Last Pinball Machine Factory

[arbycoffee]

For a Pinball Survivor, the Game Isnt Over - New York Times

[new in town]

Thanks for that link Greg.

The new Indy Pin from Stern starts shipping the first of the month.

I've already made room for it. Major rearranging had to take place.

I'll post Pics and a video or two after it arrives and is set up.

Stern's Web Site. : Welcome to STERN Pinball

[Youngjedi]

If you notice on the first picture in that article, The red and yellow wires are backwards on one of the lights. a Common mistake.

[arbycoffee]

huh ?

[Youngjedi]

Just Being Silly

[arbycoffee]

You had me looking and wondering

[mr. fixx]

Arby,
Thanks for the article. I have been at the Stern Pinball Factory. It was like being in heaven. Especially for someone like me who has loved pinball almost all my life. Like being a Kid in a candy store. It was incredible to say the least..

Good post Arby..

Fixx

[BigBearSteve]

Wish I could afford one of their Pins. (Family Guy looks cool)

[Youngjedi]

If I could ever afford one, It would be the LOTR or Pirates of the Caribean.

[mr. fixx]

I have a 2002 Stern Playboy. It plays real nice and, of course, I love the theme.
Somehow, I dont think my wife likes it that much. But she doesnt say anything.
And yes, I have the nude plastic set installed in it.

Fixx

[drcrippen324]

intresting read thanks arby

wonder if we could convince him to look at pachinko market ???

[arbycoffee]

If I could ever afford one, It would be the LOTR or Pirates of the Caribean.

We own them a quarter at a time

[Eddie]

I have been reading some complaints from PinHeads saying that because Stern is the only game in town they are really slacking on the quality of their machines.

Fit,Finish and other Problems.

I guess that is something to be expected without any competition.

[bfree]

Arby,
I have been at the Stern Pinball Factory.
Fixx

Do they offer tours? I would love to see the factory and close by too!

[Youngjedi]

My buddy was an engineer for midway and I was able to get a tour before they closed down. The pinball machine were made in Waukegan, but the main office and video game division was in Chicago. I got to see the Chicago plant. It was awesome. Unfortunatly, the company disolved the pinball business and video arcade and decided to focus it's efforts on the console gaming.
______________________________________________________

We own them a quarter at a time

"Quarter"? I remember those days...twenty years ago. Now it's more like $1.00 a game

[mr. fixx]

Do they offer tours? I would love to see the factory and close by too!

During the pinball expo (Pinball Expo the 24th year) there is a Stern
Factory tour as part of the admission "package"

Fixx

[nickbuol]

Stern used to be the "cheap" black sheep of the pinball industry compared to giants like Bally, Midway, Gotlieb and so forth. Then they all start dropping out of the industry and who is left? The company considered to make the worse of them all. Now look at them, they don't produce much, but some of their themes are GREAT! Sure, there are some odd ducks in the mix, but LOTR is fun, the new Indy has some look to it of the original great machine. Other hot themes include Spiderman, Pirates, Shrek, Family Guy, some various Simpsons ones, even Wheel of Fortune is popular from what I've heard. They have really taken a somewhat dying market, and wure pinball sales are down, but collectors are loving what they are coming out with.

I would love to have a tour of the place too. I was fascinated with pinball since I bought my first machine when I was 11 with money I had saved up. I hope that Stern keeps the BIG shiny ball alive!

[compirate]

When your the only game in town, you get the pick of the licenses.

[slothappy144]

I am glad any pinball's are still being made here in America. Chicago was the place for pinball like Detroit was for cars. Chicago coin, Gottlib, Bally, Midway, Williams all were in Chicago land area.
The Mrs, said we need to go to Melrose Park Il. on vacation, I had no clue what she meant until I read the AP article in our local press. I don't own a Stern, yet but this one I like: http://www.sternpinball.com/images/shrek_game.jpg

[new in town]

Here is a link to a tour of Stern from the 2006 Expo. It's about a 20 minuet video tour of the Factory.

I downloaded it and played better in Real Player Than Windows Media Player. The sound Quality is better. Just scroll down to the "Video" link.

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