Actual pinball, silverball.

[slothappy144]

I see several people have actual arcade pinball machines, I saw forums on this subject but want to know the best place to get good info, I have the opportunity to pickup a silverman pinball at auction, I went down and plugged it in and it seems to have an error I see a ball in the coin tray inside I assume they ship/move them with the ball out to avoid damage.
what to well used machines go for next stop is ebay for a clue.

[Sid]

You may want to pick the brain of Sacpinplayer

aka Mike as well..

He may be able to give you some info..



Nothing like volunteering someone else for the job!

[slothappy144]

Sid what a guy! Always willing to have someone else help a fella out!
I was going to look through the gamerooms and see who had these monsters!

[sacpinplayer]

Yes, Sid is always willing to have someone else help someone else. He also knows I couldn't resist responding to a pinball question.

What is the name of the machine? I couldn't find a reference for "silverman."

Is an error code being displayed on the backglass? It could be something as simple as removing the playfield glass and placing the ball from the coin box onto the playfield. It will roll down into the ball trough that supplies the shooter.

A good source for pinball technical issues is rec.games.pinball

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball?hl=en


Do the Google search within that group for the issue first. If it's something that has been covered many times and you post the question without first doing the Google search, you will be flamed mercilessly.

[Sid]

consider me the information middle man

Ok now wheres my commission

[sacpinplayer]

A little treat for you, Sid.

[Sid]

wooo hooo..... Popcorn!!!!

[slothappy144]

need a beer to wash that down with

[slothappy144]

my mistake, It is described as "silverball manin " It looks like it could be "silverball mania"
the auction dudes are not very thourough. nor acurate most of the time, I can almost make out the backglass.

[sacpinplayer]

Yep, Silverball Mania. Here's a link to info, pictures, and some reviews of it in the Internet Pinball Database:

http://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?any=silverball+mania&search=Search+Database&search type=quick#2156

I've never played it. You could also do a search for this game on the other Web site I listed earlier.

The 2006 Mr. Pinball Price Guide lists $825 as an average U.S. price for one in Very Good condition sold between private parties. Retail might be higher. The key is "Very Good" condition. Everything should work, and there shouldn't be a lot of wear on the playfield or missing paint on the backglass.

There's a lot of things to check before you buy, too bad Arby doesn't sell pinball machines too.

[slothappy144]

These look like they can be a nightmare to keep working. I had better think hard before adopting one.

[azlew]

Aww yes! I have been playing Silverball Mania by Bally 1979 now for quite awhile on the Future Pinball simulation emulator on my PC. Love the play on it but too much of a right channel shaft. I guess I'll need to put an ashtray under my monitor to get it better....anyway I sure wish i could have the room to place a few full size pinballs. Silverball mania would be one i would consider especially at the price Mike mentioned.

[slothappy144]

Here is the story:
A guy bids and wins the pinball amchine, and some other items. Man bids on and loses a truck to haul these items back to his place ?? it must be out of state or too far to rent because the man now puts the pinball back up for auction and I might swoop in an get it this time, he out bid me last time. I will let him take a loss if need be.
The machine is not a 10 6 or 7 because of the filth and wore playfield (no mylar) It would need a new ball the existing one is pitted this causes undue wear of alredy bad playfield.
I like it and it reminds me of the machines that I played in watering holes in small town bars when I was much younger. I don't really mind the wear, shows it was used daily.

[Tony Junior]

Go for it! You'll learn a lot about electronics and mechanical toys.

[slothappy144]

Mike directed me to pinball forum, they do lots of pcb swaps and extensive troubleshooting. Very technical stuff. it seems very expensive and time consuming also. Thanks to Mike for giving me the forum links.

[daverob]

These look like they can be a nightmare to keep working. I had better think hard before adopting one.

Don't I know about it, I've got 25 of them and three commercial locations to maintain.

To be honest though, once you've gone through them, rebuilt the flippers and done a bit of cleaning and preventative maintenance, they can be problem free for months, maybe even years.

Best place on the net for repair tips and maintenance guides is ...

http://www.marvin3m.com/fix.htm

For Silverball Mania, you want to look at the '1977-1985 Bally/Stern Pinball Repair Guide'