It seems to be fixed at the moment but I think it was a combination of things. All being the front optos were not completely seated, the balls were slightly magnetized and the slant of the chest was not pitched enough. After each of these were fixed it began to work right again.

Someone explained it a few (10) pages back - you light the lanes and then you hit the pirate shot, then aim for the 2x 3x 4x 5x targets on the playfield. Whichever one you hit is what you are awarded. I think?

Which shots are worth a decent amount of points to try to use Shot X on? All the points from shots run together on the screen and I'm never certain which shots scored which points. Jackpots during multiball of course would be good for Shot X but that seems pretty tough to set up. Are there any other shots that are a decent amount of points to try to use it on? Maybe a shot that finishes a chapter?

Just doing some test fitting... lots of lighting upgrades coming up for JJP games.

pasted_image (resized).png

pasted_image (resized).png

I've managed (not sure how) to fire 2 balls in multiball into the chest rapid fire like and had 4 balls in the chest. No issues, just a freak occurrance

Installed the stern button. It doesn’t seem to reach the switch arm. What now?

BF57806C-2A3D-4823-8B4D-87CF96D95177 (resized).jpeg

You sure that's the right button? What is on the end of the plunger?

Nothing. This is the one I got...

9B63C1D0-B784-4078-A025-D3C395B2FD7F (resized).jpeg

It’s basically the same button but without the screw at the end. Don’t see how this new Stern button can work without that screw

2EEBD255-06DB-47E9-8168-69F030C2A999 (resized).jpeg

There was a screw in the end of the original button. Remove it and screw it into the new one.

I just did! I also added the hot glue.it’s Been rock solid for 4 games now. Thanks!

The action on that Stern button is really great.

I just wasn’t sure if it was the button itself getting stuck OR the screw head was catching the switch arm somehow. A little bit of both maybe? It works great now and it makes a huge difference! Thanks!

Stupid question, but does adding hot glue, just entail using a glue gun and a hot blob of glue?

I’ve never needed the blob, just the screw

Same for me, screw is fine with Stern button. So strange how the JJP button and Stern button look identical yet one sticks and one doesn't.

Not a stupid question if you don't know.

Yes.

LTG : )

Shot X is very situational.

Chapter shots can be valuable. Jackbots Super Jackbots.

But when in doubt your compass is your best bet. Compass points to most valuable shot.

What compass? The one on the apron? I dont' think I've ever looked at that in a game!

Yes. Likewise though, I never remember to look at it either. Normally when I'm playing there are very few chances to look at anything but the playfield.

Some test painting. Interior reflectors channel the light up to the lantern. Working on an antique glass pattern now so it will be a milky transparent glass that helps diffuse the light while letting you see it.

pasted_image (resized).png

Nice job!!!!

Is it normal for the outermost chapter select switches to get hit a lot less during random chapter select than the middle ones? I’m not 100% sure but it sure seems that way....

ECE809D2-C642-4983-B298-17214EEB3AA1 (resized).jpeg

Stick a skewer in there when in switch test mode and hit each one to see if they react the same. Might just need adjustment.

They register normally. I tested them extensively when the ship was out. I just figured the middle ones would get hit a lot more than the ones on the outside.

I know for a fact the one on the right has an opto housing behind it. Wondering if that has anything to do that switch not registering as often during random chapter select? I’ll keep a close eye....

Lookin' good! Who does the ukulele music?

Hate to sound like a bore, but 'hey JJP where is the pirates code update'?

Would have been ideal for us all now....

Eric mentioned in his interview on TWIP that he’s working on something super secret, and BRAGGED that his games update via WiFi! Come on dude!

Heh, that's Billie Eilish

Anyone get an intermittent switch error #79 Target Ship Bullseye? What sort of switch? How do you adjust? Or is it just due to not being hit for a while?

the second you said ... if he is not hit for a while the error occurs, if I remember correctly.

Keefer has explained the rules for this. It is more likely that you activate the last hit chapter shot.

Search for pinball_keefer post and you will find it. (hit, pinside user)

edit, i did it for you:

Guys, the modes are selected by the last target you hit (the color in front of the insert). You have to hit one of those targets to start a chapter. While it's bouncing around, the side rubbers rotate the lights. It's all based on physical action.
Note this generally means the last thing you qualified is more likely to start because of how it assigns the lights.

it's an opto. Just poke your hand thru the open side of the ship and wave it about and it should trigger.

