Neon and pinball?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I was wondering how many of you pinball enthusiasts come across neon or
are interested in custom neon signs and lighting, or neon repair.

It seems that neon and pinball go together. Maybe it's my early
experiences visiting Philadelphia arcades and the boardwalk arcades at
the shore each summer. They began a trend that has also followed into
the casino of using neon to create a certain atmosphere. It definately
makes people stay and play longer. For we are all attracted to light.

I am a manufacturer of custom neon at Empress Signs LLC. If anyone is
interested please check us out on the web www.empressneon.com.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Popadiuk was actually a neon artist before a pinball designer...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

making replacement neon CV ramps in various colors would be nice. if
they were made with the same wiring makeup.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I would like to see some 'generic" neon signs for the game room, EG:
Game Room Open, Pinball Alley, Free Play, etc. or some machine
headers, such as: No Fear, Twilight Zone, etc. I like neon in the game
room and feel the would be a market for it if you could "see it and buy
it".

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Take a look at CV, you could see about making a few of those right now, I'm
sure you'd find buyers.

--Eric

 

[otto]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Here is my experience. The lessons are free.




Difficult to ship without breakage. Insurance claims can be denied.

We decided on some neon for our gameroom.

12 signs purchased from various parties.

All were shipped. Shipped with all the usual suspects.

5 broken. 41% breakage rate. 2 of the 12 were in the original factory
box/packing and they made it ok. In other words, for the remaining 10 that
we purchased from private parties and had to be packed, we had a 50%
breakage rate(5 out of 10). A couple of those were in the original factory
box but had been unpacked for the purpose of the sale.

When a glass tube breaks in a small area, usually at a bend in a letter, and
the gas is released, the sign is essentially inop. I have been quoted $150
and up to repair a typical bank of letters. More letters and bends--higher
cost. Fewer letters and fewer bends--lower cost. They have to replace an
entire tube from boot to boot. Most signs have multiple tubes. Materials are
cheap but process is labor intensive.



Lessons learned:

1. Private party packing/shipping = breakage = loss

2. Unopened factory packaged/meticulously packaged/shipping = less /no
breakage = less/no loss

3. One small break in a tub and the release of the gas renders the sign
inpoperative

4. Repairs are labor intensive and expensive. Materials are cheap.

5. Avoid shipping from someone who is not sending the light in the original,
unopened factory box. If the light has been removed and unpacked, your risk
of breakage goes to 50%. 100% money back guarantee is of value. Shipping is
expensive. Generally 40-70 bucks per light.



The neon is a wonderful addition to a gameroom. We no longer use any of the
usual lights in the ceiling and simply fire up the warm glow of neon for our
ambient lighting. I ran a 20 amp line to a switch at the bar. Outlets ring
the circumference of the gameroom above the drop ceiling. One switch and the
lights are on/off.




I hope my experience will allow others to accurately assess their risk
tolerance and set their expectations accordingly.



Otto

CARGPB11

My web page: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Ottoslanding

"chuckster" <crrogers@ptd.net> wrote in message
news:1125159207.218738.287610@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I like neon in the game
> room and feel the would be a market for it if you could "see it and buy
> it".
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I have a Budwieser "bow tie" and a custom
"Pinball Garage" sign in my gamehouse.

The latter was a custom made birthday present
a few years ago.

--
Fred
TX
CARGPB#8
******************


"neon4u2" <empressneon@aol.com> wrote in message news:1125154881.180312.65270@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I was wondering how many of you pinball enthusiasts come across neon or
> are interested in custom neon signs and lighting, or neon repair.
>
> It seems that neon and pinball go together. Maybe it's my early
> experiences visiting Philadelphia arcades and the boardwalk arcades at
> the shore each summer. They began a trend that has also followed into
> the casino of using neon to create a certain atmosphere. It definately
> makes people stay and play longer. For we are all attracted to light.
>
> I am a manufacturer of custom neon at Empress Signs LLC. If anyone is
> interested please check us out on the web www.empressneon.com.
>

 

[otto]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Here is my experience. The lessons are free.




Difficult to ship without breakage. Insurance claims can be denied.

