Norwalk, CA
Quoted from cosmokramer:Marco has a GOT pro GOT LE , KISS LE and WWE...No jjp games
all other new sterns there (except SMVE but there is a BSM)
Walking dead and Whoa Nellie as well.
(Topic ID: 144000)
Went today for a few hours, still a pretty big crowd. It's interesting how the number of people playing pins increases exponentially from old to new. The EMs seemed very lonely.
Nice variety of arcade games too even with 1/3 of them down. Not sure what it is, but the whole place kinda feels dark and eerie.
Kinda like the Atari Black Widow here...
Hello everyone. I just want to say thank you to all who volunteered to make this event possible again. I attended all three days and I must say it was even better than last year! Here are a few more pictures for those who could not make it.
I was really kinda surprised how wide open the EMs were. Ok by me I really enjoy them. Even the early SS games were a little quiet. I played quite a few of the popular newer machines, but I would fall back to the relative peace and quiet of the older pins.
Quoted from huelagan:I was really kinda surprised how wide open the EMs were. Ok by me I really enjoy them. Even the early SS games were a little quiet. I played quite a few of the popular newer machines, but I would fall back to the relative peace and quiet of the older pins.
Not surprised at all. People like the more modern games. This is why I shake my head whenever I see threads about remaking old games or how modern games need to go back to older EM style layouts. That's what Retro Pinball thought when they remade King of Diamonds...the guys behind that thought Sterns were garbage and a "modern EM" was gonna save the day. It's just not what the majority of pin-fans these days are into. Retro sold like 5 KoD's and Stern's built multiple thousands since.
Quoted from huelagan:I suppose the proof is in the pudding. Whoa Nellie is a retro pin. Played that 1st time. Thought it was pretty cool. How did that game fair?
I like EM's, but that game doesn't do anything for me, especially at its $6500 price tag.
Quoted from bicyclenut:Anyone know how much the games in the silent auction sold for? Just curious
Gilligans Island went for $550, The two Eight balls went for $375 and $325 (and one had a brand new set of legs and casters), Rolling Stones went for $500, The gutted Time warp went for $125, most of the others went for around $100-$150.
I was surprised there were two kick offs in the silent auction, were these made in mass quanities? Mine is in bad shape (free barn find) but i guess so are a lot of them based on those two. The one inside was a bit better than mine. So much for thinking maybe they would be interested in mine for parts or something 
Quoted from girloveswaffles:Gilligans Island went for $550, The two Eight balls went for $375 and $325 (and one had a brand new set of legs and casters), Rolling Stones went for $500, The gutted Time warp went for $125, most of the others went for around $100-$150.
Wow!!! That's awesome. I wanted to bid on that Atlantis and Gilligan, but my buddy and I had to leave back to Fresno. Plus I already have an Atlantis. I saw pics that pinball Molly got the Gilligan and she looked stoked and that's way cool.
My commentary on the show. (SAT only)
Had a great time, better than I expected.
Boatloads of pins and arcade and video games.
I was also impressed with the variety of games
including some of the rarer pins in Weeks collection.
Very good layout and utilization of the space available.
Food and drink was good and reasonably priced.
Was not crowded at all.
90s and Modern DMD pin area was a bit congested at times,
but those games are not really my thing.
EM era pin area was sadly a little devoid of players most of the time.
Very grateful for the padded carpeting on the main showroom floor
as my feet and back felt pretty good at the end of the day.
Also surprized that the noise level was not as bad as i thought it might be,
but then again I avoided the DMD area.
I was able to have conversations with other pinheads in the game area without having to shout
and there were plenty of areas to get away to, if you wanted some quiet time.
Overall, for a jaded pinhead like myself, I came away fairly impressed
and see great potential for the future.
I also want to thank all the people that volunteered to help put on the show,
the techs were very busy getting more games ready for the show,
compared to last year (which i was not able to attend).
The important thing is there was good progress,
but there is still aways to go, to make this expo
the premier showcase that it can be.
Quoted from pinwiztom:Overall, for a jaded pinhead like myself, I came away fairly impressed
and see great potential for the future.
I agree with you. I'm more of an EM guy myself. I liked the rare and variety of the games there. I wished a few more were working properly, but I get it. Overall I had a great time and was only there on Saturday too.
Quoted from bicyclenut:I wished a few more were working properly, but I get it.
Exactly, while more EM pins were powered up and able to start games and launch balls and flip, this year,
a lot were far from performing at their peak.
It will take a lot more work to rebuild flippers and pop bumpers and score reels.
