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Williams
Tri Zone

Price: ~~$1,995.00~~ - SOLD -
Manufacturer: Williams
Date Produced: July, 1979
# of Players: 1 to 4
Units Produced: 7,250 units
Design/Concept: Tony Kraemer
Art: Christian Marche

Above info courtesy of Mr. Pinball Flipper Pinball List

TRIVIA: This particular Tri Zone game is a "prototype" or "test model" game, produced before the regular run of Tri Zone games was done. As a prototype, this game features a different cabinet color scheme than regular production Tri Zone games, and completely different playfield artwork. Prototype games had a red basecoat on the cabinet with green and yellow art. Regular games had black basecoat with yellow and red artwork. This game also featured different pop bumper caps (the ones intended for regular production Tri Zone games hadn't been completed at the time prototype games were being made.)

Page Contents:

Game Description
Game Condition Details
Game Images
Game Sales Information

Regular Production Game Pics (Game Flyer):

Front

Back

Note the different cabinet colors and playfield artwork on the regular production game shown in the flyer.

Click image for larger view.

Game Description:

Tri Zone was produced in 1979- during one of the last great heights in pinball popularity- the period of the late 1970's and early 1980's. This game was one of the last few made by Williams that featured the newer solid-state electronics and sound, but still featured a "classic" style playfield layout- reminiscent of electro-mechanical games from the previous decade. So this game features "classic style play" with the reliability and higher-tech features offered by solid-state computer electronics.

This particular Tri Zone game is one of the first few produced by Williams and is considered a "prototype" or "test model" game- being produced before the game went into regular production. Most prototype games have a few differences when compared to regular production games- the prototype games were made to do "field testing" by select operators to see how the game would be accepted by the pinball-playing public, and how it would perform in the commercial market. Sometimes changes were made between prototype stage and regular production stage, and this game is one of the very few that has several different features not found on regular production Tri-Zone games:

Different cabinet artwork colors: Prototype games like this one had a red base color on the cabinet and backbox, with artwork designs in yellow and green. Regular production games had a black base color, with yellow and red artwork.
Different playfield artwork: The artwork for the playfield was almost completely re-done for the run of regular-production games and hardly resembles the artwork on the prototype games, even though the layout of the playfield remained the same. Compare the pics of this game below to the pics in the production game sales flyer above.
Different pop bumper caps: The 3 bumper caps on this game were a more generic design as used on past games like Phoenix and a few others. Regular production Tri-Zone games got a bumper cap with the design of a spaceship on them.
White cover game manual: Prototype games shipped with a game instruction/operation manual that had a white cover on the front, rather than the standard blue-colored cover. This game has it's original white-cover manual still present and in excellent condition.
Test Game Report sheets: Prototype games shipped with a small stack of "Test Game Report" sheets that could be filled out by operators with game operation data and folded, sealed, and mailed back in to Williams so they could determine how the games were being accepted and used by the pinball playing public. This game still has several of these report sheets with it's original paperwork- a unique part of pinball history!

This game features a host of fun classic-style action-packed playfield gadgets, including two flippers, three pop bumpers, a kick-out hole, spinning target, and four single-bank drop targets. Make the top two rollover lanes to increase bonus multipliers. Make sweeping loop lane shots to spell T-R-I and increase reward to Extra Ball and Special. Complete the four drop targets to spell Z-O-N-E. Successive drop target shots light spinner lane, kick-out hole, higher drop target points, and outlanes for special.

This particular Tri Zone game is not only a great piece for discriminating pinball collectors, but also makes a great starter or "classic" style game for casual gameroom owners and pinball players alike. While this game packs a big punch in the number of playfield gadgets and rules/modes in it's gameplay, it's still designed to be fun and straightforward enough to be entertaining for any players, regardless of skill and age. Not too much to overwhelm the novice player, but plenty to keep you challenged and always coming back for more! After a game or two on this machine, we think you'll agree!

Game Condition Details:

This game is in overall excellent shape for a vintage used pinball machine- we rate it as an "Excellent Condition" rating, which is near our top rating for a used, reconditioned game.

Playfield on this game is in great shape overall, with only a few very small signs of use from play over the years. Very well preserved. Playfield finish and artwork have a nice smooth glossy shine/finish to them, giving a very fresh, new-looking appearance to most of the playfield. Solid black art around some of the playfield light inserts (or "lenses") have been touched up for a more fresh appearance. Some very minor wear bewteen some of the inserts at the lower center of the playfield have also been touched up to restore the original look.

