Well here goes - Mostly memories to start of with.
1. Earliest pinball memory ?It all started mid 1960,s (yes the 60,s) Mum & Dad would take us to Nth Wollongong beach most Sundays -I would collect the bottles from the beach & cash them in to play the pinball at the Kiosk -6d from memory,this was the start of my pinball addiction.Most days after school were spent at the local fish shops,milk bars(Cafe's for you younger ones)-just about every one of these shops had a pinball or two.In my teenage years most Fri & Sat nights consisted of alcohol,drugs,playing pinball,snooker,pumping coins into the money machines (Bingos)then heading off to the local dance (usually ACDC,Angels etc playing & Sherbert for the girls).
Finally at the age of 21 all these addictions stopped (including pinballs & money machines) - Reason I got married & have a loving wife of 33 years (who now encourages me to rekindle my pinball passion) & 3 children.
They say as you get older your'e brain goes back to youre fondest memories when you were young -mine were the pinnies.
Well i could go on but better get to Q2 before everyone nods off.
2. All time favorite pin ? Why ?Funny thing, the only one I can remember playing was a Gottleb Sweet Hearts - need to play more ems to jog my memory.
3. Favorite pinball manufacture ?Probably the big 3 (Gottlieb,Bally,Williams) - Didn't go much on the 70s Retro art.
4. Favorite game in your collection? Why ?Probably the Bally Bazaar - Only had the Jumping Jack 2 weeks & has a mechanical fault.so I can't compare at this stage.
5. How long have you been collecting ?12 months collecting all info & books - 6 months collecting machines.
6. First game and how did you find it?1966 Bally Bazaar off ebay - got my wife to bid as she is pretty quick on ebay -drove my Mits.Mirage to Newcastle to pickup.
7. Do you still have it?Yes. Have finished cleaning PF,replacing all sockets &bulbs,rubbers,bumper caps etc.,& repairing some mechanical problems - Cabinet yet to do.
8. What are you currently working on ?1973 Gottlieb Jumping Jack - just started on PF -waiting on parts, then I can work out the mechanical problem.
9. Most wanted game to add to your collection ?Yes you guessed it - Sweet Hearts - unfortunately not many arround & are pricey.
10. Best all time bargain game added to your collection ?Will know when i get more experience in buying - At the moment I reckon my 2 were bargains.
11. Worst ever miss - tell us about the one that got away 'A couple, out- bidded on ebay - my wife bids now, i'm too slow.
12. Worst ever purchase - tell us about the game you wished you never bought.None yet I hope.
13. Describe your collection1966 Bally Bazaar - PF condition consistant with age, BG in good condition - little paint fade, Cabinet needs repainting, Mechanically-everything works.
1973 Jumping Jack - PF condition good, BG fair, Cabinet definately needs repainting, Mechanically - score motor keeps running after 2nd player selected.
As you have probably noticed there all EMS - Maybe later on will have a go at electronic machines.
14. Describe your gamesroomLiving in a unit with a 1 single garage is a challenge. As parking is scarce, I need to be able to move the pinballs to put the car in if required. Had originally worked out i could fit 3 machines + car but didnt realise the 2 & 4 players have a wider BackBox -so its 2 at the moment.
At the moment it looks like an operating theatre.
15. Do you have other games other than pinball?No. If i had the room i would have a soccer table (fuzball I think they call them now) & one of those cool fortune teller machines.
16. Where can you see the hobby in 10 years?Hopefully em & electronic pinball collecting / restoring will grow & when my kids inherit my collection they keep them. Would be great if more em parts etc were available in Australia. Also would hope this forum grows stronger and would like to thank everyone on the forum for their knowledge & help.
Looking forward to meeting everyone in person.
