price check rockmakers

[Bennyfactor]

Hi all,
What's a German Bally Rockmakers worth these days?
Obviously depends on condition, but a price range would be good

Cheers
Ben

[Strangeways]

My opinion

I've always wanted a few Bally EMs and this title is a great game. I think the Bally machines produced for the German market are not as desirable as they have both the playfield and backglass in German AND they won't have chimes or a bell (pre chimes). Rockmakers is rare, and I doubt you will come across an English version. If you really like the machine, then you will have to settle with the German version.

I would contact the seller - as I believe he has a few EM project machines out of Europe. If possible, view them in person.

English version $1200 - $2000 Depending on condition
German version $750 tops Depending on condition

 

[Bennyfactor]

Thanks for your opinion

I can't say that I'm super keen on the game, just saw one come up locally and thought that if it was a really good deal I'd take a punt.
I will contact the seller though, good idea.

Cheers,
Ben

[shansta]

Price has dropped since the eBay auction in July as well... 

[Strangeways]

Price has dropped since the eBay auction in July as well... 

He sold a Ro Go as well - beautiful title and very rare. Not the most exciting Bally, but the artwork is awesome.

Always hard to sell German Versions of machines.

[Bennyfactor]

went and had a look today and he has a few titles, mostly EMs
I'm wondering if I should be looking at taking one of his non working machines as a project instead of the rockmakers...
...or am i just asking for trouble?

maybe I'm better off with a working pinnie for my first one?

[shansta]

Was an EM virgin until 3 weeks ago - so I will wade into this one...


If you are electrically competent - and have good troubleshooting / fault finding skills, I think EM's are a lot of fun.

The first time you drill the start button with "the hood up" - is a real "holy shit" moment! 

To me - the hard part is knowing WHAT it is meant to be doing. (Being on my first EM - this is where I struggle), I find the actual mechanics / electrics to be very simple and easy to repair.


However, if that is not the case - A modern SS pin is the go, look for a 90's or later Williams/Bally - a LOT easier to fault find, and a much larger knowledge base to help you out.

I am very lucky as several members have an identical machine to me (Pro Football) - so I have that knowledge base to draw on.
"Hey - what color wire goes on terminal X?" 

[Bennyfactor]

thanks shansta

i consider myself pretty electronically competent and something simple to repair is exactly what i'm after
knowing what is meant to do what is also going to be my issue as i've never worked on an EM before so i think getting a working one that i can get familiar with is the way to go
might leave the non working project pin till next time 

[Redback]

Get both,

or even three.

Regards,

Red

[Bennyfactor]

I'd love to Red 
just not right now (nowhere to put them)

so after having a look and giving it a lot of thought I made an offer and brought home my new Rockmakers pinball last night =)
I'm really happy with it and looking forward to learning all about how to keep it running

thanks everyone who put in their 2c, it helped immensely to hear your opinions and advice...

...prepare for an onslaught of questions now ;)

[shansta]

Nice one!

Didn't happen if there is no pics... 

[Redback]

Excellent,

Would love to see some photos (as well)

Non working pin can be fustrating, need to weld a diverter bracket (under playfield) on my Shadow, was suppose to go to a mates on Sat to weld it, but his wife had other plans, and took him off to some art market.  Happens to be my welder, so that will be coming home soon. 

Starting the poll, how many weeks till BF brings home a project pin?
My guess is 6 weeks.

Once again, looking forward to some photos or vid,

Red

[Strangeways]

I'd love to Red 
just not right now (nowhere to put them)

so after having a look and giving it a lot of thought I made an offer and brought home my new Rockmakers pinball last night =)
I'm really happy with it and looking forward to learning all about how to keep it running

thanks everyone who put in their 2c, it helped immensely to hear your opinions and advice...

...prepare for an onslaught of questions now ;)

Congrats, Ben - and welcome to the EM owner's club - There's no turning back. I look forward to seeing some pictures 

I hope that buried in the machine, you will find the schematics. This will be of great help for maintaining the machine.

[Bennyfactor]

Nice one!

Didn't happen if there is no pics... 

oops, forgot the golden rule ;)

after having a good look under the hood last night i think i've figured what most of the german labels say, found a pop bumper that's not working because the pin at the end of the plunger is broken and decided to replace the fuse that was just soldered in between 2 wires because the fuse holder was knackered!!!
there's also a coil that's sticking on as soon as a point is scored (score reels don't advance) and the flippers sometimes don't work when i turn the machine on and start a game... so it's kinda a project after all ;)

i swear it was all working when i tested it out prior to purchase and even after i got it home and had a couple of games with my wife and bro it all worked...

...the joys of owning an EM huh? lol

[Bennyfactor]

there were no schematics that I could find sadly
I'll just have to soldier on as best i can

is there anywhere online that pinball schematics are archived? or that i can buy?