^ this. Probably needs a longer check time on it as it doesn't always get hit every game (in my house anyway).

I had that happen recently too. I figure it occurred from me raising the playfield more than playing it, the ship getting jostled in those turbulent waters and such.

This happens to me ALL the time. You can have a lot of games and not sink the ship. Nothing to worry about as long as when you DO fire the cannon, it blows it up as expected. This game is frickin awesome.

I'm no longer in the club since I sold my game (still a fan of it!) but just heard on Kaneda's latest show that JJP let Butch Peel go?! That doesn't seem to make any sense. Butch seemed like a huge asset to JJP and helped to create the best pinball manuals in the business. He also went above and beyond all the time with tech support. I remember meeting Butch at a Michigan Pinball Expo held maybe 6 years back and he was extremely nice and knowledgeable.

You sold your game??? I thought you were keeping it....

As usual in the weird biz of pinball, info trickles out, and maybe...maybe later statements are made. Maybe.

Did it have something to do with the move? Where does Butch reside?

Yeah, the right offer came around and have been exploring other games. I bought the first 4 JJP games NIB but due to their cost and lack of space I can't keep buying every title lol (wish I could!).

Based on what Kaneda said it wasn't Butch's decision, he didn't want to leave, and was a total shock to him. Again this is just what Kaneda reported. However, according to Kaneda Butch's daughter reached out to him and said "It was definitely unexpected and abrupt, he never would of quit working for JJP. They made it clear they didn't have a role for him anymore and that it was permanent. We were all in disbelief, very sad". I'm not sure who could do a better job then Butch with JJP manuals and tech support. I'm sure there's other things at play that we are not hearing about. Companies make changes all the time.

Well that sucks, especially when it comes out of the blue, and especially ESPECIALLY when it’s someone who’s doing a great job.

This is hugely disappointing to hear. Butch is one of the nicest guys in pinball. I have no idea about the circumstances, but the guy did amazing work on the manuals and was always willing to help. My wife and I really enjoyed seeing and speaking with him at shows, one of the highlights for us. I was speaking with him just a few weeks ago on a wonka issue. There have been a few departures of good people lately from jjp that are a bit disappointing, including their parts person Shannon and tech guy Frank. People move on all the time so I hope these people left for greener pastures on good terms and there are no internal issues going on, but sounds like that wasn’t the case for Butch. If I were another pinball company, I’d hire him in a second!

Butch was great to deal with....he was accessible anytime i needed help. Very sad he was let go!

Let's show him some gratitude:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/butch-peel-appreciation-thread#post-5612175

Companies let people go all the time, even high performers, that don’t fit their forward business plans - but it’s usually a big mistake to let someone go who is widely known and greatly appreciated by your main customer base. Employees like that are rare and valuable and can usually play an important, enthusiastic role in transitioning the business.

I never had contact with him, but based on all the posts I've read over the last 1-1/2 years that mention his great service it's very disappointing to hear this has happened. That manual for POTC is amazing and his video about what tools to have handy was absolutely HUGE for me to watch and learn from as someone new to pinball. When someone is that good and that connected to the customers you need to find or create a role for the person fit into. Letting someone like that go seems like either bad management or an indication of financial stress at the company (or both).

Can’t imagine why ball search couldn’t locate this ball. Happened during Multiball. Must have activated the sling with one ball and the other one jumped the fence at the same time. Weird.

263E7D90-304B-41D0-90B3-29BEF31EDDBE (resized).png

32BFC5C0-8D37-441D-9696-1312DFD9DA93 (resized).jpeg

E830AA09-C0B6-40B2-BB97-05E2FC034E21 (resized).jpeg

No way the game could kick it out of there.

When that happens, you usually need a smaller rubber ring.

LTG : )

Actually had a ball make it to the top of the apron. That one was a PITA to clear, as you pulled the glass down, the ball rolled down further binding the glass from sliding out. Fun fun. I raised the apron rail a bit, hopefully that prevents it in the future.

That is indeed the preventative fix. Whenever I have the glass off I check that rail and pull it up as high as it will go, if needed.

It can fall down when you have the playfield up, pressed against the backbox.