Ashland, OH
Blues Brothers Pinball. Ive been thinking about this one for some time now. I like playing pinball. I also like the challenge of doing something different. . . working on a project of some kind but I think the Mrs. gets tired if me spending so much time in the garage/shop. If I work indoors for awhile she will either realize how good she had it and be glad to get rid of me when the next outdoor project comes or she may find the retheme interesting and get more involved in my pinball habit.
This is the first post of a project that I imagine could take a year or more to see thru. I have no unrealistic expectations. . . but some big dreams at this point.
Ive enjoyed playing the pins in my little collection and at shows; I had contemplated restoring one of my games (and that will still happen) but a donor game was acquired locally for a good price so Ive decided to move forward with a theme I find entertaining that fits the experience of a pin nicely. I think a Blues Brothers theme would incorporate great music, fun callouts, and one of my favorite movies into a fun playing table. There are a couple pages of notes/thoughts that get written down as they jump into my brain, but first I will start with the foundation.
I am starting with a Williams Rollergames. The machine was local, the price was right, and the original theme is not all that great so I do not have to feel bad about the conversion. It also does not have a DMD so I do not have to worry about the graphic displays.
It is also Pinsound compatible. I am a visual gears, pulleys, and levers kind of guy. The mechanical nature of the game is one of the things that appeals to me. I am lacking when it comes to programming and computer code but I am willing to take on the challenge of creating my own sounds and callouts. I picked up a Pinsound card recently (Thanks Pinballbuyer !) and have started creating/gathering up WAV files using Audacity software. If my understanding is correct I can use every factory switch and trigger as designed on the machine and simply plug in a new sound with the Pinsound card. Perhaps I am oversimplifying things and I am getting in way over my head. . .
A coworker's spouse is involved with graphic design and vinyl decals; I have discussed the project with him and he is looking forward to helping with playfield design, cabinet decals, etc.
Some of my thoughts for the game so far:
Bumpers and that area of the playfield are the Dixieland Shopping Mall -- bumper hits can be the sound of crashing glass.
Skating Ramps/paths should convert over to roads/highways well. (Lower Wacker Drive?) Cop car crash imagery required.
The different skate team inserts can become locations in the movie: Ray's Music Exchange, Bobs Country Bunker, Soul Food Cafe, etc.
The Magnet can be labeled as "Glue, Strong Stuff"
The Pit that launches the ball thru the wire form can be the drawbridge jump.
"SKATE" can become "BLUES" for the targets/inserts along the left.
Other Inserts can be relabeled as "Cop Tires, Cop Motor, Cop Shocks, etc.
The figure eight above the flippers labeled in some way as "Mission from God"
Jake and Elwood will be pictured where the two skater girls are on the playfield near the slingshots.
Call outs. . . so many good ones. Probably the most fun Ive had with the ideas so far. Ball launch besides the intro theme could be "106 miles to Chicago. . . its dark and we are wearing sunglasses, Hit It!", or "Excessive force in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers has been approved." Ball Drain: "Dont come back until you've redeemed yourselves," or A. Franklin's "Get on outta here without your four fried chickens, without your dry white toast, and without Matt Guitar Murphy!"
Others that need to be included: John Candy's "Orange Whip", of Course "We're on a mission from God", One of my favorites "Did you bring me my Cheez-Wiz Boy?", Illinois Nazis, and so many more.
Right now the plan is to play Rollergames for awhile to get a feel for the game. At the same time I can continue to work on sound files and get a better feel for what sounds to play at what points in the game. Before I start any tear down of the machine or playfield Id like to have all the sound files done and working because that will probably be the more challenging part (for me anyway).
Again, this is probably the first post of a project that is going to take some time. I even debated starting it, but you have to begin somewhere and now that I have the donor game I feel more motivated to move forward. Who knows, perhaps I will fall in love with Rollergames and decide it would be better than a Blues Brothers Theme. . . but I doubt it! 
London
