Considering my first pin- anyone know anything about TX Sector

Wiz

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Considering my first pin- anyone know anything about TX Sector

Hello, I am considering a trade that would bring home my first pinball machine. The game is called TX Sector and was made by Gottlieb in 1988. There is very little info about it on VAPS- basically only 2 collectors have stated that they own it. Here is the VAPS URL: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=15104

Does anyone know anything about this one? It looks pretty sweet and some pin lovers I know have told me that it is rare and quite cool, but wanted to see what people on here think about it.

Things I am curious about are:
is the game fun?
what is its value (want to know if my trade is reasonable and also what the potential sales price may be if I sell it down the line)?
would this be a good first pin or is this one known to be tough to keep running?

Thanks for any input you can provide, I am pretty excited to get a pin, so maybe this will be the one.

Wiz
 
I'm a proud owner of a TX-Sector....

Got mine from a Wisconsin fella for 3 bills. It's definitely fun and the real big plus to this particular machine is the audio!

The caveat to all this is; are you tech savvy? It is a *Gottlieb* which to the pinball community are problematic... But if do little upgrades here and there (Ground mods, IDC connectors) it should run worry free...

Let me know if you have any othere questions..... Did you get rid of that Star Rider?
 
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I've wanted to get one in the past, but didn't have the space. It has great sound/music and a pretty cool playfield layout. There are some videos of the game in action on youtube if you search TX Sector Pinball.

Those late 80's Gottliebs don't get much respect, but that is definitely one of the good ones.

-BB
 
Thanks for the info fellas. I have been a bit leery to dive into pins, as I am still learning how to fix my games- and they seem to be a bit daunting from a repair perspective. I am learning more and more every day and it may be time to take the plunge.

I did see some vids on YouTube which made it look pretty cool. I am considering trading a multiwilliams (19-1) cocktail in a Defender cab that has been redone (fairly decently). I have another in a Joust cab so not too married to it. Does this sound like a good trade?

I have also heard that the Gottliebs can be a bit dicey, but they probably all will be for me at first. I guess it needs a few bulbs, but otherwise is fully working. I am going to go check it out tonight.
 
I'm a proud owner of a TX-Sector....

Got mine from a Wisconsin fella for 3 bills. It's definitely fun and the real big plus to this particular machine is the audio!

The caveat to all this is; are you tech savvy? It is a *Gottlieb* which to the pinball community are problematic... But if do little upgrades here and there (Ground mods, IDC connectors) it should run worry free...

Let me know if you have any othere questions..... Did you get rid of that Star Rider?

Thanks for the info Shusler. Yes, it looks like the Star Rider will have a new home. A fellow KLOVer is going to pick it up whenever we can get out to the storage area where it is. He lives here in town, so I am looking forward to him getting it going- so I can play it. I have too many projects right now, and don't think I could ever fit that bad boy in my gameroom anyway.
 
Wiz,
That game looks AWSEOME! DO NOT BUY IT! You already have the fever with the vids, I would hate to see what would happen if pinball got into your blood! LOL

All joking aside, I think that anytime you can trade a vid for a decent pin (even if it is a gottleib) you are doing ok. Besides I dont think you are going to miss one little MultiWilliams!


Im no pin techie, but have managed to keep mine afloat, doing some simple repairs and even some minor boardwork (replacing burnt connectors)
With the excellent community here and the wealth of information available on the interweb Im sure you would do just fine!

I say go for it!
Ps you need help moving or *cough*troubleshoting*cough* dont hesitate to ask, Im right around the corner!
 
Yep, I'm one of the TX owners listed on VAPS and it is a great game but I'm also a fan of John Trudeau's designs. The gameplay is simple, fast fun but challenging, lights are dynamic, and the sound is awesome. It is fairly rare which is why mine will never leave.

System 80s do need the mods done and can be temperamental. I'm currently experiencing a GI issue where it doesn't always turn back on right away. Might be a connector issue but I haven't dug into it yet.

Keep in mind that you can't just have 'one pin'. As soon as you buy one, you'll likely want another ... and another. Be warned, it is a slippery (but fun) slope.

Go get it! If you don't like it I know a few collectors up here in Toronto that would want it. It is a solid game.

*Edit: Btw, Mr Pinball 2011 guide suggests it is worth $625 in good working condition. I wouldn't sell mine for that. Maybe $1000 could pry it from my trembling fingers but I don't want to see it go. Only 2,336 made.

Mr Pinball also suggests Gottlieb Spirit is worth $1,150 but I passed on a couple offers of $2,200 for mine. I doubt I would let it go for $3,000. I know I will never find another.
 
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Yep, I'm one of the TX owners listed on VAPS and it is a great game but I'm also a fan of John Trudeau's designs. The gameplay is simple, fast fun but challenging, lights are dynamic, and the sound is awesome. It is fairly rare which is why mine will never leave.

System 80s do need the mods done and can be temperamental. I'm currently experiencing a GI issue where it doesn't always turn back on right away. Might be a connector issue but I haven't dug into it yet.

Keep in mind that you can't just have 'one pin'. As soon as you buy one, you'll likely want another ... and another. Be warned, it is a slippery (but fun) slope.

Go get it! If you don't like it I know a few collectors up here in Toronto that would want it. It is a solid game.

*Edit: Btw, Mr Pinball 2011 guide suggests it is worth $625 in good working condition. I wouldn't sell mine for that. Maybe $1000 could pry it from my trembling fingers but I don't want to see it go. Only 2,336 made.

Mr Pinball also suggests Gottlieb Spirit is worth $1,150 but I passed on a couple offers of $2,200 for mine. I doubt I would let it go for $3,000. I know I will never find another.



Damn Canadians are hogging all the Spirits!:D Very nice pin you have there! Me want....

Otto, I almost guarantee your GI issue is related to those IDC connectors....
 
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