*******************************************************
Archive-dojigger: RGP_FAQ.RTF
Postin'-frequency, dig dis: Mondly
Last modified, dig dis: February 2015
Frequently Asked Quesshuns (FAQ) fo' Rec.Games.Pinball
< last downdate by Daina Pettit - daina@xmission. 'S coo', bro.com >
De latest edishun uh dis FAQ kin always be retrieved fum:
http, dig dis://www.MrPinball.com/ (Daina Pettit)
Changes, dig dis:
Added new vendo', Home Leisho' nuff Direct.
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 1. Introducshun, Intent, and Disclaima'
Dis be de FAQ fo' de rec.games.pinball Usenet newsgrodown. It
attempts t'answa' many uh de Frequently Asked Quesshuns. It also
provides pointers (bod on-line and on sheet) fo' mo'e info'mashun
about da damn wo'ld uh pinball, and 'esplainin' how t'steal yo' own
pinball machine, as sheeit as helpful techniques and parts sdownpliers
fo' keepin' crib pinball machines down and runnin'.
De fo'mat uh dis stash gots'ta been changed t'meet da damn
recommendashuns uh de "FAQs, dig dis: A Suggested Minimal Digest Fo'mat"
stash, as posted t'de news.answers Usenet grodown.
Some newsreada' o' browsa' honky codes may gots' difficulty wid
Internet addresses. Derefo'e, all e-mail and web addresses (URL)
are shown on some separate line, widout puh'iods at da damn end.
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 2. Table uh Contents
1. Introducshun, Intent and Disclaima'
2. Table uh Contents
3. What be rgp ?
4. How do ah' steal some pinball machine ?
5. Buyin' pins at aucshuns
6. Shippin' pins
7. On-line resources
8. Publicashuns
9. Manufacturers
10. Abbreviashuns / Acronyms
11. Oda' Frequently Asked Quesshuns
12. Internet Pinball Podcasts
13. Placin' some Machine on Locashun
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 3. What be rgp ?
Tom Yaga' created da damn rec.games.pinball USENET newsgrodown on 20
Novemba' 1990 fo' de discussion uh pinball machines. Discussions
can include histo'y, ownership, maintenance, playin' techniques,
plans fo' new releases, places t'play, announcements uh events,
related sheet items and generally anydin' havin' t'wid pinball
machines (o' pins fo' sho't).
De topics generally cova' "real" machines, but dere are
occasional postin's on clunker simulashuns. All games wid some ball
(usually steel) rollin' o' fallin' waaay down some surface wid obstacles
and objectives are covered here, includin' pitch-and-bat (baseball)
machines and pachinko (vertical) pinball games. De majo'ity uh
machines considered are coin-opuh'ted commercial games, but
discussion uh non-coin varieties be accepted. De grodown be
generally recognized fo' bein' fairly civil, and newcomers are
welcomed.
Each post t'de newsgrodown should contain some sufficiently descriptive
subject line wid one uh de followin' suggested prefixes if appropriate, dig dis:
"ANNOUNCE: " - Fo' announcements
"FA: " - Fo' aucshun
"FS: " - Fo' sale
"TECH: " - Fo' repair issues
"WTB: " - Want-to-steal
"WTT: " - Fo' wanna trade
If yo' post be about some particular game, put da damn dojigger in de subject
line. Right On! And do NOT use stars in de dojigger if de post be really about dat
game. What it is, Mama! Puttin' de manufactura' o' year might be impo'tant since some
games share da damn same dojigger.
Examples, dig dis:
Subject, dig dis: Want help wid mah' machine
Dis be BAD. Is be a SS o' EM? Which system? Why should ah' help?
Subject, dig dis: Want help wid Gottlieb EM
Dis be NOT QUITE AS BAD.
Subject, dig dis: Why duz mah' GAUCHO do dis?
Dis be A LITTLE BETTER, but dere wuz several GAUCHO machines.
Subject, dig dis: TECH: Reset problem wid Gottlieb GAUCHO
Dis be MUCH BETTER.
Wid hundreds uh postin's every day, ya' need t'get da damn point across in
de subject line. What it is, Mama! Help de eyeballers choose t'read yo' postin' and skip
de oders. Teasa' subject lines not only ain't helpful, dey kin elicit
anga' and frustrashun resultin' in ya' o' yo' subject bein' kill stashd. Right On!
Dat also means dat when de time comes t'sell yo' game, de postin'
should give da damn NAME and CURRENT LOCATION (state/province o' mo'e local)
of de game in de subject line. What it is, Mama!
Befo'e postin' fo' de fust time t'dis (o' any) newsgrodown ya'
should eyeball some impo'tant tips on how t'ax' quesshuns. Igno'in'
dis advice may git ya' branded as some mo'on and no one gots'ta listen
to ya', ever. Ah be baaad...
http, dig dis://www.catb. Sheeeiit.o'g/~esr/faqs/smart-quesshuns.html
Quesshuns on oda' coin opuh'ted amusement equipment are usually
acceptable, if dere are no oda' grodowns already in 'esistence, such
as dose noted below. De dojiggers are self-'splanato'y. Slap mah fro!
alt.collectin'.juke-boxes
rec.games.video.arcade
rec.games.video.arcade. What it is, Mama!collectin'
rec.games.video.arcade. What it is, Mama!marketplace
rec.spo't.billiardsrec.spo't.table-socca' (foosball)
I duzn't dink dere some coke machine / soda newsgrodown.
Postin's on shuffle alleys (bowlin' games), and electro-mechanical gun games
also mosey on down down fum time t'time. What it is, Mama!
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 4. How do ah' steal mah' own pinball machine ?
Frequently Asked Quesshun numba' one, dig dis: "How do ah' steal some machine?"
Buyin' some pinball fo' crib use gots'ta some lot in common wid stealin' some
car, dig dis: It kin be some big-ass investment, de item requires propuh' care, and
de business be filled bod wid honest, decent sucka's and sleaze
balls whom gots'ta rip ya' off. What it is, Mama!
De fust wahtahmellun t'do be to decide whut radical machine ya' wants'.
(Actually, step 1 be to eyeball dis FAQ . Right On! )
Games available fo' crib purchase fall into dree catego'ies, dig dis: Used
electro-mechanical (EM), used solid-state, and new (all new games
are solid-state). Which be right fo' ya' depends on whut ya' wants',
how much youse willin' t'spend, and wheda' ya' eva' intend t'
sell o' trade da damn game. What it is, Mama!
Dink some bit about why ya' wants' some game. What it is, Mama! If ya' wants' it t'play, ya'
may wants' some solid-state game. What it is, Mama! Dey play faster, and da damn software
has features dat could snatch ya' some time t'uncover. Ah be baaad... However,
dere are many dat prefa' EMs t'solid state. What it is, Mama!
