Price$34.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryGeneral, Close Up
Date AddedDec 16, 2015
Cash Converter
Griffin, Richard
Richard Griffin Productions
(Based on 2 reviews)
A borrowed bill is folded in half lengthwise. It is then pulled through the fingers where it visually changes into a different bill. Then with a blow it visually changes back to their original bill, you can then unfold it and immediately hand it back for examination. No gaffed bills, you borrow a bill Customizable gimmick, to fit any size bill of any currency, including plastic currency Resets in 2 seconds Perfect for stroll around magic NO reels, elastics, wires, thumbtips, wax or glue is used NO special clothing or jewelery has to be worn You can perform this in a T-shirt Instructional DVD and gimmick included
Reviews
(Top ▲)
PROS
This is a very visual bill change routine. A single bill is folded in half lengthwise. You pull the bill through your fingers and out comes a different bill. You appear to show your hands entirely empty.
It employs a clever gimmick that appears quite invisible in your hand
The handling is not overly difficult. The handling and the gimmick allow you to apparently show both hands empty.
The instruction is very good. He covers every detail of how to make the gimmick with the supplied materials and your own bill, how to get into the effect, how to perform the effect, and how to end the effect.
CONS
The ad copy says there are no gaffed bills. You do borrow a bill, but it converts into a different bill that IS a gaffed bill. The gaffed bill can’t be handed out for examination.
There is a bit of DIY to prepare the gimmick. It is a bit finicky so you must take your time in building the gimmick. I would say figure on at least 15 minutes to make the gimmick.
You shouldn’t perform this with people directly behind you.
You can’t immediately perform the effect again. You will need to reset away from your audience. The reset only takes a minute or less, but you aren’t going to do the reset in front of your audience.
In creating the gimmick, you are going to destroy a bill. In the video, he talks about using a small denomination bill for this reason. You could use any bill you like, but if you use a one hundred dollar bill, for example, you will destroy a one hundred dollar bill.
So, if you destroy a one dollar bill for this effect, then you will likely be turning a larger bill into a smaller bill. You will need to create a performance script around that opposite scenario of most bill change routines.
AT A GLANCE
The skill level required: 2 of 5.
Audience management skill required: 3 of 5.
Performance angles: 180 degrees
The reset time required: 1 minute
The DIY time involved in advance: 15 minutes
VERDICT
It is a nice gimmick and a nice looking effect. However, you are destroying a bill to create the gimmick and you can’t hand the gimmick bill out for examination. While it is a visual change from one bill to another, and it looks quite different from most bill change effects, I think you should think about this effect and method vs others. I personally would rather do 400 LUX which is done more like the Hundy 500 type of effect. The reason is that with the 400 LUX effect, you can hand out any and all of the bills for examination.
This is a very visual bill change routine. A single bill is folded in half lengthwise. You pull the bill through your fingers and out comes a different bill. You appear to show your hands entirely empty.
It employs a clever gimmick that appears quite invisible in your hand
The handling is not overly difficult. The handling and the gimmick allow you to apparently show both hands empty.
The instruction is very good. He covers every detail of how to make the gimmick with the supplied materials and your own bill, how to get into the effect, how to perform the effect, and how to end the effect.
CONS
The ad copy says there are no gaffed bills. You do borrow a bill, but it converts into a different bill that IS a gaffed bill. The gaffed bill can’t be handed out for examination.
There is a bit of DIY to prepare the gimmick. It is a bit finicky so you must take your time in building the gimmick. I would say figure on at least 15 minutes to make the gimmick.
You shouldn’t perform this with people directly behind you.
You can’t immediately perform the effect again. You will need to reset away from your audience. The reset only takes a minute or less, but you aren’t going to do the reset in front of your audience.
In creating the gimmick, you are going to destroy a bill. In the video, he talks about using a small denomination bill for this reason. You could use any bill you like, but if you use a one hundred dollar bill, for example, you will destroy a one hundred dollar bill.
So, if you destroy a one dollar bill for this effect, then you will likely be turning a larger bill into a smaller bill. You will need to create a performance script around that opposite scenario of most bill change routines.
AT A GLANCE
The skill level required: 2 of 5.
Audience management skill required: 3 of 5.
Performance angles: 180 degrees
The reset time required: 1 minute
The DIY time involved in advance: 15 minutes
VERDICT
It is a nice gimmick and a nice looking effect. However, you are destroying a bill to create the gimmick and you can’t hand the gimmick bill out for examination. While it is a visual change from one bill to another, and it looks quite different from most bill change effects, I think you should think about this effect and method vs others. I personally would rather do 400 LUX which is done more like the Hundy 500 type of effect. The reason is that with the 400 LUX effect, you can hand out any and all of the bills for examination.
(Top ▲)
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Cash Converter Review
One gimmick, one DVD, $35 bucks and one Cash Converter Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Cash Converter Review: Effect
A borrowed bill is pulled between your fingers and emerges out the other side as a different bill. With a quick blink, it instantly transforms back to the original bill which can be immediately handed out.
Cash Converter Review: Method
A gimmick does the trick here. However, you are supplied with a gimmick that you have to permanently attached to the bill that you will be changing the money into. The catch is that if you screw up attaching the gimmick, then it's all over. Attaching the gimmick is very finicky and must be very precise. Assuming you properly create the gimmick, the next step is using it in performance.
When you cause the borrowed bill (let's say a $1 dollar bill) to change to a $20 (assuming that you made your gimmick from a $20), the handling is awkward at best. Once the bill has changed to a $20, you cannot move. You can only restore it back to a $1. Undoing the change is very awkward and will put some pretty heavy strain on your finger and hand muscles. It can be done. I was able to (painfully) do it after multiple attempts. However, I'd need several hours more practice, fiddling and fidgeting before I would be anywhere near performance ready.
Is the method doable? Yes, but it's extremely finicky and will take some serious practice. I'd say this is intermediate level at least, definitely not for beginners. Also, keep in mind that whatever bill you plan on turning the borrowed bill into is the bill you will make your gimmick with, and you are permanently sacrificing this bill. You'll never be able to use it again.
Cash Converter Review: Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is accurate. The bill really is borrowed and ungimmicked. The video trailer is also accurate. However, I would say that based on the performance in the trailer, his gimmick works a little bit better than mine. His seems to change back to the borrowed bill much quicker than mine does. The other thing to consider is the claim of being able change the bill into blank paper or other currency, etc. This is all true. However, you only get the stuff needed to make one gimmick, and when you make the gimmick, you are permanently making the gimmick. You have to choose what you want, permanently. So it's always going to be a blank paper, or it's always going to be a $1 bill. The problem with paper is that it tends to wrinkle and rip a little more than a real dollar bill, so your gimmick might wear out sooner than expected. Once it wears out, that's it. You'll have to buy another one.
Cash Converter Review: Product Quality
The supplied DVD is pretty thorough and clear for the most part. You'll, likely, need to re-watch a few parts more than once to make sure you get the handling correct. The gimmick itself is pretty good. However, I don't think it's as good as the one used in the trailer. That aside, it's very finicky to properly hide it. It, for the most part, works the way it's supposed to, but there will be occasions where it doesn't properly revert back to the borrowed bill as cleanly as you'd like.
Cash Converter Review: Final Thoughts
The concept of this is pretty solid. However, due to the fidgety nature of the gimmick/method it's hard to give this a glowing recommendation.
Final Verdict:
3 Stars with a Stone Status of gem with a tiny, teeny, itty bitty g.
Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details.