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» I bought the worst retheme in history - what do I do now?

(Topic ID: 242351)

I bought the worst retheme in history - what do I do now?

By SilverballSleuth

4 years ago

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179 posts
74 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 4 years ago by SilverballSleuth
Topic is favorited by 5 Pinsiders

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Alien Star Gottlieb, 1984

Topic poll

Sort: Original A-Z Score

“What should I do?”

Cut decal to reveal inserts. 11 votes

23%
Retheme over the retheme. 10 votes

21%
Covert back to Alien Star. 27 votes

56%

(48 votes)

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There are 179 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 4.

#1 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Let me set the scene. Pinfest 2019. Friday 8.55 PM. Only a few games grabbed my interest for purchase. WoF is $4K. Breakshot is too beat up. Dolphin EM is not for sale.

I settled on this thing. (See photos.)

I ended up cutting a really good deal and will reveal the number so that the best advice can be given - $700.

It’s a fully working Alien Star...with decals...and custom art...and a custom theme.

Now, these decals in and of them self are actually pretty high quality. The guy who sold it to me said that the person who did it - did it about 10 years ago.

However, this custom art covers all the bonus inserts and what the top inserts do, a *major* problem in my eyes.

What should I do? I put bright LEDs in the backbox and in the inserts and they barely come through.

Try and cut the decals to reveal the inserts and put stickers on them to show the value?

Retheme over the retheme?

Try and convert back to Alien Star?

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

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Post last edited 4 years ago: “Typo.”

#2 4 years ago

HKY

HoakyPoaky

Silver State Pinball

11y 144K 3,671 128

I'd convert it back. Alien Star is a pretty cool Gottlieb.

#3 4 years ago

TOM

loneranger

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 114K 624 214 1

Re-theme it to ToteGate: The Movie

#4 4 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 236K 31,333 268 14

Eh, I'd leave it alone. What's done is done.

$700 for a working solid state game has got to be one of the better bargains of this year's show.

What style SMD bulb are you using? Supposedly, the comet twin SMD bulb is brighter than the 4 SMD bulb. There's also the quasar and opmax beyond that.

#5 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from loneranger:
Re-theme it to ToteGate: The Movie

ToteGate: The Movie - *IN SPACE*

#6 4 years ago

JIM

jim5six

Pinside member

Reno, NV

8y 68,450 355 14 30 1

Sand it down and hope for a hardtop....

-Jim

#7 4 years ago

JPD

Dayhuff

Pinside member

Battle Creek, MI

11y 126K 6,349 79 11

Leave it alone and sell it off if you don't like it and then buy my Alien Star instead.

John

-1

#8 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from ForceFlow:
Eh, I'd leave it alone. What's done is done.
$700 for a working solid state game has got to be one of the better bargains of this year's show.
What style SMD bulb are you using? Supposedly, the comet twin SMD bulb is brighter than the 4 SMD bulb. There's also the quasar and opmax beyond that.

I picked them up from Cointaker.

The beautiful glitter red powder coated legs are worth $200, and will probably go for sale soon.

It’s like I paid $500 for this thing.

#9 4 years ago

HAN

HHaase

Siegecraft

14y 89,550 3,095 4 12

When you said 'worst re-theme', I expected to see that Skittles machine they made out of a Flash.

Shame that it covers all the inserts, as otherwise it's actually not that bad of a retheme. I'd see if you can make the inserts show properly and decide at that point. At that price point, if it's fully working, why not give it a try?

-Hans

#10 4 years ago

CHD

Cheddar

GoldenStatePin

Lodi, CA

11y 117K 5,180 17 10

I wouldn't change it back. Much cheaper to just buy one.

I might put additional bulbs in the head to indicate the lane values. I'd ignore the bonus values.

-1

#11 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Cheddar:
I wouldn't change it back. Much cheaper to just buy one.
I might put additional bulbs in the head to indicate the lane values. I'd ignore the bonus values.

I’m a tournament guy - keeping track of bonus values on 80’s solid state games is what I love to do.

Post last edited 4 years ago: “Typo.”

#12 4 years ago

???

pinlink

Pinside member

Unknown

8y 72,150 2,205

Just a little buyers remorse. Certainly not the worst retheme ever.

#13 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from pinlink:
Just a little buyers remorse. Certainly not the worst retheme ever.

Not buyers remorse at all - I knew what I was getting into, and it plays like a champ. Very happy to have it for the money I paid.

#14 4 years ago

GTX

gdonovan

Pinside member

7y 185K 13,206 70

Quoted from HoakyPoaky:
I'd convert it back. Alien Star is a pretty cool Gottlieb.

I played the one with the crusty backglass on Friday, it was a rocking machine! In my top 3 for the weekend.

My vote it to theme it back to Alien Star.

