Tapper=nice find

gregbl

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Earlier today I picked up a really nice Tapper machine...and I am very excited to get it downstairs and into the Flux Capacitor Arcade. I'll get some pictures up and posted, because this is indeed a rare bird. This is a very low serial number machine with the full color sides and it is HUO!

Here's the story on this little gem: It came directly off the line and was provided to a Midway executive who took it home and kept it there. At one point in the 90's it experienced a minor problem and was taken in to American Vending Sales to have it fixed. The guy I got it from was working there at the time and he bought it directly from the original owner after it was fixed. The guy I got it from actually worked for Gottlieb for several years. It has been in his house every since. There are no signs of any real damage to the cabinet, the bottoms have a few minor scratches, but that's it. The left drink holder has a couple minor spots where the finish is coming off. It plays and looks awesome! I will clean it up really well and it'll go right into the line-up. I thought it'd look really cool sitting next to my Ice Cold Beer when I finish that one shortly. One minor issue is that it sat in the guy's basement for so many years that he recently lost the keys to it, so I'll need to pick it or drill it out.

Pictures coming very soon...off to bed now.
 
I almost hate to drill it out...how hard is it to pick a standard arcade lock? If I can't do it, can a standard locksmith do it and how much do they usually charge for that?
 
nice score!!!! huo games rule. ive had a few over the years.

Yep, this is my 2nd HUO machine. I have a Missile Command cabaret that was the personal machine of one of the local Atari sales reps. It is stellar as well. Can't believe I picked up 2 HUO machines off Craigslist... :)
 
if it's a single-bitted lock it ought to be very easy to pick. I haven't picked a double-bitted lock yet. (haven't tried super hard yet though)
 
cool cant wait to see the pics, all the tappers i have seen have had some serious fading of the sideart.
 
I almost hate to drill it out...how hard is it to pick a standard arcade lock? If I can't do it, can a standard locksmith do it and how much do they usually charge for that?

Awesome score! Woot! Can't wait to see the photos.

Def' drill that lock. Usually takes a minute or two.
 
Picking the lock is must faster than drilling and you dont have to vacuum all the metal shavings. You will need to get a lock pic kit they are cheap and tons of tutorials on the tube!

Look forward to these pics!
 
Earlier today I picked up a really nice Tapper machine...and I am very excited to get it downstairs and into the Flux Capacitor Arcade. I'll get some pictures up and posted, because this is indeed a rare bird. This is a very low serial number machine with the full color sides and it is HUO!

Here's the story on this little gem: It came directly off the line and was provided to a Midway executive who took it home and kept it there. At one point in the 90's it experienced a minor problem and was taken in to American Vending Sales to have it fixed. The guy I got it from was working there at the time and he bought it directly from the original owner after it was fixed. The guy I got it from actually worked for Gottlieb for several years. It has been in his house every since. There are no signs of any real damage to the cabinet, the bottoms have a few minor scratches, but that's it. The left drink holder has a couple minor spots where the finish is coming off. It plays and looks awesome! I will clean it up really well and it'll go right into the line-up. I thought it'd look really cool sitting next to my Ice Cold Beer when I finish that one shortly. One minor issue is that it sat in the guy's basement for so many years that he recently lost the keys to it, so I'll need to pick it or drill it out.

Pictures coming very soon...off to bed now.

SON OF A.......!!!

;) totally jealous..but congrats on the find!!
 
Very Nice! I love Tapper. Which Version is it? Personally I like the Rootbeer Version. :D

It is a Budweiser Tapper. I seem to remember the serial # being like 118 or something, will check later today. I put it in storage temporarily because I don't have room in the garage since I'm restoring the 2 Ice Cold Beer machines right now. And my buddy that helps me move games downstairs wasn't available yesterday. So it'll sit over there for a week or two.
 
Still very cool! Tapper is such a challenging game. Sure, you can be quick and get all the customers out if you're fast enough, but then you don't score as high. Love the game, can't wait to see it!

Btw, awesome Arcade name. BTTF is my absolute favorite movie of all time.
 
As promised, pictures of Tapper:

IMG_2643.jpg

IMG_2645.jpg

IMG_2644.jpg

IMG_2647.jpg
 
Thanks!

Does anybody have feedback on the best method to touch up those brass-looking drink holders? I thought I saw a thread on this at one point, but I can't seem to locate it. Were they painted or dipped in brass?

There are a couple of spots on the control panel that I'm going to gently remove with Magic Eraser...and of course the whole thing will get a nice wipe down and the inside cleaned out. Even though I don't have keys for it, I can see in the back and I see some dust on the monitor chassis.

The monitor does seem to have slight burn that you can see when it is off, but when it is on the picture is nice and clear and bright, so I'm thinking that I'm not going to mess with it.

I will take the control panel apart and buff the surface rust off the tap handles and check the joystick out well.

Overall, I'm very happy with it, it won't need much to be worthy of entrance to the Flux Capacitor Arcade. Hopefully it can be a New Year's Eve Party attendee!

Serial # is 118.
 
I believe the drink holders were originally electro plated. That's the only way I know of to get the mirror finish the way they came. I was thinking about asking my cousin where to get it done since he is a car guy and the chrome platers would probably be able to do it.

I have seen a coupe of machines at friends houses that were spray painted and look great but the finish doesn't have the reflection to it.
 
Contact a plating guy like Mike Chestnut. He does a lot of work for the pin community and I've used him and the work is great. PM me if you need his contact info.
 
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