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The Effect- A clear light bulb is removed from a lamp (for example a table light), which has been turned on and off, and can be shown to spectators to be a regular bulb. The performer holds the base of the bulb between his fingers and concentrates on it.

Suddenly and unexpectedly the bulb explodes and shutters into little pieces.



Cost $30 or $40 depends on where you buy it.



Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
I think it would be 2, but I think it differs from person to person.


Review-The reason that it differs from person to person because it's more of a knack than anything. It's more like when you're learning to palm a coin it's difficult at first but once you practice it gets easier. I don't really want to give to much about the gimmick but it is really... to quote from another site "Old School". I wasn't expecting what I got when it finally came. The bad side to it is you need to either start with a towel on the ground or else you have to sweep it up.



Overall- This is a surprising effect if the audience doesn't know what to expect. It took me a day to get it good and all that really needs to be perfected is patter for it. If you don't mind buying light bulbs I say go for it. It's a bit pricey for what you get but... If you buy it you have a great effect that is a great flashy opener or a powerful closer.


Okay well that's my first trick review and I hope there aren't to many grammatical errors and I hope it's helpful.

Ian the Magic-Ian wrote: Suddenly and unexpectedly the bulb explodes and shutters into little pieces.

Sounds like there is a possible danger of glass getting in a spectator's eye or even your own ?

With the vacuum inside them, lightbulbs tend to implode rather than explode but you ceratinly need to be careful of where you perform this. I've seen it done on TV but the bulb and hand was draped in a ziplock bag which really telegraphed what was going to happen. Wherever it's performed there will be glass to clean up so perhaps not ideal for all venues!

Mandrake wrote:With the vacuum inside them, lightbulbs tend to implode rather than explode

Aren't they filled with an inert gas instead of a vacuum these days... something like Argon or Krypton or Hardon or something...

Yorkshire Pudding wrote:Aren't they filled with an inert gas instead of a vacuum these days... something like Argon or Krypton or Hardon or something...

I think it's Zenon. Paul Zenon.....

In the little booklet it says the audience must be at least 2 meters away. The only venue i'd consider performing is stage. But it doesn't burst as much as it sounds.

Could be the same one, but I saw a version that had in large letters..>

"FOR PROFFESIONALS ONLY"

Proffesional whats? LightBulb smashers?

Eitherway, put me right off.

Wild Card wrote:Could be the same one, but I saw a version that had in large letters..>

"FOR PROFFESIONALS ONLY"

Proffesional whats? LightBulb smashers?

Eitherway, put me right off.

I happen to be looking for a real job. Perhaps I should look into Lightbulb smasher. I think I would be good at it.

And just to add to this. I did not like this effect. Way to much of a hassle with the broken glass and all. I did think of a clever routine with it back in the day. I'd go through all the shinnanigans of proving its a real light bulb. Then hold it in my hand and concentrate. Then ever lightbulb in the place would explode EXCEPT for the one in my hand. Not very practicle.

I suspect this will only work with the traditonal incandescent bulbs, certainly not the small halogen ones but I haven't tried it with the small 'spot light' style or the 'energy saving' bulbs.

For stage work it would be OK because you could arrange for a plastic sheet or tarpaulin to be laid down before the act and then smash the bulb at some later point. Definitely not the sort of thing for kids' parties !

Mandrake wrote:I suspect this will only work with the traditonal incandescent bulbs, certainly not the small halogen ones but I haven't tried it with the small 'spot light' style or the 'energy saving' bulbs.

For stage work it would be OK because you could arrange for a plastic sheet or tarpaulin to be laid down before the act and then smash the bulb at some later point. Definitely not the sort of thing for kids' parties !

Funny that you said that because I'm using this for a kid show. :p

Excellent. What I really love to hear is when one person says somethng isn't suitable or can't be done then someone else immediately proves exactly the opposite . Let us know how it goes please!

I've not used it yet as I've not had the trick for long. I have a slight issue with the noise it makes...is that easily covered by the breaking of the lightbulb?

Have you actually tried it with a light bulb yet? I have not had any problems with the noise. No one has noticed anything. So get a light bulb if you haven't used one yet (just an assumption) because your grip has to change to accommodate the bulb. Hope this helps.

no i've not used it with a lightbulb yet (but i turned a small water bottle upside down as it's a roughly similar diameter)

mostly though while messing about with it "sans" bulb it seems to make a fairly loud noise...