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- Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!sao
- From: sao@REMOVETOREPLY.mit.edu (Andy Oakland, rec.games.pinball FAQ editor)
- Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball,news.answers,rec.answers
- Subject: monthly rec.games.pinball FAQ, one of two
- Supersedes: <faq_buy_915374148@athena.mit.edu>
- Followup-To: rec.games.pinball
- Date: 2 Feb 1999 05:50:53 GMT
- Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Lines: 411
- Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
- Distribution: world
- Expires: 8 Mar 1999 05:51:13 GMT
- Message-ID: <faq_buy_917934673@athena.mit.edu>
- NNTP-Posting-Host: cascade.mit.edu
- Originator: sao@cascade.MIT.EDU
- Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.games.pinball:146624 news.answers:150401 rec.answers:47170
-
- Archive-name: games/pinball/part1
-
- Reading this FAQ from an archive somewhere? There may be a more recent
- version at the official web site, " http://cascade.mit.edu/pinball.html "
-
- ------------------------
- Most recent update: January 18, 1999
- Removed "Pinhead Classified" from list of periodicals. Sorry to see it go, pinchick! :^(
- Added info about buying last issue of Pinhead Classified.
- ------------------------
-
- This is the first half of the collectors' FAQ for rec.games.pinball, giving
- pointers (both on-line and on paper) for more information about the world
- of pinball, and explaining how to buy your own pinball machine!
-
- The second half of the collector's FAQ includes helpful techniques and parts
- suppliers for keeping home pinball machines up and running.
-
- =========================================================================
- ==================== On-Line information sources ======================
- =========================================================================
-
- How much is that pinball machine worth? Don Shoemaker's "Auction Results"
- at " http://www.xmission.com/~daina/auctions/index.html " indexes two thousand
- recent sales, with price, condition, location, date of sale, and notes about
- the individual machines!
-
- The "Flipper Cowboy" pages, " http://www.xenosgroup.com/folks/terryc/ ",
- contains a list of pinball historians and a variety of historical
- essays about pinball machines. Maintained by Terry Cumming.
-
- Randy Fromm's Amusement International Magazine is a web-based magazine
- for the coin-op industry. Reviews of the latest machines, tons of
- technical tips, and "Yellow Pages" and "Classified" listings. Heavy on
- the graphics, but very worthwhile! " http://randyfromm.com/ "
-
- There's the "Pinball Pasture" Web site, maintained by David Byers.
- It's located at " http://www.lysator.liu.se/pinball/ ".
-
- The URL for the "Pin-Wizard" Archive, covering league and tournament
- info, is " http://www.glue.umd/edu/~dstewart/pinball/ "
-
- Daina Pettit maintains a major pinball page at
- " http://www.xmission.com/~daina/pinball.html ", including photos,
- pinball classifieds, repair tips, and a registry of collectors.
-
- Two Bit Score Amusements, a pinball repair shop, has a Web page at
- " http://www.twobit.com/ "
-
- Steven Craig maintains an up-to-date list of
- pinball machines and their owners (the PAPS list), so that other net'ers
- can find people who have a specific game.
- " http://www.visi.com/~scraig/PAPS/PAPS.html "
-
- Federico "Wiz" Croci maintains a "FlipperPage" in Italy, at: http://tilt.it/
-
- Star Tech Journal ("The Technical & Informational Monthly for the
- Coin-Operated Entertainment Industry") keeps a detailed web page at
- " http://www.cyberenet.net/~startech "
-
- Harold Balde maintains a slick web page at
- " http://tilt.largo.fl.us/hbalde/ "
-
- Marco Specialties provides an auction calendar and a section for "for sale"
- and "wanted" ads, as well as selling parts, books, and supplies.
- " http://magenta.com/marco "
-
- Russ Jensen wonderful articles online, mainly on the history of pinball,
- including topics such as the evolution of the thumper-bumper and The Year
- That Could Have Ended Pinball! " http://members.aol.com/rusjensen ".
-
- John's Jukes offers pins for sale and a random collection of technical
- tips. " http://www.flippers.com "
-
- The Pinball Owners Association in Cambridge (the _real_ Cambridge, not the
- upstart one I live in!) keeps their page at " http://ds.dial.pipex.com/poa/ ".
-
- Coin-Op Classics magazine has gone out of business, but their web
- page is still worth a visit. " http://www.coin-opclassics.com/ ".
