(Topic ID: 233797)

Bally Manufuacturing Club (pre -1983)

By TractorDoc

5 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

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  • 40 posts
  • 22 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 1 year ago by Dakine747
  • Topic is favorited by 17 Pinsiders

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#1 5 years ago

As I dive deeper into the pinball hobby I am gaining a growing appreciation for the early 80s/late 70s Solid State games.

I love a game with crazy ramps, video, modes, and a bunch of toys but sometimes spinners, drop targets, kick-outs, and pop bumpers can win the day. The original artwork is great to look at too -- I can lose track of time just looking at a game taking in all the details.

My first Bally was Flash Gordon -- I've since regretted selling but have a Paragon and Fathom to help fill the void.

Post pictures, repair tips, parts sources, etc. for these Classic Ballys here!

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#5 5 years ago

I hear ya. Perhaps they are too similar. Given the early Stern specific thread (also covered in above thread) I thought I'd try to focus on Bally only, but I get it.

#6 5 years ago

1977-1980 is my favorite Bally era.... Bally just seems to have had the best BG art, PF art, & definitely cabinet art of all the manufacturers at that time. To me they are the "Cadillac" of pinball machines from that era. I love my Sterns, but when you work on a Stern when used to working on Bally's it's pretty obvious how "cheesy" some of their stuff was in comparison, same feeling I get with Gottlieb of that era.

This is what I call "Bally Row" at the back of my pinball room. These are my 9 current Bally early SS's. Rest of my games are Sterns & 1 Williams.

Ground Shaker, Playboy, Silverball, & Evel Knievel have all been gone through pretty thoroughly. The other 5 are awaiting cabinet jobs, but play fine.

Ground Shaker has a CPR PF
Playboy has a clear coated overlay
Silverball has a clear coated overlay
Evel Knievel has an NOS PF
Mata Hari has original PF soon getting a Hardtop
SuperSonic has Clear coated overlay
Six Million Dollar Man has Clear coated factory PF
Night Rider has original PF
Paragon has original PF awaiting a CPR.

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#7 5 years ago

WeatherbyMAG -- Your games are stunning -- Fantastic Collection!

#8 5 years ago

I have worked on hundreds of early Bally electronic pins. 1977 - 1982 are my favorites. I started buying pick up truck loads of projects (5 - 7). Junk the worst to get better games going. I sell everyone I get, since they usually come back for service down the road. I miss Paragon #1001, which sold to a guy in Ottawa. Had 2 Spectrum pins, 1 in a fire, & I junked both after dropping a perfect glass. Right now I am fixing up my Silverball Mania out on location, & trying to piece together another one. Been at the hobby/business over 20 years now.

#9 5 years ago
Quoted from TractorDoc:

I hear ya. Perhaps they are too similar. Given the early Stern specific thread (also covered in above thread) I thought I'd try to focus on Bally only, but I get it.

S’OK... I’ll be following both

Just letting newbies know where they can also find more info on their systems.

#10 5 years ago
Quoted from WeatherbyMAG:

Night Rider has original PF

I really need a few pics of the underside of the playfield, at the lower pop bumper.

Somehow during my re-theming of the playfield, a couple of wires got broken loose...and of course, of the 100 pics I took, I can't fine that one.

If you can help me out I'd appreciate it immensely.

Thanks.

Robert

#11 5 years ago

Two of my favorite games are Mr.Ms. Pac-Man and Elektra. I think I have owned close to 20 early Bally machines in the last 15 years.

#12 5 years ago

Please close this so we dont have to follow two bally threads

3 weeks later
#13 5 years ago
Quoted from Chalkey:

Please close this so we dont have to follow two bally threads

Recently acquired a Bally Mystic. Not a game that was on the wish list but so far I like what it has to offer. Spent a good couple hours playing over the weekend.

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A couple games within the game -- almost like going for several modes at once.

1. Collect Stars (four on the playfield) for points, extra balls, or credits
2. Captured Ball awards points, multipliers, and credits
3/4. Light eyes or pyramids on the card by hitting drop targets -- light them in a row (or the entire card) to increase bonus scores.

Plus there are two spinners and the kickout for a little variety. Surprised this game is not more popular. . .

#14 5 years ago

This game looks sweet!

#15 5 years ago
Quoted from mrm_4:

This game looks sweet!

That game is sweet.

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3 weeks later
#16 5 years ago

My three Bally’s! (Yes one is a home model but my girls love playing it just like it’s one of the big boys).

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#17 5 years ago
Quoted from WeatherbyMAG:

1977-1980 is my favorite Bally era.... Bally just seems to have had the best BG art, PF art, & definitely cabinet art of all the manufacturers at that time. To me they are the "Cadillac" of pinball machines from that era. I love my Sterns, but when you work on a Stern when used to working on Bally's it's pretty obvious how "cheesy" some of their stuff was in comparison, same feeling I get with Gottlieb of that era.
This is what I call "Bally Row" at the back of my pinball room. These are my 9 current Bally early SS's. Rest of my games are Sterns & 1 Williams.
Ground Shaker, Playboy, Silverball, & Evel Knievel have all been gone through pretty thoroughly. The other 5 are awaiting cabinet jobs, but play fine.
Ground Shaker has a CPR PF
Playboy has a clear coated overlay
Silverball has a clear coated overlay
Evel Knievel has an NOS PF
Mata Hari has original PF soon getting a Hardtop
SuperSonic has Clear coated overlay
Six Million Dollar Man has Clear coated factory PF
Night Rider has original PF
Paragon has original PF awaiting a CPR.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Now that is some collection!

