Hi guys, for some reason, just this past week, pinball popped into my head, and I can't get it out.
I've been researching it online, and find it irresistible. I've always enjoyed pinball videogames, but now realize I can afford a real machine!

I was wondering if anyone in Ottawa is willing to showoff their game room, offer tips, and/or show me the ropes. I read the newbie thread, but it is very general. I'm aware that things break (I'm an engineer, I'm familiar with that), and that it's an expensive hobby.

I've found a few machines for sale locally and was considering buying one. Specifically, I found a TMNT Data East machine for $800, that is supposedly working. Is that a good deal? I've played it a bit on vpinMAME, and it's pretty simple, but would you recommend it as a first pin? All the other DMDs for sale are almost twice as expensive, and I'm only interested in DMDs (damn kids these days!). I apologize for asking for you to hold my hand, but I've never spent so much on something before (other than my house and car).

Do you guys ever get together in Ottawa?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know if I would jump into a TMNT. If you don't like it, it will be a hard sell and may turn you off of collecting. I would say stick to titles in your budget that have a more universal appeal so you can move around a bit in the pins and not get stuck.

So would I recommend TMNT for a first pin. No. Even some older titles are better and can be bought within your budget.

Thanks for the advice!

I also found a few Stern's from the early 80s like Galaxy, Stars, Trident, and Ali for approx $500 each. Would they be better for a first machine?

Keep in mind though, I'm only 24, so me and my friends see TMNT as a big piece nostalgia. Similar to how older folks drool over TZ (I happen to like that show too, even though it's WAY before my time, and yes, I'm aware it's a much better game than TMNT).

Someone's also selling a Stargate pin for $900, but it is not guaranteed to work. Since I don't know what fixing a machine up entails exactly, I'm quite hesitant.

from all those u listed I think Stargate is the most fun. .. I guess depending whats broken? Some things are easy to fix.. some no.

I'm not sure but this may be the same TMNT that doesn't have a working display.  Those are unique and are VERY expensive to replace (300$+).

Mike

Bah.... forget pinball.... !

Get a nice classic vid instead    


http://www.arcade.chezsuys.com/Robo1.html


...and I'm in Ottawa too !

Cheers,
Steph

Any machine that isnt booting wouldnt be recommenced as a first machine.

Buying a relatively cheap one that works, even if it doesnt look all that nice, will be a much better experience in my opinion. Like Glen said, buying a non-working or unsellable game would kinda turn you off the hobby.

Personally, i started with a working game that needed some fixes and a good cleaning. I learned a lot on it and never looked behind after, at least the possibilily of starting and playing a game is satisfying by itself, even if there are some little things that are not working, you will still enjoy the process.

Good luck in your quest, we'll schedule a meeting over at your place next year, i'm sure there will be *at least* 3 machines in the gameroom  

Thanks for all the advice!

It's really nice to find a helpful community such as this.

Splitskull: I agree that Stargate would be the most fun, but the seller was a bit curt. I asked him if it boots up at least, and he said that before doing that he'd have to check it all out first, and would then sell it for $1500. Since I'm just starting out, even a simple machine is pretty fun for me, I can work my way up to the more advanced machines over time.

MrMikeMan: I assume the display is expensive since it's a smaller DMD, and therefore more rare. If the display isn't working, I'm not gonna buy it. Thanks for the heads up.

Steph: Nice try, but I'd rather just buy an arcade stick for my 360. Bah! Kids these days!

Azatotht: I like your psychology 101, I was thinking along the same lines.

Another question: Can anyone recommend some places to play pinball around Ottawa? I found a DM at Merivale Bowling Lanes. And I remember a TZ at McArthur Bowling a couple years ago. Anywhere else?

Quoted from jonny_eh

Can anyone recommend some places to play pinball around Ottawa? I found a DM at Merivale Bowling Lanes. And I remember a TZ at McArthur Bowling a couple years ago. Anywhere else?

The best place with reliable machines are at fellow MAACA collectors

Quite a few in the Ottawa area.....

Mike

I just spoke to the person selling the TMNT machine and she said that the display is not working, but someone came buy to look at it and said the display is fine, but the wrong voltage is being applied. Does this sound like an easy problem to fix?

