I've got some spare ones i don't need that are printed on photo paper, laminate them and they come up sweet (not my design mind you. Aurium does them), message me with your postal addy and i'll send them to you. This is his site by the way >> http://www.pinballcards.com

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Anyone know where to find the topper dome?
Thanks in advance.

ebay.com link: New Williams Fish Tales White Water Pinball Machine Dome 03 8653 Free Shipping

Cheaper here:

http://littleshopofgames.com/product/fish-tales-and-white-water-clear-dome-03-8653/

Always check:
http://www.pinballsearch.com

Thank you!

CAUTION!!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!!

THE ABOVE IS AN AD ON eBAY BY 'MAD MIKE'. THE ONE AND THE SAME AT MAD AMUSEMENT'S!!!!

He now goes by this new name, "Pinballparts" on eBay, apparently to disguise that is who you are buying from. Just wanted everyone who is boycotting him to know that this is the one and the same POS!!!

Not casting aspersions on you 'pinballholder'. You were just trying to help.

And damn! I remember when these were $50 and $60!
Mike in Kentucky

No worries, good to know. Never bought from him, just know I have seen that topper on eBay for awhile.

Its a 555, same as 1 and 3 locks. If i recall, they are all on a board.

Heres some before and after pics of polishing and mechanically going through this top to bottom.

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Forgot my little mod i added.

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Still wondering if anyone has the bulb list from when they put leds in their fishtales I need to know how many of each color and base type to order.

if you order in bulk, you usually get a discount and you'll have spares or some leftover for your next pin.

By going to the game manual, you can see all the lamps (bulbs) required. Go to page 2-42.

http://mirror2.ipdb.org/files/861/Williams_1992_Fish_Tales_English_Manual.pdf

But, I advise a different approach than trying to buy everything all at once and hoping you like it. IF you have other pins, you could do what I did. I ordered a variety of LED's. What I didn't use in FT, I could put in other pins. You "pre-plan" what you think you would need, especially in places you want higher lighting intensity, and then plan your colors. I tried clear (white) LED's under some green inserts. Then, I put in green LED's in the same places to compare. On most spots I kept the green in there. Seemed to bring out the color more.

You will find you will change your mind at times, especially in the backboard. You'll put in a yellow and then wish to change it to orange, etc.

After I made my initial order of LED's, I had my pin at about 90% finished of where I wanted to be. Had to wait awhile until I needed to order more LED's and then I completed it. You can order a dozen greens and then find you need just two more. You will put in an LED and find that you need a brighter one (that you don't have!).

Not trying to sound like a know-it-all, but I don't believe you can successfully make just one purchase of LED's and it will all come out perfectly. And keep in mind, what I like, you may not like. What you do to finish out the pin with LED's is to use your own judgment and preference. You can't go by what someone else has done and copy that. This is an 'artistic endeavor'. You will put LED's in and step back and tell yourself, "Wow! That's exactly what I want!" Then, the next day, you turn it on and suddenly one place will pop out at you and tell you some other kind of LED needs to go in that spot. It's all in what your eye tells you what to do.

So . . . my final recommendation is to make a list of what you think you will need, buy those, put them in and then see what you need to finish out the whole game. If you own other pins, you won't go wrong in buying extras. I have 12 pins. For me, it is an on-going endeavor to complete them on out with LED's. I hope this helps.

Mike in Kentucky

Many of the LED kits for sale list what is included on their sites, so you could refer to that.

I love the look of the 'cool white frosted' bulbs for the GI.

Thank everyone so much for the advice. I looked and there is a pretty good variety pack for sale I might get then I can start filling in both ft and space station.

This is a good idea. I went through some trial and error and ultimately ended up making 4 or 5 separate orders (one of which was for one bulb ) for bulbs before it was all said and done. Everybody's tastes differ, so you being happy with how it looks is what really matters. That being said, A couple of things to consider, from my own experience, whatever that's worth -- I think using a color-changing bulb for the fish's eye in the topper is pretty cool, and I thought color matching the inserts in the playfield really helped them stand out.

Hit 2 supers in 4th round of super jacks..and a couple supers in the rounds before too. Previous bests were 1.75bill and 1.5billion.

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I feel this game is so hard to scrore. I play 5 balls and barely replay at 220 mils.

Gotta master the lock shot. Supers start at 100mill the first time

super is lit when you get to the multiball at the top of the boat?

You need to make 3 regular jackpots first, then Supers are lit at the captive ball for 100mill first time. Then 200 mill 2nd time, up to a potential 600mill if you can get to super jacks a 6th time.

4th round of supers is the most I've gotten too.....

