Daddums is getting a pinball.

[Bratwurst]

Which is great, because while I'm a hopeless case, he was never into the whole video game thing. He's mentioned getting a pinball table now and then though, seems like he finally wants to go through with it.

We've called around and found a local dealer who said he had about 30-40 machines, price ranging from 600 to several k, each one refurbished and he'll transport free for us. Now between the two of us neither are familliar with the ins and outs of this business or what even constitutes a good table (One that is fun.) My father is looking to pay on the low-end, so what I'm asking is:

Anyone know of some reputable dealers in the North-South Carolina / Charlotte area?

What's a fair price for a decent table?

What are some good tables, for that matter?

Any other advice is good too.

[Bratwurst]

Damned if I'm going to let this get buried under Mario Kart candy threads without one reply at least. x_x

[Ed Oscuro]

...well...if you're really desperate...I suggest that you really take a good look at the tables you're considering buying. Don't buy one with a worn playfield (i.e. the bottom of the table) or parts...especially one with missing parts! You should play it a bit too, make sure everything feels smooth. That's a given, though. I'd take a really good look at the joints on the thing.

As far as what constitutes a good table? I've no idea. I'd stay away from most licensed stuff (i.e. Star Trek The Next Generation...might be good but x_x ), and focus on finding one that's pretty nice to look at.

[SpasticFuctard]

Get an Addam's family or Pin-bot machine, condition be damned. These were fine pinball machines and well worth bruning a solid k on.

SF - Ah the sound of an ass talking

[Ed Oscuro]

Heh, I was thinking of the Addams Family pin myself. If I saw one they must've been popular ;)

[Masco73]

Don't waste your time with cheap pins. Go right to the best one. The Addams Family. It is hands down the best machine out there. I played it just about every day for an hour or two over the summer. It is challenging and fun. The only problem it is a favorite for many and a good condition machine will cost you at least $2K. I eventually want to get it when I can afford it and have a gameroom to fit it.
Before everyone jumps down my throat , I have not played every machine out there and out of the ones I have played I think the Addams machine will be hard to top. The new simpson's machine is good, but that will run you at least $3k++.
Your best bet would be to take a trip to this place and have the guy let you play the different machines you are interested in. After all, this is a major purchase and you don't want to get stuck buying a machine and then finding out it isn't fun.
Let us know which one you end up getting.

[Half Japanese]

Bratwurst, I'm in SC and I know we had (and may still have) a local place called Collins Music Co that did pinball, jukebox and arcade leases. You might try finding them (I searched online but couldn't find anything). If you get a hold of someone who has some NeoGeo MVS cabs, let me know, that might be what I spend my Christmas cash on! Good luck!

[Videogamerdaryll]

I'm going to check out a place Thursday that sells Pinball machines..
I want to get an idea of Price range etc...

My Brother in Law is selling one of his old tables for $100.00 on Ebay..
It's not working anymore...

I looked inside that machine and thought.."Oh this would be a nightmare to fix"....I have no clue about fixing these machines.

I'd love to know what your Dad finally picks up.

Congrats..

[Bratwurst]

DrJustinRamone, I'll keep an eye out for you when we head there Saturday. This guy is in Monroe, he has more pinballs than cabinets but I might grab a cheap arcade for myself (Maybe TMNT or one just to MAME) if he has one.

I had my dad look at a few tables online and the Addams Family design wasn't too appealing to him, sort of cluttered. He did like the Space Invaders table though, it reminds me of Alien Crush. Pin-bot's looking good. Ultimately what he's looking for is a very traditional layout with bumpers and dual flippers, a pair at the lower and upper end. Just have to try some and see.

[Half Japanese]

Pin-bot's looking good.

Is this the one with that Robot Lady on it? And all the little astronauts are climbing on her building her? The one I'm thinking of may have been a spinoff of that one 'bride of pinbot' or something like that. Anyway, that reminds me of old trips to the arcade when I was a kid, my dad would literally beat pinball games. He beat that female pinbot one several times and I think also Addam's Family and Twilight Zone ones. All while I was blowing all my money getting my ass kicked at Final Fight and Fatal Fury. Good times.

[Bratwurst]

There's Pinbot, Bride of Pinbot and Jackbot. How did that ugly Pinbot guy get such a svelte slice of metal, anyway?!

[Captain Wrong]

Ultimately what he's looking for is a very traditional layout with bumpers and dual flippers, a pair at the lower and upper end. Just have to try some and see.

Hit up some coin-op auctions. If that's all he's looking for, you can find something of a 70s or 80s vintage pretty damn cheap that would fit the bill.

Also, I'm suprized noone has mentioned the most importaint thing when it comes to buying a pin, finding a game that's going to hold your attention for a long time. Unlike a JAMMA cab, you can't put another table in there.

Good luck.

[Saturn Sensei]

When owning a pinball machine you really discover every facet of the game. You learn every little intricacy. When I bought my first one I looked in the store and tested all of the games they had and then picked the three or four most difficult ones, and then picked the one with the best theme out of those. GoldenEye by Sega from 1996 was the one.


A licensed game fits quite nicely in a gameroom, whereas if you are going to have it in your living room you might want to go with a more neutral theme.

The Internet Pinball Database is a good place to browse.

As are Marco Rossignoli's books on Pinball HERE (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=pinball+marco&userid=2WH83FMFL8)


And THIS book is invaluable too. (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2WH83FMFL8&isbn=0917510135&itm=1)

[Neil Koch]

A couple of games you might like are Taxi or Fun House, I think they are by the same designer of Pin-Bot and feature similar play.

My favorite of all time though is Black Knight 2000. The first one is also very good but I love the Manowar-ish music on 2000.

[packman75]

There is an auction Nov 8th in Winston Salem.

www.auctiongamesales.com

If you get one at auction, just make sure you check it out before they start the bidding. A machine can look like it plays fine and still have a couple hundred dollars worth of needed repairs.

If you want to get one from a dealer that has already gone through the machine and gives a warranty. I'd suggest a guy at the Flea Market in Pineville (close to Carowinds). He has the best prices, and I know one of the retail stores in the area gets their games from him sometimes. I think he is Brian's Gamerooms in the yellow pages.

You can also post a message in rec.games.pinball, there are many people from NC/SC in there that may have a pin they are looking to sell.

You can also check out the Mr. Pinball Classifieds.

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

[Bratwurst]

Dad's getting a Cybernaut, $695, shipped free. Here's the kicker: 1985 machine, was in some guy's basement for 13 years. I looked it over pretty carefully and the thing looks insanely immaculate. Really really nice. I'll take pictures of it when it gets here on Tuesday.

We looked around, there was a Sorceror and Space Invaders table but both in rough shape and needed reconditioning, plus afterwards the dealer said it still wouldn't have looked as nice. The most important thing is that my father did try out the various games, and he picked the one that was the most fun to him.

Lots of 'current' pinball machines, movie themed, two Stargates, a Simpsons. I checked about the arcade cabs and the guy has none, apparently someone recently stopped by and bought out all his stock to convert them into MAME machines.. I hope he gets busted for it.