pinball

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Donnie Barnes wrote:

My collection is near 30 or so now, I think. *sigh*

--Donnie

Well, that certainly explains why Rodney can't relive his college days.

Donnie, if you want to start a collection of 80's and 90's vintage analog TV sets (before they're all chopped and burned by Chinese peasants), give me a ring. But don't even think about trying a low-ball offer for my the LL Cool J/Old Spice Edition 1984 Zenith Space Command.

.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:58 am

Richard, not only is cost and space an issue, but the old vector games are kind of hard to keep working, too. Back during the video game craze of the 80's, games were about $3k for a normal upright video game. But the vector games were so hard to keep running that by the end the last title that Atari did could be had for FREE with the purchase of a Spy Hunter.

Seriously, just build a MAME setup. Or just buy one of the nicer controller boxes out there with real arcade controls and put it on your desk in front of your PC when you're jonesing. It's MUCH cheaper and "close enough" to the real thing. Well, except for games like Tron where it's really hard to get the controller experience right...

--Donnie

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:30 am

I have an older version of mame and ~6gb or so of games if anyone is interested. You can build a controller from an old ps1 controller for a few bucks. I need to make a wireless version though...

Edit- 6gb of games was damn near everyone created as of the early/mid 90s

Keith Strassel · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:13 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

You can get good playable games of this era for $2k or less. Here's the single best place to buy from individuals:

http://www.xmission.com/~daina/classified/index.html

If you want something to fix up, then Lloyd will take care of you:

http://www.coinopwarehouse.com/

He's in Northern Virginia and doesn't stock much, but moves a LOT of stuff through. You can contact him regularly or ask him to be on the lookout for something for you, but be warned he moves a LOT of stuff quickly. He won't dick around sending you pics and such, but you can TRUST his descriptions and prices. I have bought from him sight-unseen many times, and I won't do that with many people.

--Donnie

Just the info I needed, before I even asked the question. Thanks!

I've been mildly looking for a Doctor Who lately.

Keith

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:30 am

Keith Strassel wrote:

Just the info I needed, before I even asked the question. Thanks!

I've been mildly looking for a Doctor Who lately.

You can usually find a title like that for around a grand or less in good shape, but in need of some TLC. Look here:

http://www.marvin3m.com/fix.htm

for repair guides on most pinballs. Anyone with a reasonable grasp of electronics and the ability to solder can learn how to fix just about anything on a pinball machine. Even if you have problems with logic boards themselves, there's a guy in SC who does a great job repairing later model pinball boards for reasonable prices:

http://www.marvin3m.com/fix.htm

You just mail him the offending board(s) and he sends them back good as new. Also of note is that I have most of your generic parts in stock most of the time and I also have logic boards for all the Bally/Williams stuff on hand (which can be REALLY useful to help find out if you have a board problem or a wiring problem). I DO NOT DO SERVICE CALLS, but I will help point TH members in the right direction on problems via email, and I don't mind hooking you up with parts and such if you're willing to come all the way to my place to get them.

And let me state something again...if you have a BASIC understanding of electronics AND CAN SOLDER (or are willing to learn), you can work on a pinball machine. With the resources available on the internet, they are EASILY conquered. And never, EVER, buy a pinball machine off eBay. There's a MUCH better than average chance you won't get what you paid for. Buying from "collectors" who are just tired of a title or something on Mr. Pinball is usually a pretty safe bet. Shipping these things isn't *that* hard, but it does add to the cost by a considerable percentage. Patience pays off in finding stuff local enough. And one person can move one with nothing more than a normal hand truck, an SUV, truck, or even wagon, and a few tips on breaking it down and setting it back up.

--Donnie

Frank Catena · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:08 pm **Posts:** 418

When I was in high school I had a used pinball machine in the basement. What I great learning tool - Like Donnie says it a good mix of basic electrical skills and mechanical ability.
I still remember the first time I figured out how the "tilt" mechanism worked ...

Frank

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:26 am

So Donnie, when you going to extend the invitation to the boomers of the club for a night of pinball, pizza and beer? I'd LOVE to drop by and see what you have and make sure they all work correctly :wink:

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

For some of you older and/or senior citizens who can barely remember where you were in your misguided youth... :lol:

There is an online DB you can look up all the pinball machines.

http://www.ipdb.org/

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:41 am

Graham Jagger wrote:

For some of you older and/or senior citizens who can barely remember where you were in your misguided youth... :lol:

There is an online DB you can look up all the pinball machines.

http://www.ipdb.org/

Very cool! My Dad had this one in his neighborhood store when I was a kid. Man did I love to play some pinball back in the day.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:55 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

My collection is near 30 or so now, I think. *sigh*

--Donnie

Party at Donnie's!! :lol:

I used to play the Playboy game at the Jackpot (dive bar) on Hillsborough St. Growing up as a kid in the 80's meant my video game of choice was either Pole Position or Ivan Stewart's Off Road - nitro boost!!!

I spent way too much allowance money at the Johnie Mercer's pier in Wrightsville as a kid.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:05 am

Matt McGrain wrote:

Growing up as a kid in the 80's meant my video game of choice was either Pole Position or Ivan Stewart's Off Road - nitro boost!!!

I played Pole Position quite a lot as well! Did you ever play Joust? That was an awesome 2-player game. Damn I'm getting old!

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:35 am

I loved Pole Position, Joust, TRON, Tempest, Star Wars (the two coolest VG games) and tons of pinball.

I would really like to have any one of the above in my house. Who knows when/if that will ever happen though.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:42 am

wow, the thread has everyone waxing nostalgia on what they played. I still need to know where I can play. Anyone know where any pinball machines are located in the Raleigh/Garner/Fuguay area?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:50 am

RodneyWright wrote:

wow, the thread has everyone waxing nostalgia on what they played. I still need to know where I can play. Anyone know where any pinball machines are located in the Raleigh/Garner/Fuguay area?

Sounds like Donnie's house is the best option.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:52 am

Major Havoc was the coolest of the Vector games not named Star Wars. Very rare, and I do have one. Needs restoration. I have a Joust in need of work, too.

Sorry, Rodney, I just don't know of any local places with machines setup for public consumption. I've got my collection spread around different places myself.

Not that it helps you much, but I saw some collector had setup an awesome storefront in Idaho Falls, CO, a couple weeks ago FULL of pinball machines on quarter play. Looked really great. Too bad there aren't more places like that. The Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas is amazing if you ever find yourself out there. There's also a magazine still devoted to pinball and collecting and shows, Pingame Journal. There are shows happening all over the country at any given time, but I'm not sure of any terribly close by. Oh, and another DECENT source of games is the Auction Game Sales auctions that happen every couple months in Winston-Salem. Be careful, though, as prices can easily get out of hand sometimes. There's a price guide you can buy yearly from the dude who runs the classifieds I posted earlier that's useful if you want to go to an auction to try to score a pinball. Just remember there's like an 18% buyer's fee on top of your bid, though.

Cruise the old rec.games.pinball Usenet group (via Google Groups if you have to) for info on how to buy at auctions and the various gotchas. It's not horrible, but not trivial.

--Donnie

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