Hi Pinsiders,

I'm new(ish) to the hobby, just got my first pin last weekend, and I'm already thinking about future projects (natch!). I think I may be approaching my next project a little differently than most, though. I'm not so mechanically/electronically inclined as I am artistic. (I'm a cartoonist and university art prof.) So here's my question to you:

What pinball machine would be the best to re-theme?

...but before you answer, let me lay down a couple of guidelines.

I'm looking for something that I can take as-is, sand down the artwork/plastics/backglass, and make my own art package for the pin. I'd like something that does NOT have VOICE cues, so that I don't have to worry about incorporating those into my new theme. However, I am not a big fan of EM machines *cringe* (sorry EM guys), so let's leave those out of the equation. Which pretty much leaves us in the late 70's/early 80's solid state era. I'd also like to find a pin that is FUN TO PLAY!!! I'm sure I could just find any old beater to repaint, but I'd like the machine to actually be enjoyable after I spend all this time retheming it.

SO! What do you guys think? Any suggestions for pins to look out for?

Thanks for any and all suggestions,
Ryan Claytor
Elephant Eater Comics
http://www.ElephantEater.com

Voltan would make a good re-theme candidate.

jahbarron,
I've never even heard of Voltan! Ha-ha! I knew you guys would have some good suggestions.

It would be shame to sand down a lot of those games.

kevinleedrum,
This is my one reservation about doing something like this, so I'm glad you brought it up. I just didn't want to add to my already lengthy list of guidelines. I'm glad you suggested a game with higher production numbers, as that should make it easier (and hopefully less expensive) to find.

Maybe something like Monte Carlo?

Wow!!! I just looked this up on YouTube (as I've never seen this one before either). I can't believe a game made that late did not have voice calls!!! I'm really excited about this suggestion!!!

Probably a Buck Rogers. ... There is more than one sound setting for it too.

DEVILinIRON,
More...than one sound setting???

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bballfan,
Huh! That's another interesting suggestion. I'm fascinated by the pyramid of inserts at the bottom. ...almost like it was originally designed to be a bowling game or something. Odd.

DEVILinIRON,
Still pretty darn cool. This is the sound set-up I've been able to find on most videos (Is the alternate system of sounds more like a chime-unit? ...like from the old EM's?):

For sure.

Ha-ha Wow, that game's a hoot, too! I dig the mini flippers up top too!

So far I think I'm leaning toward some of the later versions, a la Gottlieb's Monte Carlo or maybe something like Arena. Any more suggestions like these, with some ramps, multiball, and more modern features, but still sans voice?

wizzardz,

I just read through your entire thread. Thanks for pointing me to it. There were a lot of suggestions that would be fun to work with (JM, RG, etc) that I couldn't do based on the sound. There were also some pretty horrific one's (Hotdoggin'? A wide-body with eighteen in-lanes? ...oh, gawd. Ha-ha!). But then the titles like Hollywood Heat, Raven, and Genesis looked interesting.

How is your retheming of HH coming along??? Did you decide on the football theme?

Finally, I know you said,

...but I really don't have the technical know-how to change this stuff, so I really feel like I should just stick to the art package, otherwise I fear getting in over my head.

vid1900,
Hm! Never considered that one. I'll have to look into it.

Ha-ha! Sounds like you're having difficulty committing to a theme. I can see how that would be a big commitment, as you're gonna have a lot of work into it once it is finished.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I'd PERSONALLY like to see a theme that is different from anything that has been produced and possibly even a unique interest for you. I mean, it's not like you're going through all the trouble of reworking the components of a game just to resell it. You'd never make your money/time back! So you may as well make it something you're uniquely passionate about. I guess the football theme doesn't do much for me because, well, it exists in several pins already. (Complete disclaimer: I'm also not much of a sports spectator.) Ha-ha!

Based on that final comment, I suppose I'd better hunker down and prepare for the hate mail.

I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN HOW YOUR PIN PROJECT PROGRESSES, THOUGH!!! ...no matter what your final theme may be. Even if it is football.

Popeye. []

kwiKimart,
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It would be much easier to pick a theme if I didn't care too much about how they fit with the ruleset - but for me it has to make sense during game-play

wizzardz,
Most definitely. It's nice to hear you're taking that part of gameplay seriously. You listed some great themes there, too. I had no idea what "Rat Rods" were until I looked 'em up right now. I could definitely see that fitting to the HH retheme. As I said before, I'll be really interested in seeing what you come up with. Do you have plans to show it at any expos once you're done with it?

go buy the Special Force

EchoVictor,
Ha-ha! I'm pretty sure he's sold that one long ago. That'd be a tough one to retheme for anything but a battle game.

See you in a few!

TheLaw,
Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't have much of a connection to Red Bull.

Firebaall,
Yah, some sort of an alternative comic book theme could be fun. I'm not too knowledgeable manga/anime, but some comics themes are definitely a potential.

All,
Still looking for other games that would be good candidates for re-theming. Any other suggestions based on the restrictions above?

I've heard the Hardbody suggestion before, but honestly I'm shying away from that one due to the audio. The constant huffing and puffing make it difficult to theme it to anything besides a gym or a porn video. Not interested in either, sadly.

jitneystand1,
Ha-ha! Yah, I'm trying to take that into consideration, too. I mean, I know my strengths (art stuff) and I know my weaknesses (tech stuff), so I'm trying to focus on something that would allow me to do a minimal amount of audio reworking and just focus on the re-art-ing of a pin. Genesis is a good suggestion and definitely on my short list. Thanks for chiming in!

P.S. You've got an admirable line-up of pins there! Lots of fun titles. Nice work.