-
- The Pinball Heaven specialises in selling 1990 and later Bally and
- Williams machines. " http://www.PinballHeaven.co.uk "
-
- Also, the FAQ editor (that's me!) has finally joined the Web! You can find
- my personal web page at " http://www.mit.edu/people/sao/home.html ",
- or tour my pinball machines at " http://cascade.mit.edu/pinball.html ".
-
- =========================================================================
- =============== How do I buy my own pinball machine? ===================
- =========================================================================
-
- Frequently Asked Question number one: "How do I buy a machine?"
-
- Buying a pinball for home use has a lot in common with buying a car: It is
- a big investment, the item requires proper care, and the business is filled
- both with honest, decent people and sleazeballs.
-
- =========================================================================
- =============== Decide what sort of machine you want ==================
- =========================================================================
-
- Games available for home purchase fall into three categories: Used electro-
- mechanical, used solid-state, and new (all new games are solid-state). Which
- is right for you depends on what you want, how much you're willing to spend,
- and whether you ever intend to sell or trade the game.
-
- Think a bit about why you want a game. If you want it to play, chances
- are that you want a solid-state game. They play faster, and the software
- has features that could take you some time to uncover.
-
- If you're looking for something to tear apart, down to the bare wood, and
- build back up again (only better), buy an electro-mechanical. Doing the
- fix-up on a solid-state game wouldn't be as fruitful--At some point,
- you'd be staring at an IC-laden circuit board, and that's way beyond
- cleaning contacts and tightening springs.
-
- Aside from knowing why you want a game, you should zero in on which game you
- want. The market is fat with choices, and there is a fair chance that,
- if you look in the right places, you can eventually find what you want. But
- you can't go into the market saying, "Oh, just find me something you think
- I'll like." It goes deeper than issues of color and whitewalls or no: You
- will fare best if you have a wish list of games you are interested in.
-
- How much will it cost? It depends on the popularity and rarity of the
- game, the condition of this particular machine, and whether or not you live
- in California. (Not a joke ... Prices run higher in The Golden State!)
-
- A semi-functional older solid-state machine can be had for as little as
- $100, while a new game fresh from the factory runs about $3500. Typical
- price for a game that's seen a couple years of use would be $400-$1000.
-
- An electro-mechanical game can run anywhere from $150 to $750, with
- real collector's items (like Humpty Dumpty) significantly more.
-
- If this is your first machine, it's highly recommended that you get a working
- one! Picking up a cheap junker may be tempting, but you'll never get it
- going without experience, specialized equipment, and a stock of spare parts.
- Try to buy from someone who'll deliver it in working condition, and stand
- behind it for a while. Ask for references!
-
- =========================================================================
- ======================= Go looking for one =========================
- =========================================================================
-
- The path a pinball machine travels typically looks like this:
-
- Manufacturer--->Distributor--->Operator--->Collector or junkyard
-
- Unless you have very deep pockets, you won't be buying your machine
- from the manufacturer or distributor. Operators are the ones who
- put machines out in the field and maintain them...They're usually
- willing to sell used machines once they stop pulling in the quarters.
-
- Go to your favorite machine in the field, and ask who owns it. If the
- location doesn't, there's probably a sticker on the machine pointing you
- to the operator. Another way to find operators is to hit the Yellow Pages,
- and call up the companies listed under "Amusement Devices." First ask
- them if they sell machines for home use, then ask for the specific machines
- you're looking for.
-
- Part II of this faq also includes pointers to several sources for
- used pinball machines. These are typically large operators.
-
- You can also buy machines from collectors. In fact, this is pretty much
- the only way to go to find an Electro-mechanical. You probably aren't
- going to find an EM in the field, or with an operator.
-
- For both EM's and solid-state machines, the little ads in periodicals like
- Game Room are an excellent source of leads. (See list of periodicals
- below) Also, you can try to find something locally. Buy every newspaper
- you can, including the little "nickel ads" type, and check the classifieds.
- Keep doing this for months. Takes time, but good deals occasionally pop up.
-
- You can also find a "broker," a sort of super-collector in business
- to buy up old used games, fix them up, and resell them. Again, you can
- reach these people through the publications listed below.
-
- Also, believe it or not, check with a dart supply store! I know of two
- in my area (Boston) which sell used pins, and at least one Norwegian
- store does.
-
- <a name="auctions"> </a>
- =========================================================================
- ================== Buying pinball machines at auctions ================
- =========================================================================
-
- Another source for machines is the gaming auctions. This isn't the
- best place to buy your first machine, but with a little knowledge it
- can be a good deal and a lot of fun!
