Does anyone know whether a repro backglass has been produced for this machine pls?
(Topic ID: 115617)
Omaha, NE
Callie does decals of all kinds for RC airplanes and such but she's been making drop target, side decals, and other things for many pinball guys. When it comes to transparent backglasses, I wouldn't say she has that down, but when it comes to something like you are looking at, I think she would do a great job! Here's here website: http://www.callie-graphics.com/
Quoted from AlexF:I had one of these. It's got a nice look to it. I have never seen reproduction glasses available in my travels.
Thks AlexF much appreciated. Do you have any pics of your machine backglass pls as those on ipbd are rather flaky?
Quoted from jodini:Callie does decals of all kinds for RC airplanes and such but she's been making drop target, side decals, and other things for many pinball guys. When it comes to transparent backglasses, I wouldn't say she has that down, but when it comes to something like you are looking at, I think she would do a great job! Here's here website: http://www.callie-graphics.com/
Here's some things she's done for me.
Side art on a starwars pachinko
Bermuda backglass - this was a little disappointing because we did it in transparent and the colors were that strong. But when she shoots the color on "white decals", they look great.
Did the spinners on Hocus Pocus
Did all the all the side art and front of the cabinet of GigiThks Joe-that work looks pretty good. I have viewed Callies' website (interesting entry to the business) and the work she has done for you looks pretty good. I am just trying to get a better pic of the backglass to send. I have also emailed Steve at bgresto for his approach.
Sure, here's a couple pics I have handy of the one I had. I probably have something higher res at home. The nice thing about the glass is you don't have to worry about backlighting. I believe it is mirrored though.
For the record this thing isn't much fun to play but as far as trade stimulators go it sure looks great on a shelf.
ZipperSkill.jpg
ZipperSkillA.jpgQuoted from AlexF:Sure, here's a couple pics I have handy of the one I had. I probably have something higher res at home. The nice thing about the glass is you don't have to worry about backlighting. I believe it is mirrored though.
For the record this thing isn't much fun to play but as far as trade stimulators go it sure looks great on a shelf.Great pics AlexF-thks so much. I am interested in your comment 'isn't much fun to play'. Does that apply to most penny arcade machines in your view?
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Well, no not at all. I love penny arcade stuff. Most of it is heavy on novelty but also a lot of fun too.
I'm not sure Zipper Skill qualifies as a penny arcade game though. This falls into the trade stimulator category. Depending on house rules you line up 3 in a row or reach a certain score and you win a pack of smokes, a beer, cigar or cash from the barkeep. Trade stimulators are essentially a machine designed to skirt gambling laws. It doesn't pay out cash mechanically so it's technically legal. Don't get me wrong it's an interesting piece of history and it's charming. Without any stakes though, you flip your five balls watch them trickle down and there isn't much thrill. It's not something you will want to play again and again. Maybe if you set up your game room to award a prize for certain scores your buddies may take interest in playing repeatedly. Just my two cents. If it were more fun I may have kept mine as I thought it was very attractive.
Great info AlexF which I really appreciate. Sorry for my naivety on these machines but you have really clarified for me the whole 'trade stimulator' issue. I am really interested in having at least 1 penny arcade machine in my game room. Whilst I know there have been literally 100s, if not 1000s, of these machines produced are you able to lead me to what you regard as a few really interesting titles. Again sorry for so many questions but your advice is just tremendous. 
I'm by no means an expert on trade stimulators or penny arcade games. My interest has been going that direction in the last few years though so I know just enough to be dangerous as they say.
Well first off I always wondered about the name "penny arcade." I assume in the early days that was a pretty literal interpretation. Games you found in an arcade likely were a penny to play. I think most EM arcade games fall under that name now even though much of the stuff from the 40s on obviously cost more to play.
As you say there are tons of them to consider. Although hunting for them is a bit more challenging. If you type "arcade" into craigslist you will get everything from Mortal Kombat upright to Nintendo 64. On rare occasion something interesting turns up. It's even rarer that it's local and affordable. I usually look on Ebay under Arcade, Jukeboxes & Pinball /Arcade Gaming / Non-Video Arcade. Sadly these day 90% of what shows up is modern redemption games. Here's a completed listing with a lot of interesting things to look at.
ebay.com link: 45 Antique Arcade games Collector Liquidating 1930 039 s 1960 039 s WOW
Here are a couple cool appetizers to get the juices flowing:
http://www.torrencecollection.com/coin-op.html
http://www.antiquesportscollector.com/CollectionLahammer.html
http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/index.htm
http://www.museemecaniquesf.com/
http://www.nationaljukebox.com/archive.html
http://www.sledworks.com/
I'm sure there are more but that's what comes to mind. There are a few pinsiders with amazing early arcade collections. How about that crane machine you were after a little while back. That was a neat one.