Plastics on the playfield are all present and in very good condition. A few have had some minor scratches and scuffs from normal play over the years, but none have any obvious damage or unsightly blemishes. Bumper caps are original and in great shape. All red playfield posts have been removed, hand-cleaned, and reinstalled with new bright white rubber rings. New light bulbs have been installed over the whole playfield as well. See below for a listing of more of the extensive work that has been done to recondition this unique game.

Cabinet on this game is very clean and in overall great shape. A few nicks and scuffs have found their way on to this game over the last few decades, but the whole game has retained a very "below-average-use" appearance to it. Some small chips are present on the front and sides of the main cabinet (see pictures below) and a few scuffs are present on the backbox sides- mostly around the edges- from normal handling/use over the years. See game pictures below for full details.

Backglass on this game is in very good condition and has only a few small scuffs on back side from normal use over the years. No "lifting", "flaking", or peeling of the backglass artwork is present on this game. Other than a few blemishes from handling over the years, this glass has been preserved very well for a game of it's age.

Here is a detailed list of work that has been done on this game, followed by more details on parts and game modifications:

We have invested just over 45 hours of work in the restoration of this game.

Playfield top and bottom surfaces stripped of parts and assemblies for proper cleaning- right down to the bare wood and paint. Playfield surface has been hand cleaned and restored with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove years of aging, and then hand polished with Diamond Bright playfield cleaner/polish for a great shine.
All playfield parts have been removed and hand cleaned, or replaced with brand new parts where necessary. This includes light bulbs, posts, wireform ball guides, flipper assemblies, kickout hole assembly, drop target banks, bumper assemblies, slingshot kickers, ball trough and associated parts, and any other parts that are installed on the top and bottom sides of the playfield.
All metal parts removed from playfield have been hand cleaned, polished, and stainless steel ball guide rails have been refinished with our proprietary in-house process to remove ball marks and restore original bright "brand new" factory look.
All playfield plastic and metal posts removed and cleaned by hand with detergent and brush to remove any wax, dirt, grime, or leftover cleaner. They once again look like new!
Both flipper assemblies on this game have been completely removed, 100% disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with brand new replacement parts, and reassembled. Flippers tuned and adjusted for optimum performance and reliability.
Flipper return lane guides on both sides of the playfield have had their mounting screws upgraded with new machine screws and t-nuts being added under the mounting posts. These have replaced the original weak wood screws which are commonly stripped out or loose on most vintage games from years of play. This new hardware helps keep the posts secure to the playfield and avoids problems with screws loosening or "stripping out".
New white nylon cap nuts have been installed on plastics and posts on playfield. These replace old dirty faded nuts and give a nice "new" look to the playfield and parts.
Drop targets rebuilt and fully cleaned, and feature brand new drop target decals- fully restoring the original factory look.
New spinner decals have been installed on front and back sides of the spinner to restore it's original artwork and look.
New nylon coil sleeves installed in coil devices- pop bumpers, drop targets, slingshot bumpers, etc., for increased performance and reliability.
Complete new rubber ring kit installed on playfield.
All light bulbs on top and bottom of playfield, and elsewhere in game, removed, cleaned, and replaced. Brand new light bulbs used as replacements for old worn, discolored, or burned out bulbs.
All light bulb inserts (or "lenses") in playfield surface cleaned for maximum shine and light penetration.
Brand new chrome steel pinball installed in game.
Playfield flat plastics (screened artwork) all removed, cleaned, polished, and reinstalled. Cracked or broken pieces replaced with better-condition pieces, where needed or where replacements were available.
Inside and outside of main cabinet and backbox completely stripped of parts, cleaned, parts individually hand cleaned, and reassembled.
Coin door completely removed and 100% disassembled. All parts (including wiring harness and switches) individually cleaned and detailed by hand and reassembled. Coin door metal parts fully cleaned and reassembled for that brand new "day one" look! Fully working quarter coin mechanisms are present in coin door and tested for proper operation/adjustment.
Playfield glass replaced with brand new scratch-free sheet of tempered safety glass.
Playfield glass lockdown bar and latch assembly completely removed, cleaned, painted, and reassembled.
Lockdown bar foam strip replaced with brand new unit to help cushion front edge of playfield glass and prevent internal damage to game from spilled drinks and other debris.
Brand new heavy-duty leg levelers and bolts installed on game- all four corners.
Brand new cabinet leg protector pads installed under new legs for added good looks and protection against wear/tear to the cabinet corners.
Solder joints on PC boards in backbox reflowed and reinforced with fresh solder. This repairs hairline cracks in the original solder joints that develop from vibration over the years, preventing intermittent connection/operation problems and adds increased reliability for years to come.
All electronics (PC boards) in backbox checked and tested for proper operation and good looks (no burned connectors, etc.) Fuses all removed, checked, and proper values verified- replaced where necessary.
Battery holder on MPU board in backbox has been removed and a new remote-mount battery holder kit has been installed. This gets the batteries off of the valuable board and eliminates the possibility for damage to the board should the batteries ever go neglected and burst/leak, which can irrepairably damage valuable circuit boards. Batteries have been replaced with fresh high-quality "Energizer" batteries. These keep the game's high scores and other settings/adjustments in memory when the power is turned off and should be replaced every 2 years to remain fresh and prevent resetting and loss of memory.

