so true boilerman,
We were discussing that in regards to Strange World yesterday. Given there were 675 produced, they don't seem to come on the market very often. Some in collections, but seems like the majority went overseas. Perhaps Gottlieb was on to something......that the european market would still play EMs even though solid state games were coming on the market here in the US? (the SW I just finished was factory equipped with 115/230 volt transformer)

And, it varies by manufacturer too. I know someone who looked at Bally em's closely that were shipped overseas. He spoke to overseas owners to get an idea of serial number ranges, etc.. You can spend a lot of time researching this topic! If you look at serial number ranges of a title and go the the IPSND you can get clues as to where some games went. Unfortunately, not enough data has been submitted on some games.

And you also have an idea of how many games are available for sale here in the US. Certain titles are spotted more in certain parts of the US too. Atlantis is one example. Hard to find in the NE right now but more prevalent in the Midwest.

Boilerman for the win. Pretty much as you stated. In the early 1980's Arcades were still popular (no internet), the Solid State games were being put into arcades fairly quickly. The 2 or 3 year old EM games were being sold off to home guys like us. The games were still in decent shape but were kind of dated. Even though early S.S. Pins were mostly based on EM games, the progression to the S.S. pin was a needed step in pinball evolution.

I agree too - boilerman is right - makes sense for late 70's games.

Hit The Dick has an obscenely funny backglass.

I agree with others who postulate that late Gottlieb electromechanical games, albeit scarce in the USA, tend to have survived in above-average condition. For example, mine is a "funeral home use only" example. It spent its life in a funeral home. Employees had fun killing time between jobs.

Designer John Osborne did a great job with this game, in my opinion. Also, I love the double entendre theme.
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One more at VFW Pinball / Ann Arbor Pinball Museum.

As an aside to the my Sea Ray posts above:
I've always been a huge Gottlieb fan and of course always will be. However, now that the Sea Ray is up and running and I've got about 5 dozen games on it, I can say I definitely am a Bally fan and appreciate the playfield featues not found on Gotts or not at least not on any that I've played. I've had an Expressway for a year now but it's still in the middle of a playfield swap that I started right when I got it so I've never played it. Same with both of my Capersvilles though I've got a third one on the way that should end my search for one in nice cosmetic shape. Anyway, the up post between the flippers is great fun tho it doesnt stay up for long due to two down post rollovers. The ball save gate that diverts the ball from the right outlane and back to the shooter is really cool. Those two features plus an extra ball and lighting the blue bumpers can be active individually or in any combo and awarded by the ball going in the upper left "fish lane". How many are active at any one time changes with every 10 point hit. Also, an extra ball, lighting the blue bumpers, and opening the ball save gate can be awarded thru other rollovers or targets.
The game plays great now that it's cleaned and assembled. The only glitch was the right side ball kicker didn't have the strength to reliably launch the ball down the channel despite the coil assembly being cleaned and a new sleeve put i. I didn't wanna hi tap so I removed the coil and unwound a couple layers and that did the trick.

If that coil causes any more problems, check to contacts on the score motor (switch stack on a cam with only one "tit") switch or check the playfield Jones plugs for corrosion or looseness. I presume you confirmed the contacts on the relay controlling it were burnished and adjusted properly and that the proper coil is installed.

I like Sea Ray. I like Bally. I like Gottlieb. I like Williams. Heck, I like em all!. Definitely different features found on all these brands and more differences during different eras. My collection may look like a clusterf**k, but I like variety.

Yep, I did everything mentioned with the exception of the score motor switch until now.
In regards to different features on different manufacturer's machines, I wonder why there wasn't more cross usage of features. Maybe there were patents but they all have bumpers, flippers, etc.

To be honest most of the arcades I visited as a youth were kind of a cluster***k as well.

This is kind of how those arcades looked back in the day. Maybe that's why it is the way it is.
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Finished another one today.

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I loved the variety in your collection. A row of wedgeheads looks so nice, love that too, but I prefer being able to switch things up based on mood. My solid states are the same way, mix of eras.

I think I'm going to go mix it up right now. It's time.

