EM Pinball - Value?

[Stingray]

Just curious on the value of this pinball machine. It's a Gottlieb "Big Hit" baseball themed machine. Can't find a picture of the whole machine online, but here's one of the playfield & backglass:



The condition of the  playfield on this one is in every bit as good as the one pictured. Externally it has a few scratches & scuffs, but nothing major. Only thing missing is the lock on the coin door.

Ballpark figure is fine. 

-S

[Stingray]

Ballpark figure is fine. 

Ugh. Pun not intended.

-S

[Buddabing]

You might try posting in the rec.games.pinball newsgroup.

There isn't very much demand for EM machines these days. An EM, even in great condition, isn't worth too much.

[OSCAR]

FYI - http://ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=253

[Stingray]

Wel like I said I'm only curious. I'm not looking to sell it. This machine was in the garage for just about my entire childhood. It was only a couple years old when we got it. My dad gave it to me about 15 years ago, but since I had no place to keep it I gave it back to him about 10 years ago. Last time I saw he he told me it was still mne as far as he's concerned and I can have it back any time I want to haul it home. Just need to convince Mrs. Stingray that it would be anice addition to the guest room.

Thanks for that link Oscar.

-S

[Chris]

I'll be happy to store it at my place for ya....

[Ken Layton]

Looks like a decent EM pinball to me. Probably the last of the EM machines before Gottlieb switched to electronic machines. I'd say you should be able to get $300 to $400 for it, IMO.

[Stingray]

Thanks Ken. I'd never sell it, since it's been around pretty much my entire life. Just wanted an approximate value for insurance purposes.

Thanks for the offer Chris, think I'll leave it at Dad's place until I can get it into mine though.

-S

[Witchboard]

I'm playing with an EM pinball machine as well.  It's funny how the things aren't worth much, but you sell a decent backglass on eBay and get what you could for a complete machine.  My backglass is toast.  I wish the pin guys would do with backglasses what we do with arcade art and scan them in.  I would rather print off a backglass on paper and sandwich it with a foil back to make it look right when lit then pay more than what I did for the whole machine in a chance I'll get a shattered backglass in the mail.  Sorry for rambling. 

[Stingray]

I suppose you could always source a decent photo and trace it in Illustrator if you're good at that kind of thing assuming it's line art and not photographic. I hear you on the backglass, they are super expensive. Lucky for me this one is still in very good shape, mostly owing to the fact that the machine was nearly new when dad bought it back in the late '70s

-S

[Witchboard]

I don't know much about Illustrator.  I just wish Photoshop was as affordable!    I may pick it up one of these days and play with it after I finish my digital imaging (Photoshop) course.  I think the reason why it hasn't happened is that the pinball guys would see it as blasphemy.  I think a majority of them would prefer a badly flaking backglass instead of a minty looking fake.

[Stingray]

What machine are you talking about here?

I think the reason why it hasn't happened is that the pinball guys would see it as blasphemy.  I think a majority of them would prefer a badly flaking backglass instead of a minty looking fake.

You run into nuts like that in the classic car scene too.

-S

[Witchboard]

What machine are you talking about here?

I've got a Jack in the Box I'm working on fixing up.

You run into nuts like that in the classic car scene too.

<Looks around and whispers> Classic arcade scene also.

[Chris]

What machine are you talking about here?

I've got a Jack in the Box I'm working on fixing up.

That's the 4-player version of Jumping Jack, and the backglasses are nearly identical, so it's worth keeping an eye out for that, too...

[Stingray]

Neat back glass. If you can come up with a better picture than that one, and shot straight on, not at an angle, you may be able to find someone in the artwork forum who's willing to trace it for you. I'd offer, but I'm up to my eyeballs in projects just at the moment.

-S

[Witchboard]

That's the 4-player version of Jumping Jack, and the backglasses are nearly identical, so it's worth keeping an eye out for that, too...

Yup, the playfields are the exact same too.

[scooter]

I absolutely love the Big Hit pinball!  This is the machine that I learned to play pinball on--I would literally play this game for hours on end.  Got to play one recently when I was in San Francisco.  Ahh, the memories.   

I have been semi-looking for one of these, so if you ever *do* decide to get rid of it, I promise to give it a good, loving home.   

[Stingray]

Sorry, doesn't seem likely that I'll ever let go of this one. Not only did I grow up playing this game, but it was this exact machine.

-S

[Karetaker]

According to Mr. Pinball price guide that Gottlieb "Big Hit" is worth $750 wholesale! Which I really don't understand. There were 2,200 of them made. I think Mr. Pinball might have been drinking when he priced that one.

[TheOtherBob]

Larry Bieza's Guide has it at $300 - $550 - $750 depending on what condition it is in.  And $750 isn't a "mint" price either.  From what it sounds like you could be in that upper range. 

[ChadTower]

According to Mr. Pinball price guide that Gottlieb "Big Hit" is worth $750 wholesale! Which I really don't understand. There were 2,200 of them made. I think Mr. Pinball might have been drinking when he priced that one.

[Karetaker]

Larry Bieza sounds like he's on the wagon. I'd go with that price.  But, I have a great idea. You can sell it to Mr. Pinball since he thinks it's worth so much.

[Stingray]

Well like I said, it's not for sale, I was only curious. This one is definitely on the upper end of the spectrum condition wise. It's good to know that it's worth a little more.

-S

[TheOtherBob]

So that brings us to the real question.........








When do I get to come over to play it?   

[Stingray]

I was over at dad's house last night playing it. I really have the urge to bring that sucker home, but right now I just don't have room for it.

-S