Difficulty maintaining/ restoring an EM v. DMD?

[andypinboy]

Hi guys. I'm a DMD fan but would like to add just one EM to my small collection. I'm getting fairly comfortable with DMD basic repairs (except boards, I don't touch these - leave to those with a lamp on their head). My question is, if I buy a project EM (something like a firepower, summertime, surfer, night rider - one from the 70's) would I be getting myself into hot water? I'm thinking it's quite a different beast & wonder if I'd be better off to get one already restored, & leave the tinkering to my DMDs? Is there a massive difference in fixing the two types??

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Are you wanting an EM, relays and motors, surfer?
Or an early solid state, digital scoring . firepower, night rider?

[andypinboy]

I think either would do - although the relays & motor version would give a better "feel" for what pinball was in the 70s I think.

[Retropin]

Are you wanting an EM, relays and motors, surfer?
Or an early solid state, digital scoring . firepower, night rider?

Night Rider was an EM also...

[Pop Bumper Pete]

all pinball machines can be maintained
all it requires is a willingness to get your hands dirty

EMs are different to Early solid state, which are different to DMD, which are different again to what Stern is now producing

if you want an EM, then your first one should be a Gotlieb game, STAY AWAY FROM PLAYMATIC!!!!!

there is just as much help around no matter what you are trying to work on

[andypinboy]

Playmatic?? I like the Gotlieb games so would probably give one a run - plenty of help on AP & if all fails I guess calling out a tech isn't the end of the world. My missus actually likes the retro look of these older games so that helps tick one box.

[Retropin]

 I wouldn't restrict yourself to just a Gottlieb.. each manufacturer had its upside and downside and none of them made a perfectly simple system to maintain. Each plays differently.. WMS will be fast.. Gottlieb feel very slow in comparison, Bally games are kind of in the middle. But when it comes to repair etc.. each have their own difficulties

[Strangeways]

I wouldn't restrict yourself to just a Gottlieb.. each manufacturer had its upside and downside and none of them made a perfectly simple system to maintain. Each plays differently.. WMS will be fast.. Gottlieb feel very slow in comparison, Bally games are kind of in the middle. But when it comes to repair etc.. each have their own difficulties

Agreed. Don't restrict yourself to one manufacturer. As mentioned, keep away from Playmatic, Recel and Euroflip. Zaccaria's are rare - but hard to find parts. From a restoration point of view, Gottlieb have more parts available. Williams are good players, but I much prefer Bally's. No real reason other than they are often overshadowed by Gottliebs. From a maintenance point of view, single player wedgeheads are the easiest. From a player's point of view there are tons of great games that won't break your wallet ;

Spirit of 76
Target Alpha
Dealer's Choice
Alladin's Castle

Wedgeads ;

Sky Jump
King Pin
El dorado

Just do your homework and ask a lot of questions

[greenechidna]

A well set up E/M is surprisingly reliable and my advice would be to pick up one that's been sorted out and well loved. Make sure you play it regularly

Watch a few Youtubes to work out what play features you want and browse the IPDB reviews.

I prefer later E/Ms to earlier....GTB wedgeheads in particular. If you can find a Spin Out, Sky Jump or Abra Ca Dabra, I'd say grab it. Also a Surfer, Card Whiz, Quick Draw or Outer Space/Orbit if you want a multiplayer .

There is a WMS Klondike for sale on the forums right now and I know that there's a really nice Gulfstream coming up soon here.

Beware...these things are addictive as hell...something to do with heating up bakelite or tungsten ash, or it might be the hypnotic call of a reset sequence

[Pintoxicated]

The most reliable machine in my collection is a Gtb Wedgehead - Jacks Open.  Did my head in getting it fully working many years ago but with the help of forum members, we got it going and it hasn't let me down since.  I have thought about selling the Jacks Open but I still like the idea of having an EM in the collection.  Not to mention the divine smell inside the cabinet, love every time I open the coin door.

[pinnies4me]

I had a GTB King Pin for quite a while, never missed a beat. New owner for the last year or two the same. Pintoxicated's experience is a good one to demonstrate how reliable they are after sorting.

That said I have a Zac Moon Shot that I still can't quite sort (one little fault) which will probably require an expert to put in ten seconds one day to sort...I am no EM expert!

[andypinboy]

It's good to hear these experiences - thanks all! Given my limited experience I think the suggestion to find one well-loved/ already sorted & to ask heap of questions is the shot. I hope they aren't too addictive    I've seen a Zaccaria that starts with "I am the robot from Zaccaria" - heh. The EMs seem somewhat dominated by Gtb so it's a big help to hear Gtb WMS & Bally all worth consideration.

[femto]

The thing about EM versus SS is the amount of work you can do yourself on the machine. I compare an EM to a typewriter and an SS to a computer. The EM is mechanical and can be sorted but the SS is computerised and uses technology not available to us all to repair. From a repair viewpoint the EM is able to be fixed by anyone but the SS requires knowledge and tools not available to everyone. Don't get me wrong...the EM is a computer but it is based on a technology we can repair without specialist tools or knowledge.