Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

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Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby EndersGame » Jun 4th, '18, 10:09



Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

An over-sized and light-weight metal version of a classic trick!

Overview

The Hot Rod is a well known classic of magic, and it's been around long enough that there are a lot of different versions of it available on the market. This particular one is a premium one made out of metal, in a larger-than-normal size, to ensure durability, visibility, and a quality and professional look.

Many consider the Hot Rod trick well suited for "advanced beginners", which means that newcomers to magic can certainly learn it, if they are willing to learn and perfect the paddle move that is at the heart of this trick.

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Contents

This product comes in a sealed plastic bag, which includes a high quality metal hot rod, which is made out of polished light-weight yet solid aluminium. It has six brightly painted recessed circles, featuring white, yellow, blue, red, green, and black; with six red circles on the reverse.

A cardboard insert gives instructions about how the effect works, with the majority of the explanation describing how to do the paddle move. The printed instructions also include a link to a secret page on the publisher's website that gives you free access to an online teaching video.

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Effect

First you show your spectator that your metal Hot Rod has has six colored dots on each side. Your spectator then freely selects a number from one to six, and you use this to count to a particular dot, asking them to remember its colour. Then with a simple wave, all the dots on the Hot Rod magically turn into that colour - on both sides! The original colours can be restored, although alternate ways of ending the trick are also possible.

See a simple performance of the Hot Rod illusion by Ben Salinas, using this particular product, in a short video clip here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbf-EgJYn_8

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Here's an alternative video trailer, which has ridiculously high production values, and features Rob Stiff demonstrating the effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x8ZXUbqkUI

Teaching

While you can certainly learn this trick from the printed materials provided, the paddle move really is best learned visually, so I really appreciated the fact that besides the step-by-step written instructions you also get access to online video teaching. A couple of different camera angles are used, with an over-the-head shot used for most of the video, which ensures that everything can be followed very clearly.

The explanation video is eight minutes long and has Rob explaining the two main elements of the routine, namely the force and the paddle move, including tips for how to master the paddle move, and different ways to approach it. He also offers several suggestions for different ways to end the routine, including a method where you can allow spectators to examine it.

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Difficulty

This trick really isn't very difficult to do, and so there's good reason it has remained a popular favourite in the magic industry. In terms of the skills required to do it, there is a simple force that is used, and you'll need to be very familiar with the six outcomes so that you can produce the result you need easily and naturally.

The most important thing to be mastered, however, is the paddle move, and while it's not difficult, it shouldn't be rushed into performance either. But this trick is certainly an excellent introduction to this concept, and for most people this move will be relatively easy to learn. From that point it's just a matter of being totally comfortable with both the force and the paddle move, so that you can focus on making the presentation interesting.

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Recommendation

Don't let the simplicity of this trick deceive you into underestimating its impact. Especially when seen close-up for the first time, it can really generate astonishment. And because it's not inherently difficult, it's ideal for beginner magicians, while still remaining an evergreen classic that the experienced magician can still use as well. The video instructions do a good job of explaining everything, and also emphasize the importance of mastering the paddle move before performing.

The larger-than-normal size of the Hot Rod is nice, because it ensures that the colours can easily be seen, and it is an attractive and quality metal product that conveys professionalism.

Good presentation, plus mastering the technical aspect of the performance, are essential as always. But when done well, this simple trick really does have the potential to amaze. With the Street Hot Rod, you'll get everything you need to get you on your way to achieving that!

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Want to learn more? See:
- Publisher's page
- Amazon

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby Mandrake » Jun 4th, '18, 11:54

Thank for that, I se the Amazon link is to the US site where this item costs just $14.97. Checking the UK site I see it's an import and the price is much higher - £22.36 + £9.99 delivery . Ouch!! :D

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby Mandrake » Aug 12th, '18, 23:24

Just to balance what I said above, Alakazam are selling this at £10.99 which is more reasonable. So reasonable in fact that I bought one! I have to say that the rod is well made but much bigger than I thought, even though EndersGame's review does make this clear. I've given it a few tries but I fear it may be some time until I feel confident using it as the paddle move needs a bit of work with a rod of this size. Just to restore my confidence I've ordered a normal size version :D !

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby EndersGame » Aug 15th, '18, 10:02

Mandrake wrote: I have to say that the rod is well made but much bigger than I thought, even though EndersGame's review does make this clear. I've given it a few tries but I fear it may be some time until I feel confident using it as the paddle move needs a bit of work with a rod of this size. Just to restore my confidence I've ordered a normal size version :D !

Yep, this one is pretty giant in size isn't it! Have fun with both your normal size and this "street" size one!

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby Mandrake » Aug 16th, '18, 16:11

Rob's video is very helpful, I've gone back to basics and just keep on doing the first part of the move whilst watching TV so it should become second nature in time. Then I'll progress to the full routine. I think this one of those things where there is no room for error or sloppiness!

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby mr invisible » Aug 16th, '18, 18:18

Mandrake wrote:Just to balance what I said above, Alakazam are selling this at £10.99 which is more reasonable. So reasonable in fact that I bought one! I have to say that the rod is well made but much bigger than I thought, even though EndersGame's review does make this clear. I've given it a few tries but I fear it may be some time until I feel confident using it as the paddle move needs a bit of work with a rod of this size. Just to restore my confidence I've ordered a normal size version :D !
Great to know this mandrake.. I am a sucker for anything that involves a hot rod etc. 8)

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Re: Review: Street Hot Rod (Magic Makers)

Postby moonbeam » Aug 16th, '18, 18:26

mr invisible wrote:
Mandrake wrote:Just to balance what I said above, Alakazam are selling this at £10.99 which is more reasonable. So reasonable in fact that I bought one! I have to say that the rod is well made but much bigger than I thought, even though EndersGame's review does make this clear. I've given it a few tries but I fear it may be some time until I feel confident using it as the paddle move needs a bit of work with a rod of this size. Just to restore my confidence I've ordered a normal size version :D !
Great to know this mandrake.. I am a sucker for anything that involves a hot rod etc. 8)


*trots off to the innuendo thread*

Ta-da - go check yourself out ..... although I think you kinda knew that it would end up in the innuendo thread lol :P

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