Some of you Gottlieb guys really have the blinders on. I'm not sure where this all comes from? I think you must all collectively influence each other to have that narrow mindset. Of course Gottlieb made many great games, the most good games consecutively for sure. With that said by limiting yourself to them alone your missing out on a lot of great games by other manufacturers. When I was a newbee I read statements like this all the time. I bought a few of the "great" Gottlieb games based on the hype. Most were good but overall I was somewhat disappointed. Many of the Williams games I bought on a whim with no expectation turned out to be as fun or more so. I really think it's subjective. If that is your preference I can certainly understand it. You're not alone in that assumption. Or if you're buying for resale then your probably on the right track.
Alex

My Cow Poke sat in a pole shed for who knows how many years. It was the easiest game ever to get running right. I went through, cleaned all the switched and steppers, fired it up and it played correctly. No nagging issues to sort out. It just worked and played like butter. Part of the reason I have a fondness for it.

My Quick Draw and Lucky Hand on the other hand were some real MFer's to get playing. At one point I gave up and put LH for sale. Chris Hibler got me calmed down and sorted out after a few phone calls (great guy). Brian Saunders has shared many a Gottlieb ressurection nightmare on RGP over the years.

I had a Stern Stampede (essentially Chicago Coin) after shopping it out it played flawlessly for the years I owned.

As far as maintenance goes I think a lot of it has to do with the condition you bring them home in combined with your repair experience/mindset. With experience I think you tend to develop an intuition when your accustomed to a certain manufacturer. After working on all of them that knowledge/intuition starts to meld together.
Alex

Hey, I'm a cheesehead who loves Ems that are priced right!

I already have Kickoff and really enjoy it. I'd love to have a Sing Along. I missed out on a $300 Melody earlier this year and a $250 Sing Along a couple weeks ago. Just waited too long thinking about which game I'd have to sacrifice to make room. It amazes me I keep seeing them this cheap. The temptation is almost maddening. I have to say I actually felt a bit relieved when the other ones sold. They say 3 is a charm, maybe it's predestined. Hayward is 4.5 hours away for me but I'd go if I can convince the wife.

Am I a hoarder if I start storing machines under other machines?
Alex

If you lived closer I'd be cool with that plan.
Alex

Ooh, nice example for the money. I personally love those mod cabs. Congrats.
Alex

Williams made 10 games in 1960-1961 with the cool mid-century modern cabinet. Rob Berk has all of them apparently. Russ Snyder (Pinrescue) had a beautiful Music Man but may have sold it. It is one of the few Williams games with the disappearing jet bumper.

Here's the list:
Black Jack
Bo Bo
Caravelle
Darts
Highways
Hollywood
Jungle
Magic Clock
Music Man
Viking

Alex

They went back and forth for awhile. I have a 1960 Williams Serenade (woodrail with score reels) sitting next to my 1960 Williams Jungle (dinette legs and lighted scoring). It's neat to see that beautiful wood rail style ball arch still in the mod cabinet though. It was definitely a transition period.
Alex

Another interesting note on Magic Clock. The IPDB states it was Harry Mabs last design before his retirement. Pretty neat piece of pinball history considering he is the the guy that is credited with inventing the flipper.
Alex

Ha, I thought I was the last human being without a cell phone. I must confess there are times I wish I had one but for the most part it's liberating being without.

I remember my first apartment. $225 a month, no cable, no internet, $20 phone bill. Low stress cheap living. All I needed was some bologna, beer my ratty old 71 Cougar convertible and life was good. No wonder kids live with their parents until they are 30 now.
Alex

Somebody snagged it for $200. I'd love one for that price.
Alex

It definitely has a great look to it.

They should have used the Abra art for the AAB too. They could have called it Alla-Kazam or something. Oh well, I'd still play the hell out of it.

I like it but the art on Square Head is awesome.

I'd sell all my pinballs for that much and feel pretty good about it.

