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Wanted Looking for an EM

johnh

johnh

Site Supporter
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
164
Location
Bournemouth
Looking for an EM for a mate of mine. Not sure he's fussed about theme and he's a sparks so he's happy to get his hands in the guts to fix stuff, but doesn't want to spend more than about 500 quid. Cosmetically good condition would be preferable. Anyone selling anything?
Alternatively - anyone got any thoughts on the following on ebay? I know a little about the value of DMD machines, but nothing about EM (queue PMs saying "this EM is a steal at £5000")

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152338203652

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172427451438

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252656252143

Cheers

John
 
johnh said:
Looking for an EM for a mate of mine. Not sure he's fussed about theme and he's a sparks so he's happy to get his hands in the guts to fix stuff, but doesn't want to spend more than about 500 quid. Cosmetically good condition would be preferable. Anyone selling anything?
Alternatively - anyone got any thoughts on the following on ebay? I know a little about the value of DMD machines, but nothing about EM (queue PMs saying "this EM is a steal at £5000")

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152338203652

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172427451438

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252656252143

Cheers

John
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Be cautious about buying a really cheap EM machine (especially through Ebay) because, unless you have the skills and knowledge to repair and maintain them you will just be buying a whole world of pain! I have had several EM machines - good ones - and even these had frequent issues! There are some good machines to be had but suspect you may need to pay a little more than £500 for one that has been refurbed to a reliable standard. At the top end of the market have a look here, these are are fully refurbed (although the prices are high)

http://www.pinballcreative.co.uk/product-category/games-for-sale/
 
My dad bought a Bally Sky Kings at auction because I like pinball but I know nothing about EM machines so its sat in a garage in Guildford. I don't have picture but can get some but when I gave it the once over it all worked bar the general illumination and looked good cosmetically. Somewhere on here I posted a for sale thread when it was in the auction because I didn't want it but my old man bought it anyway! This is the pin

http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2196

If your mate want to pop to Guildford to look let me know I think my dad paid £380 so that's all he'd want for it.... He can call me on 07855 479515,

Cheers,

Jon
 
You should be able to pick up most EM's for under £500 :thumbs: There's the odd rare and collectible one that goes for more (I have a Bally Fireball that I'd value at £1K) and Gottlieb wedge head games generally go for a bit more than Bally or Williams ones as they're more desirable. All of those ones you've listed on Ebay I wouldn't want to pay more than £300 to £350 for.
 
I think all those games on ebay will go for more than £350, and the Golden Arrow in particular for more than double that - it's a good playing late model single player Gottlieb wedge head.

I've just sold my fully working 1964 mad world on ebay for £760 from a 99p start.

I think em prices have firmed up recently.

The bowling queen was on ebay before, but I note that a lot of the original plastics are missing.
 
Just hunt around. As ever condition is everything.

The Bowling Queen needs a total re-paint as wrong colour scheme.

The Golden Arrow has a badly re-painted cabinet so wouldn't pay more than £300 whereas a really nice original could go over a £1000. Looks like the playfield has also been badly re-painted. Avoid!

There are bargains to be had, especially games that are listed buy it now. Seen a fair few go in an hour or two as they were priced low , relative to condition, title and price.

In the last few years I have seen games sell for as little as £50 whereas top price in London for a restored Mata Hari was £15000:eek:
 
Thanks for the info. Very helpful. What are spares like? Standard stuff like flipper kits, switches etc? Easily available? What about plastics? I'm guessing quite hard to get for many EM machines?
@J.C.Rox I'll let him know about the Sky Kings. Will give you a shout if it's of interest.
 
The Pinball Resource in the States is the best place for EM spares :thumbs: They are a bit awkward for first time buyers and obviously you get hit for shipping and customs if you're unlucky but they have most stuff. The Legend has stuff as well plus can get things for you, his site is:

http://pinparts.co.uk/

There are places that repro plastics, backglasses etc but they're all in the States.
 
Replay said:
In the last few years I have seen games sell for as little as £50 whereas top price in London for a restored Mata Hari was £15000:eek:
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Mata Hari prices are only going to go upwards since it made an appearance in The Walking Dead (Season 3).
 
As long as you have a copy of the schematic for an EM, and plenty of patience, you can *see* what the problems are on an EM and fix them when they arise - because everything is mechanical. That's different from an electronic game where you need to get the multimeter out and know what you are doing to test components because you can't see when a transistor or processor etc is knackered.

Also, Pinball Resource is great, but if you want fast delivery and no VAT/customs hassle then there are several good sources for EM parts aside from Andy within the EU, particularly

bestofpinball.de
pinballcenter.eu
http://www.chmpinball.com/
 
DAD said:
I think all those games on ebay will go for more than £350, and the Golden Arrow in particular for more than double that - it's a good playing late model single player Gottlieb wedge head.

I've just sold my fully working 1964 mad world on ebay for £760 from a 99p start.

I think em prices have firmed up recently.

The bowling queen was on ebay before, but I note that a lot of the original plastics are missing.
Click to expand...

Well, looks like I was wrong about the BQ, I did think it would do more than that.

Be interesting now to see how the other two do
 
ronsplooter said:
You should be able to pick up most EM's for under £500 :thumbs: There's the odd rare and collectible one that goes for more (I have a Bally Fireball that I'd value at £1K) and Gottlieb wedge head games generally go for a bit more than Bally or Williams ones as they're more desirable. All of those ones you've listed on Ebay I wouldn't want to pay more than £300 to £350 for.
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ive a grand burning in my pocket for a Fireball. but as said 90% of EMs even in gwo are 200-500
 
£50 start non working too much?
i.ebayimg.com_images_g_lQ0AAOSwnHZYRzws_s_l200.jpg


Look at this on eBay
Bally Time Zone pin ball machine
 
good game that! bally parts reasonably plentiful though check it has chime unit as that can be a PITA to source
 
Not sure this person is really looking. Didn't even get a no thank you to my pm about a Nautilus for sale from my collection.
 
Do like I did, buy an half decent EM, fill and repair cab with new paint job, smarten metalwork and possible new legs....


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
Mooseman said:
Not sure this person is really looking. Didn't even get a no thank you to my pm about a Nautilus for sale from my collection.
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shheesh. you step away for 3 days... Juts logged in and saw your PM. I'll pass the info onto my mate. Cheers. John
 
steve brum said:
technically EM if complete will always be fixable. long term they will outlive electronic games. you could put an EM away for a 1000 years and still get it going quite easily
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In the same way that a Tiger Moth wooden biplane could be kept airworthy almost indefinitely, while a Concorde jet or stealth fighter requires manufacturer support/a national defence budget.
 
T'was about time you showed up on here John! :D

After Moose's outburst and if it makes a difference to someone, I'll happily vouch for John as one of pinball's good guys :thumbs:
 
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