Playboy (1978) pinball machine...worth having?

Smart Bomb

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Donor 2014, 2024
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I am going to check out a playboy pinball machine in a few hours. Are they worth having? I figure the historical aspect of it being playboy and hef on the translite makes it collectible....but is it worth having for the game play? Game play looks kinda bland.

Also, what would be a good price to offer?...its working, all original with documents and keys. No flaking on translite.
 
Having just seen two of these and passing let me say.

Know the cost of replacements before you view the machine.

If you can not power on and test... Its a fixer ot parta machine in my book. 1/4 value if the boards look good.

Chech the mpu for alkaline dmg.

Check repo plastics, drop targets, selenoids, Transformer, back glass, and playfield.

Boards can be replaced, so check repo prices.

Make sure the playfirld is not so jacked up that even if you clean and retouch everyrhing else.. They playfield looks horrible.

Check under the playfield for heat stressed coils.

Check your boards, check your connectors.

Check the wood for swelling, and the bottom of the cabinet so it does not fall apart in transit.

Check for rust.


Account for the cost of repinning, and fuses, even some rubber kits are a decent $30 with bulbs and fuses included.


Remember. Its cheaper to walk away. Thrn invest in a bad machine.



The most important thing to check first is THE CORD.

If the cord is hacked and spliced... Check the machine more than you would if it were perfect.

Cut ground? Or one of those replacement end plugs... Replace the whole cord with a new 14ft.
 
I have one. It's an average latter 70s Bally SS with pinup girls on it. Not impressive, pretty bland.
 
I dont think the "collector significance" is enough to over ride the bland game play.....the theme is the only thing making me consider scopping it up...im going to check it out in a few hours.
 
Just checked it out...it was pretty rough...the back glass was the best part, it was excellent and not a repo.....but the playfield was pretty rough....about 5 things on playfield didnt work either...one of the three bumpers..the kick back bumpers...etc..etc...all displayes were glitching....the cab was decent but EXTREMELY faded....she said $650 is as low as she'd go...i passed...

BUT...she had a Popeye arcade in decent shape...no back door...a minor glitch in sprites (when popee got near brutus a black square showed up behind them...like the color sprites of each character went away...she said $650 for that one too...i passed...i was close to offering a grand for both (she wanted a grand for playboy at first.)....and i dont even like the popeye game or the cartoon ..i was going to buy it just to have it...id say it was a 7.5 out of 10.
 
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Probably too late but as you described the game it is probably worth $500. Nice glass, minor PF wear, and working 100% they fetch $1000 to $1500 depending on location.

Bob
 
I did a resto and new pf on mine and *I* enjoy it. It's fun and not complicated.

General consensus however tends to be that it has no noteworthy features, is common, and overpriced.
 
It sold...and the buyer fixed the mechanical issues and now has it on cl for $2,195.

I dont know how much it sold for but im tempted to inquire to the seller and ask.

There were multiple mechanical issues with it and cab was beyond faded and a few rough spots....playfield needed to be replaced or majorly restored.

Seems all the buyer did was get it working and now wants 2195....i dont see it happening. Working, in the condition it was in they would be lucky to get $800 IMO.

Oh well..glad i passed on it.
 
Well i was wrong...i thought she sold it but she did not....thats weird..pinballs and arcades are extremely hard to come by around here and there is a local place that restores pins and advertises them on cl.....and within the same week i go see the pin ...pass on it and two days later i see a playboy pin for sale from the local biz...both ruined playfields..it was easy to assume it was the same pin repaired but i was wrong.
 
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