We decided on some neon for our gameroom.

12 signs purchased from various parties.

All were shipped. Shipped with all the usual suspects.

5 broken. 41% breakage rate. 2 of the 12 were in the original factory
box/packing and they made it ok. In other words, for the remaining 10 that
we purchased from private parties and had to be packed, we had a 50%
breakage rate(5 out of 10). A couple of those were in the original factory
box but had been unpacked for the purpose of the sale.

When a glass tube breaks in a small area, usually at a bend in a letter, and
the gas is released, the sign is essentially inop. I have been quoted $150
and up to repair a typical bank of letters. More letters and bends--higher
cost. Fewer letters and fewer bends--lower cost. They have to replace an
entire tube from boot to boot. Most signs have multiple tubes. Materials are
cheap but process is labor intensive.



Lessons learned:

1. Private party packing/shipping = breakage = loss

2. Unopened factory packaged/meticulously packaged/shipping = less /no
breakage = less/no loss

3. One small break in a tub and the release of the gas renders the sign
inpoperative

4. Repairs are labor intensive and expensive. Materials are cheap.

5. Avoid shipping from someone who is not sending the light in the original,
unopened factory box. If the light has been removed and unpacked, your risk
of breakage goes to 50%. 100% money back guarantee is of value. Shipping is
expensive. Generally 40-70 bucks per light.



The neon is a wonderful addition to a gameroom. We no longer use any of the
usual lights in the ceiling and simply fire up the warm glow of neon for our
ambient lighting. I ran a 20 amp line to a switch at the bar. Outlets ring
the circumference of the gameroom above the drop ceiling. One switch and the
lights are on/off.




I hope my experience will allow others to accurately assess their risk
tolerance and set their expectations accordingly.



Otto

CARGPB11

My web page: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Ottoslanding

"chuckster" <crrogers@ptd.net> wrote in message
news:1125159207.218738.287610@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I like neon in the game
> room and feel the would be a market for it if you could "see it and buy
> it".
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I agree on the breakage issue BUT... make some neon up (arcade-game
room related) and take it to shows and expos, pre order and pay in
advance and pick it up at the show. I purchased a neon sign at the York
show last year and I would never thought of having one shipped so that
is why I purchased it in person. (Never purchase if it has to be
shipped) I have some neon beer signs and use them for general
illumination when we don't shoot pool, kids now a days don't see neon
the way we used to see in arcades and bars it and I feel this is the
next fading piece of Americana next to pinball. I still remember going
into "old man bars" in NJ and NYC in the 70's and having a few cold
ones and the only illumination was a neon sign, and the only games they
had was a pool table, pinball machine and darts. Neon has a calming
effect and I never saw a fight in a bar that was illuminated by a neon
sign. (Priceless)

 

[otto]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Chuckster.

Well said.

I agree completely.

I can remember the 60's as a child and going fishing with my father. The
fish would stop biting by noon so we would head back home. Of course, have
to stop at the tavern for a cold soda pop. The place had neon, a big ball
bowler, a pool table, and a pinball. No vids or bartop machines. And boy,
was the food ever good.

A great way to finish a day fishing.

Otto

CARGPB11

My web page: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-Ottoslanding

"chuckster" <crrogers@ptd.net> wrote in message
news:1125244381.770874.232900@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I agree on the breakage issue BUT... make some neon up (arcade-game
> room related) and take it to shows and expos, pre order and pay in
> advance and pick it up at the show. I purchased a neon sign at the York
> show last year and I would never thought of having one shipped so that
> is why I purchased it in person. (Never purchase if it has to be
> shipped) I have some neon beer signs and use them for general
> illumination when we don't shoot pool, kids now a days don't see neon
> the way we used to see in arcades and bars it and I feel this is the
> next fading piece of Americana next to pinball. I still remember going
> into "old man bars" in NJ and NYC in the 70's and having a few cold
> ones and the only illumination was a neon sign, and the only games they
> had was a pool table, pinball machine and darts. Neon has a calming
> effect and I never saw a fight in a bar that was illuminated by a neon
> sign. (Priceless)
>