MonkeyGrass
New member
- Jul 11, 2013
- 202
- 1
So I was warned. Pinball machines are like rabbits - they like to multiply rapidly!! 
And indeed they do!
After completing my Police Force resto, I stumbled across a listing for this 1980 System 6 machine.
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=317
Apparently, this one was built between Gorgar and Firepower, and held back for several months before it's release, due to the runaway success of FP. Even though it was released months later, the ROM version and design clearly indicate this machine was designed and built right after Gorgar. I suspect Williams had a ROM breakthrough that resulted in FP's multiball, and pushed that to the front of the pack. This was actually the first SS to feature lane-change, which is pretty cool IMO! FP always gets that praise but this one was designed first!!
Primary feature of the table is a computer relay-controlled GI system, that creates the "Blackout" effect when all the targets are completed and the orbit shot hit - it kills all the GI lights and flashes the inserts - creating a really cool "disco pinball" effect. The soundset and artwork remind me of FP (same artist) and Stern's F2K. Classic early 80's defender and other early 8 bit video game sounds. Just my style!
Talking to the current owner, he got it from a guy who stored it with the dang batteries inside for years. You can guess what happened... he took it to get shopped and had all the damaged backboard PCB's and control boards replaced. It is fully functional, minus one pop bumper that needs a new transistor soldered on. Easy-peasy! The case and playfield seem to be in great shape for a 34 yr old pin.
I'm thinking about doing a partial LED conversion on this table, because I think it would look AMAZING with the GI blackout feature. I have kept my other machine au natural, except for some speaker upgrades. This one I think I'm going to play with! I'm getting it for $450, so I've got some room to buy LED's and do some cool mods.
Anyways, I'll update this post with some pics tomorrow afternoon after I get it to the house and set up. Any of you guys ever play Blackout? If you did, you are my age or older, lol!!
And indeed they do!After completing my Police Force resto, I stumbled across a listing for this 1980 System 6 machine.
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=317
Apparently, this one was built between Gorgar and Firepower, and held back for several months before it's release, due to the runaway success of FP. Even though it was released months later, the ROM version and design clearly indicate this machine was designed and built right after Gorgar. I suspect Williams had a ROM breakthrough that resulted in FP's multiball, and pushed that to the front of the pack. This was actually the first SS to feature lane-change, which is pretty cool IMO! FP always gets that praise but this one was designed first!!
Primary feature of the table is a computer relay-controlled GI system, that creates the "Blackout" effect when all the targets are completed and the orbit shot hit - it kills all the GI lights and flashes the inserts - creating a really cool "disco pinball" effect. The soundset and artwork remind me of FP (same artist) and Stern's F2K. Classic early 80's defender and other early 8 bit video game sounds. Just my style!
Talking to the current owner, he got it from a guy who stored it with the dang batteries inside for years. You can guess what happened... he took it to get shopped and had all the damaged backboard PCB's and control boards replaced. It is fully functional, minus one pop bumper that needs a new transistor soldered on. Easy-peasy! The case and playfield seem to be in great shape for a 34 yr old pin.
I'm thinking about doing a partial LED conversion on this table, because I think it would look AMAZING with the GI blackout feature. I have kept my other machine au natural, except for some speaker upgrades. This one I think I'm going to play with! I'm getting it for $450, so I've got some room to buy LED's and do some cool mods.
Anyways, I'll update this post with some pics tomorrow afternoon after I get it to the house and set up. Any of you guys ever play Blackout? If you did, you are my age or older, lol!!
