Star Trek reproduction prototype backglass

SaminVA

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I bought my Bally Star Trek pinball machine back in 1982-83 which was my first pinball. Ever sense I found out about the prototype backglass I have wanted one but sense they only made 15 or was it 20 ? I knew I probably would never find one so I always hoped someone would make a reproduction. Well I just found out they have made a reproduction prototype backglass from Classic Playfield Reproductions. It's a little pricey $229.00 plus $40.00 shipping or $299.00 with prototype plastics. Well if you get the backglass you might as well get the plastics, right. So now after all these years of wanting one, I wonder if I should. After all mine is all original. I don't ever plain on selling my Bally Star Trek but would this affect the value? Increases value or devalue it? Of course I would save my original backglass and plastics so I could always change it back. What's your opinion?
I am leaning on going for it.:rolleyes:
http://classicplayfields.com/store-backglass.html
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Here's my game
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I say go for it! Nice and shiny new is always worth more, if not you can always sell separately. Personally I do what I like/want for my personal machines. If you lose some money, so what. The enjoyment was worth something, like any other hobby.....it cost money!

Go for it, it will look awesome!
 
If ST is that special to you, I say go for as well. Original proto backglasses are hen's teeth and CPR probably won't be making these again when they're sold out.

Did you sign up for the playfield?
 
Definatly get it and put the old one in the packing crate they send the new one in. Hell ya proto repro worth more. Sold mine years ago and wish I had kept it with new NOS orginal glass.

Michael
 
I'm considering doing the same thing to mine. My backglass is all but falling apart, I've got another playfield to transplant into my Star Trek which is in MUCH better shape than the current one, I'm thinking about getting the prototype plastics and going that route, though I'm not looking forward to all the work that this is going to entail . . .
 
I say get it for sure! It'll probably sell out, & you'll always regret it. If i had more $$ I'd get one just for the wall.

You sir are a wise man, truer words were never spoken. ;)
Order has been placed. :)
Yes I did see where they are taking orders for a new Star Trek playfield. Mine is not perfect but not too bad so I'll have to think about that. Estimated price $599.00 which isn't bad I guess but their's a awful lot of work swapping everything over. I do have a spare playfield but I don't remember how complete it is and if the wiring harness is intact. I'll have to dig it out and have a look. :D
 
I'm glad I bought one! I think it looks *MUCH* better than the original. I don't care about the rarity, I just want to see the original uniforms! (. . . and forget about the crappy movie.)

In fact, I was thinking of purchasing a second one but it looks like all the distributors are sold out as well. Hopefully CPR will do another run, I'll bet there's a ton of Star Trek owners that'd also like to ditch that old backglass. They could do a pre-order like with the playfields, the demand is absolutely there.

In fact, I really, really, REALLY wish CPR would do some kind of mailing list. I'm not always active on the online forums. If I hadn't happened to check their website at the right time I would have missed out on this completely. They'd be able to do a bigger volume on their products just by spreading the news more efficiently.
 
The backglass arrived today and in one piece. They do a really good packing job. :)
Wile I think it looks great the blue is a little darker than I was expecting even though I knew it's supposed to be darker than the production glass. In person it looks much better than the picture my camera took. I am sure it will brighten up once it's installed and backlit. I got a new lift trim channel and plastic trim from Marco Specialties. I have never installed the lift trim on a backglass before. Anyone got any tips on how to install it without exploding the glass? If I was to break it you might see a grown man cry. :rolleyes: The plastics look great too. :D
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Well I finally got around to installing my new backglass after a slight set back. I had ordered a new lift trim channel and plastic trim for a 3/16" glass which is the size on my Star Trek production back glass but the new CPR Reproduction Prototype Backglass was screened on 1/8" glass so I had to order a 1/8" lift trim channel and plastic trim kit. I don't know why they used 1/8" glass unless that's what the prototype glass used. I also ordered a roll of friction tape to use on the bottom of the glass to hold the lift trim in place. This was my first time installing the lift trim and turns out it was very easy to install. I also bought a new plastic set which has the prototype pieces included in the set. I was just going to install the 3 prototype pieces but the blue background was darker than my original plastics and just did not look right so I installed the complete set. You can see the difference in the video and pictures. Has anyone else noticed the mismatched blue on the plastics or are my original plastics faded or just lighter blue than others? I really prefer the lighter blue of my originals and if that's the correct color I don't see how CPR could have made such an error matching the color but maybe I am being to nit picky? What do you think?
Well I guess I'll have to get use to it, I just hope when they do the new playfield they will do a better job at color matching.
Other than the off blue color on the plastics I am very pleased with the finial results. I have always wanted the prototype backglass for my game and now thanks to CPR I now have one, even if it's not the real thing. It's good enough for me.
Now I can hardly wait for the new playfield.
 
