I finally understand the love for “Stars”

Got lucky and picked up a beautiful restored example ( See WeatherbyMAG thread). Got about 100 games in. Now I understand!!!

Great shots with both flippers!
Back hands through the spinner!
Strategy: do I take the points through the spinners , go for the triple bonus ? Oh no bonk off the rubber!
EM chimes!
Cabinet and playfield art!
The bonus countdown!

Really cool! This is a game versus today’s encyclopedia rule set tables.

I gotta get another classic Stern
35170ACD-F98B-412A-9244-677EC160B074 (resized).jpeg4FF42A0C-DC44-4881-823F-800B80E162A0 (resized).jpeg9B79CD52-AD55-4BAF-9A85-EBFABD685D74 (resized).jpeg

#2 3 years ago

EMC

Pinstein

Pinball Alterniverse

Ft Lupton, CO

10y 83,550 1,738 13 1

Congrats, Probably the best chimer out there imo. I miss mine.

#3 3 years ago

CWL

crazypinballguy

Now Here Pinball

Cortland, NY

5y 102K 513 27 9 1

Your pin is stunning!!

I also picked up a Stars recently and I'm really enjoying it. It's my go-to pin to play right now.

If you ever decide to move on from it, please add me to the top of your list to contact.

I'd love to have such a beautiful example.

Enjoy!

#4 3 years ago

CPW

ectobar

Pinside member

Stars really is great.

Don't forget to add the Kirk pass to that list.

OP
Quoted from sulli10:
Strategy: do I take the points through the spinners , go for the triple bonus ? Oh no bonk off the rubber!

Make sure your game is set up to award 100k for the roaming star

#5 3 years ago

LRP

lpeters82

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 132K 5,282 8

It's my pick for most undervalued game. Nothing against Quicksilver, but I'll take Stars plus a fistful of cash.

#6 3 years ago

JEC

bluespin

Pinside+ Frequent

Johns Creek, GA

7y 141K 9,116

Have you been following this forum?
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stars-2020-new-code-for-stern-stars-1978

#7 3 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Quoted from lpeters82:
Nothing against Quicksilver, but I'll take Stars plus a fistful of cash.

And that's A LOT of cash.

Quoted from bluespin:
Have you been following this forum?
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stars-2020-new-code-for-stern-stars-1978

Meh.

#8 3 years ago

PMM

Pmaino

Pinside+ Frequent

South Burlington, VT

8y 95,550 1,366 7 23

Quoted from lpeters82:
It's my pick for most undervalued game. Nothing against Quicksilver, but I'll take Stars plus a fistful of cash.

Why not have both!

#9 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from ectobar:
Stars really is great.
Don't forget to add the Kirk pass to that list.

Make sure your game is set up to award 100k for the roaming star

How could I forget the Kirk post ? What a great little feature.

How do you turn on the 100k for the roaming star?

#10 3 years ago

MWS

Methos

Pinside member

Lodi, WI

12y 103K 7,269 21 10 1

I can star a game on my Stars and next thing I know I’ve started my 20th game on it.

#11 3 years ago

CPW

ectobar

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from sulli10:
How could I forget the Kirk post ? What a great little feature.
How do you turn on the 100k for the roaming star?

https://www.ipdb.org/files/2366/Stern_1978_Stars_Manual.pdf
Turn switches 31 & 32 off. 100,000 can be set to either award once per ball or unlimited via switch 30. Set 30 to Off for unlimited, On for 1 per ball. I like unlimited.

#12 3 years ago

CPW

ectobar

Pinside member

Quoted from Methos:
I can star a game on my Stars and next thing I know I’ve started my 20th game on it.

It's usually around then when I start Tap'n & Shatz'n

I've since been able to pull of a Kirk pass -> Tap -> Shatz, but haven't gotten it on camera yet.

#13 3 years ago

BWK

Krupps4

Pinside member

Minneapolis, MN

5y 95,050 2,103 2 12

Quoted from Pinstein:
Congrats, Probably the best chimer out there imo. I miss mine.

Agreed. Stars and Joker Poker are the cream of the crop in terms of chimes.

#14 3 years ago

CPW

ectobar

Pinside member

Quoted from Krupps4:
Agreed. Stars and Joker Poker are the cream of the crop in terms of chimes.

When guests come over they usually gravitate towards the newer pins, but they always get a kick out of when I open up the coin door to Stars and show them the chimes in action.

#15 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from ectobar:
It's usually around then when I start Tap'n & Shatz'n
I've since been able to pull of a Kirk pass -> Tap -> Shatz, but haven't gotten it on camera yet.

Wow. That’s cool.

#16 3 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

Stars is amazing. Definitely set up unlimited 100k collects. Hearing that chime that is reserved for that collect only is so satisfying.

#17 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from ectobar:
https://www.ipdb.org/files/2366/Stern_1978_Stars_Manual.pdf
Turn switches 31 & 32 off. 100,000 can be set to either award once per ball or unlimited via switch 30. Set 30 to Off for unlimited, On for 1 per ball. I like unlimited.

Quoted from chuckwurt:
Stars is amazing. Definitely set up unlimited 100k collects. Hearing that chime that is reserved for that collect only is so satisfying.

Done!!!!
Now all I got to do is get there! Easier said than done .

#18 3 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

I’m pretty sure I have the meanest stars on earth.

