Alvin G. and CO - &quot;A Tribute to the Gottlieb Name&quot;

Here’s some more. It’s starting to feel like their art and engineering dept.’s around here.

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#202 5 years ago

ROB

RCA1

Pinside+ Addict

St Joseph, MI

11y 128K 8,681 28 11

Computer geek in me is wondering if the 51/4 floppys are readable.
Very cool stuff.

#203 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Quoted from RCA1:
Computer geek in me is wondering if the 51/4 floppys are readable.
Very cool stuff.

Thanks! I’m just glad they survived all these years. There might not be anything on them other than drill data for the boards, but they’re neat pieces of history for sure.

#204 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Yet another of Service Manager Ed Schmidt’s manuals with corrections and notes, and some addendums and typed changes for the MC manual.

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#205 5 years ago

BMS

Betelgeuse

Pinside member

13y 129K 3,645 72

Great stuff, Matt! I am hoping that you will be actively trying to retrieve the data from those 5-1/4" floppys soon.

#206 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Quoted from RCA1:
Computer geek in me is wondering if the 51/4 floppys are readable.
Very cool stuff.

I know a bunch of people still using c64 5 1/4" disks from the late 80s/early 90s. If they were stored ok, they're probably readable. The real question would be is there anything that can interpret the data on them anymore.

#207 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Quoted from Betelgeuse:
Great stuff, Matt! I am hoping that you will be actively trying to retrieve the data from those 5-1/4" floppys soon.

Thanks, Brian! I don’t have any way of checking them myself. They all appear to be drill templates for circuit boards, and some of them are boards that never went into production, so aside from seeing if there’s anything else cool on them like notes, etc., I’m not sure if it would be worth pursuing.

One thing’s for sure....these piles of schematics and drawings here will make it easier and cheaper to reproduce boards if we need to in the future. I now have schematics and Mylar templates/overlays for many of the 28 or so main boards that they designed/used. Some lamp boards too.

I also have the schematics for all 3 transformers that they used. No more having those reverse engineered like a couple people have done. So great that this stuff survived!

#208 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Sounds like you could really pad out the Alvin G pinwiki section.

Really great to see that a bunch of this stuff has survived.

#209 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Quoted from ajfclark:
Sounds like you could really pad out the Alvin G pinwiki section.
Really great to see that a bunch of this stuff has survived.

Yes, I need to look into that again someday.

#210 5 years ago

TDK

TomDK

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 87,800 1,915 30 2

The risc that we have to reproduce pcb is, right now, not very high. There are still pcb available. I have a bunch of pcb for my machines.
They are all "old style" and from the pros good to repair. Therefor I am looking forward that we do not have to reproduce within the next 20 years.

Matt .. Grerat stuff for your museum !!

My whole Alvin G. collection will move in autum to a pinball collectors club in Aachen. They have several rooms for pinball machines and will take my collection for some years. All machines will be in one room along with my other stuff. So I have space in my gameroom and the Alvins will be playable for everybody. The club takes care on the machines.

#211 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Quoted from TomDK:
The risc that we have to reproduce pcb is, right now, not very high. There are still pcb available. I have a bunch of pcb for my machines.
They are all "old style" and from the pros good to repair. Therefor I am looking forward that we do not have to reproduce within the next 20 years.
Matt .. Grerat stuff for your museum !!
My whole Alvin G. collection will move in autum to a pinball collectors club in Aachen. They have several rooms for pinball machines and will take my collection for some years. All machines will be in one room along with my other stuff. So I have space in my gameroom and the Alvins will be playable for everybody. The club takes care on the machines.

Thank you, Tom!

That’s great that your collection will be enjoyed by so many. Very nice of you.

As far as the boards go, for the most part you are correct. There are several boards that are still readily available, but I get hit up quite frequently for all 3 PSBs that they used (PCA-001, PCA-006 and PCA-019A) as well as the original flasher board (PCA-007). These are all tough-to-impossible to find. The flasher boards I had already started on getting remade, but my board guy is temporarily out of action. These will be redone for sure though.

#212 5 years ago

Al

Inactive member

19y 35,900 103

I really enjoy following this thread, cool stuff to see. Thanks to all who have been contributing.

#213 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Agreed demand for most boards will probably remain low. I have 3-4 of almost every board they ever made. They don't work, but I could always send them in for repair if needed. I plan on pairing down my machines and maybe letting pistol, punchy and maybe al's go so dunno what to do with all the extras.

