Gottlieb 'Quartette' future...

[DanB]

Several years ago my next door neighbor decided to treelawn an old Pin. As
I couldn't let this happen, it ended up in my basement. After some general
cleaning and inspection, I fired it up and tried various parts. Although the
machine was far from 'play ready', more things worked than didn't!

The machine is a Gottlieb 'Quartette'. Some research has dated this to
2/1952, 1450 produced. The Pin has 4 trap holes and 4 Flippers. Back glass
is intact with some minor flaking. Playfield glass has a major crack across
the face. Play surface has some wood split and raised, not to bad though.
Coin door is not original, the paint pattern doesn't match. The casework
looks 50 years old. I do have an electrical schematic, but no manual.

Now I'm considering my options. I've got my eye on a 1980's machine from a
friend. He wants about $450 for it. Haven't played it, but he said it's
ready to go. He has offered to take mine in as trade (plus cash). Although
I'm not crazy about getting rid of it. (It does look great), I'd like a game
I could play. How much in parts can I expect to invest in the restoration?
Is it worth it to restore it? Is this game a collectors item or a dog?
Whats a fair-trade in value for my friend to give me?

What would you do?

Thanks for your thoughts..........

DanB

[cody]

What's the solid state game?

-Cody

In article <DzvZ5.1117$n3.4...@feed.centurytel.net>,

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[DanB]

The possible trade game is "Lost World". Not sure of the year, early
80's.... maybe 79?
cody <co...@cpsinet.com> wrote in message news:9162cm$1m2$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...

[Bob E.]

Haven't heard the term "treelawn" before, but anyway...
If you just want something to play, you may be better off with the Lost World,
if it is working 100%, since it is closer in performance to what you may find
out there in arcades, bars, etc. The Quartette will mainly be appreciated by
woodrail or EM fans, people with an appreciation of pinball history. The
playfield glass is no big deal, around $35 or so to replace. The splitting
and lifting of playfield wood is more worrisome, though, although it would
need to be seen to gauge whether it is recoverable or not. As to relative
value, I don't know, I would think a presentable, working Quartette could
be worth the same or a little more than what your neighbor wants for the
Lost World. If it is all there and just needs work to get it going, maybe
half that. Depends on how bad that playfield is. Others are sure to
disagree, though. --Bob

================================================================================
Bob Ellingson bob...@halted.com
Halted Specialties Co., Inc. http://www.halted.com
3500 Ryder St. (408) 732-1573
Santa Clara, Calif. 95051 USA (408) 732-6428 (FAX)

[cody]

Lost World's a cool game. It's not the best of the era, but a fun game.
I would probably do it, but I'm not a huge EM fan either.

-Cody

In article <FtwZ5.1119$n3.4...@feed.centurytel.net>,

"DanB" <dbi...@centurytel.net> wrote:
> The possible trade game is "Lost World". Not sure of the year, early
> 80's.... maybe 79?

[B. Hamilton]

DanB wrote:
>
> Several years ago my next door neighbor decided to treelawn an old Pin. As
> I couldn't let this happen, it ended up in my basement. After some general
> cleaning and inspection, I fired it up and tried various parts. Although the
> machine was far from 'play ready', more things worked than didn't!

You'd be surprised how many Woodrail Collectors "dream" of stumbling
across "forgotten" pins, especially if they are in a climate controlled
basement! Original parts (bumper caps, plastic light shields) with game
specific silk screening on them are virtually impossible to find! Sounds
like this one could be made to fire up in all her glory, with minor
tweaking and tuning.

>
> The machine is a Gottlieb 'Quartette'. Some research has dated this to
> 2/1952, 1450 produced. The Pin has 4 trap holes and 4 Flippers. Back glass
> is intact with some minor flaking.

Do yourself a huge favour and save the backglass! Alone, with minor
flaking, it is worth more than the game itself! Treat the glass with
Krylon Triple Thick, which will help prevent future flaking of the inked
artwork (which in this case, is another CLASSIC Roy Parker beauty!)

Playfield glass has a major crack across
> the face. Play surface has some wood split and raised, not to bad though.
> Coin door is not original, the paint pattern doesn't match. The casework
> looks 50 years old. I do have an electrical schematic, but no manual.

Manuals for Woodrails were never produced.

>
> Now I'm considering my options. I've got my eye on a 1980's machine from a
> friend. He wants about $450 for it. Haven't played it, but he said it's
> ready to go. He has offered to take mine in as trade (plus cash). Although
> I'm not crazy about getting rid of it. (It does look great), I'd like a game
> I could play. How much in parts can I expect to invest in the restoration?
> Is it worth it to restore it? Is this game a collectors item or a dog?
> Whats a fair-trade in value for my friend to give me?
>
> What would you do?

I definately would keep/restore/play the WOODRAIL. But I am considered a
fossil when it comes to the young whippersnappers on this newsgroup ;-)

Beester (who someday will join Mr. Parker in Pinball Heaven....I think
;-)