Bandwidth is a fantastic effect in which the magician borrows a spectator's ring, stretches it several inches and then restores it to its natural state. The reactions to this well thought-out routine and quality gimmick is stellar and can knock 'em out, especially for close-up and walk around magic. This trick can be repeated many times during the course of a night.

I first saw Bandwidth, before it was commercially released, during Wilson's At The Table appearance (which was excellent). When I first saw it, I thought it was a solid worker, but once I actually had one in my possession, and I knocked out a few spectator's with the effect, I fell in love with the trick.

This trick comes with the gimmicks needed to perform Bandwidth and a size 11 silver ring, just in case you don't already have a ring. Wilson teaches you how to perform Bandwidth while wearing a t-shirt as well as a jacket. I have performed it both ways and they both work effectively.

The 34 minute streaming instructional video is taught by Wilson and it is clear and excellent quality. It is broken down into chapters that make sense and hold your attention. Not only does he teach the basic ring "stretching" routine, but a second phase in which the restored ring is apparently bent (and can be handed out at that time) and then thrown into the air, only to be apparently jabbed with your ring finger, where it lands fully restored to its normal shape. As a bonus, Wilson teaches Garrett Thomas's Ring Thing, which when done right, is very impressive

The packaging is excellent and the gimmick was perfectly designed so that the magician can "stretch" both gold and silver rings. I have no issues with the promotional video and I found the ad copy to be accurate.

A great trick, by a great magician that will yield you great reactions!

PROS

Very clever props and the effect plays very well in the “real world”. The quality of the props are very good. When done as in the instruction, it has no angle problems.

The instruction is very good. The setup is easy and it is easy to get into the routine. The reset is automatic. It is pretty easy to perform.

He teaches how to start and end clean, with the ring handed out for inspection. You can use a borrowed ring, but not any ring. There is a bit of a range of different rings that should work, depending on your ability to sell the ring. For example, if you use a thinner ring, you have to sell the idea that the ring is flattening out a bit in the process.

I would say this is best for close-up and parlor, not stage.

He teaches some clever ways to get into the routine. For example, if someone comments about how their ring needs cleaning, you offer to clean their ring and get into the routine.

He also has a bonus section for how to transition from this effect into Garrett Thomas’ Ring Thing routines.

CONS

He teaches a method wearing a t-shirt. I think this method is a bit awkward. It works, but it’s awkward.

While the effect can be done impromptu, there is minor setup beforehand.

VERDICT

Nice instruction, well made props, nice piece of magic.

Suggestions

Whether performing just for a group of friends, or a formal show, I’m always trying to think of how an effect might fit into a set, making it that much stronger.

I think one application for this effect is to have a humorous, perhaps even clowning around sort of set where you do a stretch gag, like a stretching tongue or nose gag, followed by this routine. The effect does look like something out of a cartoon, but also magical. I don’t think this is an effect that should be presented too seriously. I think that by introducing humor, this effect becomes stronger in the performance impact.