Making the leap from arcade machines to pinball machines...yikes!

enjoyvelvet

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Making the leap from arcade machines to pinball machines...yikes!

So I've been in the hobby for a year...got 10 classics up and running...and I've decided I'd like a pin to really make my makeshift gameroom "pop". I've been selling stuff on ebay and craigslist and am fast approaching my goal to purchase my first pin. I'm picking up a Back to the Future in two weeks from a very nice family that has well cared for the machine. I realize Data East isn't the equivalent of Williams or Gottlieb but I really dig the machine and I love the movie. I'm kinda nervous to make the jump because I've never spent more than $250 on a machine and this one will cost me $900. Theres a sense of guilt over buying a pinball machine when I could be putting it in savings or buying savings bonds for my son or something else responsible :). I tuck money away each month anyway but I gets its my responsible side thats eating at me. Anyone else get a mental guilt trip before a bigger ticket purchase like this? I realize its gonna be awesome when I am playing it in two weeks but the wait is killing me!
 
I had a tinge of guilt popping $750 for my SMB pinball, but it was totally worth it. Much like you, I never paid any more than $250 for a game until that point.
 
I never paid any more than $250 for a game until that point.
See this I cant relate to. Im not made of money...but there have been many times where I have spent much more than that for a vid...hell...I've spent more than that just for a jamma pcb! Also...glad to here it! Pins compliment any gameroom. Enjoy!
 
I'll be honest...I was just looking for some positive responses :) I consider it arcade equity...I try not to pay more than I could get back for a machine. A similar Back to the Future machine sold on ebay recently for $1350 so I'm comfortable paying $900 knowing I could most likely get my money if ever need be. I'm looking forward to learning how to change out bulbs, put on new rubbers, wax a playfield...hoping the general stuff isn't too complicated. Have you had any issues with your mario bros. pin since you got it?
 
I'm gonna go look at my 1st pin tomorrow. It's an EM that "needs work" for $125 OBO. I read an awesome tutorial at 4 AM this morning, thats very very detailed. In fact, it even taught me some things that would be useful in arcade repair.

http://www.pinrepair.com/em/index1.htm#top

I am a cheap cheap bastard myself, and couldn't fathom $900 on a machine unless it was absolutely maintenance free. It didn't help that I played an EM yesterday, and I really enjoyed the pings and clings from an earlier time.

So I've got my DK, my Multi project, and maybe a pin... and that's going to have to be my arcade.

Of course pins are always more money, so a $900 pin you want desperately, is probably equivalent to a $500 arcade cabinet.
 
I have a few and I am really considering pestering my wife to let me buy another. Most of the general stuff you mentioned is not hard, such as waxing, replacing bulbs, etc. I have never done a total shop job, though I probably need to as a couple of machines probably could use a better cleaning.

As far as the cost factor, yes the sticker shock is a lot compared to vids. I say if you can afford it, go for it. People just need to realize that pins are more expensive, but seem to hold their value well. So as long as you do your homework and maintain it, you should be able to re-sell it at what you paid.

BTW, congrats on getting your first pin, I find them to be more enjoyable then vids and would be the last to go in my collection. Maybe you will prove to be a better man then most and keep it to one, haha.
 
I'm gonna go look at my 1st pin tomorrow. It's an EM that "needs work" for $125 OBO. I read an awesome tutorial at 4 AM this morning, thats very very detailed. In fact, it even taught me some things that would be useful in arcade repair.

http://www.pinrepair.com/em/index1.htm#top

I am a cheap cheap bastard myself, and couldn't fathom $900 on a machine unless it was absolutely maintenance free. It didn't help that I played an EM yesterday, and I really enjoyed the pings and clings from an earlier time.

So I've got my DK, my Multi project, and maybe a pin... and that's going to have to be my arcade.

Of course pins are always more money, so a $900 pin you want desperately, is probably equivalent to a $500 arcade cabinet.

now I just need an equivalent link with as much info for a solid state pin!
 
Pinball is fun, man. Really fun. I too just picked up my first pinball machine last week, and freaking love it. So much that I have already started to figure out which one I want next, and which vids I can sell to make it happen. I dont know what it is about pinball, but I'm enamored with it. I got a great deal on mine, and sold a game to pay for it, so I didn't feel bad. Once I run out of games to sell, and have to drop the coin on one, I may feel different.
 
Pinballs are for people who have extra money to burn. I loved mine, but when I sold it, I knew I'd probably not be getting another. Its defenitly a big step to go to pinballs in a home gameroom. They will require more care, money, floor space, lighting, and earplugs (good luck trying to play it while other family members are asleep).

Data East is well known for having some of the best movie titles, but I've heard there games aren't built like the Williams and Gottleib tanks. Dot Matrix displays seem to die off and replacements are expensive.

Don't mind me being the debbie-downer here. Hope you are ready for the new found fun with it.
 
I want a pinball also. I would love to have a Theater of Magic or Addams Family but since they are so expensive I think I'll start with a Street Fighter pin instead. I have several SF arcade games and a SF slot machine. It would be good for my collection and its pretty cheap. Probably be a good starter machine too...
 
I bought a beat up Gottlieb Count-Down for a hundred and change, and spent the summer tearing it down and rebuilding... I've got a couple hundred into it since then, but most of the cost has simply been the time spent on cleanup and repair. It's a lot of fun, and I'm happy to finally have a pin against the wall.
 
Back too the Future!

I've never played Back too the Future for some reason Data East gets a bad Rep for beeing Cheap pins.

I completely don'nt understand this I have 2 Data East Pins and I love them too death!


Pins take alot too keep care of them. Theres alot more things that can go wrong with them.

I love my pins i would'nt have my game room without them!
 
To have a 'complete' games room you need some pins :D

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I've picked up six pinball machines this year and kept five. The only arcade game I have that gets played anymore is Disc of Tron and I may sell it to buy another pin.
 
That's a great deal for a BTTF. It's a rare game and has a movie fan base that will keep the value up. My friend Nick picked a home use only one up, he's the third owner of it never used in an arcade and it's amazingly clean. He got it for $1000 which we thought was going to be the deal of the year, but sounds like you beat us. :)

It's a very fun pin, Delorean Millions is just like the T2 payback time. The music is also great.
 
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