#214 5 years ago

MEH

Markhart

Inactive member

Creve Coeur, MO

10y 11,900 5 1

I brought home a beautiful Alvin G USA Football tonight. Serial number indicates it is #72. It has been sitting in a basement for years but looks almost new. The rubber rings are all dry rotted but it powers up and looks like it will be good to go with a new set of rings. Manual was missing but it included a factory first aid kit with fuses,bulbs and a key ring plastic. There can’t be too many like this still in circulation!

1 week later

#215 5 years ago

MEH

Markhart

Inactive member

Creve Coeur, MO

10y 11,900 5 1

Here are a few photos of the machine that I bought. It is really nice cosmetically.

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#216 5 years ago

MKY

Pdxmonkey

Pinside member

12y 170K 7,306

Wow nice cabinet!

#217 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

That is in really great shape, congrats!

Word of the wise, do not clean the cabinet with anything wet. The paint will run/come off if you do.

4 weeks later

#218 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Noticed a Garage Band for sale and it has the same weird extra chip on the DMD driver board:
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The seller says prototype? https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/al-s-garage-band-goes-on-a-world-tour-proto-w-xtras

#219 5 years ago

TBK

xTheBlackKnightx

Pinside member

8y 128K 4,097 137

Quoted from ajfclark:
Noticed a Garage Band for sale and it has the same weird extra chip on the DMD driver board:
[quoted image]
The seller says prototype?

If the game is a prototype, look closely at the flyer and compare the features.
This was a prototype, and one of the most obvious differences is the missing CD spinner "note" targets, among added plastics and changes to protect against stuck balls in corners. There are other physical differences as well.

Short List:

- The game did not include the "piano keys" switch feature beyond the skill shot
- Skill shot coding was not finished
- Games plastics were different, or not included such as the "boom box" in the right corner
- Backglass colors were different, and additional mirroring was added
- Upper guitar mini-playfield was a different design in terms of art
- Playfield production colors were slightly changed.
- GI lighting was slightly different
- Feature insert colors were changed
- CD Spinner scoop had a a "cow catcher" front design
- Flipper bats included the AGC logo, and were removed

This and a host of other small stuff.

To make it simple, if the "note" targets are on the playfield, it's NOT a prototype, and the seller is full of crap.

I am betting they are, because most people cannot differentiate between a production, sample, or prototype game.
Ask them the above areas and see what happens.
Obvious answer will be "I don't know".

ROMs doesn't mean prototype, as there are examples where:
1) ROMS were not updated
2) The game could be a sample
3) DMD board was swapped

#220 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Thanks xTheBlackKnightx

Do you know if any prototypes ever existed with drop targets or did that get killed too early in the prototyping? I've always assumed that's why the faces were stuck on the plastic above the band member targets.

Do you know when the upper of the two right VUKs got dropped?

#221 5 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Quoted from ajfclark:
Do you know if any prototypes ever existed with drop targets or did that get killed too early in the prototyping? I've always assumed that's why the faces were stuck on the plastic above the band member targets.
Do you know when the upper of the two right VUKs got dropped?

The drops were costed out of the design before production. The prototype that I posted a pic of earlier had them, but even that game was destroyed. The early games that had the extra saucer were only done to use up the playfields on hand. This game in question is just one from early in the run. Not a proto.

#222 5 years ago

DK

Pinball Naples

12y 155K 4,876 129 3

Hey guys help me join the club! I’m looking for a Mystery Castle!!!

#223 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Quoted from MattElder:
The drops were costed out of the design before production. The prototype that I posted a pic of earlier had them, but even that game was destroyed. The early games that had the extra saucer were only done to use up the playfields on hand. This game in question is just one from early in the run. Not a proto.

It's a shame the drops didn't make it.

I thought it wasn't a proto as it's got the same features as mine. It is interesting that the extra piggybacked chip is on the DMD driver though. I wonder when they changed/fixed that.

2 weeks later

#224 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Does anyone have detailed pictures of Dinosaur Eggs? I picked one up over the weekend. The handles to move the playfield are not attached to anything currently. It looks like there was post rubber tying them to the playfield at one point, but I do not know if it is correct or what size is needed.

1 month later

#225 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Finally found some!

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#226 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Quoted from dung:
Finally found some!
[quoted image]

Pinball Spare Parts Australia just posted a bunch on their facebook page.