Here's an Egghead in Bakersfield that "maybe" available.
http://www.pinballowners.com/zutaak#61312

Yes, great art on Oh Boy!

For more great Pin-Up style playfield art check out
Gottleib Cover Girl
http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=580&picno=7475

and Chicago Coin's Catalina
http://www.ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=471&picno=7209&zoom=1

I wonder if the guys that try to collect all the transition games groan when they buy a Dragon. Well at least it's pretty.

When I first saw it I was thinking I don't remember Capt. Kangaroo being that chubby. Then I noticed the German helmet...

This is actually a third one. The one you were considering originally resold on Oct. 6 for $3000.
ebay.com link: 1978 Gottlieb EM Joker Poker Pinball 820 Made NICE Cosmetics Poker Theme

Almost makes that one for $2000 seem fair.

It was on Craigslist this last week for $400 obo. I have to admit the temptation was strong.

No wonder he doesn't want to go there.

Nice, supposed to be a fast and fun one. Great price.

Yep, gone....

I have a Wing Ding on my wishlist. This game has been on there a long time within driving distance. It's nice overall but the repaint kills it for me. Super bright and crisp with no webbing to speak of.

The guy has a lot of other cool and unique games too. Some really big price tags on some of them.

I guess the really confusing part is they had 2 offers? Sad death for a good game.

Hard to see but looks like it could be a pretty decent example. 3K is crazy for sure but you see that a lot on Ebay.

Yep, that one is super nice. A beautiful example if there ever was one. I am a little confused by the tax license on it if it was HUO. With that said it is kind of a neat and interesting element. I like it being there.

Aren't we all waiting opportunistically, for that sweet deal to come up locally. I know I look everyday.

You should be stocked up by the time you get there Ken. Congrats on the Prospector. I always liked that one.

A new state, new house and new line-up. Should be a lot of fun.

Yeah, that's always a crap shoot.

That's true, we are somebodies neighbors and we are good guys.

My neighbor threw his back out helping me move a jukebox in one time. Ever since then everyone hides when they see a machine in the driveway.

I've played it a couple times. Probably not enough time on it to comment on the gameplay but I thought it was fun. You're right the six flipper configuration is a throw back to the fairy tale series. An interesting layout and great art. I'd love to find one locally.

After looking I think that is just for two pop bumper caps.

They way it's written isn't overly obvious. I had to look at it a few times before I got the gist of what was actually for sale. It will be interesting to see the bidding anyway. Hopefully some potentially disappointed buyer doesn't think he is buying a nice Slick Chick.

Shoveling snow is kind of like mowing the lawn in the Spring. The first time for the year is kind of fun. Then it just becomes a chore. I look at it as forced exercise.

You can find the cars. They are just vintage Dinky brand toy race cars. You see them on Ebay quite a bit.

ebay.com link: DINKY TOY 23G COOPER BRISTOL RACING CAR IN NEAR MINT CONDITION

Woodrail with potential.
ebay.com link: Gottlieb Kewpie Doll Woodrail Pinball 1960

I did look up the distance on Google maps.

Gone now? Temptation terminated.

I'd make room for a Knock Out. I just can't justify the expense of what one typically goes for.

I have a friend from Madison. He told me of a story of another guy he knew getting one for a few hundred bucks off of an ad in the paper I think. He was bummed he missed out on it but happened on another one within a few blocks of the first at a rummage sale a couple weeks later in better condition for $250. I'm not sure exactly when this happened but the fact that two turned up within the same month within a mile from each other both for bargain price about blew my mind. What are the odds?

Yeah, there wasn't a tape outline near where you picked the game up was there?

That is a great looking game.

Hey they are getting closer to Wi. Maybe one day I will be a member of the Big Daddy club.
ebay.com link: WILLIAMS 1963 BIG DADDY PINBALL MACHINE

Yeah, since you say it that way probably not. I can still revel in my temporary Royal Guard club membership.

