M A G I C February '97
- Reviewer Michael Close
Now here's a fine thing: John has elaborated on a John Ferrentino idea and has produced a nifty device which goes around your neck and holds a hand-held microphone. The part which holds the mic is made of metal, covered with rubber tubing, and there is an adjustable lanyard which allows you to move the mic so it is the proper distance from your mouth. If you have ever been in the situation where the only microphone available was a hand-held and you really needed a lavaliere, then this thing is a lifesaver. It will probably last forever.
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GENII August '95
By Danny Orleans - pages 771-772
Attention Microphone Users:
Q: How to attach a hand-held microphone around your neck with dignity? (read: without using magician's rope).
A: The Gim-Crack Microphone holder by John Swomley [Tricky-Person Productions]. This is the best way I've ever seen to accommodate a hand-held microphone around your neck. The stiff but pliable wire is covered with black rubber tubing. It comes pre-shaped, but can be bent slightly to fit any hand-held mic. Synthetic black cord can be adjusted to the appropriate length for you. A must for any performer who wants to take a mic out of the stand and still have both hands free.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Linking Ring January '97
- product review section, in January issue '97 by Robert K. Miller
THE GIM-CRACK
MICROPHONE HOLDER
This 1/2 ounce device hangs around your neck to hold any cord microphone [and now cordless]. You feed in the cord, seat the mic, and raise or lower it for optimum sound by easily adjusting the slide at the back of the black lanyard. It's made of metal, covered with black, rubber tubing which you can bend, if need be.
Swomley credits John Ferrentino's similar design in the June/July Magical Arts Journal.
It's a good idea to carry "The Gim-crack" even if you have your own portable, wireless, lapel microphone sound system, as I do. I have had to use house-wired mics twice recently, once when plugging into the microphone caused a whine, and again when both my mic and the house wireless mic created intermittent feedback. You also could encounter a client who is reluctant to let you attach to the house system.
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Here are some comments from Magician Steve Draun:
I have used the "Gim-Crack" with the largest remote mics, (larger diameter then a "D" size battery) and the smallest wired mics, without any difficulty. I find it holds securely, while allowing for quick entry and release. Truly a "one size fits all" product. As an added and unexpected bonus, I discovered when I lean over a table to do riffle shuffles, etc., because of the angle your devise holds the mic, it does not dangle straight down and get in the way as the mics used to do when I simply tied them around my neck. I carry it with me always and recommend it to everyone.
-steve draun
*******************
My name is Larry Tritel (acoustic guitar and vocals). www.larrytritel.com
I'm a musician and occasionally I will do gigs where bringing a microphone stand is just not practical.
So, after some research I discovered that I could buy a headset microphone, but it was going to cost me a hundred bucks or more to do what I needed to do. I really didn't see a need to buy a whole new microphone, so I kept researching. And, I found an item that was used primarily by magicians, not musicians, called The Gim-Crack Microphone Holder.
I bought one for about twenty bucks and it really does what it says it will do! Now, you can't get the mic right up to your lips, but you can get it pretty close by easily adjusting the cord that goes around your neck. It's portable enough that you can always have it in your gig bag for emergencies or for those gigs where you've put on your travelin' shoes, brought along your battery powered amp, and you ain't got no mic stand!
- Reviewer Michael Close
Now here's a fine thing: John has elaborated on a John Ferrentino idea and has produced a nifty device which goes around your neck and holds a hand-held microphone. The part which holds the mic is made of metal, covered with rubber tubing, and there is an adjustable lanyard which allows you to move the mic so it is the proper distance from your mouth. If you have ever been in the situation where the only microphone available was a hand-held and you really needed a lavaliere, then this thing is a lifesaver. It will probably last forever.
* * * * * * * * * * *
GENII August '95
By Danny Orleans - pages 771-772
Attention Microphone Users:
Q: How to attach a hand-held microphone around your neck with dignity? (read: without using magician's rope).
A: The Gim-Crack Microphone holder by John Swomley [Tricky-Person Productions]. This is the best way I've ever seen to accommodate a hand-held microphone around your neck. The stiff but pliable wire is covered with black rubber tubing. It comes pre-shaped, but can be bent slightly to fit any hand-held mic. Synthetic black cord can be adjusted to the appropriate length for you. A must for any performer who wants to take a mic out of the stand and still have both hands free.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Linking Ring January '97
- product review section, in January issue '97 by Robert K. Miller
THE GIM-CRACK
MICROPHONE HOLDER
This 1/2 ounce device hangs around your neck to hold any cord microphone [and now cordless]. You feed in the cord, seat the mic, and raise or lower it for optimum sound by easily adjusting the slide at the back of the black lanyard. It's made of metal, covered with black, rubber tubing which you can bend, if need be.
Swomley credits John Ferrentino's similar design in the June/July Magical Arts Journal.
