Sonic Prospector

We have many obsessions here at OTBP-wC&C/BIGDoer.com. Of course you all know we’re big into abandoned stuff, old vehicles and machines, historic buildings, trains, outdoor pursuits and generally getting out there and enjoying life. And then in there’s pinball. It’s our thing, even if some readers let us know it’s not theirs. Come on guys, embrace it. It’s AWESOME! This day has us shadowing pinball technician, and good friend, Gary Makota as he works on a rather rare machine out this way, a Spanish made “Sonic Prospector”. It’s in impeccable shape for something over forty years old and requires only a basic tune up and a little cleaning and adjusting.

Prospector dates back to 1977 and is a four player game (one, two or four players were common options). This was a time when pinball was booming, with demand so high that even European machines were being brought over to satisfy the need. That would not be a cheap proposition, shipping something so big and heavy. Even with this, it was odd to see a non-North American made machine out in the wild. The big three makers, Williams, Bally & Gottlieb, plus also ran Stern, all of Chicago Illinois interestingly, had the market pretty much to themselves.

Sonic pinballs were made by a firm called Segasa, which operated from 1968 into at least the late 1980s and had ties to the Japanese amusement games maker Sega. Initially an importer of pinballs via the US (from Williams), Segasa started making their own about 1975 with production continuing till 1988.

Because of that earlier association with the William’s Manufacturing many parts inside Sonic Pinballs are from that firm. For owners this turns out to be a blessing as those parts are both robust and easy to source if replacements are needed. In a few cases, Sonic also copied or closely mimicked the playfield designs and or/themes and/or artwork from certain Williams games.

Up until 1978 Sonic Pinballs were Electromechanical with score reels and no logic circuits nor memory. Later, they’d gain digital scoring and a brain to keep track of all the action. By 1977 “EM” was on the way out with all pinball makers and soon “Solid State” would be the norm.

It’s not clear how many Prospectors were made but given the firm’s output of other games, a thousand or two would be a reasonable guess. Most likely never left Spain, or Europe, so over here they could be considered quite uncommon. Your author does recall seeing one (and only one) back as a kid when the arcade was his second home.

Gary Makota, the tech assigned to the job, speaks of Sonic Pinballs as well made and fairly easy to service with indestructible playfields. A schematic is found under the playfield which helps make life easier. It was commonplace for a maker to include one with each pinball sold but over time these were often lost.

We all marvel at how good a shape it’s in. That old and showing some 23k plays on the meter and it looks brand new. Typically one would expect more wear and tear. It is about the best condition machine of this age we’ve ever seen.

This and that are tweaked, bulbs are replaced, some rubbers too and a fresh coat of wax and viola, it’s awesome. It plays like new, fast and responsive. For Gary, who’s used to working on machines well worn, temperamental (they can be real cranky devils) and some even downright basket cases, this one’s a walk in the park. Usually ones this old show signs of age. Even inside it’s spotless (it’s usually full of dust). Spending time in some arcade, pool hall or bar usually meant a beating and lots of grime. This one must have had an easy life.

Game play is challenging, with a few combos offering up big rewards and the playfield well laid out with nice flow. Three pop bumpers (or jet bumpers) make for lively action, and the two spinners, separated by a kick-out hole, become an irresistible target that if played right can bring in lots of points. Gold and Silver bonus!

US made EMs of the era almost always had minimum target scoring of ten points. European games seemed to favour one hundred as a the lowest as witnessed by the two dummy reels seen in the one photo showing the naked and exposed backbox.

The machine’s theme is a fanciful depiction of gold prospectors in the old west. Comedy duo Laurel and Hardy make an appearance, perhaps an homage to their 1930s film Way Out West, but we suspect it was not an official license.

Technician Gary Makota has allowed us to tag along on many repair jobs he’s tackled. We’ve watched him bring back dead video games, juke boxes, and more pins than we can count. He’s been doing it since the 1970s and is the authority when it comes to old school arcade games and such. If you’re in Calgary and area and got a sick machine give him a call. Search out Gary Makota Repair on Google or Facebook. He’s easy to track down and eager to help.

Most recently Gary allowed us a chance to hang with him as he worked on an old pitch and bat (baseball) mechanical arcade game (1959’s Williams Deluxe Pinch Hitter). We’ve been looking around for one to document for ages. And this one’s cherry too. Coming soon, that post. Till then…

And here it is!
Williams Deluxe Pinch Hitter

Pin-freakin’-ball…
YEGPIN 2018 – Edmonton’s Pinball Show!
Gottlieb’s Mustang – Tune up time!
Keeping the Faith – Calgary Pinheads!

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: January, 2019.
Location: Calgary, AB.
Article references and thanks: Gary Makota @ Gary Makota Repair, Internet Pinball Database, PinSide.com Forums.

From Spain, this Sonic Prospector.

Ping pong and pinball, rec room essentials.

The machine’s in great shape & just needs minor tuning.

Open up & say ahhh…tech Gary Makota & owner look on.

Retro CIBC key chain.

Some 23k plays.

The game is from 1977 and is a late model “EM”.

All those wires going all those place!

Playfield is immaculate.

We only ever see the back of Gary’s head.

All naked and exposed.

A schematic makes life easier.

Laurel & Hardy make an appearance.

Here’s how the ball would see it.

Four magic little words.

Three pops (or jets), two spinners, one kick-out hole.

Backglass is stunning.

One gorgeous machine.

Time to play!