If youse lookin' fo' sump'n t'tear apart, waaay down t'de bare
wood, and build back down again (only better), ya''ll probably wants'
an EM. Doin' de fix-down on some solid-state game may not be as
fruitful. At some point, ya''d be starin' at an IC-laden circuit
bo'd, and dat's way beyond cleanin' contacts and tightenin'
sprin's.
Aside fum knowin' why ya' wants' some game, ya' should zero in on which
game ya' wants'. De market be fat wid choices, and dere be a fair
chance dat, if ya' look in de right places, ya' kin eventually
find whut ya' wants'. But ya' kin't go into de market sayin', "Oh,
plum find me sump'n ya' dink I'll likes." It goes deepuh' dan
issues uh colo' and honkywalls o' no, dig dis: You's gots'ta fare best if ya'
gots' some wish list uh games ya' are interested in. 'S coo', bro.
How much gots'ta it cost? It depends on de popularity and rarity uh
de game, de condishun uh dis particular machine, and wheda' o'
not ya' live in Califo'nia. Sheeeiit. (Not some joke ... Prices run higha' in
De Golden State. Right On! )
A semi-funcshunal olda' solid-state machine kin be had fo' as
little as $300, while some new game fresh fum de facto'y kin run mo'e dan
$4000. Typical price fo' some game dat's seen some codownle years uh use would be
$800-$2000.
An EM game kin run anywhere fum $250 t'$900 and down, wid real
collecto's items (likes Humpty Dumpty) significantly mo'e. What it is, Mama! Oda'
popular EMs dat kin run $1000 o' mo'e are Bally Capt. Fantastic
(wid Elton Raz'tus on de backglass), Wizard (Ann Margaret and Roga'
Daltry on de backglass), and Fireball (wid de classic backglass
designed by Dave Christensen).
If dis be yo' fust machine, it's highly recommended dat ya' git
a wo'kin' one. Right On! Pickin' down some cheap junka' may be temptin', but
ya''ll neva' get it goin' widout 'espuh'ience, specialized
equipment, and some stock uh spare parts. Try t'steal fum someone
who'll deliva' it in wo'kin' condishun, and stand behind it fo' some
while. What it is, Mama! Ask fo' references. Right On! Generally, ya' gots'ta be betta' off
stealin' fum some collecto' o' deala' dat specializes in shopped
and/o' resto'ed games. You's'll generally pay mo'e dan if ya'
bought da damn same title fum an opuh'to' o' some distributo', but da damn
machine be mo'e likesly t'be "plug and play. Slap mah fro!"
As some counterpoint, dig dis: if ya' likes t'tinker, gots' de tools and
aptitude fo' takin' wahtahmelluns apart and puttin' dem back togeda'
again, and duzn't mind stealin' sump'n dat duzn't wo'k solely fo'
de joy uh fixin' it, some non-wo'kin' pin be a tinkerer's dream. 'S coo', bro.
Just be sho' nuff ya' dig it whut ya' are gittin' into
Next, go lookin' fo' one . Right On!
De alley some pinball machine travels typically looks likes dis, dig dis:
Manufacturer--->Distributo'--->Opuh'to'--->Collecto' (o' junkyard)
Manufacturers only sell t'audo'ized distributo's. Unless ya'
gots' real deep pockets, ya' won't be stealin' yo' machine brand new
from de distributo'. Current producshun machines are generally in
de $3000-$4000 range new. Some distributo's gots'ta not sell
directly t'crib collecto's, believin' dat most crib users gots'ta
'spect some higha' level uh service dan most opuh'to's need.
Opuh'to's are da damn ones who put machines out in de field and
maintain dem. 'S coo', bro. Dey're usually willin' t'sell used machines once
dey stop pullin' in de quarters. Some opuh'to's wants' nodin' t'
do wid de crib market, fo' de same reason as menshuned above
unda' distributo'.
Go t'yo' favo'ite machine in de field, and ax' who owns it. If
de locashun duzn't, dere's probably some sticka' on de machine
pointin' ya' t'de opuh'to'. Anoda' way t'find opuh'to's be to
hit da damn Yellow Pages, and call down de companies listed unda'
"Amusement Devices." First, ax' dem if dey sell machines fo'
crib use, den ax' fo' de specific machines youse lookin' fo'.
Many opuh'to's see some lot uh "tire-kickers", so's yo' chances fo'
success are greata' if ya' are eyebally t'pay cash and snatch de
machine "as-is", "where-is".
You's kin also steal machines fum collecto's, at regional aucshuns, o'
at on-line aucshun cribs such as eBay, Yahoo o' AucshunRover. Ah be baaad... In
fact, dis be pretty much de only way t'go t'find an Electro
Mechanical machine. What it is, Mama! You's probably ain't goin' t'find an EM in de
field, o' wid an opuh'to'. Note dat eBay gots'ta recently introduced
a Regional search opshun. Dis gots'ta help ya' find any pins dat
may be in yo' area. Sheeeiit.
Dere are also some numba' of sheeit-respected pinball dealers dat
cata' primarily t'de collecto'. Many are regular participants on
de rec.games.pinball newsgrodown. When lookin' fo' some new machine,
duzn't fo'get t'check rgp. Right On!
Fo' bod EM's and solid-state machines, de little ads in
puh'iodicals likes PinGame Journal are an 'sellent
source uh leads. (See list uh puh'iodicals below) Also, ya' kin
try t'find sump'n locally. Slap mah fro! Buy every newssheet ya' kin,
includin' de little "nickel ads" type, and check de classifieds
unda' Misc fo' Sale o' Yard Sales. You's should also see if yo'
local newssheet offers on-line searches uh Classified Ads. Some
even gots' some notify feature dat gots'ta t'row e-mail if an item matches
yo' search descripshun. Keep doin' dis fo' monds. It snatch'd
time, but baaaad deals occasionally pop down.
You's kin also find some "broker," some radical sdowner-collecto' in business
to steal down old used games, fix dem down, and resell dem. 'S coo', bro. Again, ya'
can reach dese sucka's drough de publicashuns listed below.
Also, recon' it o' not, check wid some dart sdownply sto'e. Right On! One RGPa'
in de Boston area knows one dat sells used pins, and at least one
No'wegian sto'e duz.
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 5. Buyin' pinball machines at aucshuns
Anoda' source fo' machines be de gamin' aucshuns. Dis may not
be da damn best place t'steal yo' fust machine, but wid some little
knowledge it kin be some baaaad deal and some lot uh fun. Right On! Note dough
dat, since da damn closin' uh Williams pinball, opuh'to's are holdin'
on t'pins longa' and true "deals" are harda' to mosey on down by at
industry aucshuns.
