After building pinball cabinets for the last 6 years, I'd like to offer some insight on this ...
Sadly, earlier Bally cabinets are a lot more work, so when we list them on our site in the next week or two, they will be more than their WPC counterparts. I realize this is problematic, since the titles are generally of lower value, but the difference in labor is substantial and placing the blocks precisely requires a jig, making flatpacks difficult. Not to mention, EVERY cabinet is different, so the R&D alone kills the flatpack, as there just isn't much margin on them. Documentation for each and every title would be a huge undertaking, as well.
As far as joinery, the locking miter isn't anywhere near as good as it used to be. With today's composite core plywoods, you'd be lucky to route a clean joint on both sides, and, even if you did, the integrity just isn't there anymore. The standard rabbet is a much stronger joint with today's materials. It's true, they just don't make things like they used to. We use Cabinet-grade Maple B2-grade. Really nice material. We will do locking miter, on request, with an added fee.
Stenciling is very time consuming to do it right, and we've stenciled a number of cabinets now. With time and materials, $200/color appears to be going rate, stencils included.
So, to break it down ...
WPC/WPC 95 cabinets start at $500, and that includes backbox, backbox hinges, and new style leg brackets.
$100 for base color, three coats.
Cost of decals.
$60 to install decals.
Earlier Bally cabinets start at $650, and that also includes backbox and leg brackets.
$100 for base color, three coats.
$200 per color for stenciling, includes stencils.
I do everything I can to make our prices reasonable and affordable.
We have just completed Cyclone, Flash Gordon, Xenon, and Medusa. We're moving to Fathom.
If anyone has any questions or suggestions on what to do after Fathom, let me know. We're always adding cabinets to our library.
Thank you.