This week, I intend to start my Creature project.
I'll start with a little background info on the machine, and then hopefully will have some updates on an almost daily basis.
This particular machine is a Creature prototype. I know of 2 others in existence, not to say there are not more, but I know of 2 others.
I've always had a thing for the prototype machines. I've owned prototypes of a few, and early production samples of a few as well.
This particular machine has an interesting history. It started life out in Germany, then at some point made its way to Croatia. A friend in Germany who used to get me pins in Europe and ship them over told me (used to be cheaper than acquiring them stateside before the Euro took off!) once that the worn out games from other European countries get sent to Eastern Europe, and typically games from this area are pretty beat. He was right!
Some of this is speculation, as I bought it from a container load of a guy in Texas who imported games from Eastern Europe. I looked up some words on a label on the translite glass and assume it's Croatia, as a lot of the words typed into search engines bring me back to Croatia.
Anyways, the hard part of this game has already been done. I had the playfield professionally restored by Playfield Renovations, and I had the cabinet restored by a friend who is a pattern maker and is a wizard with wood. What's left is cleaning and reassembly.
Some general pics of what I started with:
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/cftbl_47203Playfield issues
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_pf_issuesPlayfield after repaired
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_pf_afterNote: Playfield Renovations changed the copyright info on the prototype playfield. I'm not super happy about this, but as long as it took to get the playfield back, this is something I'm going to 'life with', because if I sent it back, it could be *years* before I get it back!
Cabinet during and after repair job
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/proto_cftbl_cab_afterSome pics comparing differences between prototype and production playfields
http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/comparing_pfSince I just finished a restoration, I had to repair a game for an operator and now that it's done, I'm going to dive into the Creature.
My first stages will be cleaning parts and wiring harnesses, as I am presently without my playfield rotisserie. I hope to load the tumblers tomorrow! Weather permitting, I'll also be cleaning wiring harnesses this week.
I must warn you, I work slow. I've got 2 small children (1 and 3) who are only going to grow up once, so I'll work on the pin as time permits. I can't wait until they are big enough to help me, though.