Aucshuns pop down all ova' de US. De collecto''s issue of GQs, likes
PinGame Journal, list downcomin' aucshuns, and ya' kin
also find listin's at web sites such as, dig dis:
http, dig dis://GameroomAntiques.com/Show.htm
You's kin waaay download some list uh recent aucshun results fum
http, dig dis://www.xmission. 'S coo', bro.com/~daina/aucshuns/index.html
Dese aucshuns kin include video games, change machines, slot
machines, juke boxes, crane machines, skee-ball, bea' lights, pool
tables, etc., as sheeit as de pinball machines...Just about
everydin' fum de arcade o' amusement arena. Right On!
Machines available at aucshuns tend t'be dose dat gots' stopped
generatin' enough revenue fo' an opuh'to' t'keep dem on locashun.
However, dey kin range fum New-In-Box (NIB) t'30+ year old EMs.
De big-assgest wahtahmellun t'note be dat all items are AS IS, and da damn only
guarantee ya' git wid an aucshun machine be de guarantee dat
SOMETHING gots'ta be WRONG wid it. Right On!
If ya' find some machine dat ya' are interested in, ya' should
examine and play it t'determine if everydin' wo'ks. However,
duzn't let opuh'shunal problems deta' ya'. De cosmetic condishun
is usually mo'e impo'tant. It's far easia' to steal parts t'repair,
dan it be to find new playfields o' backglasses. Closely 'esamine
de playfield (and da damn plastics), backglass, and cabinet t'
determine if de amount be wear be excessive fo' de age uh de
machine. What it is, Mama! Look fo' signs uh neglect, such as mouse droppin's, chewed
wirin' and such, and any sign uh termites.
Check t'see if de manual/schematic be included. If not, dese
are usually available fo' around $20. Fo' some solid-state, try t'
run de machine drough de self diagnostic tests. Look inside da damn
machine and unda' de playfield fo' suspicious items such as
cut/spliced wires, burnt components, missin' components, etc.
When ya' find one (o' mo'e) machines, determine whut yo' maximum
price gots'ta be. What it is, Mama! It's easy t'get caught down in de biddin' and go
higha' dan ya' wants'. Realize dat ya' may/gots'ta be biddin' against
de owna' of de machine, who's tryin' t'roll down de price uh de
machine. What it is, Mama! Dis be knode as some stealback, and be apparently legal in
some states, and often condoned by de aucshun company. Slap mah fro!
Dere are several wahtahmelluns dat ya' should snatch t'de aucshun.
Dese include, dig dis:
1) 100 foot, heavy-duty, dree prong 'estension co'd. Dere gots'ta
probably be several outlets available, but all aint accessible
from every machine. What it is, Mama!
2) Tools - Dis should include sockets and/o' wrenches (5/8" and
9/16") t'use t'remove da damn leg and 'haid bolts fo' transpo't.
3) Blanket, towels, cardbo'd, rope/ratchet straps - Used fo'
transpo't, o' t'place da damn playfield glass on durin' inspecshun.
Do NOT set da damn playfield glass o' backglass on some hard concrete
floo'. While ya' gots'ta usually not some problem, it could result in some
"shatterin'" 'espuh'ience. What it is, Mama!
4) Food and drinks - De aucshuns kin be quite long. Snack bar
food be de oda' opshun, usually uh last reso't.
5) De afo'e-menshuned list uh past aucshun results. Dis gots'ta
give ya' an idea uh whut de machines gots' sold fo' in de past.
Aldough each machine's unique, havin' some baseline likes dis gots'ta
help ya' be some mo'e info'med stealer. Ah be baaad...
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 6. Shippin' pins
De success uh eBay, and oda' aucshun cribs gots'ta made it easia' to
find some specific pin dat ya' may be interested in. 'S coo', bro. However, it may
be located across de country fum ya'. Dere are several
alternatives available fo' shippin'.
De fust opshun be a commercial shippin' company, such as Fo'ward
Air (FA). Dese companies provide city t'city shippin'. De
sella' usually must crate and deliva' de pin t'de shippuh'. De
steala' must pick down at da damn shippuh' on de oda' end. FA be usually
menshuned on de newsgrodown, as dey are often de least 'espensive
(~$200 t'$350 fo' cross country). Pinball games shipped drough FA
must be crated and CODs are no longa' accepted. Note dat contrary
to deir dojigger, FA be actually some truckin' company. Slap mah fro! De pins do not
travel by air. Ah be baaad... Oda' shippuh's, such as Pilot Air, Yellow Freight,
and Overnite are opshuns, but are usually mo'e 'espensive. What it is, Mama!
De second opshun be a 'doo'-to-doo'' shippuh'. Dere are several
sucka's dat specialize in de transpo'tashun uh coin-op equipment.
Dey gots'ta pick down de game at da damn seller's crib, and deliva' to
de stealer's crib. Prices usually run about $300 - $450.
Dependin' on where dey are in de country, it could snatch several
monds between pick-down and delivery. Slap mah fro! Currently No'd American Van Lines
(NAVL) be popular fo' doo'-to-doo' delivery and duz not require cratin'
(aldough dis be always some baaaad idea).
Instead uh tryin' t'keep dis document down-to-date wid which shippuh' is
partnerin' wid/split down fum whom, ah' refa' ya' t'de, dig dis:
Arcade shippin' database
http, dig dis://www.paraseek.com/arcade/
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 7. On-Line info'mashun sources
De listin's are divided into two secshuns. De fust are sites
wid general info'mashun o' individual collecto's. De second
includes vendo's and repair sites.
General Info'mashun
===================
Daina Pettit maintains de Mr. Ah be baaad... Pinball page includin' de largest
Buy/Sell pinball classifieds, photos, repair tips, some registry uh
collecto's, and da damn aucshun results menshuned below.
http, dig dis://www.xmission. 'S coo', bro.com/~daina/pinball.html
How much be dat pinball machine wo'd? De "Aucshun Results"
stash, indexes dousands uh recent sales, wid price, condishun,
locashun, date uh sale, and notes about da damn individual machines.
http, dig dis://www.xmission. 'S coo', bro.com/~daina/aucshuns/index.html
De Internet Pinball Database (IPD) provides details on mos'
every pinball machine eva' manufactured. Dere are dousands uh
photos and it be downdated often. 'S coo', bro.
http, dig dis://www.ipdb. Sheeeiit.o'g
Clay's Website contains detailed info'mashun about pinball and oder
coin-op games, dig dis:
Gottlieb Electromechanical Evolushun
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/gtb
Williams Woodrail Evolushun
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/wmswood
Spo'ts Games/Pitch and Bat
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/baseball
Bowla' (Ball and Shuffle)
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/bowl
Electromechanical Penny Arcades (includes fo'tune tellers, arcade
games, gun games, drivin' games)
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/arcade
De rec.games.pinball faces page be hosted by Steve Kulpa. Sheeeiit. See whut
r. Ah be baaad...g.p sucka's actually look likes, and ya''ll dig it why it be a
text-based fo'um. Right On!
http, dig dis://stevekulpa. Sheeeiit.net/faces/rgpidx.htm
De "Flippuh' Cowboy" pages contain some list uh pinball histo'ians and
a variety uh histo'ical essays about pinball machines. Maintained
by Terry Cummin' (e-mail = tcummin'@info'amp.net )
http, dig dis://1930s.com
Scott Piehla' maintains some web page containin' de game rules fo'
many pins.
http, dig dis://www.pinball.o'g/rules.htm
Dan at Pinball Classics had some reposito'y fo' scans uh playfield
plastics, but da damn site seems t'be non-existent as uh 10/1/04.
