Hey, if there's no backboard decal it's just a mod opportunity. That's the kind of thing the aftermarket excels at, hardly any kind of deal breaker.

I hate even saying this and it isn't meant to be an ass or throw fuel on any fire, I try and keep up with updates but I can't keep up with everything.

IS there ANY additional updates people got from Jack at Allentown show or otherwise about more firm production schedules or at last any reasons why things are still being delayed at this point?

It's just so frustrating getting no official word on this, the excitement of the pin just goes away after awhile. I ruined myself on WOZ, I was so angry and frustrated at waiting by the time I got it I never really enjoyed it as much and it left a black eye on it for me and now I'm feeling it might happen again.

Maybe they should make the Playfields out of plexiglass. I know that stuff is strong because they made a whale aquarium with it in Star Trek IV

I was told, by Jack @ at the Allentown show, that TH production was going to begin in a few weeks. Not sure if that means 2 weeks, 3 weeks or more, but that's all I got to share.

Would be nice if JJP posted pics of TH production when it begins. Would go a long way in making people more comfortable...

Useless bump to 6000 posts...

Looking forward to more info!

Well that would just be another opportunity for Aurich to showcase his talents

It's not a deal breaker, it's just a thing that a high end pin company should probably do...

Choices are good, so I'd like to see a backboard decal provided by JJP and then alternate ones from the likes of Aurich & BackAlley.

Nooo, that was transparent aluminum , "Hello Computer"

Without ever seeing his factory in person or in pictures, I have to believe that JJP is truly a boutique pinball manufacturer with one single dedicated production line. He can't/won't switch from one model to the next and back again as it is not economical. He is probably making "WOZ's" only and will determine when that model is exhausted, at which time he will switch to "The Hobbit". As long as there is demand for "WOZ" the factory will be producing to fill the pipeline. If Jack had said two years ago that he would still be making "WOZ's" today, do you think anybody would have pre-ordered "The Hobbit"? In hindsight it boiled down to this: Would you be willing to save $1000 by paying for a game today and receiving it in two years? If the answer is "no" then don't ever pre-order a pinball machine from anyone. Realistically, you will see "The Hobbit" late summer to late fall.

Check out the article on Pinball News.

http://www.pinballnews.com/games/wizardofoz/index34.html

One assembly line. JJP can run two different games down it. Which may well happen as Hobbits are rolling and Pat's game starts in.

LTG : )

I think they need the formula for transparent aluminum.

Wrong, they gave him the formula for transparent aluminum to get the 8 or 9 inch plexiglass. Geek test win.

Actually it was 6 inch thick plexiglass...

Interesting. Someone else posted that Jack told them production would start at the end of June.

doh! You're right.

For me it doesn't really matter what is said. It is starting to get a too long wait. Losing momentum. A pity.............

I think most people would agree that a "couple" means 2 & a "few" means 3. If Jack said a few weeks, then we should just double that expectation, based on his track record. I think we can safely assume production will start in 6 weeks from now, which would put us right at the end of June.

You're both right.

I have not talked to Jack, I am only repeating what someone else said before, so I can't really be right anymore than I can be wrong.

.

This Hobbit though...

I'M going on an adventure!

Riddle:
"How do you know when Jack is lying about shipping dates?" ***

What different does is make what jack "says"?

We could fill a page with his 99% inaccurate predictions on production. I think its fair to say jack has almost no earthy idea on his own production schedule. The one time I almost believed him was back when he threw in the "contractually obligated" story....

Either he just says what he thinks he has to to keep the pre-order people calm, or
He just hasn't a clue.

Neither one is super attractive, but no one should really be surprised anymore. I'm sure TH pre-order folks have a thick skin about this sort of thing by now.

Nothing he says is believable, "pictures or it didn't happen" when it comes to production Im afraid....

The good news is TH is looking better than it even has....

*** answer: when his lips are moving.

Basically true...can't believe a word about release dates from Jack. You can believe what he says about his product and warranties though. They're well backed.

