I believe that what I see on these 2 clips is normal.

I got one from Mirco personally with a decent discount.

If.... you have a history in Pinball you should know that Bally/ Williams back in the day used proto and early production models to test gameplay and reliability. On many machines mechs were removed or redesigned. This used to be business as usual.
Finally in 2017 JJP did the same with Pirates and the outcome was to remove/adjust 2 mechs.
I, like any pinball fan, was dissapointed at first, especially about the removal of the tripple, illuminated, bi-directional spinning discs. But it took me only 0.01 second to realise there was still a hell of a Pinball machine left. And it surprised me I seemed to be a great minority: many pinheads condemned JJP for doing what B&W used to do with every title: test it first.
Whatever the reasons are or were to not produce more: Pirates is my nr.1. Probably for the next decade or more. Close 2nd is Alien, which I acquired a few month ago. Minimal collection of 2, maximum fun factor for me.

Choose Norrington today and the progress during modes goes very fast. Got close to the non-existing “break the curse” final mode.
Played 4 mini-wizard modes but didn’t complete any of them. Got about 6 extra balls which I really earned. Not for a score.
Only special rewards an EB.
Who has ever got this far?

5AB97B38-6F7C-4A61-A5B3-E3565D5BE5FB (resized).jpeg

1. If you choose Norrington the chapter shots are qualified also by hitting nearby targets.
2. At the start of every ball you get for free one the “9 pieces of 8” if you haven’t played at world end MB yet.
3. Check the left and right leaf swithes in the chapter start chamber. One is probably adjusted to tight causing it to activate even with the slightest movement going on in the machine.

Wrong post

A transistor on the board in the backbox is toast. Look in the manual which one and replace it. Pretty easy fix if you know how to solder well.
I also had a ball stuck under the pearl once. Some tape on the lugs will prevent this. I also added a transparent vertical plastic protector below the pearl so balls cannot get there anymore. Don’t remember who sells them but consider to add this protector to your game.

Good question about pinball fine-tuning basics. Adjust the slingshot switches to your own preferences. Remember the “thightness” of the ss rubber greatly affects the way in which you can adjust your switches. Stiff rubber like some silicone requires a small gap. Super soft/flexibel rubbers should have a slightly bigger gap between the leaf blades. If the gap is too small switches register too soon and the coil can activate multiple Times after a hit.

Find my new mod….
Hint: look at the right ramp.

34528E2A-0903-4633-AD98-0DA8B7B0886F (resized).jpeg

Ordered and received one. Great product.

3B03A048-A304-42AB-A7DD-9A1330955A3F (resized).jpeg