Anything original is probably faded to some degree. Not to say their color match is perfect, although they probably strive for that, but the originals are most likely off from age/fade.
 
Anything original is probably faded to some degree. Not to say their color match is perfect, although they probably strive for that, but the originals are most likely off from age/fade.

Normally I would agree but someone over on Pinside compared a NOS plastic with a new CPR reproduction and their NOS piece looks the same color as mine. I know it's as old as my original but I am sure it's been in storage and probably as close to the original color as you can get. I think CPR just dropped the ball on the color matching.
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Replace the whole set as they are nice. That new glass is great. I sold my Kiss and Star Trek pins years ago. They play is not so great on the old pins compared to 80's and 90's. Bally made a lot of ball drain games with very simple rules. I did keep a Strike's N Spares as I do love the Kevin Oconnor artwork on the old Bally games. I think if I had a prototype back glass at the time it would have been a keeper.

Michael
 
Sam, thanks so much for posting that video, that's exactly what I needed to see before doing mine! CPR needs something like that on their install guides page. It looks like you had to use TWO layers of friction tape with the 1/8" lift channel, is that normal?

The backglass and plastics definitely look darker then my originals, it's a damn shame. I'm kind of hoping the repro playfield will be dark as well, to match everything else.

Does anyone here clearcoat their repro backglasses? Or does CPR have a process that's more resistant to lifting/peeling than the originals? I mean, my original is in sad shape, I don't want the replacement to look like that, ever.
 
Sam, thanks so much for posting that video, that's exactly what I needed to see before doing mine! CPR needs something like that on their install guides page. It looks like you had to use TWO layers of friction tape with the 1/8" lift channel, is that normal?

The backglass and plastics definitely look darker then my originals, it's a damn shame. I'm kind of hoping the repro playfield will be dark as well, to match everything else.

Does anyone here clearcoat their repro backglasses? Or does CPR have a process that's more resistant to lifting/peeling than the originals? I mean, my original is in sad shape, I don't want the replacement to look like that, ever.

This was my first lift channel install and yes it took 2 layers of friction tape to get it tight enough but it's still not super tight. I suppose it would depend on the thickness of the tape you are using as to how many layers you need.
As for the plastics I did install the complete set so they all match but I still haven't got use to the darker blue. I am hoping it will grow on me.
As for the backglass, I was informed all of CPR's backglasses are screened on 1/8" glass now rather than 3/16" glass. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad. I believe most peeling of art on blackglasses are caused from repeated explanation and contraction due to temperature changes. Does a 1/8" glass expand and contract more or less than a 3/16" glass? I don't know. We should be ok if the game is placed in a temperature controlled game room but even then you can have heat build up in the back box from boards and lights which could cause problems over time but I would say for the most part don't worry about it. I would not try any type of clear coating of the back of the glass. I think we will be good for many years to come I hope.
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I'm told this sold out within hours. A shame. I have a Star Trek and there is some flaking taking place....Captain Kirk's foot is missing on mine!

I'm still not sure I'm going to keep mine.

The pins of the 80's & 90's simply have a lot more going on. The backglass of the Star Trek is probably the best thing it has going for it.

I recall a friend coming over to my house, and went into my rec room for the first time. Not a pin guy, but he definitely thought it was mega cool having Star Trek in my rec room.
 
I think CPR just dropped the ball on the color matching.

Wile I think it looks great the blue is a little darker than I was expecting even though I knew it's supposed to be darker than the production glass.

It's a little pricey $229.00 plus $40.00 shipping or $299.00 with prototype plastics.

So I am curious why you think CPR dropped the ball. Looking back at your own posts, you state that the prototype backglass was known to be a darker blue. You also state that the plastics were modeled after the prototype plastics. So, doesn't it make sense that the repo plastics would therefore be a darker blue then the production plastics?
 
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