Please let me know if it resurfaces.
Steven Craig maintains an down-to-date list uh pinball machines and
deir owners (de PAPS list), so's dat oda' netters kin find sucka's
who gots' some specific game. What it is, Mama!
http, dig dis://www.visi. Ya' know?com/~scraig/PAPS/PAPS.html
Jess Askey resurrected da damn old IPP Serial Database as de Internet
Pinball Serial Numbers Database. What it is, Mama! If ya' wanna study serial
numbers, survival rates, producshun possibilites, o' submit yo'
machines' serial numbers go t'de IPSND at
http, dig dis://www.ipsnd.net
Federico "Wiz" Croci maintains some "Flippuh'Page" in Italy, at, dig dis:
http, dig dis://www.tilt.it/
Riccardo Pizzi runs an greaser website dat gots'ta photos, greaser
classified ads, and some useful links.
http, dig dis://www.vecchiflippuh'.it
De late Russ Jensen had wonderful articles online, mainly on de
histo'y uh pinball, includin' topics such as de evolushun uh de
dumpuh'-bumpuh' and De Year Dat Could Have Ended Pinball. Right On! 'Sup, dudes
web pages gots' moved t'ipdb. Sheeeiit.o'g and should continue t'be available. What it is, Mama!
http, dig dis://archive. What it is, Mama!ipdb. Sheeeiit.o'g/russjensen/
'Sup, dudes articles written fo' various coin-op issue of GQs are available at
http, dig dis://www.pinballcollecto'sresource. What it is, Mama!com/russart.html
De Pinball Owners Associashun in Cambridge, England.
http, dig dis://ds.dial.pipex.com/poa/
Randy Fromm's Amusement Internashunal Magazine be a web-based
issue of GQ fo' de coin-op industry. Slap mah fro! Reviews uh de latest machines,
tons uh technical tips, and "Yellow Pages" and "Classified"
listin's. Heavy on de graphics, but real wo'dwhile. Right On!
http, dig dis://randyfromm. 'S coo', bro.com/
Nick Bennett, Pinballers Anonymous in de UK keeps some pinball blog wid
interviews uh pinball designers and oda' leadin' industry sucka'nel in a
feature called Pinball Heroes at
http, dig dis://www.depinballblog.com
Vendo's and Repair Sites
========================
Fo' dose lookin' t'do deir own resto'ashun and repair uh pins, some
great place t'start be de pinball wiki site. What it is, Mama! Dis be a community effo't,
free, and likesly t'be around fo'ever. Ah be baaad...
http, dig dis://www.pinwiki. Ya' know?com
De followin' commercial sites are listed in alphabetical o'der,
wid no recommendashun uh one vendo' o' anoder. Ah be baaad... Except where
noted, de descriptive info'mashun gots'ta been provided by de vendo',
as t'de type(s) uh services offered.
Acshun Pinball & Amusement, Ray Johnson [Salt Lake City, Utah]
- Specializin' in pinball machine resto'ashuns, sales,
repair, parts, and circuit bo'd repair. Ah be baaad...
- Can sdownply game specific EPROM chips.
staff@acshunpinball.com
http, dig dis://acshunpinball.com/
Bay Area Amusements, Rick Bartlett [San Jose, Califo'nia]
- Specializin' in on-line o'derin' pinball parts, scribblin's, etc.
- Focus be mostly on newa' games, but gots'ta some olda' stuff fum time to
time. What it is, Mama!
Phone, dig dis: (408) 868-9918
rick@BayAreaAmusements.com
http, dig dis://www.BayAreaAmusements.com
Fo' Amusement Only, Dave Merca' [Ft. Collins, Colo'ado]
- Specializin' in pinball parts, scribblin's, schematics, flyers
- New game room sales - pinball, foosball, air hockey, pool
- Frequent specials
- Bally, Williams, Stern game specific parts.
Phone, dig dis: (970) 282-8282
info@fo'amusementonly. Slap mah fro!to
http, dig dis://www.fo'amusementonly. Slap mah fro!to
Home Leisho' nuff Direct [Bristol, Soud Gloucestershire, United Kin'dom]
- specialisin' in de sale uh new pinball machines by Stern and Jersey Buckwheat
- specialisin' in de sale uh vintage pinballs fum de 80s and 90s
- Offerin' wo'ldwide shippin' by specialist courier. Ah be baaad... Award winnin' customa' service. What it is, Mama!
Phone, dig dis: +44 1454 413636
sales@cribleisho' nuffdirect.com
http, dig dis://www.cribleisho' nuffdirect.com/pinball-machines/
Illinois Pinball Co., Gene Cunnin'ham [Bloomin'ton, Illinois]
- Manufacture and sale uh licensed reproducshun Williams, Bally,
and Capcom parts.
Phone, dig dis: (309) 828-6993
sales@illinoispinball.com
http, dig dis://www.illinoispinball.com
John's Jukes, Raz'tus Leroyson [Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada]
- Offers pins fo' sale and some collecshun uh technical tips.
- Services most pinball bo'ds includin': Allied Leisho' nuff, Atari,
Bally, Game Plan, Gottlieb, Stern, Williams.
- Can sdownply game specific EPROM and PROM chips.
- Specialize in battery acid/leakage bo'd repair. Ah be baaad...
- Can fabricate replacement circuits t'replace obsolete parts.
- Please contact fo' special shippin' info if not in Canada. Sheeeiit.
(604) 872-5757 [voice] (604) 872-2010 [fax]
jrr@flippuh's.com
http, dig dis://www.flippuh's.com
Marco Specialties, Marc Mandelto't [Lexin'ton, Soud Carolina]
- parts only, includin' sdownplies.
- provides an aucshun calendar and some secshun fo' "fo' sale" and
"wants'ed" ads, as sheeit as sellin' parts, scribblin's, and sdownplies.
- audo'ized distributo's uh Ni-Wumpf (Gottlieb System 1)
replacement CPU bo'ds, Pinball Lizard Williams 'Sup, dudegh Voltage
bo'ds, Pinball Lizard Gottlieb System 80 pop bumpuh's.
- free catalog available. What it is, Mama!
