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Hi,

Just joined the forum a few weeks ago and been lurking for a bit. Looking at getting my first machine early next year so just been doing as much research as possible. I have gone from wanting a 80's/90s classic to thinking that's probably a bad idea for my first machine and something newer and more reliable would be best to start with. I was more than happy looking at some of the modern Sterns, then I saw some of the Spooky playfields and have become a bit obsessed! First impressions is that everything is more expensive than I imagined and a lot more expensive here in the UK than the US. If anyone has any advice for someone starting out do let me know.
 
Killgoretrout said:
Hi,

Just joined the forum a few weeks ago and been lurking for a bit. Looking at getting my first machine early next year so just been doing as much research as possible. I have gone from wanting a 80's/90s classic to thinking that's probably a bad idea for my first machine and something newer and more reliable would be best to start with. I was more than happy looking at some of the modern Sterns, then I saw some of the Spooky playfields and have become a bit obsessed! First impressions is that everything is more expensive than I imagined and a lot more expensive here in the UK than the US. If anyone has any advice for someone starting out do let me know.
Click to expand...
Welcome, I guess first question is what have you already played and enjoyed? I wouldn’t get anything without playing it first when it’s your first purchase.
 
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Well speaking as a fellow newbie, its quite a learning curve keeping a pinball going.
I've been involved in the arcade collecting scene for decades now, but I felt like a fish out of water now I have recently moved into the realm of pinballs. I got lucky with my first table (Bride of Pinbot) which I haven't had to do anything with, but my second table, Fish Tales has been quite troublesome. I have probably spent more time trying to fix it than actually being able to play it. I have an ongoing battle with lamp ghosting and faulty lamps and I am now in the process of replacing a flipper mechanism.
It is quite fun to learn new things though, and my confidence is growing as I deal with each and every problem that comes up.
My advice would be to definitely try before you buy, give it a good half hour's play before you hand over your money, and try and be familiar with how the table should play beforehand (even playing it on virtual or console PinballFX type things would be a good way to get familiar).
 
80s 90s classic is exactly what you want for your first machine, you'll learn how to replace rubbers, bulbs and balls, clean the playfield and progress to replacing coils and switches without worrying you're damaging an expensive machine if it goes awry.
 
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Taxiturn said:
Welcome, I guess first question is what have you already played and enjoyed? I wouldn’t get anything without playing it first when it’s your first purchase.
Click to expand...
Yeah, defo wanna try before I buy. I need to try a few more as only recently played the few Sterns they have at the Pixel Bunker on days out with the kids. Need to head to Croydon for a better idea.
 
Jagspete said:
80s 90s classic is exactly what you want for your first machine, you'll learn how to replace rubbers, bulbs and balls, clean the playfield and progress to replacing coils and switches without worrying you're damaging an expensive machine if it goes awry.
Click to expand...
Oh really. Interesting take. I was listening to the Wedgehead podcast and they were pretty adamant that buying an old machine is bad for first-timers as you will spend loads of time fixing it and you will not necessarily have the knowledge yet to spot a good deal from a bad when purchasing, or fix things that go wrong.
 
Tronads said:
Well speaking as a fellow newbie, its quite a learning curve keeping a pinball going.
I've been involved in the arcade collecting scene for decades now, but I felt like a fish out of water now I have recently moved into the realm of pinballs. I got lucky with my first table (Bride of Pinbot) which I haven't had to do anything with, but my second table, Fish Tales has been quite troublesome. I have probably spent more time trying to fix it than actually being able to play it. I have an ongoing battle with lamp ghosting and faulty lamps and I am now in the process of replacing a flipper mechanism.
It is quite fun to learn new things though, and my confidence is growing as I deal with each and every problem that comes up.
My advice would be to definitely try before you buy, give it a good half hour's play before you hand over your money, and try and be familiar with how the table should play beforehand (even playing it on virtual or console PinballFX type things would be a good way to get familiar).
Click to expand...
Yeah, this is why I was leaning towards a newer model. Fixing is all part of the fun I'm sure, but I'm not certain I wanna be knee-deep in the hoopla on day 1 fixing an old Funhouse or something without better knowledge.
 
