Any opinions on what the best closeup pad is and where to find it ?
-Squeed
What is the best closup pad ?
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
Squeed--
From a previous post, I see that you haven't been in magic very long, and you bought a close-up pad already. I would recommend one of two courses of action:
1) Stick with you current close-up pad.
2) Buy a placemat. When I started out, I went to a kitchen store and bought a plush placement for about $4. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well.
Why do I recommend this? Because I think you will be better served by buying other products to further your magical education (my preference is books, but perhaps videos or tricks) instead of a better close-up pad.
Don't forget--when you are starting out, practicing on a carpet floor works pretty well too.
-alain
From a previous post, I see that you haven't been in magic very long, and you bought a close-up pad already. I would recommend one of two courses of action:
1) Stick with you current close-up pad.
2) Buy a placemat. When I started out, I went to a kitchen store and bought a plush placement for about $4. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well.
Why do I recommend this? Because I think you will be better served by buying other products to further your magical education (my preference is books, but perhaps videos or tricks) instead of a better close-up pad.
Don't forget--when you are starting out, practicing on a carpet floor works pretty well too.
-alain
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
...but if you are determined to buy one, check out Dean Dill's stuff - he has gorgeous close-up pads.
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Erik Hemming
- Posts: 128
- Joined: January 19th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: Madison & Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
If you're looking for somthing servicable and cheap, Walmart sells a semi-circular, rubber-backed, tightly woven rug that is a great practice pad. The draw-back is that it looks more or less like what it is: a cheap rug.
The Maniac pad is a comparative bargain: hard board, nicely padded, cool brass corners, and it looks good. But mine had a fundamental design flaw when I bought it.
The pad has a couple of hold-out slots for cards and coins in the back. When I purchased mine, they had mounted the feet in a rectangular pattern under the audience-side 2/3 of the board/pad. (Instead of in the corners of the pad.) The result was that the pad was prone to popping up if I rested my hands too hard on the back third.
Some would argue that this isn't a flaw, but a feature. (You can do impromptu spiritualism effects: "And now, by the occult power of the great spirit Fulcrum Numismo, watch as all the coins go flying onto the floor!")
Me, I just moved the back two feet into the corners--where they belong--and called it a day.
I think, to some degree, which pad one chooses is a matter of personality. (Or lack thereof.)
I've experimented with a variety of things, including tightly woven Persian rugs, big mouse pads, and a D. A. pad from Mr. Busby. All of them are servicable to one degree or another. The best advice is to find something cheap to practice on, then when you feel like you're ready to perform, choose which ever pad fits your style and presentation best, then practice some more.
But, like Alain said, if you've got one, spend your time practicing instead of shopping for pads. When you know which kind of magic you really want to present, you'll know what kind of pad--if any--you need.
Gordo
The Maniac pad is a comparative bargain: hard board, nicely padded, cool brass corners, and it looks good. But mine had a fundamental design flaw when I bought it.
The pad has a couple of hold-out slots for cards and coins in the back. When I purchased mine, they had mounted the feet in a rectangular pattern under the audience-side 2/3 of the board/pad. (Instead of in the corners of the pad.) The result was that the pad was prone to popping up if I rested my hands too hard on the back third.
Some would argue that this isn't a flaw, but a feature. (You can do impromptu spiritualism effects: "And now, by the occult power of the great spirit Fulcrum Numismo, watch as all the coins go flying onto the floor!")
Me, I just moved the back two feet into the corners--where they belong--and called it a day.
I think, to some degree, which pad one chooses is a matter of personality. (Or lack thereof.)
I've experimented with a variety of things, including tightly woven Persian rugs, big mouse pads, and a D. A. pad from Mr. Busby. All of them are servicable to one degree or another. The best advice is to find something cheap to practice on, then when you feel like you're ready to perform, choose which ever pad fits your style and presentation best, then practice some more.
But, like Alain said, if you've got one, spend your time practicing instead of shopping for pads. When you know which kind of magic you really want to present, you'll know what kind of pad--if any--you need.
Gordo
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Guest
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
Gordo absolutely brilliant your rendition had me in stitches. That's London speak for had my sides aching. Barry
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Michael Kamen
- Posts: 338
- Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: SF Bay Area
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
Lots of good suggestions here. If for you it comes down to one of the mid-range standard, magician close-up surfaces (that would be Apollo or Gibson I think), then I would recommend Gibson hands down for richness of color and hand-friendly texture.
Michael Kamen
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Guest
Re: What is the best closup pad ?
Magicians Choice pads are guaranteed for life. Ronjo just made custom pads for Darwin Ortiz and David Roth's show.
http://www.ronjo.com/Merchant2/merchant ... y_Code=mts
http://www.ronjo.com/Merchant2/merchant ... y_Code=mts