Bally Medusa: How "rare" is the prototype backglass ?

[ballypin]

Hey-

I recently purchased the Medusa on eBay that has the prototype
backglass from a seller in Dayton, Ohio. The difference with the
prototype version is the inclusion of nipples and extra groin area
details by artist Kevin O'Conner. Per the entry on IPDB, Kevin
thought that only 9 or 10 sample versions of the backglass had his
original artwork before Bally management made the change and toned
down the artwork. The link to the IPDB entry is below.

http://ipdb.org/search.pl?any=medusa&searchtype=quick#1565

A collector friend of mine also has a game with the proto glass here
in Cincinnati (game was in Atlanta) and today I see that Rob Berk has
a proto glass on eBay even though it is not listed as a proto.

So, does anyone else here have or know of other proto glasses? I
considered 3 other Medusa's before buying and they all had the revised
artwork. It seems curious that 30 to 33% of the protos are located
here in Ohio or maybe there were more than 9 or 10 produced?

Darrin

[t***@new.rr.com]

Could you post a pic of the proto, maybe I have one?

[Darrin Farr]

Post by t***@new.rr.com
Could you post a pic of the proto, maybe I have one?

Follow the IPDB link. There is a picture there.

[John P. Dayhuff]

Last one I seen was at Gene's auction.......how many years ago was that ?
--
John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, MI.
Ph. 269-979-3836

I've broken my pinball bank........

Post by t***@new.rr.com
Could you post a pic of the proto, maybe I have one?

Follow the IPDB link. There is a picture there.

[Psyco]

The Medusa I had, had the "prototype" backglass as well.

Adam

[TyEdit]

Post by ballypin
So, does anyone else here have or know of other proto glasses?

I have one, I live in Los Angeles, bought my machine last year.

Ty

[rudy gulp ptooie]

Fantastic question!!! I have been wondering the exact same thing.

My Medusa also has the more detailed (naughty) backglass. There's GOT
to be more than 10 of them out there. Wonder how many though...?

Ted

[Darrin Farr]

Fantastic question!!!  I have been wondering the exact same thing.
My Medusa also has the more detailed (naughty) backglass.  There's GOT
to be more than 10 of them out there.  Wonder how many though...?
Ted

OK, here is the update of confirmed backglasses:

# 1 in Ross, OH (Cincinnati) My game SN is 1366
# 2 in Fairfield Twp, OH (Cincinnati) I'll get the SN from my buddy
Alan tonight
# 3 in Warren, OH (Rob Berk is eBaying a glass only)
# 4 in Bloomington, IL (Does Gene still own?) I'll check the footage
of Gene's collection on Life After Death 3 tonight
# 5 in Los Angeles, CA owned by Ty. SN ?
# 6 in ?? owned by Ted. SN?

Keep the reports coming in !

[rudy gulp ptooie]

I live in MA...near Boston.

SS # on my backbox is EME1398, which is only 32 away from your number.

Ted

[rudy gulp ptooie]

Oh...a guy in OH (Paul Augustine) had a Medusa for sale in the Mr.
Pinball classified ads back on 1/9/09 and his had the "proto"
backglass as well. The SS # on that game was 1368, which is also VERY
close to our games. Add that one to the list, but I don't know who
ended up with that game.

Ted

[Darrin Farr]

Post by rudy gulp ptooie
Oh...a guy in OH (Paul Augustine) had a Medusa for sale in the Mr.
Pinball classified ads back on 1/9/09 and his had the "proto"
backglass as well.  The SS # on that game was 1368, which is also VERY
close to our games.  Add that one to the list, but I don't know who
ended up with that game.
Ted

Ted-

I bought that game on eBay from Paul and I just doubled checked the SN
and it is 1366 so not sure where the 1368 came from. Since I remember
someone saying that Bally SN numbers start at 1000, maybe there are a
several hundred of the protos. The other proto here in Cinci has a
number around 1150 or so. I'll double check and verify that tonight.

Mine has more wear than I noticed in the pictures when Paul listed it
on eBay. I am in the middle of shopping it and rebuilding the
flippers. Good news is that an artist at CPR is working on the
plastics. I just wish someone would take up the playfield.

Darrin

[psapinball]

There is at least one in Washington state. I had one and sold it to
another collector here in the state. I asked this question years ago
and never heard back about them. Interesting to here about more of
them.

Bret

[rudy gulp ptooie]

Darrin,

I had a few email exchanges with Paul and he gave me that 1368
number. I guess he misread that last digit. Well...that's one less
known proto backglass as we can't double-count the one you have!

I don't know how bad your playfield is, but I have an extra one that
I'm willing to part with. It has a small amount of wear, but is
pretty decent overall. A little bit of touchup and it would look real
nice. I might also have an extra plastic or two lying around, but
would have to look. Let me know if you're interested and what you
need. We can discuss further offline if you'd like.

Ted

[heckheck]

Post by rudy gulp ptooie
Darrin,
I had a few email exchanges with Paul and he gave me that 1368
number.  I guess he misread that last digit.  Well...that's one less
known proto backglass as we can't double-count the one you have!
I don't know how bad your playfield is, but I have an extra one that
I'm willing to part with.  It has a small amount of wear, but is
pretty decent overall.  A little bit of touchup and it would look real
nice.  I might also have an extra plastic or two lying around, but
would have to look.  Let me know if you're interested and what you
need.  We can discuss further offline if you'd like.
Ted

1426 serial has the prototype glass (at least I'm reasonably sure the
glass is original to the stamped head).

h_h

[heckheck]

This listing (250385189342) has been removed or is no longer
available. Please make sure you entered the right item number.

I hate when that happens! I was watching it and ready to bid high at
the end. Seller must have gotten their price and moved on.

Oh well, guess I'll have to live with my current proto glass that has
a slight scratch.

h_h

Post by heckheck

Post by rudy gulp ptooie
Darrin,
I had a few email exchanges with Paul and he gave me that 1368
number.  I guess he misread that last digit.  Well...that's one less
known proto backglass as we can't double-count the one you have!
I don't know how bad your playfield is, but I have an extra one that
I'm willing to part with.  It has a small amount of wear, but is
pretty decent overall.  A little bit of touchup and it would look real
nice.  I might also have an extra plastic or two lying around, but
would have to look.  Let me know if you're interested and what you
need.  We can discuss further offline if you'd like.
Ted

1426 serial has the prototype glass (at least I'm reasonably sure the
glass is original to the stamped head).
h_h

[TyEdit]

My SN is 2475 however, I think I remember hearing that a previous
owner found the glass and that it didn't come with it.

Anyone have any idea when those repro plastics are going to be
available from CPR?

Ty

Post by Darrin Farr
# 1 in Ross, OH (Cincinnati) My game SN is 1366
# 2 in Fairfield Twp, OH (Cincinnati) I'll get the SN from my buddy
Alan tonight
# 3 in Warren, OH (Rob Berk is eBaying aglassonly)
# 4 in Bloomington, IL (Does Gene still own?)  I'll check the footage
of Gene's collection on Life After Death 3 tonight
# 5 in Los Angeles, CA owned by Ty.  SN ?
# 6 in ?? owned by Ted.  SN?
Keep the reports coming in !

[Captain Neo]

My dads got one in Oshkosh, WI as well.

[BShing]

I had one I sold a year ago in Ohio that went to Colorado.
Could've kicked myself for selling it when Kevin said they
only made 9 or 10. Now I don't feel so bad.