First pin recommendations?

ReWrite

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Looking to get my first pin, and wondering where is a good place to start. I'm looking in the sub-$1000 range, and it has to be solid state. I've read that System 11 games are good for first-timers, but that's about all I've found in regards to first pins outside of the obvious buy a working one as it's too easy to get overwhelmed buying a broken pin as your first.
 
Your best bet is to play a bunch of games and see which ones and which style of games you like, then look for something in your price range. Alternatively, you can just keep your eyes open for a game that comes up for sale at a good price in your area. Unfortunately, it's rare that a game works "100%" without paying a premium price so it's part of the hobby to learn how to work on it.
 
I recently got my first pin too. Similar boat as you- SS, under $1000, 100% working. I searched for about a year and picked up a Sorcerer that is in great shape for under $1000. It's fun too!

Pinside's Bang for Buck is a good starting list: http://pinside.com/pinball/top-100/bangforbuck Remember, it's a price guide, so it's subjective.
 
Your best bet is to play a bunch of games and see which ones and which style of games you like, then look for something in your price range. Alternatively, you can just keep your eyes open for a game that comes up for sale at a good price in your area. Unfortunately, it's rare that a game works "100%" without paying a premium price so it's part of the hobby to learn how to work on it.

Oh, I know they normally don't work 100%, but I probably shouldn't buy a dead game with no leads to go on for my first pin. Learning how to work on things as they break is one thing, but buying one that doesn't play at all is probably a poor idea with my limited knowledge of pins.
 
I recently got my first pin too. Similar boat as you- SS, under $1000, 100% working. I searched for about a year and picked up a Sorcerer that is in great shape for under $1000. It's fun too!

Pinside's Bang for Buck is a good starting list: http://pinside.com/pinball/top-100/bangforbuck Remember, it's a price guide, so it's subjective.

Wow, there's a link I've never seen before! That's pretty much what I was hoping for, a list of what's good at what rough price range. I truly dig Black Rose as we had one at a local bowling place, but for my first pin I'd really like to stay *under* a grand, that way if I end up not fond of owning them or whatever then I'm not too invested in it.

I did get offered a Black Hole from a relative across the country, it's only $300 but I can't seem to find shipping from Wyoming.
 
Can I post pics of my Sorcerer now?! ;) It's my first and only pin, so I'm pretty fond of it!

S0LvH.jpg
 
I did get offered a Black Hole from a relative across the country, it's only $300 but I can't seem to find shipping from Wyoming.

If the Black Hole is working and the playfield is in good shape, then that's worth paying to have it shipped to you, once you find somebody to do it. Even if you don't end up liking it, it should be an easy sell in the $800-$1000 range. May even be able to get more if it's in REALLY good shape and the ground mods have been done to it.

Also check out the pinball hall of fame games for Wii, ps3, or xbox. The games play pretty true to life and there are a few games on these that can be had for under a grand.

Last thing I gotta add is I think that bang for the buck thing is a little out of date. Some of the prices are still dead on, but I would love to find a WCS for $1000 or a No Fear for $1100.
 
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Can I post pics of my Sorcerer now?! ;) It's my first and only pin, so I'm pretty fond of it!

S0LvH.jpg

That's great! Congrats on your first, and it really is a neat looking pin.

If the Black Hole is working and the playfield is in good shape, then that's worth paying to have it shipped to you, once you find somebody to do it. Even if you don't end up liking it, it should be an easy sell in the $800-$1000 range. May even be able to get more if it's in REALLY good shape and the ground mods have been done to it.

I should be getting pics today, I've been told it's working, needs a few bulbs, and one of the point trigger things isn't working, but that cosmetically it's around an 8 all over. I've gotten things shipped through uShip in the past and picked up at the local depot and wasn't out very much for it, but I can't seem to get a bid on this one at any price.
 
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