When EMs play sluggish, it is a turn off for people, especially newcomers.
But talk is cheap, next year i will need to pledge some of my time to help out preshow (wish I lived closer)
like Reinie, Pete, John and Nico and others did to get more games up and running, then tweaked to play properly.
Quoted from girloveswaffles:Gilligans Island went for $550, The two Eight balls went for $375 and $325 (and one had a brand new set of legs and casters), Rolling Stones went for $500, The gutted Time warp went for $125, most of the others went for around $100-$150.
If someone from here was the one who bid on the Bally Monte Carlo but only wanted to get the backglass, and subsequently won that, please PM me if the situation is that only the backglass will go and the rest is unwanted. I am working on one and already have a good backglass, so I might be interested in picking up the rest of the machine for spare parts.
This year's expo was great. Was a tech for the most part of the show (focused on keeping the modern DMD's goin'). Enjoyed catching up with other collectors. Here's a link to some pictures I took of the show.
http://s264.photobucket.com/user/ttaki/library/Arcade%20Expo%202016?sort=4&page=1
Quoted from PACMAN:Went today for a few hours, still a pretty big crowd. It's interesting how the number of people playing pins increases exponentially from old to new. The EMs seemed very lonely.
I went as well on Saturday for about 6 hours, absolutely love the place! Just wish it wasn't a 2 hour drive away 
The EM's do seem lonely, I didn't play them much either as they aren't my thing. The 90's pins are was packed with people though as was the area with the newest Stern tables. So many people there, a nice mix, was really nice to see. Love the arcade area as well, I made sure to get 1.4 million on Robotron, so the 4th top score with SSS initials is mine 
It was my second time there, will probably go a third in spite of the drive.
Arcade expo is the best place in California Period !!
Show was great ,better then any other show in CA in my opinion
Even though is love PAGG
Next year there must be a swap meet ( if any one is reading this from Arcade management)
Silent auction was cool also
Prices were cheap but they needed
Lots of work , correction on Rolling Stones; sold for $600/ bad backglass/ playfield/ displays & no boards
Good job to all volunteers
The drive out there is not bad
Compared that PAGG & ca extreme
Are 6-7 hrs from LA !!!
Banning only 2 hrs and way more games!!
Not to mention other shows you need to fly out to !!
Arcade Expo is a no brainer
Quoted from rvdv:Arcade expo is the best place in California Period !!
Show was great ,better then any other show in CA in my opinion
Even though is love PAGG
Next year there must be a swap meet ( if any one is reading this from Arcade management)
Silent auction was cool also
Prices were cheap but they needed
Lots of work , correction on Rolling Stones; sold for $600/ bad backglass/ playfield/ displays & no boards
Good job to all volunteers
Quoted from rvdv:The drive out there is not bad
Compared that PAGG & ca extreme
Are 6-7 hrs from LA !!!
Banning only 2 hrs and way more games!!
Not to mention other shows you need to fly out to !!
Arcade Expo is a no brainer
And remember, they also had an event with Twin Galaxies back in October.
http://twingalaxiesfestival.com/
Maybe this will become a regular thing.
Quoted from girloveswaffles:And remember, they also had an event with Twin Galaxies back in October.
http://twingalaxiesfestival.com/
Maybe this will become a regular thing.
I was talking to one of the organizers and apparently the Twin Galaxies thing won't happen again...but Walter and Billy and all those arcade dudes were here over the weekend - so I think it doesn't really make sense to have a separately branded event. Sounds like the plan right now is once a year...which is kind of sad to think that amazing collection only gets enjoyed once a year! However, it definitely seems like a beast of a production to pull off with all the techs, helpers, heating, parking, lighting, etc.
I'm hearing all sorts of things about the event, like The City of Banning doesn't want to extend permits to the Pinball Mueseum for more than that weekend? I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is: is the city afraid of the Pinball Muesum cutting into its other lucrative tourist attractions in the area, such as boarded up buildings, crackhouses and boarded up crackhouses*?
*I'm not trying to infer that the property itself is dodgy - it definitely has character - but they volunteers and security do a wonderful job keeping the riff-raff out.
Quoted from Aurich:It's a drive. But compared to flying to shows, which I also do, it's pretty easy.
With Banning Airport next door you can fly in and walk to the show!
Quoted from Cornelius:other lucrative tourist attractions in the area, such as boarded up buildings, crackhouses and boarded up crackhouses*?
Quoted from pinwiztom:When EMs play sluggish, it is a turn off for people, especially newcomers.