-
- Auctions pop up all over the US. The collector's magazines, like
- "pinGame journal" or "Game Room", list upcoming auctions, and you
- can also find listings at web sites such as:
-
- http://www.GameRoomAntiques.com/show.htm
- http://www.empireamusement.com/supplies.html
- http://magenta.com/marco/auctions.htm
- http://www.usamusement.com/schedule.html
-
- You can also download a list of recent auction results from:
-
- http://straylight.cso.niu.edu/pinball/auction-results.html
-
- These auctions can include video games, change machines, slot machines,
- juke boxes, crane machines, skee-ball, beer lights, pool tables, etc.,
- as well as the pinball machines...Just about everything from the
- arcade or amusement arena!
-
- Machines available at auctions tend to be those that have stopped generating
- enough revenue for an operator to keep them on location. However, they can
- range from New-In-Box (NIB) to 30+ year old EMs. The biggest thing to note is
- that all items are AS IS, and the only guarantee you get with an auction
- machine is the guarantee that SOMETHING will be wrong with it!
-
- If you find a machine that you are interested in, you should examine and play
- it to determine if everything works. Examine the playfield, backglass, and
- cabinet to determine if the amount is wear is excessive for the age of the
- machine. Check to see if the manual/schematic is included. For a solid-state,
- try to run the machine through the self diagnostic tests. Look inside the
- machine and under the playfield for suspicious items such as cut/spliced wires,
- burnt components, missing components, etc.
-
- When you find one (or more) machines, determine what your maximum price will
- be. It's easy to get caught up in the bidding and go higher than you want.
- Realize that you may be bidding against the owner of the machine, who's
- trying to drive up the price of the machine. (The issue of buybacks appears
- as semi-regular topic in r.g.p.)
-
- There are several things that you should take to the auction. These include:
-
- 1) 100 foot, heavy-duty, three prong extension cord. There will probably
- be several outlets available, but all are not accessible from every machine.
-
- 2) Tools - This should include sockets and/or wrenches to use to remove the
- leg and head bolts for transport.
-
- 3) Blanket, towels, cardboard, rope - Used for transport, or to place the
- playfield glass on during inspection.
-
- 4) Food and drinks - The auctions can be quite long. Snack bar food is the
- other option.
-
- 5) The afore-mentioned list of past auction results. This will give you
- an idea of what the machines have sold for in the past. Although each
- machine's unique, having a baseline like this will help you be a more
- informed buyer.
-
- =========================================================================
- ======================= Publications =========================
- =========================================================================
-
- There are many periodicals good for getting background information
- on the pinball world and for contacting other collectors.
- pinGame journal is probably the best one for home pinball collecting.
- Game Room Magazine covers general home gamerooms (soda fountains,
- jukeboxes, etc) with a healthy dose of pinball included.
-
- Other magazines are largely "for the trade"; i.e., arcade operators
- and their ilk, though it's fun to have a look from the other side
- of the backglass!
-
-
- ------------------
- Pinhead Classified
- ------------------
- Pinhead Classified has gone out of business (Jan 1999), but the
- 100-page final issue (No. 29) is available for purchase.
-
- "There's only 7 pages of display ads, and we've left out
- the classified ads this time cuz I didn't feel like typin'
- 'em in--they woulda been stale anyway. This issue
- is packed with stuff written by subscribers, the way a
- fanzine should be. There's even less white space than usual.
- It's always been just for the fun of vintage pins, so, as usual,
- there's nothin' about any new games."
-
- Rates: Thru Jan 22, '99 -- $31/US; $36/Can; $38 Holes.
- Issues No. 1-28 are available for $7/US; $9/Can; $10/Holes.
- First class mail included. Checks must be made out to Atomic Groove.
-
- Atomic Groove
- Attn: PC Back Issues
- 1945 "N" Street, Hole 111
- Newman, CA 95360
-
- --------------
- pinGame journal
- --------------
- 31937 Olde Franklin Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
- Phone: (810) 626-5203 message/fax
- URL: http://www.pingamejournal.com
- Written by pinball collectors. Includes info about new games in
- development, as well as articles on finding, reconditioning, and playing
- older games. Subscription includes one free classified ad per month.
- Often includes cool plastics and flyers.
- 12 issues--$34 (add $20 for First Class). Canada $38, Europe Air: $67,
- Pacific Rim $77, $40.00 (all overseas surface--very slow and unreliable.)