#227 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Quoted from ajfclark:
Pinball Spare Parts Australia just posted a bunch on their facebook page.

Will try and snag some more then, did not know they posted on facebook thanks! Drat, they posted 10 flipper bats, pretty sure six of mine are from their ebay page as I got a lot of the coils/plungers in their facebook picture.

#228 5 years ago

DEW

Damonator

Pinside+ Addict

10y 121K 3,150 35 8

Finally scored a NOS set of Mystery Castle ramps - been looking for a while!

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#229 5 years ago

RWH

Pinside member

Norwood, OH

13y 132K 9,927 2 10

Quoted from Damonator:
Finally scored a NOS set of Mystery Castle ramps - been looking for a while!

Mayfairamusement.com is that where they came from?

#230 5 years ago

DEW

Damonator

Pinside+ Addict

10y 121K 3,150 35 8

Quoted from RWH:
Mayfairamusement.com is that where they came from?

No - sorry, just a recycled box. They came from another Pinsider, but probably PSPA (Australia) before that if I had to guess.

#231 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Quoted from Damonator:
No - sorry, just a recycled box. They came from another Pinsider, but probably PSPA (Australia) before that if I had to guess.

Sweet score!

#232 5 years ago

DAN

goatdan

Pinside member

Wauwatosa, WI

20y 91,800 5,217 2 20

Can anyone tell me the size of the bolts for the topper on an Alvin G Soccer Ball? I finally have it set up in a tall enough basement, and I don't seem to have any bolts.

#233 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

https://www.facebook.com/naomi.shedd/videos/10157089816243453/

Which bolts? The bolts that hold the bracket to the cab?

#234 5 years ago

DAN

goatdan

Pinside member

Wauwatosa, WI

20y 91,800 5,217 2 20

Yes, those eight!

2 weeks later

#235 5 years ago

MIK

statictrance

Skill Shot Repair

Upper Saint Clair, PA

8y 56,850 662 35 7

Any have any luck putting an NVRAM into one of these games? I have a customer with a Punchy that he was looking to NVRAM. I unfortunately don't have an Alvin G, so I'm trying to help him troubleshoot in the dark.

Thanks!

#236 5 years ago

TDK

TomDK

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 87,800 1,915 30 2

I have several pcb´s as spares expect powerboards.
In the US and Australia easy to get, in Europe a little harder. So if needet feel free to contact me.

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2 months later

#237 5 years ago

TBK

xTheBlackKnightx

Pinside member

8y 128K 4,097 137

For those that follow Facebook, a recent interview with Michael Gottlieb by Naomi Shedd. Very good in terms of providing history, not just about pinball.
Time moves on...

#238 5 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member

Can anyone tell me the correct parts for the post that holds the lower corner of the video mode ramp on Garage Band?

I lifted up the plastic to see why the post was always rattling around and found this:
IMG_20190208_181008 (resized).jpg

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2 months later

#239 5 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Shopping out my usa football. Does anyone know the list of rubbers needed? Would be the same as a ag football and ag soccer ball.

1 week later

#240 4 years ago

MGE

MattElder

Just wanted to post a pic of the newest item added to the Alvin G & Co. Museum....a MC backglass autographed by Alvin back in '99.

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#241 4 years ago

LAW

dung

Pinside member

Is it tech a backglass? Its not a translite that is for sure.

7 months later

#242 4 years ago

DAD

pacman11

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 77,650 2,075 8

Picked up an Alvin G Soccer game today and it’s in great shape just has a bad powersupply in it. Anyone know where I can find a new power supply at? If not this one is going to need some work..

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#243 4 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,936 22 1

Mike Pacak has lots of Alvin G. Parts. This is why it pays to be nice to him. Those who drove him out of Expo may have problems.

#244 4 years ago

DAD

pacman11

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 77,650 2,075 8

Quoted from MrBally:
Mike Pacak has lots of Alvin G. Parts. This is why it pays to be nice to him. Those who drove him out of Expo may have problems.

Okay thanks I’ll look him up if Jerry can’t fix it..

#245 4 years ago

TDK

TomDK

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 87,800 1,915 30 2

Quoted from MrBally:
Mike Pacak has lots of Alvin G. Parts. This is why it pays to be nice to him. Those who drove him out of Expo may have problems.

