BALLY SLOT MACHINES:
THE COMPLETE SERVICE MANUAL
FOR ELECTO-MECHANICALSs: 1964 - 1980
BOOK REVIEW

There are a few key milestones in the history of coin operated machines that revolutionized the industry. For pinballs, it was the flipper introduced in 1947 by Gottlieb on the Humpty Dumpty pinball For jukeboxes, it was the Seeburg Selectomatic record changing system in 1948 that played 100 records for the first time. For slot machines, it was the introduction of the Bally ElectroMechanical Slot Machine in 1964.

For more than 60 years the basic principles of the slot machine were unchanged, but after the introduction of the Bally electromechanical slot, the traditional mechanical slot was made obsolete. Collectors are increasingly recognizing the innovative features of these early electromechanical slot and adding them to their collections. Accompanying this increased interest is the introduction of books that help collectors identify and repair their machines. The latest new book is Bally Slot Machines: The Complete Service Manual for ElectroMechanicals: 1964 - 1980 by Marshall Fey.

In a way it is ironic that Marshall Fey is the author of books on these new electromechanical slots. Marshall, as many of you know, is the grandson of Charles Fey, the inventor of the slot machine. I suppose slots are in his blood and even though these new machines made the slots that his great grandfather invented obsolete, Marshall wants to keep up with the times.

For collectors and game room enthusiasts, the new electro mechanicals are what is hot today. Like all of Marshall's books, The Complete Service Manual is a quality product. It is a 111 page spiral bound paperback that is crammed full of information for adjusting and repairing your slot. Portions of the book are reproduced from seven Bally Slot Machine Service Manuals. Marshall received special permission to reproduce the material because all of the Bally material is still copyrighted and cannot be reproduced. We are fortunate that Marshall made the effort.

But the book is not just a compilation of service manual pages. Marshall supplemented the book with many explanations, trouble shooting hints, and other useful background information that will help the collector understand all the diagrams. In addition to circuit diagrams for the major models and components, there are sections on the reel assembly, payoff hopper, unit cabinet, front door and handle mechanisms.

The book is loaded with photos, diagrams, exploded views of all the major parts and components. There is even a section on revamping your slot to convert a nickel play to a quarter play, to add a right to left pay, to convert to a 22 stop mechanism, and even to convert to a different model. There are also guides to lubricate your machine and to calculate the payout percentage, and finally, the latest information on state laws. In other words, the book has something for everyone and will be of interest even if your machine is working perfectly.

This book is available from the GameRoomAntiques Bookstore.

Copyright: 1996, Ken Durham

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Copyright: 2003 Ken Durham

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