It's a good idea to carry "The Gim-crack" even if you have your own portable, wireless, lapel microphone sound system, as I do. I have had to use house-wired mics twice recently, once when plugging into the microphone caused a whine, and again when both my mic and the house wireless mic created intermittent feedback. You also could encounter a client who is reluctant to let you attach to the house system.
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Here are some comments from Magician Steve Draun:
I have used the "Gim-Crack" with the largest remote mics, (larger diameter then a "D" size battery) and the smallest wired mics, without any difficulty. I find it holds securely, while allowing for quick entry and release. Truly a "one size fits all" product. As an added and unexpected bonus, I discovered when I lean over a table to do riffle shuffles, etc., because of the angle your devise holds the mic, it does not dangle straight down and get in the way as the mics used to do when I simply tied them around my neck. I carry it with me always and recommend it to everyone.
-steve draun
*******************
My name is Larry Tritel (acoustic guitar and vocals). www.larrytritel.com
I'm a musician and occasionally I will do gigs where bringing a microphone stand is just not practical.
So, after some research I discovered that I could buy a headset microphone, but it was going to cost me a hundred bucks or more to do what I needed to do. I really didn't see a need to buy a whole new microphone, so I kept researching. And, I found an item that was used primarily by magicians, not musicians, called The Gim-Crack Microphone Holder.
I bought one for about twenty bucks and it really does what it says it will do! Now, you can't get the mic right up to your lips, but you can get it pretty close by easily adjusting the cord that goes around your neck. It's portable enough that you can always have it in your gig bag for emergencies or for those gigs where you've put on your travelin' shoes, brought along your battery powered amp, and you ain't got no mic stand!
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John,
I picked up two of them from Denny and Lee's and use them all the time. They are great. It's amazing how many times I show up to a gig and they have a microphone, but no stand. The Gim-Crack is a life saver. I never go to a gig without one in my bag. -Todd Robbins |
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Hey John!
Just had to drop you a note to thank you and let you know how much I depend on, and enjoy using, your terrific Gimcrack microphone holder.
I’m on another long tour in Latin America and do to show conditions I really needed to simplify my show. I was hesitant at first to lose the headset microphone system I’d been using for years, but the Gimcrack has replaced my whole mic system which has really cut down on time for set up, break down and sound checks. I no longer worry about my mic competing with the house system for frequencies either.
The best part of using your Gimcrack with the house hand-held, is that when the emcee introduces me and hands me the mic, I know for certain that it’s going to be working!
Here’s a good tip: I keep an extra Gim-Crack in my close-up case. So many times I’ve been booked for strolling magic, but once there have been asked to do a quick stand up number for the group. I throw my Gim-Crack around my neck and instantly transform from close-up guy to Mr. Stand-Up. It’s really invaluable.
I was initially concerned about how the sound quality would be, but even with the mic on my chest, if you adjust the Gim-Crack with the lanyard I get surprisingly great pick up.
Another benefit is being able to pull the mic instantly out of the holder with one hand to use as a traditional hand held. You can do the standard mic effects of course, and also hold the mic away from you to cue volunteers, etc.
I highly recommend the Gim-Crack; even when I do have to use another mic system, I always keep my Gim-Crack onstage in my ditch box in case my mic fails, knowing they can always pass me the handheld and I’ll be fine. It even works for old fashioned wired mics. Thanks for the great product!!
Here I am with my trusty Gim-Crack in a theater near Cancun, Mexico before my show:
Just had to drop you a note to thank you and let you know how much I depend on, and enjoy using, your terrific Gimcrack microphone holder.
I’m on another long tour in Latin America and do to show conditions I really needed to simplify my show. I was hesitant at first to lose the headset microphone system I’d been using for years, but the Gimcrack has replaced my whole mic system which has really cut down on time for set up, break down and sound checks. I no longer worry about my mic competing with the house system for frequencies either.
The best part of using your Gimcrack with the house hand-held, is that when the emcee introduces me and hands me the mic, I know for certain that it’s going to be working!
Here’s a good tip: I keep an extra Gim-Crack in my close-up case. So many times I’ve been booked for strolling magic, but once there have been asked to do a quick stand up number for the group. I throw my Gim-Crack around my neck and instantly transform from close-up guy to Mr. Stand-Up. It’s really invaluable.
I was initially concerned about how the sound quality would be, but even with the mic on my chest, if you adjust the Gim-Crack with the lanyard I get surprisingly great pick up.
Another benefit is being able to pull the mic instantly out of the holder with one hand to use as a traditional hand held. You can do the standard mic effects of course, and also hold the mic away from you to cue volunteers, etc.
I highly recommend the Gim-Crack; even when I do have to use another mic system, I always keep my Gim-Crack onstage in my ditch box in case my mic fails, knowing they can always pass me the handheld and I’ll be fine. It even works for old fashioned wired mics. Thanks for the great product!!
Here I am with my trusty Gim-Crack in a theater near Cancun, Mexico before my show:
