Seawitch
Stern Electronics, 1980Just found out I may be able to acquire for "free" a Stern Seawitch (1980 IIRC from IPDB) - my wife's uncle has one in a garage on one of his properties. Sweet! Nice to see the plastics are still available from Marco (pinball machine dot com). So, my big concern will be how good the playfield is and the backglass. I was told a flipper stopped working. But, they are not pinheads (just regular folk).
Looks like the new year is off to a good start!
Cheers,
Mike
Will do. I'll take some pictures of how I found it in the "garage" too...not sure what to expect...if the playfield is shot, that may make me want to trade/sell it. The current owners did not know you can remove the head to move it so that may work in my favor or not. Is this not the best part of getting a pin? The wondering of what gem you might find before actually seeing it? Sort of like all those old muscle car found in a forgotten barn stories...Maybe it will be an HUO game with one burnt out coil and otherwise mint?
Then I discovered one of my wife's friend's husband has a Gottlieb "Big Hit" EM machine he is bored of and no longer plays/wants...hmmm...not sure I can fit a fourth but if the opportunity presents itself, I could probably sneak it into the cave and hide it under a bunch of boxes, disassembled of course...hahaha...
Yea, can't wait for before and after pics. That table has some great art on it.
So funny how tables 20+ years old look light years ahead of anything being produced today. Wish people would get a clue and start making nice looking pins again.
Well, after worrying that my Uncle saw the latest pinball wizard episode of Pawn Stars, we finally had a solid talk about the "Sea Witch" pinball machine. Apparently, he just wants his $350 out of it and then it's mine. I still have not seen the machine so I promised that I would take it no matter what and if it is too far gone will try to sell it for him. However, if it works or is playable, I will take it and promise to share profits should I ever sell it.
So, it's all arranged...however, due to real life stuff, I won't get my hands on it until April. Stay tuned...(It's located like 2 hours away from me, hence the no peeking...)
Seriously, I really thought he was having visions of grandeur about a "pinball" machine and then when that damn PS came on I thought the deal was sunk for sure and he would think I was trying to pull one over on him...
Patience...patience...
Nice .. I hope you get it asap. Sell it ? haha .. no you won't 
Hope you read the thread about that show and prices being super faked that was posted today.
Heck .. look at the post I made of what Wolfman has for sale. Several machines at $400 and I bet they work perfect except for some lamps. I wish I had the $1000 for the DE Simpsons or Teed Off.
Oh yeah, I was ranting with the rest of the loons on RGP about Pawn Stars...I won't be watching again. History channel was always on an ad everytime I surfed by anyway...
Yeah, for me, the $1K mark starts entering the buyer's remorse zone. It's got to be really special to get me to overcome that (like a KISS or Capt Fantastic or Wizard). Otherwise, my next score would be a classic EM...Locally there was a nice zipadoo for $400 I should have had...but I let it pass.
Good deal Super8man. I have two I am refurbishing. Have one up and running. I love the backglass. The play isn't bad for an old game. It has some tight shots and I love the 3 pops and all the drop targets. I put yellow flipper rubber on mine and it looks great.
Your playfield looks to be in excellent shape.
$350 is not that smoking a price. The machine books at $550, but if the cab is trashed,or the play field is trashed, it might not be a good value, especially since you mentioned a bad play field might make you want to sell it. For $350, I'd want to see it before committing, it's good you have the re-sale deal with him. It could be a great deal though.
No pics yet but I will snap a pic as it sits in the garage when I see it. My uncle also is trying to pawn a PONG game off on my but 3 is my limit in the garage. Now, if it was Defender or Centipede, I would be all over it...but a 220-pound PONG? I don't think so.
My uncle insists his machine is "prettier than mine" that I have already (Gorgar and Mata Hari) but then you just can't tell what some folks think is nice. I was also told by distant family member on that side that I had "purdy teeth" so cue the Deliverance soundtrack.
Oh, I am not paying for it at all...if I do sell it, we will split the "profits" whatever that means...
When it gets this cheap it's not about the resell value .. it's about the acquisition and the joy of restoring it. At least IMHO. We aren't in this hobby for profit but the joy of the game. Please don't take this as a jab against your opinion of value jalpert. It's all in how you look at things.
Super8man - I love your name. I'm an 8-man because I played rugby..lol it was my position. I don't know why you're an 8-man but let me know. 
Anyway, my position is if you like the art work, buy it. You are giving the money to family. Sounds like a good deal if he isn't using it. You'll enjoy it more, working or not. If you like the art work, you'll just like looking at it. Autumnfade has a good pic posted there. It is pretty! If you never get it working, hang the playfield on the wall. lol
I was a pinball freak as a kid, and in college. I won a trophy in Abilene, TX in 1978. Ok I was 5 or 6 yrs. old. Colonial Food Store pinball champ of 1978. I was a stud at show 'n' tell in the first grade. How about them apples BD? lol
I lost it, hadn't played forever, played a Nugnet last Sept. at a Dio concert (god rest his soul) Now I own six. I'm not rich or showing off, (well the 1978 trophy is showing off) I just figured out I should be playing pinball. I'm here to learn about fixing them. I like it, sell it to me. hehehehe Question is it for investment? or entertainment?
This is me:
and
http://home.pacbell.net/mnyberg/super8mm/
Currently spinning 8-tracks in my home stereo...
I'll be sure to cover the game and its condition very well...got my digital cam already to go.
BD is right, it's the hunt and fixing that is most fun for me. Plus just bring back to life something long forgotten.
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Sacramento, CA
Weesp