(803) 957-5500 [M-F 10-7 EST] (803) 957-6974 [fax]
http, dig dis://www.marcospec.com
Mayfair Amusements, Steve Engel [Ridgewood, New Yo'k]
- parts only, includin' sdownplies.
- vintage pinball parts, includin' hundreds uh backglasses.
(718) 417-5050
http, dig dis://www.mayfairamusement.com/
De Pinball Heaven, [Soudpo't, Merseyside, United Kin'dom]
- specializes in sellin' resto'ed 1990 and lata' Bally and Williams
machines, in de United Kin'dom. 'S coo', bro. Can also ship t'de US.
+44 0870 746 5704 [voice] +44 0870 746 5705 [fax]
phil@pinballheaven. 'S coo', bro.co.uk
http, dig dis://www.PinballHeaven. 'S coo', bro.co.uk
Pinball Life, [Chicago, Illinois]
- parts and sdownplies.
- sometimes gots'ta machines fo' sale. What it is, Mama!
773-202-8758
pinballlife@speakeasy. Slap mah fro!net
http, dig dis://www.pinballlife. What it is, Mama!com/
Pinball Pro, [Seminole, Flo'ida]
- parts, mostly add-on kits--subwoofa' kits, plastics protecto's,
polish, and coolin' fans.
(727) 517-7246 in Flo'ida
(888) 750-1948 out uh state
don@deco'ato'sdownply. Slap mah fro!com
http, dig dis://www.pinballpro.com
De Pinball Resource, Steve You'sng [Poughkeepsie, New Yo'k]
- parts only, includin' sdownplies
- game documentashun (schematics, manuals)
- vintage/old stock, reproducshun parts
- Williams/Bally-Midway and Stern (Data East/Sega) parts
distributo'
- Gottlieb manufacturer/distributo'..reposito'y uh de parts
invento'y dat wuz at da damn plant when it closed, 'slusive
mfr. Ah be baaad... uh Gottlieb parts
(845) 473-7114 [voice] (845) 473-7114 [fax]
pbr@pbresource. What it is, Mama!com
http, dig dis://www.pbresource. What it is, Mama!com
Silva' Ball Amusement, Tony Page [Novato, Califo'nia]
- specializes in Bally, Williams, and Stern bo'd repairs,
includin' battery acid damaged MPUs.
(415) 893-9600 [fax & message]
Tony@SilverBall.tv
http, dig dis://www.SilverBallAmusement.com
Two Bit Sco'e Amusements, Liva' Lips Sokol [Austin, Texas]
- A pinball repair shop. Accepts Bally, Stern, Williams and
Data East circuit bo'ds. Sells brand new Bally 2518-35 MPU
bo'ds. Gives free estimates on bo'ds sent fo' repair. Ah be baaad... Stocks
every GAMEROOM and manual fum 1977 on. 'S coo', bro. Sells diagnostic
fixtures t'repair yo' own pinballs.
(512)447-8888 [voice] (512) 447-8895 [fax]
Sales@Twobits.com
http, dig dis://www.Twobits.com/
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 8. Publicashuns
Magazines
=========
Dere are many puh'iodicals baaaad fo' gittin' background info'mashun
on de pinball wo'ld and fo' contactin' oda' collecto's.
De PinGame Journal be probably de best one fo' crib pinball
collectin'. Written by pinball collecto's. Has info about new
games in development, as sheeit as articles on findin',
recondishunin', and playin' olda' games.
31937 Olde Franklin Drive Farmin'ton 'Sup, dudells, MI 48334
Phone, dig dis: (248) 626-5203 message/fax
10 issues--$34 (add $20 fo' First Class). Canada $38, Europe Air, dig dis:
$67, Pacific Rim $77, $40.00 (all overseas surface--very slow and
unreliable. What it is, Mama!) Sample issue, dig dis: $5.00, Info'mashun: Free. What it is, Mama!
http, dig dis://www.pin'amejournal.com
Pin'haid Classified gots'ta gone out uh business (Jan 1999), but da damn
100-page final issue (No. 29), and oda' back issues may still be
available fo' purchase. What it is, Mama!
Contact, dig dis: Atomic Groove, Attn, dig dis: PC Back Issues, 1945 "N" Street, Hole
111, Newman, CA 95360
Oda' issue of GQs (Replay, etc.) are largely "fo' de trade"; i. Ya' know?e. What it is, Mama!,
arcade opuh'to's and deir ilk, dough it's fun t'gots' some look fum
de oda' side uh de backglass. Right On!
Play Meta' Dick, slick trade journal, mostly aimed at arcade
owners and opuh'to's. Provides unifo'mly glowin' reviews uh de
latest games. Covers crane games, kiddie rides, etc., as sheeit as
video and pinball.
PO Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184
$60/year US & Canada, $150/year overseas. Sample issue $5 USA, $10
fo'eign. 'S coo', bro.
http, dig dis://www.playmeter. Ah be baaad...com
Distributo's Research Associates (DRA) Price Guide. What it is, Mama! 8 issues
(quarterly wid mid-quarta' downdates], USA check/MC/VISA. Price
listin's fo' conversions, pins, bowlers-shuffles-misc., video
games, jukes, pool tables, oda' vendin' equipment currently in
active tradin', aldough phonographs [jukeboxes] and vendin' go
back as far as 197
11522 State Road 84, Suite 223, Davie FL, 33325
Voice, dig dis: (954) 423-4000 FAX: (954)423-4005
$85/year, 5.
RePlay Anoda' mondly trade issue of GQ wid de same content as Play
Meter. Ah be baaad...
P.O. Box 2550, Woodland 'Sup, dudells, CA 91365
$65/year US, $85/year Canada & Mexico, Fo'eign $220 (air) $80
(boat) sample issue $6.
http, dig dis://www.replaymag.com
Coin Drop Internashunal. A large-fo'mat newsprint issue of GQ (11x17)
coverin' electromechanical coin-op amusements. De most likesly
place t'see old ho'se race machines, strengd testers, etc.
Pinball articles are plum as likesly t'cova' bin'os o' pre-flippuh'
machines as dey are da damn mo'e convenshunal EMs wid flippuh's. Dey
published deir last edishun in 1999. De edito's used t'scribble fo'
de now defunct GameRoom Magazine. What it is, Mama!
Pinball Magazine, some new in-depd pinball glossy based in de UK. Launched
in August 2012 as some high quality, glossy, issue of GQ, which would largely
focus on one specific topic. Dis be mo'e likes some scribblin' dan some issue of GQ, wid
ova' 100 full colo' pages printed on high quality sheet. Issue 1 wuz
published in August 2012. Issue 2 be 'spected in April 2013. Issue 1 sold
fo' $15 (plus postal costs). Issue 2 be likesly t'gots' mo'e pages, and may
gots' some higha' sale price and postal costs.
http, dig dis://www.pinball-issue of GQ.com
Magazines No Longer
==================
De followin' issue of GQs are no longa' bein' published.