#15 4 years ago

CAM

Jediturtle

Pinside member

Plymouth, WI

12y 109K 4,480 14 66

That's actually very cool looking. I would keep the retheme as it's one of a kind and well done. Try brighter bulbs as has been mentioned. Get the brightest thing Comet has available and see if that helps. Otherwise I might try cutting the decal around the inserts, depending on where they all are and what that would do to the art. Like Cheddar mentioned...maybe add bulbs somewhere else to take their place. Make some custom plastics with the bonus indicators integrated somehow?

Rather than convert it back, I would resell this one and just buy an Alien Star if that is what you really want. Someone out there will appreciate this as it is I am sure.

#16 4 years ago

F W

AUKraut

WilliPinball

7y 113K 2,787

I'd cut out the inserts and redecal them....

#17 4 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 236K 31,333 268 14

I saw a black hole mod a few years ago where the playfield was replaced with a one-way mirror so that nothing but lit inserts could be seen. I thought that was an interesting effect.

#18 4 years ago

HBS

herbertbsharp

Pinside+ Frequent

Ballston Spa, NY

12y 146K 6,106 23 24 2

It looks to be a pretty decently done re-theme, but I can't believe someone did that to an Alien Star

#19 4 years ago

JZM

bangerjay

Pinside member

Yomamasville

12y 106K 4,816 46

Re-retheme to alien porn star and make it sexual

#20 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from herbertbsharp:
It looks to be a pretty decently done re-theme, but I can't believe someone did that to an Alien Star

I know. I was told that it supposedly wasn’t in bad shape either. However, I don’t think the decal could be peeled up without causing damage. I peeled up decals over a couple plastic pieces, just to peek, they’re perfect underneath.

#21 4 years ago

F W

AUKraut

WilliPinball

7y 113K 2,787

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
I know. I was told that it supposedly wasn’t in bad shape either. However, I don’t think the decal could be peeled up without causing damage. I peeled up decals over a couple plastic pieces, just to peek, they’re perfect underneath.

In that case I'd be REAL tempted to pull it up....VERY carefully!!!!

#22 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from AUKraut:
In that case I'd be REAL tempted to pull it up....VERY carefully!!!!

I am too man. Trust me. Barely slept last night dreaming that there’s a perfect playfield underneath. You can actually see the bright colors where the decal didn’t line up.

#23 4 years ago

DRT

pins4life33

Pinside member

Sherwood Park, AB

11y 87,550 2,184 104 18

Not a big fan of the re-theme especially to an awesome game this Alien Star.

I would love to add one of these into my collection just can never find one or find someone who wants to ship one to me

I would be tempted just to re-theme the backglass as the playfield isn't that bad.

#24 4 years ago

CHD

Cheddar

GoldenStatePin

Lodi, CA

11y 117K 5,180 17 10

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
I’m a tournament guy - keeping track of bonus values on 80’s solid state games is what I love to do.

they could also be moved a-la medusa across the back

#25 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Cheddar:
they could also be moved a-la medusa across the back

Now that’s a good idea and why I love pinside. Side bar, I could get a Gottlieb apron, drill holes and put the lights sockets in the apron somehow. Preserving the retheme and getting what I want. Good to have a fourth idea.

#26 4 years ago

CHD

Cheddar

GoldenStatePin

Lodi, CA

11y 117K 5,180 17 10

I would be curious to know how far the overlay goes under the apron. If it does you might be able to give it a peel test and see if maybe you can uncover the inserts

#27 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Cheddar:
I would be curious to know how far the overlay goes under the apron. If it does you might be able to give it a peel test and see if maybe you can uncover the inserts

Peeling it up would scare the crap out of me - but I think I may.

#28 4 years ago

CPC

CraigC

Pinside member

Elmhurst, IL

11y 63,600 1,442 31

Re-theme it to Allentown mini-cycle

#29 4 years ago

COZ

Coz

RiverCity Arcade

6y 125K 3,818

Ive seen this pin sitting for months on my local Facebook marketplace. I think it was around $1400. It doesn’t look bad.

-17

#30 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Coz:
Ive seem this pin sitting for months on my local Facebook marketplace. I think it was around $1400. It doesn’t look bad.

The guy, very nice, soft spoken guy, but he had $1375 as the asking price. I laughed in his face.

#31 4 years ago

C&P

Pablito350

Pinside member

Red Lion, PA

5y 100K 1,070 11 7

Quoted from Coz:
Ive seem this pin sitting for months on my local Facebook marketplace. I think it was around $1400. It doesn’t look bad.

I was just about to say this- When I first saw it months ago, it was in the 1700-1800 range, maybe more. Someone commented somewhere that it was rethemed to the guy's band. Could be wrong on that.

#32 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Pablito350:
I was just about to say this- When I first saw it months ago, it was in the 1700-1800 range, maybe more. Someone commented somewhere that it was rethemed to the guy's band. Could be wrong on that.

Another reason I love pinside - more info.

I googled the guy who made it, who’s name I won’t make public because I’m ridiculing his decals - but he’s actually a professional graphic designer in North Carolina.

Post last edited 4 years ago: “Typo.”