Killgoretrout said:
Oh really. Interesting take. I was listening to the Wedgehead podcast and they were pretty adamant that buying an old machine is bad for first-timers as you will spend loads of time fixing it and you will not necessarily have the knowledge yet to spot a good deal from a bad when purchasing, or fix things that go wrong.
Click to expand...
When they were saying old were they perhaps referring to older Electro Mechanical ones being called the wedgehead podcast?

I would say something early 80s onwards to 90s might be better, electronics are repairable and there are aftermarket boards available for most types as well, where as newer ones like later 2000's Stern Spike 2 you get more into the replace rather than repair for the electronics, also they will be cheaper which means if you break something trying to repair its less money down the drain.

Also as the old adage goes, they dont make them like they used to
 
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Fantazia2 said:
When they were saying old were they perhaps referring to older Electro Mechanical ones being called the wedgehead podcast?

I would say something early 80s onwards to 90s might be better, electronics are repairable and there are aftermarket boards available for most types as well, where as newer ones like later 2000's Stern Spike 2 you get more into the replace rather than repair for the electronics, also they will be cheaper which means if you break something trying to repair its less money down the drain.

Also as the old adage goes, they dont make them like they used to
Click to expand...
I don't think they were referring to the wedgehead oldies in particular. I think that's just the name of their bar and podcast.
 
Killgoretrout said:
Hi,

Just joined the forum a few weeks ago and been lurking for a bit. Looking at getting my first machine early next year so just been doing as much research as possible. I have gone from wanting a 80's/90s classic to thinking that's probably a bad idea for my first machine and something newer and more reliable would be best to start with. I was more than happy looking at some of the modern Sterns, then I saw some of the Spooky playfields and have become a bit obsessed! First impressions is that everything is more expensive than I imagined and a lot more expensive here in the UK than the US. If anyone has any advice for someone starting out do let me know.
Click to expand...
I’d hardly played pinball before, but once I tried it, I was instantly hooked. At first I worried the machines would be too complex and I only wanted one that would last. I tried a few out and eventually took the advice to go for a NIB Godzilla (mainly for the warranty). Within a month I’d added a 90s machine… and then a few more after that!

Don’t be intimidated by the tech — there’s loads of support out there, and parts are surprisingly cheap. For what it’s worth, I’ve had two NIB Sterns and just mega minor issues, that was resolved mega quick. No issue that were game breaking

Enjoy the journey, buddy. And as others have said, definitely try machines out first.
One great tip I was given: join a local pinball league. It’s a brilliant way to try loads of different machines and meet people into pinball.
 
zxspectrum16k said:
I’d hardly played pinball before, but once I tried it, I was instantly hooked. At first I worried the machines would be too complex and I only wanted one that would last. I tried a few out and eventually took the advice to go for a NIB Godzilla (mainly for the warranty). Within a month I’d added a 90s machine… and then a few more after that!

Don’t be intimidated by the tech — there’s loads of support out there, and parts are surprisingly cheap. For what it’s worth, I’ve had two NIB Sterns and just mega minor issues, that was resolved mega quick. No issue that were game breaking

Enjoy the journey, buddy. And as others have said, definitely try machines out first.
One great tip I was given: join a local pinball league. It’s a brilliant way to try loads of different machines and meet people into pinball.
Click to expand...
Nice one! Sounds like great advice
 
We have a few machines available to buy or hire and you are welcome to play test the games in advance.

Aerobatics
Toy Story 4
Aztec
Dr Who
Surf Champ
Avengers Infinity Quest
Charlie's Angels
Gigi
Pulp Fiction
Deadpool
Pyramid
Rollergames
Jaws Premium
Spring Break
Star Wars (pro)
Spirit of 76
Stranger Things
Space Station
Far Out
Centaur
Godzilla Pro/Premium
Guardians of the Galaxy
Foo Fighters
Spiderman
Ghostbusters
Fish Tales

Most games are near Gatwick, some are at Pinball Republic or on site.

Matt
 
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