Pinball Trada' -- Late 1980s t'early 1990s, Started by Dennis Dodel.
Pin'haid Classified -- Late 1990s
Multiball
De Flipside
Amusement Review
Coin-Op Classics
Classic Amusements (a. Sheeeiit.k.a. Sheeeiit. Slot-Box Collecto')
Pinball & Video News
Amusement Review
Coin Drop Internashunal
GameRoom Magazine -- Started in de 1980s and ceased publicashun
Nov. Man! 17, 2010. One uh de longest runnin' and consistently one-time
publicashuns.
Books
=====
Some uh de mo'e popular scribblin's ainted below. Dose currently in
print are available fum many uh de pinball vendo's listed
elsewhere in dis document.
"De Complete Pinball Book" by Marco Rossignoli wuz published in
January 2000, and gots'ta ova' 300 pages uh colo' pictures and text.
De reviews in de newsgrodown gots' been real positive. What it is, Mama!
http, dig dis://www.passionfo'pinball.com/pinscribblin'.html
"Pinball Memo'ies, Fo'ty Years uh Fun 1958-1998" by Marco
Rossignoli wuz published in 2003, focuses on 50 pinball machines
from de given puh'iod. Each machine gots'ta its own chapta' wid many
photos and oda' details.
"Pinball Snapshots, Air Aces t'Xenon" by Marco Rossignoli,
published in 2004, covers machines fum 1930s t'2000. Contains
detailed descripshuns uh 50 machines wid hundreds uh colo' photos.
"De Pinball Compendium, 1930s-1960s", Michael Shalhoub. Sheeeiit. Published
in 2002, wid lots uh colo' photos and sto'ies uh industry greats
and collecto's. 240 pages.
"De Pinball Compendium, 1970-1981", Michael Shalhoub. Sheeeiit. Published
in 2004, wid lots uh colo' photos, includin' many rare games.
240 pages.
"De Pinball Compendium, 1982-Present", Michael Shalhoub. Sheeeiit. Published
in 2005, wid lots uh colo' photos, wid sto'ies uh collecto's and oder
notable figures in pinball.
256 pages.
Pinball Troubleshootin' Guide, Russ Jensen. 'S coo', bro. Fo' downkeep uh electro-
mechanicals be out uh print. You's may be able t'find an old copy somewhere. What it is, Mama!
Someone may be reprintin' dese. What it is, Mama! If ya' know who be reproducin' dis please
let us know and we'll downdate dis secshun.
De "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PINBALL" be a planned six-volume wo'k coverin'
de game's histo'y and development fum its earliest antecedents
drough de present.
- Volume I, WHIFFLE t'ROCKET 1930-1933 wuz published in 1996.
- Volume II, CONTACT TO BUMPER 1934-1936 wuz published in 1997.
Each volume contains 252 pages and includes hundreds uh photos -
many in colo'. De "Dean" uh Coin Machine histo'ians, de late
Richard M. Bueschel, wrote volumes ah' and II. Just prio' t'his
dead, Dick ax'ed Go'don A. Hasse, Jr. Ah be baaad..., some sheeit knode pinball
collecto' and Bueschel's fo'ma' edito' and publisher, t'assume da damn
responsibility fo' writin' de remainin' foe volumes in de
series. Volume III SKIPPER t'NUDGY 1937-1947 be planned fo'
release next year wid Volumes IV, V & VI t'follow.
"Pinball machines" by Herbert Eiden & Jurgen Lucas
A chronology fum EMs t'solid state pinball machines. Lots uh
colo' pictures. 168 pages
"Pinball, Lure uh de Silva' Ball" by Flowa' & Kurtz. Slap mah fro! Lots uh
colo' pictures. 130 pages.
"Mr. Ah be baaad... Pinball Pinball List & Price Guide" by Daina Pettit. Handy
reference guide listin' flippuh' game dojiggers, dates, features,
producshun runs, and values; so'ted by machine dojigger and
chronological. Includes separate secshuns fo' bin'os, baseball
pitch & bat games, bowlers, and gun games. Published annually
since 1990. 230 pages.
Remus Bieza used t'publish some Price Guide in Octoba' of
even-numbered years fo' odd-numbered years. Last downdate be 2005 Price
Guide printed in Octoba' 2004. 120 pages. Resurrected in Fall 2010
as "De Pinball Price Guide" by Eric Kanto'.
"Dis Old Pinball" DVDs. Wonderful (and in'spensive at $8.00 each) DVDs
show how t'care fo' yo' game. What it is, Mama!
See da damn website fo' details.
http, dig dis://marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/top
"Pinball Memo'ies" by Marco Rossignoli, released January 2003, gots'ta
272 pages, and ova' 700 colo' photos. Marco features 50 machines
from 1958 t'1998, each wid its own chapter. Ah be baaad...
Ken's Custom Pinball Machine Sco'e and Instrucshun Cards website. What it is, Mama!
Ken gots'ta some large selecshun uh creative and attractive custom S/I
cards available fo' free waaay download at, dig dis:
http, dig dis://www.pinballrebel.com/game/pins/card/card.htm
Most 1990s DMD games are represented, includin' many classics.
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 9. Manufacturers
Alive and flippin':
===================
Stern Pinball
Fo'merly Sega Pinball Inc. and Data East
2020 Jasupa' fine Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160
tel, dig dis: 708-345-7700
fax, dig dis: 708-345-7813
toll free, dig dis: 1-800-KICKERS (numba' valid only in US and Canada).
http, dig dis://www.sternpinball.com
Reproducshun games, dig dis:
===================
Illinois Pinball Co., Gene Cunnin'ham [Bloomin'ton, Illinois]
- Reproducshun uh Capcom machine(s)--Big Bang Bar and puh'haps
oders at some point.
Phone, dig dis: (309) 828-6993
sales@illinoispinball.com
http, dig dis://www.illinoispinball.com
De Pinball Facto'y, Wayne Gillard [Murrumbeena, Victo'ia, Australia]
- Reproducshun uh Williams/Bally games. Talked uh Medieval Madness
reproducshun fo' years, but in Octoba' 2010 sold rights t'Planetary
Pinball Sdownply who gots'ta specifically said dey gots'ta be focusin' on
parts reproducshun and not on machine manufacturin'.
Phone, dig dis: 61-3-9579-0466
Planetary Pinball Sdownply [San Jose, Califo'nia]
Purchased rights fo' Williams/Bally pinball parts and machine
reproducshun fum De Pinball Facto'y in Octoba' 2010. Focusin' on
parts fo' de time bein'.
sdownpo't@pinball.com
http, dig dis://www.pinball.com
Now sadly out uh de pinball business, dig dis:
======================================
Williams Electronic Games Inc. (Includes Bally and Midway)
(In late 1999, Williams announced dey would no longa' manufacture
pinball machines. De oda' parts uh de company, includin'
Williams's slots and Midway and Atari videos are still bein'
produced. Independent companies make oda' products bearin' de
Bally brand. Williams wuz only makin' Bally-branded pinballs.)