Quoted Text

The best place with reliable machines are at fellow MAACA collectors

I'm waiting for an invite

Quoted from jonny_eh

Another question: Can anyone recommend some places to play pinball around Ottawa? I found a DM at Merivale Bowling Lanes. And I remember a TZ at McArthur Bowling a couple years ago. Anywhere else?

Look in the "Places to Play" section on the site: http://archive.maaca.org/s107351202.onlinehome.us/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-placestoplay/

Hmmm..  How could this person tell that the display was fine since it wasn't working...  It *MAY* be an easy fix but it may also have both the wrong voltage and a crapped out display.  Are you a gambling man?

Mike

Quoted from MrMikeman

Hmmm..  How could this person tell that the display was fine since it wasn't working...  It *MAY* be an easy fix but it may also have both the wrong voltage and a crapped out display.  Are you a gambling man?

Mike

She said that she would knock down the price. So... if I can  get $200 off, it'd still be worth it, right?

Sounds like a better deal then...  As long as you realize that once you get sick of it, it will be hard to re-sell locally to the "collectors" but may sell more easily to non-pin folks.

Mike

Quoted from jonny_eh

I just spoke to the person selling the TMNT machine and she said that the display is not working, but someone came buy to look at it and said the display is fine, but the wrong voltage is being applied. Does this sound like an easy problem to fix?


I'm waiting for an invite

Until you have the power back up to see what you have, you are rolling the dice. That display is outrageously expensive to replace.

You need to buy this game dirt cheap unless they can prove to you that is all the problem is. Putting $300 into the display as Mrmikeman said is probably investing more in this game than you will recover unless you downright steal it from her.

See for yourself. Here is the display.

http://www.marcospecialties.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=20001&eq=&Tp=

The sound board could be something easy in the amplifier section or it could be something else. Again buying a project without knowing what should be there, you don't even know as much as it being the right board in there for all you know. I suggest you buy something that is working until you get some working knowledge about these machines.

Quoted from jonny_eh

Keep in mind though, I'm only 24, so me and my friends see TMNT as a big piece nostalgia. Similar to how older folks drool over TZ

Watch it junior   someday people will be saying "Similar to how older folks drool over TMNT..." Oh wait, that will NEVER happen

As others have said, I would pass on that unless you can get is cheaper. Full disclosure -- I thought of buying one as my kids really like TMNT -- but there is no way I would pay $800 for one even if working 100%. The gameplay is limited and it will be a hard sell.

If you are looking at keeping your budget low, I would consider Sys. 11 games or low end WPC games. Unless you really want to get into the electronics I would avoid early solid state pins like the early Sterns you mentioned.

Duane

So for the sake of argument, if the DMD is broken and needs replacing, where do I buy a replacement? I believe it's a 128x16 display.

While I was writing my last reply, you wrote she took $200 off. If you really want this game, get her to take $375 off. That will roughly cover the cost of the display, shipping, and taxes. That's if you really want a TMNT...

Duane

See Necro's post. He links to Marco's site -- where it can be purchased.

Duane

Great, thanks for the advice!

Yeah, I'm with Duane. System 11. Decent games, decent pricing and you will find lots of online help from other owners. TMNT doesn't really hang with the collectors that chat this mess up. If you stick to the lines that collectors collect then you will be able to move it later and get lots of help while you own it.

Great, know anyone selling a System 11 machine within the Ottawa region?

You just missed Hippochrome's Pinbot for $700. He was probably your neighbour. Have a look through the classifieds here.

Anyone willing to sell me a T2 machine? I've had a soft spot for it ever since I was a kid.

Mary Ellen (medvet) has a Bad Cats for sale I believe...

Mike

Quoted from jonny_eh

Anyone willing to sell me a T2 machine? I've had a soft spot for it ever since I was a kid.

If your patient they come around, but your probably going to have to close to double your $800 budget to get one.

Your into WPC which is the generation after System 11. There are lots of titles in the $1500 to $2000 mark that are a lot of fun in there.

Quoted from MrMikeman

Mary Ellen (medvet) has a Bad Cats for sale I believe...

Mike

It's a fun playing table, but the theme is so damn annoying!

Quoted from jonny_eh

It's a fun playing table, but the theme is so damn annoying!

Hence the below 1K price..  I think you'll find that you get what you pay for..  The better Sys 11 will cost 1000$-1200$ on average - keep in mind that a Pinbot just sold for 700$ so there are deals out there just not that many!.  I sold my Pinbot last year for 1100$..