Yeah, another member here I hold in high regard advised me that he never discloses a game until he has ownership. Most of what he says I take as the gospel anyway but it's pretty wise advise I've learned.

Star bellied Sneetches?

I swear the production numbers must be off on this one or every example survived. It seems like you see one for sale about every 3 months. Still a neat game.

Yes the are adhesive backed protectors. They were sold by Wico I believe and are punched out of shelf paper. An operator add on. They do peel up with out damage if your careful. You don't usually see them on 70s games, mostly 60s. I have a small stack of NOS if anybodies interested.

I have a friend with one SS game. He sees my EM collection as relics already.

Definitely North of $500.

Boston Pinball lists average for Buckaroo at $1801 with a low of $500 and high of $4100.

Never say never. I picked up my Cow Poke in a snowstorm about 5 years ago for $500. It had seed corn in it, the back glass was shot and the cabinet was scabby (cabinet is still scabby). I didn't even negotiate as I knew he had others interested. I felt like I stole it at the time as I knew without braving the climate I wouldn't have gotten it.

When you're resourceful and handy (like I know you are) it opens up the door to owning a lot of great titles.

Yeah!! I might be getting a Heat Wave….if one ever comes along cheap.

I'd like one, bring one with when you come to Milwaukee will you?

Where is Sarah McLachlan when you need her?

He just decreased my chance of finding a Sing Along by 1. Ah, hell I wanted a Melody anyway. Maybe somebody can make a nice coffee table.

We should all contact him through his Craigslist ad and tell him we'll take it.

Poor, poor camo Sing Along. But hey look at the starting price and from what I can tell the play field looks decent.
ebay.com link: SING ALONG WEDGE HEAD GOTTLIEB PINBALL MACHINE

What's that hoov, the ball is in the well?

lassie.jpg

It's funny how some of these games travel. Probably started it's life in Ny and moved down the coast. My second game, a Klondike, had a New Orleans tax sticker on it. It was a long ways from where it started.

I like these type of games. Quirky and rarely seen.

Well, yes that too. Some of the best games have pretty girls.

Molentin is my favorite pinball artist for sure.

PinballTom (a well know CA collector) argued that there is another unnamed artist. Some of the games credited to Molentin have a very similar style but also different enough to notice. If you look at Bally's Wild Wheels and Starjet they are consistent with Big Daddy but Molentin's features tended to be softer generally. Hard to say for certain but I like them all.

Hawaiian Beauty is a desirable woodrail. I wouldn't spend that either but someone might.

Here you go Dirt. 7 hours from Minneapolis.
ebay.com link: GOTTLIEBS 1977 FIREQUEEN 2 PLAYER PINBALL MACHINE

Yeah, it's not exactly bargain priced either.

Those 60s games will surprise you. The layouts look simple but are often frustratingly fun.

Cool, I like it! I know I've seen another console slot that had a pinball plunger on it. I think it was made by Mills but now I can't find a pic. I've always like the console models. They have a great look and use to be pretty affordable. Maybe the affordable part is a thing of the past though, this one is pricey.

Awe c,mon. I know it's odd and for a pinball fan sort of counter intuitive, but from what I understand it is fun. And unique! If I had room I'd give it a whirl. I like the quirky ones.

Hey, that's my favorite game...just kidding but you know somebody out there has one they love. Beats a Demolition Derby.

Wisconsin roll down version. Crazy gambling laws here...

Another tempting one. Once again 9 hours of driving.

Sad but true, if it were close I would have snagged it though. Sometimes these type of games turn out to be a lot of fun. And at the very least, most wood rails cleaned up are great eye candy.

Yep, that's the only Chicago Coin wedge head. There are a bunch of Spanish ones. I'd love to get a room full of them and then invite some of the Gottlieb boys over to play my wedge head collection.

Cool, I always though that was a neat looking game. Didn't know there were any floating around stateside.