3 weeks later
#18 5 years ago

I couldn't agree more love me some Ballys.

#19 5 years ago

Who set the pre-1983 limitation? Common knowledge or some Authority? Not trying to troll, just really need to know.

#20 5 years ago
Quoted from phil-lee:

Who set the pre-1983 limitation? Common knowledge or some Authority? Not trying to troll, just really need to know.

From what I could gather on IPDB and other sources that was about the time Bally Manufacturing merged with Midway to become Bally-Midway. I suppose it could be opened up to all Bally as I like the later games just as well.

#21 5 years ago

77 to 80 seems to be my sweet spot personally.

#22 5 years ago

The only thing wrong with Mystic is it's probably the easiest late-six-digit Bally to roll over, otherwise I'd have bought one to go with my Future Spa and Harlem Globetrotters. The Xs & Os version though, that's one I'd like to own.

#23 4 years ago

Total incandescent bliss.

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#24 4 years ago
Quoted from Buzz:

Total incandescent bliss.
[quoted image]

As it should be.

#25 4 years ago

Looking for a Evel Knievel playfield. PM me

#26 4 years ago
Quoted from Buzz:

Total incandescent bliss.
[quoted image]

Nice collection! Which one (or ones) do you finding most challenging to play?

#27 4 years ago

Viking is new and challenging so far. Harlem after a year is still challenging to get all the inane and other targets. Playboy is challenging as well to get all the targets. Strikes and Spares seems to be the easiest but so much fun to play. Looking forward to Six Millions Dollar Man being dropped off tomorrow and seeing all it has to offer. There are just so many great Ballys I started with the intention of just getting 5 to fill up the guest bedroom I took over. But now I don't know how I may mix up my collection. Playboy is my favorite from my childhood and glad I own it. None are museum pieces but I love that and them for what they are.

#28 4 years ago
Quoted from Buzz:

Viking is new and challenging so far. Harlem after a year is still challenging to get all the inane and other targets. Playboy is challenging as well to get all the targets. Strikes and Spares seems to be the easiest but so much fun to play. Looking forward to Six Millions Dollar Man being dropped off tomorrow and seeing all it has to offer. There are just so many great Ballys I started with the intention of just getting 5 to fill up the guest bedroom I took over. But now I don't know how I may mix up my collection. Playboy is my favorite from my childhood and glad I own it. None are museum pieces but I love that and them for what they are.

I feel much the same way about my 4 pin collection (Flash Gordon, Medusa, Speakeasy and Lost World.) None are museum quality either but each is cool in it's own way. Each challenging in it's own way but Flash Gordon and Medusa seem to be the most difficult of the four for sure.

#29 4 years ago
Quoted from Tmezel:

Looking for a Evel Knievel playfield. PM me

Buy a Hardtop. Got one on mine and I love it

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#30 4 years ago

Supersonic is a really challenging game, not difficult to play but absolutely not designed for high scores by 1979 standards.

1 week later
#31 4 years ago

Wish I was close enough to pick up that Mystic TractorDoc. If there is a cheap way of shipping let me know.

#32 4 years ago

My 80s Bally pick up this week. Got some touch up to do but it works 100%

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#33 4 years ago
Quoted from Buzz:

If there is a cheap way of shipping let me know.

California is a beautiful state. . . but I don't think anything comes cheap out there.
The 10-20 year plan may involve me relocating one day but I've had to cross Cali off the list for a number of reasons, many of which come back to finances. I will be sure to visit though!

I am getting close to finishing up Paragon, Fathom is next on the overhaul list, and another Classic Bally is waiting for pickup at an undisclosed location so I've had to pick and choose what I can keep.

Couple Paragon Pictures:

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#34 4 years ago
Quoted from TractorDoc:

California is a beautiful state. . . but I don't think anything comes cheap out there.
The 10-20 year plan may involve me relocating one day but I've had to cross Cali off the list for a number of reasons, many of which come back to finances. I will be sure to visit though!
I am getting close to finishing up Paragon, Fathom is next on the overhaul list, and another Classic Bally is waiting for pickup at an undisclosed location so I've had to pick and choose what I can keep.
Couple Paragon Pictures:[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Looks great!
Paragon has to be one of the better looking cabinet paint schemes in all of pinball.

#35 4 years ago
Quoted from EalaDubhSidhe:

The only thing wrong with Mystic is it's probably the easiest late-six-digit Bally to roll over, otherwise I'd have bought one to go with my Future Spa and Harlem Globetrotters. The Xs & Os version though, that's one I'd like to own.

Rolling Mystic is highly dependent on the option settings. It gets a lot harder to roll if the bonus X isn't saved ball to ball.

2 years later
#36 2 years ago
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#37 2 years ago
Quoted from RustyLizard:

[quoted image] 3x Embryons

Are they all original backglasses?

#38 2 years ago
Quoted from Quench:

Are they all original backglasses?

Yes.

2 months later
2 weeks later
#40 1 year ago

'78-'81 Ballys are the best! My current lineup - and five that'll never go away.

TOM'S BALLY ROW (resized).jpgTOM'S BALLY ROW (resized).jpg
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