $255, they are $155.00.

See them here:

http://www.stevensmagic.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=946

There is no particular demo that I know of for this item or any set of cups and balls as far as demoing the cups. Generally you find a routine that suits you, then modify it to make it unique. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of routines in print and on video and DVD. The Stevens Magic tape on the cups and balls includes Johnny Paul's routine which uses cups of this design, plus several other good routines.

Another thing to take into consideration is that not all cups will work for all routines. Thus if you have a routine in mind, you should study it and see what size cups and balls you need to perform that routine. For example, most cups will not work for the Johnny Paul routine using spongeballs. These will, using 2 inch spongeballs. These cups, however, won't work for routines requiring 2 or more solid 1 inch balls to nest between two cups. Tommy Wonder's two cup routine requires specific cup-to-load dimensions to work correctly.
Hope this helps. See also James Riser's truly outstanding website on how to select a set of cups:

http://www.jamesriser.com/Cups/SelectingCups.html

Cordially,
tr

Regarding the chop capabilities of the Johnny Paul cups. According to at least one source Al "Chop Chop" Wheatley came up with his Chop Cup after watching Johnny Paul perform with his set of cups.

Speaking of Chop Cups...

Does anyone know if the Chop Cup that is fashioned as a Coffee Cup works well? Saw it advertized on Brad Burts page.

Thanks,

John

Right, Al Wheatley saw JP do the cups and created the Chop Cup. The first ones were bamboo cups with the magnet stuck in with plastic wood, and black balls.

Total coincidence the guy that now makes the Johnny Paul cups is the son of the guy that made the first metal cups for Wheatley!

I got the coffee mug and it is FABULOUS.

I actually prefer a set of cups and balls without the chop cup gimmick. I'm not sure why. I just like it that way I guess.

I agree... the combo cup screws up my timing... and I often forget where it is. You can't beat standard sleight-of-hand with the cups.

Since I have been concentrating on the cups and balls I don't even like doing the chop cup anymore.

Many thanks for this link thimblerig. It helped me a lot.

You're more than welcome. I wish I had a nanogram of James Reiser's skill...He's amazing, as is his work.
Cordially,
tr

Hi Pete!
I've been eyeing those JP cups, and am I to understand you MANUFACTURE those yourself?

Joe's site is awesome, and I've been intending to shop on-line when I get back on my feet, as I recently lost my job, and had to "go to ground", so to speak. I'm now back in a better paying line of work, and will look into purchasing those cups.

The combo C&B set I have, I only use regular knit balls, since as stated above, it's easy to "lose your place" when performing.

Great thread!

Thanks again!

Doug C.

What the heck is a chop cup? I've heard of them but I've never used one. I prefer Ammar's routine

Chop cup was originally called Chop Chop, and the magician's name escapes me, but was a wonderful routine with a single silver cup and a knit ball. Thru sleight of hand (or gimmick), the ball would appear and disappear from the cup to the magi's pocket and back. In the right hands, a very funny and entertaining routine.

Doug

Hello,

The man responsible for this classic effect was Al Wheatley, who took the stage name of 'Chop Chop.'
The effect itself is known as the Chop Cup, a one cup and ball routine.

Take Care,

Vincent