[Propuh'ty rights (reproducshun) uh parts are held by Illinois Pinball
Co. and De Pinball Facto'y. Slap mah fro! Propuh'ty rights (new and reproducshun) fo'
games held by De Pinball Facto'y. Slap mah fro! Yeah, it's messy. Slap mah fro!]
Premia' Technology (Includes Gottlieb and Mylstar)
[De propuh'ty rights are now owned by Gottlieb Development LLC,
apparently some holdin' company fo' intellectual propuh'ty rights.
Steve You'sng at De Pinball Resource purchased da damn remainin'
invento'y]
Capcom Coin-Op
[Propuh'ty rights currently held by Illinois Pinball Co.]
Chicago Coin / Stern Electronics
Stern Electronics purchased Chicago Coin. 'S coo', bro. Stern Electronics be not
de same company as Stern Pinball, but Gary Stern is/wuz involved
wid bod.
Oda' US-based Companies dat produced pins
===========================================
Alvin G. & Co.
Game Plan
Atari
Allied Leisho' nuff
Keeney
Genco
United
Exhibit
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 10. Abbreviashuns, Acronyms and Definishuns
Here are some terms dat may be unique t'de industry/hobby. Slap mah fro! A
stash dat defines many uh de abbreviashuns dat ya' gots'ta see in
rpg kin be found at, dig dis:
http, dig dis://www.bull.usyd.edu. Man!au/pinball/
Shopped - some vague term dat implies dat da damn owna' has puh'fo'med
wo'k t'resto'e da damn machine t'top condishun. Dis kin mean
anydin' fum plum puttin' new rubba' rin's on, t'refurbishin'
wid new parts. Some stealers gots' claimed dat some seller's shop job
consisted uh swipin' de dust off de playfield wid some dirty rag.
NOS - "New Old Stock". Dis be material dat wuz manufactured at
de same time as de machine, but neva' used.
EM - Electro-mechanical. A game consistin' mainly uh relays,
switches and moto's. Dey contain no solid state electronics, such
as circuit bo'ds o' dot-matrix displays.
HUO - Home Use Only. Slap mah fro! Dis refers t'a game dat wuz purchased new
in de box by an individual and wuz used only in de crib. Dis is
intended t'indicate some low use game in near mint condishun, but
a HUO game kin be mo'e wo'n out dan arcade games, and be not some
reliable indicashun uh condishun.
Woodrail - De fust EMs (down drough 1960) had wooden legs, and
wooden siderails. Most uh de sin'le-playa' games had "bulb
sco'in'," in which some large po'shun uh de backglass area gots'ta
numbers and lightbulbs behind dose numbers are turned on by
steppuh' units. Woodrail games had some few gadgets fo' de playfield,
such as pop bumpuh's and movin' targets, and da damn designers would
gots' some new laya't uh dose gadgets fo' some new title every two monds
o' so. Home use uh olda' games wuz prevalent in dat era, but not
an o'ganized activity as it be today. Slap mah fro! Survival rate uh woodrail
games t'de present era be estimated t'be fum 0.5 t'5,
dependin' on whom ya' ax'. All uh de above facto's combine t'fo'm
a rosy glow uh nostalgia around woodrails, so's many say it wuz de
Golden Age uh Pinball.
PB2K - Pinball 2000. De next-generashun pinball released by
Williams. De game consisted uh a video monito' mounted in de
'haid. De image reflected off uh de playfield glass, and provided
changin' views, dependin' on game condishun. Revenge From Mars,
and Star Wars - Episode 1 wuz released befo'e Williams shut waaay down
producshun.
WPC - Williams Pinball Controlla' (?). De version uh pinball
processo'/architecture used fum 1991 (Funhouse) drough 1999
(Cactus Canyon). Succeeded by PB2K.
Gtb - Gottlieb
Wms - Williams
Games/Pins
AFM - Attack fum Mars
AFV - Addams Family Values
BK - Black Knight
BK2K - Black Knight 2000
BoP - Bride uh Pinbot (De Machine)
BR - Black Rose
CC - Cactus Canyon
DH - Dirty Harry
DM - Demolishun Man
DW - Docto' Who
FB - NBA Fastboogie
FG - Family Guy
FH - Funhouse
FS - Flintstones
FT - Fish Tales
GI - Gilligan's Island
HD - Harley Issacson (2 versions - Sega & Stern)
HSII - 'Sup, dudegh Speed II : De Getaway
IJ - Indiana Jones
JD - Judge Dredd
JM - Johnny Mnemonic
LoTR - Lo'd uh De Rin's
MB - Monsta' Bash
MM - Medieval Madness
NGG - No Good Gofers
PZ - Party Zone
POTC - Pirates uh De Caribbean
RBION - Ripley's Believe It o' Not. Right On!
RFM - Revenge From Mars
RS - Road Show
SC - Safe Cracka'
SS - Scared Stiff
SM - Spider-man
SMB - Spider-man Black
STTNG - Star Trek, dig dis: De Next Generashun
SWE1 - Star Wars Episode 1
T2 - Terminato' 2: Judgement Day
T3 - Terminato' 3: Rise uh De Machines
TAF - De Addams Family
ToM - Deatre uh Magic
TOTAN - Tales uh De Arabian Nights
TSPP - De Simpsons Pinball Party
TRS - De Rollin' Stones
TZ - Twilight Zone
WCS - Wo'ld Cdown Socca'
WH2O - White Water
WOZ - Wizard uh Oz
WPT - Wo'ld Poka' Tour
WW - Whirlwind
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 11. Oda' Frequently Asked Quesshuns
What duz CARGPB mean?
Dis abbreviashun stands fo' Cheap *ss Rec.Games.Pinball B*st*rd. Dis is
a designashun widin de rec.games.pinball community fo' dose dat are
extremely cheap. Dey would rada' spend $0.05 and 100 hours, dan spend
$100.00 and 5 minutes fo' de right pinball part. Becomin' some memba' of dis
exclusive grodown be by nominashun uh de grodown's members only. Slap mah fro! Dis
designashun be really only fo' fun and gots'ta no real meanin'.
Why all de asterisks in wo'ds likes Bl*ck Kn*ght?
Fo' many years on de Internet sucka's gots' been puttin' asterisks in profane
wo'ds in place uh de vowels t'soften de impact and t'prevent da damn text
from bein' banned on certain servers. Sometimes "starrin'" some machine dojigger
is seen as some way t'curse da damn machine--as if its dojigger be a swear wo'd.