- Sample issue: $4.00, Information: Free.
-
- -----------------
- GameRoom Magazine
- -----------------
- PO Box 41
- Keyport, NJ 07735-0041
- Phone: (732) 739-1955 (Fax 24 hr): (732) 739-2834
- Email: coinop@gameroommagazine.com
- A monthly hobbyist publication, covering pinballs, slots, jukeboxes,
- Coke machines, arcade videos, etc. Equipment and parts advertising.
- Steady supply of pinball articles. Successor to the defunct "Pinball
- Trader." $30/year for US, $50 first class; $35/year Canadian (surface),
- $55/year Canadian (air); $53/year European(surface), $87/year
- European(air); $57/year Pacific Basin (surface), $93/year Pacific
- Basin(air). Accepts credit cards. Sample issue $5.25.
- URL: http://www.gameroommagazine.com
-
- ----------
- Play Meter
- ----------
- PO Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184
- Thick, slick trade journal, mostly aimed at arcade owners and operators.
- Provides uniformly glowing reviews of the latest games. Covers crane
- games, kiddie rides, etc., as well as video and pinball.
- $60/year US & Canada, $150/year overseas. Sample issue $5 USA, $10 foreign.
- URL: " http://w3.thegroup.net/~aim/pmhome.html "
-
- --------------------------------------------------
- Distributors Research Associates (DRA) Price Guide
- --------------------------------------------------
- 11522 State Road 84, Suite 223, Davie FL, 33325
- Voice: (954) 423-4000 FAX: (954)423-4005
- $85/year, 8 issues (quarterly with mid-quarter updates], USA check/MC/VISA
- Price listings for conversions, pins, bowlers-shuffles-misc., video games,
- jukes, pool tables, other vending equipment currently in active trading,
- although phonographs [jukeboxes] and vending go back as far as 1975.
-
- ------
- RePlay
- ------
- P.O. Box 2550, Woodland Hills, CA 91365
- Another monthly trade magazine with the same content as Play Meter.
- $65/year US, $85/year Canada & Mexico, Foreign $220 (air) $80 (boat)
- sample issue $6.
-
- ---------
- Coin Slot
- ---------
- 4401 Zephyr St., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-3299
- A quarterly covering all collectible coin-op machines. $40/year.
- URL: " http://www.hoflin.com/Coin%20Slot.html "
-
- -----------------
- Canadian Coin Box
- -----------------
- NCC Publishing, 222 Argyle Ave., Delhi, Ontario N4B 2Y2 Canada.
- $38/year, sample issue $3.50.
-
- ------------------
- Coin-Op Newsletter
- ------------------
- P.O. Box 2426, Rockville, MD 20852
- A bimonthly hobbiest publication. Covers antiques and coin-op collectables.
- $24/ten issues.
-
- -----------------------
- Coin Drop International
- -----------------------
- 5815 West 52nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80212
- a large-format newsprint magazine (11x17) covering electromechanical coin-op
- amusements. The most likely place to see old horse race machines, strength
- testers, etc. Pinball articles are just as likely to cover bingos or pre-
- flipper machines as they are the more conventional EMs with flippers.
- $15/year for US, $21/year for Canada, $40/year foreign. Sample issue $3.
- All funds must be paid in US dollars!
- Visa/MasterCard accepted. Fax subscriptions: (303) 431-6978
-
-
- =========================================================================
- ======================= Manufacturers =========================
- =========================================================================
-
- Alive and flipping:
-
- Sega Pinball Inc. (Includes Data East)
- 1990 Janice Avenue
- Melrose Park, IL 60160
- tel: 708-345-7700
- fax: 708-345-7718
- toll free: 800-KICKERS
- URL: " http://www.sega.com/central/history/history.html "
-
- Williams Electronic Games Inc. (Includes Bally and Midway)
- 3401 North California Avenue
- Chicago, IL 60618
- tel: 312-961-1000
- URL: " http://www.pinball.wms.com "
-
-
- Now sadly out of business:
-
- Premier Technology (Includes Gottlieb and Mylstar)
- 759 Industrial Drive
- Bensenville, IL 60106
- tel: 708-350-0400
- fax: 708-350-1097
- toll free 800-444-0761
-
- Capcom Coin-Op
- 3311 N. Kennicott
- Arlington Hts, IL 60004
- tel: 708-797-6100
- URL: " http://capcom.ms.wwa.com/ "
-