This restoration came out so good. It also reminded of how beautiful this game is, it is PACKED with so much art and things to look at. One of the couple games, I have never owned, and dont know how to play. I have wanted one for about 4 years since one came up on the block at the patz show auction. By the saturday auction I had bought 3 games all ready, and only because my friend loaned a big chunk o cash for the last one... then of course this game comes up. I think it sold for 950. (I really recommend the patz auction that J. dayhuff does on saturday. Every single game goes for a good price. Not a steal always, but a good price. Also john is not one of those auctioneers who yaps so fast you often dont know how much you just bid, and end up bidding again against yourself. I have over paid before because of that)
Anyway, back to daves work and (I dont know who did the cab) the resto. A good craftsman continually hones his skills, with each job, and I see it. His finished work is almost always better that most hobbyist can do themselves, because a smart man uses each experience to consciously think about each action, becoming finer and more efficient. This kind of skill does not fall from trees, and i dont know if this is just a hobby for him, or if he is going to make a career of it. My point is the experience is very valuable and if you decide to hire him, Try to remember you are not buying tube socks at wallmart. You are supporting an American artist/craftsman that rarely get paid what they need, or deserve. So if you can afford it, I dont think you would regret it down the line if you surprised him with a little bonus when the job is done and you are happy with the work, anything from some good mcdonalds coffee, to a c note. I would like to say its the act of showing respect and thankfulness. Then in hindsight, everyone looks back on the project as a positive thing.
If I sound preachy, I apologize, I just came to the conclusion that we all eventually get thru whatever we are going thru, weather a restoration or divorce, and the thing to remember while doing it, is that there will be a long amount of time after that we will look back on it, either positively or negatively and all that goes with either. Now at 52 I finally get this memo. It may have helped, say...30 years ago!!!
So it sure seems that this job had a happy ending, and it is very inspiring to me. I have been in pinball for quite a long time, and I think more people are restoring their games rather than just cleaning them, than ever before. There could be plenty of reasons. Most parts are available, and we have the net to track them down, the price of new games being so high, plus the original games are not getting any younger. I really dig it. I have always perfered restored over new generally. It wont be long before they have a positive good looking person, teamed up with possibly a crotchety old geezer restoring pinballs on television. Of course the customer is picking it up friday and they have to do the whole thing in 4 days! or something like that. American Pinball. At least one will have to have a sleeve of tattoos. You cant get on tv any more unless you have a sleeve or a neck tattoo. Ok I will quit while this is positive.
Another beautiful game comes back to life for another 30 years at least!!! rock on!!~
Galesburg, MI