Again thks so much AlexF. I will navigate all those links to 'upscale' my learning in this area.
My earliest memories of penny arcade machines were at Luna Park in Sydney where there was an arcade room with rows of the machines and they each cost 'a penny' to play so I guess that's where the term comes from. But they were also present on various walls throughout the fun park.
As a sidelight in Australia we have a slang term 'that cost a pretty penny'! That is the other extreme meaning it cost an awful lot.
On another sidelight some decades ago there was a nasty fire in the Ghost Train pavilion of Luna Park with quite a number of patrons killed and this lead to the closure of Luna Park for some years. Although reopened it has never been able to relive its glory days.
The particular machine type that I recall was one where when the balls were shot they would navigate a number of circular rings quite fast and end up in a designated number in the centre-the object being to accomplish a certain score. That is the type of machine I would really like to procure so I will check at your links. I have also ordered a Collectors handbook that I hope will provide good info.
I was genuinely interested in that crane (there are still two on ebay) and my grandson would simply adore it but I am hemmed in by that damn pest 'not enough space'.
Again thks so much for your insight-Wayne
Maybe something like this:
ebay.com link: Trade Stimulator Coin Op Penny Arcade Skill Machine Whiz Ball
Although I know there are other models where the circles are complete and go in a spiral - the name escapes me at the moment.
Or maybe more this style:
http://0.tqn.com/w/experts/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2009/04/X_17.jpg
(There are lots of varieties of these - they were wall-mounted, and more of a British style I think.)
http://www.cheffins.co.uk/assets/catalogues/lots/184/657.jpg
Yep kinda like that DF thks. I note on a number of these machines (and this appears to be one) where the original marquee has been replaced with a clear sheet of glass. That certainly takes much away from the machines because, in a sense, the marquee represents a superimposed playfield.
Quoted from DirtFlipper:Or maybe more this style:
http://0.tqn.com/w/experts/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2009/04/X_17.jpg
(There are lots of varieties of these - they were wall-mounted, and more of a British style I think.)
http://www.cheffins.co.uk/assets/catalogues/lots/184/657.jpg
That's really interesting you have posted those two machines DF. There is a local seller manufacturing that broad design and listing on ebay:
yes, there appear to be a lot of that style floating around. Those are the ones that would be mounted on the wall, with a row of them (each with different graphics/theme).
Bulli
Quoted from illawarra92:they can still be found in australia wayne..picked this up last year for $50 in queensland
» YouTube video
Well what a terrific purchase Tony-that is exactly what I had in mind but had not seen for ??? years-actually 40 years (no need to go on the age poll now!!). Apart from the specific game play great sounds and the replay dimension within that 13-17m bandwidth is superb. These seem to be very rarely advertised in Australia so you were very canny & very fortunate. Thks for the video in particular.
Quoted from AlexF:I'm by no means an expert on trade stimulators or penny arcade games. My interest has been going that direction in the last few years though so I know just enough to be dangerous as they say.
Well first off I always wondered about the name "penny arcade." I assume in the early days that was a pretty literal interpretation. Games you found in an arcade likely were a penny to play. I think most EM arcade games fall under that name now even though much of the stuff from the 40s on obviously cost more to play.
As you say there are tons of them to consider. Although hunting for them is a bit more challenging. If you type "arcade" into craigslist you will get everything from Mortal Kombat upright to Nintendo 64. On rare occasion something interesting turns up. It's even rarer that it's local and affordable. I usually look on Ebay under Arcade, Jukeboxes & Pinball /Arcade Gaming / Non-Video Arcade. Sadly these day 90% of what shows up is modern redemption games. Here's a completed listing with a lot of interesting things to look at.
ebay.com link » 45 Antique Arcade Games Collector Liquidating 1930 039 S 1960 039 S Wow
Here are a couple cool appetizers to get the juices flowing:
http://www.torrencecollection.com/coin-op.html
http://www.antiquesportscollector.com/CollectionLahammer.html
http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/index.htm
http://www.museemecaniquesf.com/
http://www.nationaljukebox.com/archive.html
http://www.sledworks.com/
I'm sure there are more but that's what comes to mind. There are a few pinsiders with amazing early arcade collections. How about that crane machine you were after a little while back. That was a neat one.
i really didn't need to click on those links... 
there is some NICE stuff there....
3 weeks later
Just received a Gottlieb 3 way grip tester parts machine from the US which I want to restore. There are many broken/missing parts but this will be interesting. On this one I even have to pull out a panel beaters dolly & hammer to straighten the cabinet. The value of these things as suggested by AlexF relative to pins is 'mindboggling'. The restore will be interesting.
GTBgribcab1.jpg
GTBgripcab2.jpg
GTBgriparms.jpg
GTBgripdial1.jpg
GTBgripbroken parts.jpgReply
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