Partial List of New Parts on This Game:

($24 value) New light bulbs on playfield, under playfield, coin door, and in backbox (both regular, and "flasher" bulbs).
($6 value) New nylon coil sleeves installed in bumpers, flippers, and other devices throughout playfield.
($7.50 value) New drop target decals installed on all 4 targets on playfield.
($5.00 value) New decals installed on spinner target on playfield- front and back sides.
($4.75 value) New white nylon cap nuts installed on playfield plastics and posts on playfield to restore original look.
($13.55 value) New rubber ring kit installed on playfield, including all round rings, post bumpers, plunger tip, and flipper rubber rings.
($2 value) New chrome steel pin ball installed on playfield.
($45.00 value) New sheet of scratch-free clear tempered safety glass installed on playfield.
($3.00 value) New lockdown bar foam strip installed.
($8.00 value) New heavy-duty leg levelers, and leveler nuts installed on all four legs.
($8.00 value) New polished stainless steel leg bolts installed on all four legs.
($12.00 value) New cabinet leg protector pads installed on all for new legs to protect cabinet surface from wear/tear damage from mounted legs.
($7.50 value) New remote-mount battery holder and long-life batteries custom installed in remote-mount battery holder in backbox for game's memory-retention.
($5.00 value) New coin door lock, and keys.

Custom Modifications:

New t-nuts and sheet metal screws added to flipper return lane guide posts to secure, strengthen, and prevent loosening during play.
Both flippers upgraded to use later-model flipper linkage parts and plunger roll pins. This eliminates any "play" in the flipper parts from years of prior use, and makes the flippers tight, crisp, strong, and reliable.
Remote-mount battery holder with quick-disconnect installed for MPU board in backbox.

Game Images:

Playfield:

Thumbnail (Click for larger view)	Description
	Playfield- restoration complete and fully reassembled.
	Playfield during restoration- stripped, cleaned, polished, and reassembly just started.
	Lower playfield detail- slingshot bumpers and flippers area.
	Right side of playfield detail.
	Left upper corner of playfield detail.
	Upper right corner of playfield detail.
	Under-playfield view- flippers and lower playfield area. Note fully rebuilt flippers and slingshot bumpers visible in this view.

Cabinet/Backbox:

Thumbnail (Click for larger view)	Description
	Game overall view.
	Cabinet- right side. Game has a few small nicks/scuffs on main cabinet sides and front, but still has a below-average-use appearance.
	Cabinet- left side.
	Cabinet interior. Complete inside of cabinet and all components have been removed and cleaned/replaced to restore original look and condition of game. Note original coin box and lid still present. This early solid-state game actually has a coin box lid that was an extra from previously-made electro-mechanical games- featuring the decal on the lid that describes score motor maintenance.
	Cabinet front and interior.
	Backbox- right side. As with any used game, a few scratches and scuffs have found their way on to the backbox sides from normal use over the decades, but still in good condition for a vintage game of this era.
	Backbox left side.
	Backbox and backglass- front view. Backglass in this game is in good condition with only a few small scratches and scuffs in the artwork on the back side from normal use and handling over the decades- no "flaking" or "lifting" of any of the artwork as can commonly be found on neglected or mishandled games/glasses.
	Backbox interior. Note newly-installed remote-mount battery kit for MPU board, and upgraded power supply for added reliability.
	Some of the original paperwork still included with the game. Here is the original prototype "white cover" game instruction manual, along with fold-out schematics (separate from manual in prototype games) and cabinet/packing checklist. All original!
	More of the game's paperwork- here are some spare score and instruction cards, along with the small stack of "Test Game Reports" that were filled out by operators and mailed in to Williams for reporting test/prototype game performance.

Like all pinballs we sell, this machine also comes complete with instruction/operation manual and schematics, and fully functional coin door with all parts present and working. For our local customers, this game also includes delivery, setup, and a full 30-day warranty on parts and labor, at no additional charge. For out-of-town customers, we offer our 30-day Limited Warranty.

For more details on our work on this particular game, see our restoration information page.

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