As Necro said a T2 will cost 1500$ on average.

Mike

I was also looking at the tmnt this week. The lady told me she'll take $500 asis for it.
FYI. It has an extra display included....I don't know if it works or not. Keep in mind that the playfield is pretty rough.....and it is missing one of the three buttons to set the machine. Theres a couple hacks on the board too... some big think black wire/cable stuff with foil on the ends going from the display to the cpu board...then another from the cpu board going to the cab somewhere.
I'm a year old newbie and I wouldn't tough this machine with a ten foot pole.
My .0002 cents......

Quoted from Hippochrome

some big think black wire/cable stuff with foil on the ends going from the display to the cpu board...then another from the cpu board going to the cab somewhere..

Sounds like the grounding wire.  It's most likely normal.

Mike

Quoted from Hippochrome

I was also looking at the tmnt this week. The lady told me she'll take $500 asis for it.
FYI. It has an extra display included....I don't know if it works or not. Keep in mind that the playfield is pretty rough.....and it is missing one of the three buttons to set the machine. Theres a couple hacks on the board too... some big think black wire/cable stuff with foil on the ends going from the display to the cpu board...then another from the cpu board going to the cab somewhere.
I'm a year old newbie and I wouldn't tough this machine with a ten foot pole.
My .0002 cents......

Thanks for the heads up. I guess I won't bother even looking at it then.

Just keep your eyes peeled to the various want ads around....MAACA classifieds site is the best...I found its the best place to find something that works and is from an honest person. You will find deals on the Ottawa classifides sites but its pretty hit and miss with reliablilty...Stick to machines from the mid 1980's to early 1990's if you want something fun and at your price range under $1000.  
In Ottawa your always safe when buying from Medvet or jvegas....in fact I highly recommend buying your first machine from one of them. Medvet has a badcats which I think you should buy...if you get sick of the theme, you can always sell it for what you paid...thats the great thing about pinball machines...they are little savings accounts that are fun to play with.

Check Hippochrome's thread on TMNT (http://archive.maaca.org/s107351202.onlinehome.us/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1193342840/s-/s-new/#num11) - the as-is price is down to $500.    

If you are in the west end near Merivale Mall you come by our place just to see a few machines.   No A-list games at our place - but I can help you get familiar with them (just PM me).


Doug.

As someone who is only 8 months or so into the hobby, I'd suggest picking a pinball system - and focusing on that.   A good popular system with good games is Willams System 11.   They are fairly fun with ramps and multi-ball but no DMD display.   The good thing is there's lots of replacement parts -  and a lot of choices.   You can get a working one for fairly cheap - and because they are simpler than the newer DMD + lots-of-toys you can get familiar with basic repairs easily.

Just my two-cents...

...I didnt' follow this advice and have no regrets - just have a few pins I'd like to sell now  

Jeez guys , I guess I better officially list my Bad Cats in the classifieds after all the kind words ...thanks Mr Mikeman and Hippochrome.

ME

The only thing I can sujest myself just dont jump on the first machine you find.
Make sure you like it really not because it is a good price but because you like it.
Because man moving pins is fun but gets long after a while.

Iam a noob like you and i think you shouldnt buy to resell first because, the reparation, the trouble... do it for yourself and think your money is gone simplie. If you cant afford to "lost" 1000$ or more you better to look for an other hobby. My 2 cent.

And by the way welcome!!

I went this afternoon to check out the TMNT machine, and as Hippochrome said, it's not in 100% perfect condition. He said that it was missing a diagnostic button, but it actually isn't. The door has a space for one, but the game is only designed for two buttons, check the repair manual.

The display is a new one (relatively), but for some reason it quit on them last week, and only the odd line flickers on. They tested the voltage to the DMD, but it reads as 18V instead of the required 70V. Also, the poup manhole plunger recently got busted too.

I happen to like the game, been playing it for a while in VPinmame, but am worried that this game is giving up the ghost.

The back panel is really nice, I happen to like the seedy style as opposed to the usual cartoony TMNT style. If you haven't seen the TMNT back panel, check it out, it's awesome:
http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=2509&picno=9799

I guess I'll just keep my eyes open for a good deal, no need to rush into this. In the meantime I can brush up on my skills with pay to play games, and Vpinmame.