Blabla ... only intrtesting if you live in his neighborhood. Years ago I asked for parts and he invited me to check his hall. But .. a little expensive from Germany.
He was not able to check his hall himself or ask someone to do so. It is frustrating ... there are so many parts needet for Alvin G. but parts are rotting in his halls.
Great for the hobby ... and yes: Im neutral, I did not mob him out of expo. Just a pinballfreak collecting Alvin G.

Right now I have a complete Garage Band and think about "butcher" it for parts ... if you are located in Europe and want a playable GarageBand , contact me !!

1 week later

#246 4 years ago

JMC

PhillyArcade

Pinside member

9y 49,550 708

Hey guys long time fan of Alvin G pins and just picked up a very nice example of a Pistol Poker. Undocumented home use only. Sure is clean inside and out. The boards are all virgin with very little cracked solder on the connectors.

No DMD in this game when I picked it up. The owner said it's been out for many years and lost interest in it could never get it working. I installed a DMD I had laying around that was in my No Fear and all I'm getting is $$$$$ all over the display. So far here is what I've done...

*Pulled dot matrix board flowed solder on all connectors.
*Replaced all caps on dot matrix board as one of them was swollen and leaking slightly.
*Replaced the 20 pin ribbon cable from the CPU and the ribbon cable from the dot matrix board to the DMD.
*Confirmed all voltages in and out of the dot matrix board along with the DMD. All perfect.
*Confirmed all LED's have the normal one second blink pattern on the pcb's.

The game plays perfectly fine with no issues at all just have the dollar signs on the display and from time to time it will go solid and back to the $$$

I ordered some of the 74LS373n chips that are found on the dot matrix board and there is one on the main CPU at U23 right under the ribbon cable. Those are in route currently.

So I just wanted to toss it up here and see if anyone ran into this issue while I wait for those chips to come in. Once I get the DMD fixed I'll tear it down clean, wax, rubbers, and leds and play the heck out of it! Glad to be in the club finally.

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#247 4 years ago

DAD

pacman11

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 77,650 2,075 8

Parts - Wanted

Want to buy a power supply for my A.G. soccer -ball game Archived

Wanted! - “Want to buy a decent power supply for my AG soccer-ball game. Someone hacked mine up and maybe unfixable. If you have one PM details Thanks!”

2020-01-09

Richfield, MI

pacman11

Wanted

Archived after: 42 days

Viewed: 33 times

Status: Unknown reason:

#248 4 years ago

BMS

Betelgeuse

Pinside member

13y 129K 3,645 72

Quoted from PhillyArcade:
Hey guys long time fan of Alvin G pins and just picked up a very nice example of a Pistol Poker. Undocumented home use only. Sure is clean inside and out. The boards are all virgin with very little cracked solder on the connectors.

No DMD in this game when I picked it up. The owner said it's been out for many years and lost interest in it could never get it working. I installed a DMD I had laying around that was in my No Fear and all I'm getting is $$$$$ all over the display. So far here is what I've done...

*Pulled dot matrix board flowed solder on all connectors.
*Replaced all caps on dot matrix board as one of them was swollen and leaking slightly.
*Replaced the 20 pin ribbon cable from the CPU and the ribbon cable from the dot matrix board to the DMD.
*Confirmed all voltages in and out of the dot matrix board along with the DMD. All perfect.
*Confirmed all LED's have the normal one second blink pattern on the pcb's.

I am no expert, but a lot of weird issues are often related to the power supply board in the lower left of the backbox. Even if the power is correct at the dmd control board, it may not be correct somewhere else which affects the output to the display. Clive at Coin Op Cauldron can rebuild these at a fair price if needed.

#249 4 years ago

JMC

PhillyArcade

Pinside member

9y 49,550 708

Quoted from Betelgeuse:
I am no expert, but a lot of weird issues are often related to the power supply board in the lower left of the backbox. Even if the power is correct at the dmd control board, it may not be correct somewhere else which affects the output to the display. Clive at Coin Op Cauldron can rebuild these at a fair price if needed.

Thanks for the tips and input. I did go over the power supply and confirmed I have all the proper voltages. Actually did that with all boards. I think mine had a cap failure on the dot matrix power supply and took out a few chips on the board. The chips should have been here Monday but I'm still waiting for them to arrive. Hopefully I'll be able to post "it's fixed" soon.

#250 4 years ago

AJC

ajfclark

Pinside member