What I like about this Bally is even with all the new features, well into the 70s it still has 2 inch flippers and bells. Others may get more play but I like having it around. Fireball makes it's own rules.
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Another Bally rectangle head. This one's fun! Lots to shoot for and rules.
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Bon Voyage is a great player. To get the special you must hit the captive ball head on after lighting all the letters by hitting the three upper rollovers, two inlane rollovers and all the stand up targets. Then it resets. The spinner changes value on the left kickout hole and if it stops on 5000 it lights a lettered target on the right side. This one is on 5 ball play.
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Abra Ca Dabra is another machine I purchased from hoov some months ago and completed a restoration a little while back. I really enjoy playing this machine-a great player, good ruleset and it looks terrific. Those blinking eyes of the wiz... at games end are captivating.

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Classic Christian Marche on Pit Stop. Speed Racer meets the pointy people.
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Bon Voyage looks cool and so does out stop. Those two are another reason why I like EM's in general, original themes and artwork with no or very little commercial tie-ins.

Another great looking game now that you're done with it wayner. I can't believe how that parts order from Pinball Resource, Pinball Rescue, etc., made such a difference in your restoration. It looks super!

May we see the rest?

Here is my Gusher nightmare restoration from 2010. I had wanted one but obviously was too impatient to wait.... So i guess the 120 hours of restoration made sense, I wont be doing that again. Here is a before and after shot.
Rob

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That Gusher is great. Some time ago there was one on eBay some time ago and I wish I woulda jumped on it. Great theme.

and needs some Spinner Decals.

http://pinballrescue.net/Decals_Spinners.html

Ken

That Gusher sure is nice! Well done.

I already have them. Just need to put them on. That spinner gets a workout.

Do you mean the pointer sisters?
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Thanks, Hoov!

My Dimension and 2001 need lots of work before I can make the comparison, unfortunately. You'll probably learn for yourself before I am able to get mine restored!

I am finally putting my Pro Football EM through a resto to enable sale-yes to clear some space for new arrivals. I had not noticed before but on the right side of the cab one of the footballers' helmets had a splash of black paint.

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Now I guess most have a story of graffiti & vandalism (and maybe character) but after a rub with some thinners this is my one:

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Did this Abra Ca Dabra come with a few rolls of American Quarters?

Picked up a Gottlieb Spin out about a month ago. It was in pretty good shape. After fixing the roto until (thanks Boilerman!!) and making a few adjustments, she's all shined up and playing great!

(sorry for the glare in the pics...)

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Wow! It looks like nobody ever played it.

Wow that thing is nice!

Only 37,776 times. The guy I bought it from said he had it since the early 80's and had it serviced once a year. Usually a good thing!

I gotta ask. New playfield? Retouched professionally? If so, did you do it yourself? To go from before to after...wow!

recent arrival, 1976 playmatic "fandango" (made in spain)
got it working great. a few tweaks left and have to repaint
the cabinet. it's a horrible cream yellow latex at the moment.
plays fast, looks like new due to their plastic playfield coating.

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Merry Christmas,
I did the Gusher myself, it was really a learning experience!! Man, did i underestimate it. I scanned it, filled the deeper areas with filler, painted the areas with flat color and then proceeded to recreate some of the lettering and artwork that was destroyed on photoshop, printing the pieces on waterslide decals and then laying them down and clearcoating over all of it with autoclear.....

Heres a few photos of the rework...

Rob

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My wife surprised me with Spin Out for Christmas. My first EM. Very nice. image-979.jpgimage-745.jpgimage-313.jpgimage.jpgTime to learn...

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Wow!

Spin Out looks like a fun game. Never played one as far as I remember.

Congrats!

A very cool Christmas present from the misses.

Ken

yes very nice surprise on your spinout!! brings back fond memories of my brother and i surprising our dad with a spin out a couple decades ago - i now have it and it is a GREAT game

reminds me i need to finish up some decals for myself and others to cover over the kick out hole wear!! i better get that and some other projects done!!

cheers,Ron

I am looking to sell or trade my Williams Spooks. The game works well. The gun, Backglass, and coinndoor are nice. Someone repainted the cabinet. It is presentable, but not a professional job. This is a tough machine to find. Asking $900, but open to trades. Located in NJ. I can ship this machine anywhere in the US.image-120.jpgimage-901.jpgimage.jpg

is that the one that was for sale for 600 in rising sun md?

Them Spin Out 's look so nice!

I love this playfield. just finishing her up!

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Another fun williams title, my first pin.

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