#33 4 years ago

YZF

yzfguy

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 146K 11,174 7

"pique"

#34 4 years ago

CLY

Clytor

Richmond Pin Collective

Richmond, VA

9y 87,550 1,121 18 7

Quoted from Coz:
Ive seen this pin sitting for months on my local Facebook marketplace. I think it was around $1400. It doesn’t look bad.

Yeah, it sat forever at that price.

#35 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from yzfguy:
"pique"

I also just found out he’s on pinside. He might see this at some point.

Sir, if you do this, don’t take this personally. The art, by itself, is actually pretty good, and the quality of the decals is impressive.

In my opinion, they just don’t belong on the game in this way. That’s all.

#36 4 years ago

???

pinlink

Pinside member

Unknown

8y 72,150 2,205

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
Not buyers remorse at all - I knew what I was getting into, and it plays like a champ. Very happy to have it for the money I paid.

So what's the point of this thread then?

#37 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from pinlink:
So what's the point of this thread then?

Just wanted to get advice from others about what to do.

-3

#38 4 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Sell it and move on.

It looks horrible but someone might appreciate the art.
Either way, it's an Alien Star, not really worth the space

#39 4 years ago

DOG

RatShack

Pinside member

7y 57,650 782

I know it's supposed to be the player's slingshot but I can't un-see the werewolf thong.

#40 4 years ago

BAD

BC_Gambit

PinMod Industries

Unknown

11y 70,550 3,532

Quoted from Cheddar:
they could also be moved a-la medusa across the back

I vote this. There are a number of ways to move these somewhere else. Might not be super easy but a nice way to cap this retheme. It doesn't look too awful fwiw

#41 4 years ago

JEC

bluespin

Pinside+ Frequent

Johns Creek, GA

7y 141K 9,116

Mirco will soon be making Alien Star playfields. Buy a Mirco playfield for $800 and swap it out.

#42 4 years ago

MRC

Capinball

Pinside member

8y 79,550 489 15

Playgirl re-theme. We already have too many Playboy themed games.

-1

#43 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Capinball:
Playgirl re-theme. We already have too many Playboy themed games.

I know that that has been on your wishlist for a long time.

#44 4 years ago

YZF

yzfguy

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 146K 11,174 7

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
I also just found out he’s on pinside. He might see this at some point.
Sir, if you do this, don’t take this personally. The art, by itself, is actually pretty good, and the quality of the decals is impressive.
In my opinion, they just don’t belong on the game in this way. That’s all.

I don't know what all that is about, I was just correcting your "peek".

#45 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from yzfguy:
I don't know what all that is about, I was just correcting your "peek".

Oh, crap! Will fix, my PinFest exhaustion got me! Thanks buddy.

#46 4 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

Gloucester Township, NJ

8y 119K 4,200 18 32

If the artwork bothers you that much, you can make it into a pseudo-whitewood. Sand the playfield down, clearcoat (could be a good practice experience without any paint to worry about), replace the plastics with solid colored ones, and maybe make a backglass of your own from a printshop. Give it a cool faux prototype look.

#47 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from mbaumle:
If the artwork bothers you that much, you can make it into a pseudo-whitewood. Sand the playfield down, clearcoat (could be a good practice experience without any paint to worry about), replace the plastics with solid colored ones, and maybe make a backglass of your own from a printshop. Give it a cool faux prototype look.

Now you’re thinking! I like that idea plenty.

#48 4 years ago

NDE

Spyderturbo007

Pinside member

9y 108K 5,648

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
I’m a tournament guy - keeping track of bonus values on 80’s solid state games is what I love to do.

My assumption is that you’ve never played Alien Star before. Once you get a few games on it, you’ll realize that the bonus is basically worthless. Not when you can put up a single 50x spinner shot worth 1 million+.

I don’t even pay attention to the bonus on mine. It’s all about the spinner.

Even if you don’t like the theme, $700 is a steal. I paid way more for my Alien Star and it was still worth every penny.

#49 4 years ago

USA

SilverballSleuth

Inactive member

6y 58,800 1,205

Quoted from Spyderturbo007:
My assumption is that you’ve never played Alien Star before. Once you get a few games on it, you’ll realize that the bonus is basically worthless. Not when you can put up a 50x spinner shot worth 1 million plus.
I don’t even pay attention to the bonus on mine. It’s all about the spinner.
Even if you don’t like the theme, $700 is a steal. I paid way more for my Alien Star and it was still worth every penny.

I just like knowing what’s there. The risk/reward ratio for a potential hard slap save. ABC - Always Be Consideringtheriskrewardratio

There’s one at a location in MA - I love the game. That’s why I bought it, even though it looks like a poster for a furry festival.

#50 4 years ago

MOF

mof

Mof Pinball

San Francisco, CA

11y 149K 13,299 25 94

OP
Quoted from SilverballSleuth:
furry festival

I thought I'd be tactful and not ask what you know about furry festival art.
-mof

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