To get a normal jackpot, you shoot one ball into the casters club lock, or 2 for double. Then shoot your free ball up the left orbit and into the saucer on the top right.

Multiball at the top of the boat, just gives you multiball. It could give you the super jackbot multiball round, if you had already completed the 3 regular jackpots.

Yeah, the lock shot it pretty hard. Very narrow, very far from the flipper and the sweet spot on the flipper bat is minuscule, at least on my game.

Ya I agree it can be a tricky shot, especially with 3 balls bouncing around

Getting your fastcast skill shot right off the plunge into the caster's club is huge too.

the lock shot is a cakewalk compared to trying to hit the extra ball target. that thing is horrendous.

i have good luck hitting the extra ball from the right flipper.

Try backhanding it with the right flipper.
(kneissl beat me to it)

So he got the thumbs up

you guys told me that before, but i forgot. that, and not really playing FT much anymore, i never tried it.

that target is positioned oddly. it's right next to the left rubber for casters' club. i feel like you almost have to hit on the left side of the target for it to register. i think i said this before, too .

I don't think I've ever hit the EB from the left flipper. Backhands off a dead stopped right flipper? 95% of the time.

Correct, easy shot from the right.

i see people on youtube doing it that way, too. must be common knowledge.

I'm a rubbish player. I've owned Fishtales on and off for the last 5 years and the most I've managed Is about 400 million. The fact people are scoring 3 billion blows my tiny little mind.

I'm with you. Luckily you don't have to be a world class player to enjoy pinball. I have the highest scores in my family and I think I barely have 400 mil. I like fixing them up and watch other people enjoy them.

Guys, I am looking to join the Casters Club. Based in Denver, but would consider drives to Phoenix, Omaha, KC, etc.

Let me know if anyone is a little tired of goin' fishin'. Any condition. Trade i would consider would be for my excellent condition JM.

Thanks,

Finally returned to the club yesterday. Has anyone else had reset issues using a rottendog driver board in this game?

I have a set of replacement playfield rails FS if anyone is interested. They are oak and finished in black lacquer. Someone had tentatively ordered a set and then decided to not buy them. 60 shipped US

Hey guys, thinking of selling my Fish Tales if anyone is looking. It is really nice with new decals, new coin door, new rails, new lock bar, new legs, new ramps, new rubbers, LED kit, green led strip under backbox, painted all black on the inside of the cabinet, lots of new stuff. It did have some fish wear, so I covered it with the overlay and it looks fantastic. Rest of playfield looks great. You can choose between chrome or black nickel caster.

Ron
[email protected]
615-406-0204

Hi Fisheads... I am in need of some sling plastics and the boat plastic if anyone has any for sale. Thanks!

So I am having an occasional issue. During multiball I shoot into casters club to light jackpot, but before collecting jackpot the game kicks that locked ball out. Jackpot stays lit, and I can collect, but I'm having to deal with the two balls instead of 1 ball while the other remains locked. It only happens sometimes though. Should I be checking the switch right before the reel, or does it sound more like an opto issue?

Check to see if switches click and aren't bent first. But most likely dirty optos. Clean with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol 70% or higher.

Tsskinne

I had to take the glass off and test that. I never realized that the ball you relock during multiball to light jackpot, waits in the catapult until you make the jackpot or the jackpot times out and that is when it sends the ball back in play. Catapult switch OK?

One other theory - if your other balls drain during multiball, it will release that ball while jackpot is lit. Maybe something with the through switches? Middle one maybe?

Ok, found I definitely have opto issues in the casters club, no biggie fix those tonight. Bigger issue I am having trouble with drop target. I had noticed that it would fire to reset the drop target multiple times whenever it was returned to the up position, I realized that it was because switch is staying registered. Can anyone please post some close up photos of the single drop target mech so I can compare it to how mine is set up right now. I have a manual and I used the explosion diagram....the biggest thing I can't tell is if the plunger and plate reset assembly part #a-11388-2 is positioned correctly....thank you for any help.

Here are pics in up and down position from two angles -

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Thank you, my switch is placed below the return plate, that must be my issue, greatly appreciate the help!

The quote didn't show up. Here it is as a copy and paste: if your other balls drain during multiball, it will release that ball while jackpot is lit.

That's the way mine works. I thought this was normal. Is there a chance it is not?

Mike in Kentucky

I have posed this question before way back in this thread. I need the plastic for the Caster's Club (where the ball goes into the lock on the right side of he pin). I can't seem to find it anywhere. Anyone have a lead on one of these or a used one laying around you would sell?

Thanks,

Mike in Kentucky

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Yes, that's normal. I was just clarifying that point. If the logic though a ball had drained, that would be one reason to see the issue he was having.