For sure many of the EMs were sluggish and true that could kill it for many people. Unfortunately my repair skills are meager and I guess I didn't feel confident enough to come out for a day to help. I am getting better after acquiring a few new projects so I will make a point to lend a hand next year, if for just a day. EM machines can be so cool when set up properly and dialed in.
It's so much work to throw that show, and I just can't see big crowds coming out repeatedly right now, so I don't think it's a big deal that it's once or twice a year. I think they can do 4 events a year right now if they want to.
I think the CD's and some money got misplaced at the show when I was buying some "Five Night's a Freddy's" posters for my daughter from a guy in Artist Alley at the show.
Apparently he was trying to catch up with me when I was leaving the show.
But when I check the Expo booklet and website I can't find a specific list of vendors in the Artist Alley.
Does anybody have that info?
Thanks!
BobC
Quoted from Cornelius:I'm hearing all sorts of things about the event, like The City of Banning doesn't want to extend permits to the Pinball Mueseum for more than that weekend? I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is: is the city afraid of the Pinball Muesum cutting into its other lucrative tourist attractions in the area,
No, I think the issue is the building needed upgrading to current code for permanent opening. ie accessble toilets (aka handicapped toilets) more toilets in general, stuff like that. The fire system needed upgrading, I think that is done now.
Town councils require all sorts of things like this for "public access areas" ... Places like factories and warehouses are all different (easier) code requirements.
rd
It's almost too large and too remote to be open all the time I would think. The power bill alone if there was just a trickle of people coming in seems to not pencil out?
Quoted from girloveswaffles:And remember, they also had an event with Twin Galaxies back in October.
http://twingalaxiesfestival.com/
Maybe this will become a regular thing.
With the higher price, and paid parking of the branded event i hope not. I wouldn't mind it if they did 2-3 events a year but i hope they are ran by the people who do the Arcade Expo.
Quoted from Cornelius:Banning bashing....
Ever see this ORANGE COUNTY documentary on HBO?
http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/homeless-the-motel-kids-of-orange-county
Just a note for those not from SoCal, Banning is directly on the route to 3 fairly popular places for visiting from the entire LA area: A big outlet mall, the Morongo casino, and Palm Springs which is a big destination especially at this time of year. The museum is perfectly positioned for an easy stop-off on one of those trips. That said, I don't know how many of those people headed out that way would be enough into pinballs to make the stop. I know I would if it were regularly open.
Here are some photos I took of AE 2.0 and the Getaway dinner party. You can view the full gallery here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9ovSHJ82p_1Y0c5MndXalVwRUU&usp=sharing
Hi Everyone! We hope you enjoyed your visit to Arcade Expo 2.0. We appreciate all your feedback and take it all in for consideration on how to improve your experience and have a even better Arcade Expo 2017.
We thank all the volunteers, staff, exhibitors and organizers for countless hours to help make this Arcade Expo possible.
Arcade Expo and the Museum of Pinball would not be possible without John Weeks' vision and contribution. 99% of the machines at the Museum of Pinball are from his private collection. He is a true visionary and very passionate about the preservation of pinball and arcade games.
Heres a video of John explaining his vision for a Kickstarter promotion which did not fund over 2 years ago. If you never seen it before, it is truly remarkable to see what the place looked like before vs how it looked when you visited. We still have lots of improvements we would like to do the facility and looking forward to doing them in the future.
Watch video here >>> https://vimeo.com/69191078
We extend our gratitude to John Weeks, and his family and appreciate all they have done for preservation of pinball and arcade games. We also appreciate all of you for your attendance, feedback, sharing and support.
We hope to see you all soon.
Thank you,
Arcade Expo Staff
Quoted from D-Gottlieb:No complaints here. Outstanding.
Absolutely. One thing I thought I'd mention is how NICE all of the employees (volunteers?) were. The parking attendants were super cordial...everyone was just really pleasant and helpful. I'm used to Chicago Expo where most of the people running the joint are ready to bite your head off at any given moment.
Totally agree with Rarehero. There was only one douchey employee / volunteer I ran into all weekend - everyone else was friendly and helpful as can be.
Damnit that staff photo is too washed out, you can't see where I wrote my name bigger and taller than anyone else! 
Quoted from Hana9so:They've sucked me in. Since I enjoy fixing pinball as much as i do playing, I'll probably help out keeping games running during the show for years to come!
John is bridging his fingers together and cackling right now, while saying "excellent ..." to himself.
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