Here is an interesting 'perspective' - if you haven't seen it yet.

Nice video. I am a bit dizzy now

Yeah...I didn't post it, but I like to get all the info I can on the Hobbit these days.

You are better at searching to find the group than I am. Can someone post the actual name of the JJP owners group to make it easier for the rest of us to find it?

I'd like to know myself. I even sent an email to Jack about it and never got a response.

I'd like to know myself. I even sent an email to Jack about it and never got a response.

Removed, redundant post.

You have to contact Jen at JJP to ask to be invited to the group.

That worked!

My 2 cents is the line is ready, but vendor parts timing and quality are not in JJP control. I was on the phone with him just 3 weeks ago and he had a story about a vendor had not packed well, but thankfully nothing was broken (but they hadn't unloaded and unboxed it all yet as of our phone call), and it wasn't the first time with this vendor. Jack tells us what he knows, but he doesn't know what he doesn't know regarding vendors delivering (in all uses of that word).

I do not fully understand this and to me it looks more like poor planning. For the most part TH uses standard parts that are highly available and JJP has had enough time to find good vendors for that. For the 'special' parts, the drop targets are done a long time so that should not be a problem either. What is left are Smaug and the pop up figures and if that blocks setting up the production line than I think I haven't got a clue what producing is about. As I think these could be easily fitted at the end as the greatest part of the pin has been assembled.

So what is really holding up the start of the production???

Problem I see is parts come from Chicago, design team in Chicago
Game built in new jersey

Parts delays could be caused by this.

I heard everything should start June 1st, production and shipping around the clock production, 2-3 shifts to get Hobbit done so Pats game can be on the line before the end of the year.

I just bought a Smaug Edition....I was wondering if a topper will be announced or does the game not come with one?

No topper included.

Ugh, the camera is all over the place

dog_puking.jpg

That number of games going out, tech support should get interesting.

LTG : )

Good thing JJP has a secret weapon, LTG

te1.jpg

Don't shoot the messenger

Can anyone confirm this? So I guess all of the part issues got resolved? 2-3 shifts?? I wonder how many games a day they can produce? I guess I might get mine before 2016 after all?

I'm sorry, hugs?

188cpwzk9vli4jpg.jpg

Wish Jack would say something by now. History repeating itself and its all speculation right now. Game looks ready, but as we've seen from everyone, it just takes a part or two to delay things. Must be so frustrating making a pin. Hats off to those who try.

Whatever the painful wait is, it'll be worth it. 'Most all is forgiven when Jen gives you the call. Hobit will be awesome - while some may want to run out and buy 3 older games or 10 nice EM's then by all means do so but this is not the choice for everyone.

Jack has already told us he is waiting for parts. If Acme (fictitious) tells him parts will be here on the 20th, Jack has learned not to tell us final build will start on the 21st. Why?

Take your pick:
Acme has sent out of spec parts before.
Acme's predecessor who Jack fired has sent out of spec parts before.
Acme ships late.
Acme's predecessor who Jack fired has shipped late before.
Something new goes wrong.

I can't blame Jack for not wanting to put a hard date out there. He wants The Hobbit to ship ASAP, just like we do.

I suggest just enjoying summer...go outside, enjoy family and friends, imbibe. The game will arrive in time. Pinball's more of a winter thing anyways.

I play mine year round.

Summer has early mornings and late nights too right Pinball to me is like cereal great first thing in morn and last thing at night!

I still play, don't get me wrong...but not on a beautiful sunny day. We have to take advantage of those days in Oregon.

As opposed to the desert we call Vancouver Go to early morns and late nights and you can enjoy all those beautiful summer sun filled days you want, but if you took my games away for the summer..........you would find me in a cell, padded, most likely with a straight jacket on

(...Beelzeboob pokes his head in and looks around...seeing nothing new, he leaves...)

Hey, anyone seen Beelzeboob?