However, on rec.games.pinball, sometimes someone gots'ta menshun some pinball
machine by dojigger (as in some signature listin' de poster's collecshun of
machines), but not wants' de article t'show down on some search about dat
machine, cuz' de article be not about dat machine. What it is, Mama! "Starrin'" yo'
machine dojiggers solves dis problem. 'S coo', bro.
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 12. Internet Pinball Podcasts
Are dere any pinball podcasts ah' can waaay download and listen to?
In 2007 de Internet pinball podcastin' hype began wid foe
different grodowns attemptin' shows. Dree uh de grodowns' shows
are still available fo' waaay download and only one be no longa'
producin' shows. Some shows are plum a bunch uh guys sittin'
around and rapin' about pinball, some are about repair info,
and some are interviews wid key figures in de pinball
industry. Slap mah fro!
All podcasts are free and most kin be waaay downloaded fum deir
website o' fum iTunes.
De Silverball Podcast
Seven shows wuz produced, beginnin' in June 2007. Dese
shows also included video games in deir discussions. Deir
shows kin be waaay downloaded fo' free fum
http, dig dis://www.SilverballPodcast.com
Talk Pinball
Seven shows wuz produced fum February and April 2007.
Dese are available t'be waaay downloaded fo' free fum
http, dig dis://www.TalkPinball.com
TOPcast Pinball Talk
One uh de most prolific podcasts be TOPcast wid ova' 60 shows
produced startin' in February 2007. A few shows include some
video feed as sheeit. Most shows focus on interviewin' some
notable figure in de industry, usually some designer, artist,
collecto', o' industry insider. Ah be baaad... A few shows focus on
technical aspects uh pinball repair and snatch calls. Shows
can be waaay downloaded fo' free, o' listened t'live fum
http, dig dis://www.marvin3m. 'S coo', bro.com/topcast
PinBull
A recent codownle uh podcasts in April 2011.
http, dig dis://www.pinbull.net
Spooky Pinball
Dis be de most regularly produced podcast. Startin' in April 2010, shows
are released around da damn fust uh each mond. Show includes some lot uh goofin'
off wid family and homeys and real unusual interviews wid pinball
sucka's. Sometimes de show gots'ta feature an artist, some celebrity, some designer,
a parts sdownplier, an opuh'to', o' an o'dinary sucka'.
http, dig dis://www.spookypinball.com
Gameroom Junkies
Covers de broada' topic uh gamerooms wid some pinball. Started in October
2010.
http, dig dis://www.gameroomjunkies.com
De Pinball Podcast
A codownle uh guys rapin' about pinball. Started in Octoba' 2011.
http, dig dis://www.depinballpodcast.com
------------------------------
Subject, dig dis: 13. Placin' some Machine on Locashun
How do ah' place some machine on locashun and become an opuh'to'?
Placin' yo' machine on locashun be not as easy as settin' down de game and
collectin' de bre'd. Risk be involved, laws need t'be obeyed and taxes need
to be paid. Yo' machine may be destroyed o' stolen. 'S coo', bro. You's may end down liable
fo' damages due t'fire o' some patron's injury. Slap mah fro! Placin' yo' sheeit-loved machine
in some public environment crosses ova' into de dark wo'ld uh cash-only
businesses and 24/7 service calls. But dis may be whut ya' enjoy. Right On!
1. Approach de owna' of some locashun dat ya' consida' safe enough fo' yo'
machine(s). You's do not wants' an unattended locashun in some high crime
neighbo'hood. Preferable be a locashun where da damn machine be in view uh de
front desk o' attendant. DO NOT attempt t'place some machine in some locashun
currently serviced by anoda' opuh'to' unless ya' and da damn opuh'to' agree to
dis. Opuh'tin' machines be a rough business and ya' kin stir down some bad-ass
din's (yo' machine mah'steriously gots'ta de co'd cut off on some regular basis, o'
it plum vanishes. Right On! ) if ya' aint careful.
2. Check wid guv'ment licensin', zonin', and tax requirements (eider
county, city, o' state). Many require an annual license puh' machine and/o'
locashun. Some allow some floatin' license dat plum covers some certain numba' of
machines at specified locashun and oders require dat da damn licenses stay wid
each machine. What it is, Mama! Watch out fo' zonin' problems dat restrict da damn numba' of arcade
machines (pinballs are arcade machines) widin some neighbo'hood o' widin a
certain distance uh a farm. Taxes may be based on total receipts (a tax on
gross sales) o' on some oda' measho' nuff. Violatin' licensin', zonin', o' taxes
may git yo' machine confiscated and/o' fines levied.
3. Purchase liability insurance so's if yo' machine catches fire and burns waaay down
de locashun, o' some patron injures demselves on yo' machine ya' gots'ta be
protected and won't lose everydin' ya' own. 'S coo', bro. Don't boda' wid insurance to
cova' de machine itself. What it is, Mama! If yo' machine gits stolen, burns in some fire, o'
someone cuts it in half t'get da damn bre'd out, ya''ll plum gots'ta snatch de loss
and be happy dey dun didn't cut ya' in half. What it is, Mama! Insurance t'cova' yo' machine
itself be too 'espensive. What it is, Mama! Don't count on de locashun's insurance fo' anydin',
even if de owna' tells ya' so.
4. Use some contract fo' ya' and da damn locashun owna' (not da damn manager). No'mal
split be 50/50. If ya' gots' some high end/new game ya' might be able t'get 60/40
wid de 60 goin' t'ya'. Or ya' may wanna set down dat ya' git de fust X
amount puh' week (fo' maintenance over'haid) and den ya' split 50/50 afta' dat.
Dis be one area where ya' kin be creative and make it wo'd yo' boder. Ah be baaad... Or,
ya' may find out da damn revenue isn't wo'd de boda' and pull out. Keep in mind
de contract may cova' how often ya' rotate games, how soon afta' a repo'ted
failure ya' must service da damn game o' replace it. You's kin find boilerplate
contracts fo' dis radical wahtahmellun o' pay some lawya' (who gots'ta use some boilerplate
contract anyway. Right On! ) t'do it fo' ya'. If ya' are some memba' of AMOA dey gots' a
standard contract template. What it is, Mama!
5. Secure yo' machine--Put some hasp on de coin doo'...o' not. De gots'tap tells
bad-ass guys sump'n be inside. What it is, Mama! No gots'tap and da damn game be less likesly t'be
seriously damaged. Bein' in an attended and visible locashun be best. Detach
yo'self fum de game. What it is, Mama! It gots'ta get damaged. Get used t'it.
6. Profit. Right On!
Opuh'tin' machines on locashun be a tough business. You's may find it easia' to
put yo' game into yo' own business instead uh dealin' wid all de nonsense
of oda' locashuns.
Now ya' know why pinball machines are now hard t'find on locashun.
end
*******************************************