60s ems will always be my favorites but sometimes I get the itch to knock down some drops. Diversity in a collection is always nice.

I had always assumed North Star was done by Stenholm until seeing the recent IPDB listing. I am still leaning toward Stenholm.

I'm with you. I like it too, but yeah, no way.

Awe c'mon Rat I remember not too long ago you said you weren't into 2" flipper games or ones without inlanes. What's your favorite now? One day you may play Spanish Eyes and it will grow on you too.

Or maybe you meant Bob Borden games?

Nah, all in fun. After I wrote it though I went to bed and was thinking, I hope he doesn't take that wrong.

Lollipop scales are cool. I think that qualifies as a PM though (pure mechanical).

Ooh, I love those. A couple years back I knew where one was at an antique shop for a great price. I had it in my head I was going to get the money together to get it. A guy was at my house to buy an old gun game. He was an old car guy and saw my old 1937 Ford car dealership sign in my game room. He kept bugging me to buy it. I told him there was a couple others at this antique shop if he wanted one. Happened to be the same shop that had the Mutoscope punch-a-bag. Guess what? He went there and bought all the car signs and the game I wanted. I have since learned to keep my cards a little closer to my chest.

Yeah, they were asking $2500 for the one I wanted in original condition. Still a bit more than I am used to spending but it was so cool I planned to find a way. The guy that snagged it also told me this big story about how he had a spot picked out for my gun game in his kitchen and then proceeded to work me over on price. The next day he had it on Ebay for twice the money and sold it. If he would have told me up front he bought and sold games I wouldn't thought any less of him and my selling price would have been the same. So it goes I guess. I got what I needed for my gun game, he saved me $2500 on the Mutoscope game and I learned a good lesson. I still see him at the Chicagoland show and try my best to be polite.

You finally found your glasses?

$100 Buy it now. Not bad except if you read he has the back glass but decided to keep it. Weird. I wonder if $200 would buy the game and the back glass? May be just as well. Could be flaked and the money would be better spent on a BGresto version.

Hee hee. That was unexpected.

Cool game, still too much.

The one for $950 wasn't in MN by chance?

ebay.com link: GOTTLIEB JOKER PINBALL MACHINE

Smoking deal!

I like your Goliath avatar.

Remember waking up early Saturday morning to watch cartoons? Well, sometimes my sister and I would do the same on Sunday. Davey and Goliath was the only thing on and we enjoyed it. Now kids have 24 hours of programming. I don't know if they are lucky or missing out on the experience?

Yeah, unfortunately that was a bit before my time. I was more the Laff-A-Lympics era. I did enjoy reruns of Space Ghost and Herculoids though.

Nice! You never feel secure on a deal like that until it's in your possession. Congrats, that's not an easy one to find.

That is cool, but wow $500!

Nah, what do I know. Maybe to the right guy that is a great deal. It's pretty cool but I've bought a lot of pins for less.

Ooh, that ones on my wishlist. EM multiball! Fortunately it's far away so I don't need to worry about it.

Yes, the coin mechs on these take multiple denominations and can be tough to find. I am working on a Teacher's pet with the same coin door. It takes Quarters, Nickels and dimes. Pretty slick.

Dave you're always good with your spares. But this one unfortunately is a single mech that takes multiple denominations. It's unique.

That's true. I'm guessing he'd have more success selling them individually. Probably would have been smartest to sell one at a time about a month apart.

I hope not, I'd like a Gypsy Queen.

Looks nice. Maybe the white lithium grease or the pinball girl pic add some value?

Well, it is essentially a Pin Rescue game, so I could see a bit higher price than normal but that is pretty significant.

I still should have bought yours Dave, way back when. Still kicking myself. I wonder if David ended up selling it.

ebay.com link: Williams baseball pinball Official Baseball arcade machine

This one needs the full treatment, but a nice starting price on a great game.