Just Bought My First Pinball!

jeffsgames

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Donor 2011, 2015
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I was out going through some garage sales this morning, and I purchased a really nice Earthshaker! I've really been getting the pinball bug the past few months and I really was hoping to find a good deal on one. The left main flipper doesn't work but I think it's just loose. There are several bulbs out so I'll have to start replacing them. Should be fun to do.

I got the machine for $450. Was that a good deal? The cool thing that I noticed is that it has the Institute drop feature only available one early releases.

I've collected video games for 15 years, but this is my first pinball. So where should I start to get good noob restoration information. I want to completely clean the playfield and get this machine looking great. Also have a couple minor paint peels in the backglass that I would like to touch up. What's a good technique for this. Any advice would be appreciated!

Pics coming soon, after I pick up the cabinet!
 
congrats on your first pin bro!!! Im right their with you. I am getting my first pin within a week as well. Im picking up a high speed. :) Cant wait to see pics of your pin!
 
You got an earthshaker for 450? and it has the sinking building? I think that mod was available as an aftermarket repro for a few hundred bucks alone. If the game is clean you got a smoking good deal, congrats! ES is a darn fun game.
 
Would love to see pics of this! I LOVE Earthshaker!

$450 is indeed a steal! If it is an early machine, you got a hell of a deal!

Even if it's not an early example, you still got a hell of a deal!

I'll double your money if it is nice and you want to sell it!

Chris
 
Take my advice, sell it right away. Don't even start playing it. Trust me.

I bought my first pin in September of last year, and I am absolutely addicted... and now own 6 machines, and I can't stop playing or searching. They are an absolute blast, and once you start, you can't stop! You'll start selling other stuff to buy pins! I did.

You've been warned! :)
 
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You got a steal. I paid close to that for an F-14 project that needed restored and quite a bit more than that for a Bally Playboy project that doesn't work and needs restored. Pins are expensive, but you got a heck of a deal on that.
 
Just so you know the kind of deal you got.. the 2010 price guide says ES is worth 1400, 1650 for the one with the sinking building (like yours)!!!

SCORE!
Of course, you may not do quite so well on the next six you're gonna buy :D

cheers
/Tim
 
Pictures please!!!

I was recently out cabinet shopping with a buddy of mine, i found an original "FIRE" but it needed some serious help for 400$ but was working. the other pins the guy had were a "Demolition Man" "Jurassic Park" and a "Medieval Madness" all 1600+ tho :(

what i'm saying is SCORE POPULATION YOU!!

btw the "Medieval Madness" i was told to look on ebay to see how much those go for and wasn't given a price.... (i checked ebay. nuff said). the "Demolition Man" was definitely 1600 and i think the "Jurassic Park" was the same. both very very clean and working, we even played a few games of "Demolition Man".
 
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Expensive as hell too!!

hit us with some pics!!!! we wanna see your score :D

ah nvm i missed the last line of your first post :D can't wait to see.
 
btw the "Medieval Madness" i was told to look on ebay to see how much those go for and wasn't given a price.... (i checked ebay. nuff said). the "Demolition Man" was definitely 1600 and i think the "Jurassic Park" was the same. both very very clean and working, we even played a few games of "Demolition Man".

MM - probably $5k and up. They routinely sell for $6k
 
Ok, this is a good news bad news update. First the good news. I was able to get this working with just a little solder to a broken wire. The machine works great. I spent some time taking some pics with my phone and looking over the game. It looks in good shape, but I did see where it is going to take some minor work to get this looking and working great. It definitely is an early machine. Even had a "preliminary" manual in it. The shaker works great. The Institute drop feature is really cool! All the ramps are in great shape and the ball travels around the machine very well. The Knocker is the loudest I've ever heard! The artwork is in fantastic shape. No major scrapes or dings in the art. Just a couple really minor spots on the backglass missing ink. Looks caused by the heat of a couple bulbs underneath.
There are a few things that need done with it to bring it back to all it's glory:
  • The rubbers need replaced, The look like the original ones and a few are actually broken.
  • There are several lamps missing. The main "light show" lamps are missing the twist in sockets but the boards and wiring are intact.
  • There are a couple plastics that need replaced. They are present but broken off by the screw post holes (see pics).
  • The playfield is in great shape but needs a serious clean and wax job!

Now the bad news...Even though I got this for a steal, we looked at our budget and I really was not in a great position to buy it right now. I have several projects that are missing key parts (new artwork, stencils, monitors) and I also have my wife's wedding ring that needs repaired in time for our 20th anniversary. So with that said, I am looking to sell this to anyone interested. I would like $1300 for it as is. It is still a great deal for anyone looking for one of these with the original institute drop feature. It would work out great for both of us!

Here are a few pics (sorry for quality. Cell phone on cloudy day)
 

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Soo..............

I will stand by my original post in this thread. If are you going to the Allentown Pinball show?

If so, I'd give you $900 for it.

Let me know :)

Chris
 
Great deal. I've only played that a few times but its a fun one. You can't beat late 80s Williams pins. Tons of fun. I used to have a Cyclone and a Black Knight 2000. I was a fool for having got rid of them. Same goes for my Tommy. Unfortunately, I have been pinless for the last 7 years (I had a nonworking Sound Stage EM but that doesn't count). Hopefully I can get one with next years tax refund.
 
Chris, thanks for your offer. I appreciate it. However this machine is only about $100 from being in fantastic shape, so $900 is just too low. $1300 is a really fair price for this.
 
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