#19 3 years ago

TPR

frunch

Pinside member

Point Pleasant, NJ

11y 135K 3,637 10

I'll always remember the day I "got" Stars myself. It was a recent Allentown pinfest where i found a beautiful example with a perfect clearcoated playfield. It played like a dream--so smooth! My buddies and i played a couple three-player games while learning the rules bit and i was thoroughly impressed at how fun and brutal it was.

That playfield is what sealed the deal in my mind though. It just played so nice! I missed out on the first wave of Stars repro playfields, but I'll get one eventually. The playfield on mine is pretty bad, but it still plays great!

It's a keeper in my collection, 100%! It's become an instant hit for multiplayer among my pinball buddies. The chimes, the spinners, the fast action--it's always surprised me that it doesn't have the following of the A-list classic Sterns.

#20 3 years ago

MTK

nocreditdot

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 84,300 1,992

It’s a great game! Beautiful example. You can never have enough classic Sterns! My Stars is played more than anything in my game room right now.

Mike

#21 3 years ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Crazy Levi's Pinball

New York, NY

10y 148K 33,524

I love Stars but it can be frustrating. Difficult to string together a bunch of good games.

Enjoy our Stars-A-Tournament from a few years back! Few players can survive brush with Left Stars.

#22 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from nocreditdot:
It’s a great game! Beautiful example. You can never have enough classic Sterns! My Stars is played more than anything in my game room right now.
Mike

Yea, I remember your beautiful collection.

I had a Meteor. Good looking game but no where near Stars in any manner. I will be on the look out for more classic Sterns. I am really getting into the 1980’s Bally and Sterns

#23 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from CrazyLevi:
I love Stars but it can be frustrating. Difficult to string together a bunch of good games.
Enjoy our Stars-A-Tournament from a few years back! Few players can survive brush with Left Stars.

Thanks. I can see why it would be such a great tournament game.

#24 3 years ago

JEC

bluespin

Pinside+ Frequent

Johns Creek, GA

7y 141K 9,116

Quoted from frunch:
I'll always remember the day I "got" Stars myself. It was a recent Allentown pinfest where i found a beautiful example with a perfect clearcoated playfield. It played like a dream--so smooth! My buddies and i played a couple three-player games while learning the rules bit and i was thoroughly impressed at how fun and brutal it was.
That playfield is what sealed the deal in my mind though. It just played so nice! I missed out on the first wave of Stars repro playfields, but I'll get one eventually. The playfield on mine is pretty bad, but it still plays great!
It's a keeper in my collection, 100%! It's become an instant hit for multiplayer among my pinball buddies. The chimes, the spinners, the fast action--it's always surprised me that it doesn't have the following of the A-list classic Sterns.

Beehive Pinball released Stars before CPR, and he still has some playfields left, last I heard. He’s taking a little break dealing with health issues with his family right now.

#25 3 years ago

KMS

kms_pinball

Pinside+ Frequent

Dyer, IN

9y 84,050 226 48

Congratulations on the pick -up! I have owned two over the years and when the right one comes along I'll pick up another. Watch the Bowen K. Tutorial, it's excellent!

#26 3 years ago

TPR

frunch

Pinside member

Point Pleasant, NJ

11y 135K 3,637 10

Quoted from bluespin:
Beehive Pinball released Stars before CPR, and he still has some playfields left, last I heard. He’s taking a little break dealing with health issues with his family right now.

Thanks for the heads-up! I'll have to reach out to them and see if i can get my hands on one when they're back to business.

#27 3 years ago

DPF

Ballypalooza

Pinside member

St Joseph, IL

9y 54,400 654 56

NO, I HAVE THE MEANEST STARS ON EARTH!!
Set yours to the 100,000 roaming bonus and you’ll be hooked forever.
Congratulations

#28 3 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-roadtrip-goodbye-2015

We need to have an all stars tournament where we meet up at a show and lineup like ten of them for people to have their souls crushed all weekend. Haha

#29 3 years ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Crazy Levi's Pinball

New York, NY

10y 148K 33,524

Quoted from chuckwurt:
We need to have an all stars tournament where we meet up at a show and lineup like ten of them for people to have their souls crushed all weekend. Haha

I'm down!!!

#30 3 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

10y 114K 4,847 37

Quoted from chuckwurt:
I’m pretty sure I have the meanest stars on earth.

My old Stars wants to fight.

(god I love that game)

#31 3 years ago

MTK

nocreditdot

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 84,300 1,992

Thanks. I have a real soft spot for the late 70s early 80s games. Keep me posted on what’s next for your collection

Mike

OP
Quoted from sulli10:
Yea, I remember your beautiful collection.
I had a Meteor. Good looking game but no where near Stars in any manner. I will be on the look out for more classic Sterns. I am really getting into the 1980’s Bally and Sterns

#32 3 years ago

MWS

Methos

Pinside member

Lodi, WI

12y 103K 7,269 21 10 1

It’s a kick in the groin when you get that last star lit, and then drain.

#33 3 years ago

WIZ

Pinside member

Unknown

10y 37,900 325

And look at that cabinet paint!! I don't think I've ever seen a faded Stars cabinet. They must have used different paint in those days. I bought my first Stars about 20 years ago and the playfield and cabinet looked great.

#34 3 years ago

DAV

DaveH

Pinside+ Frequent

Boston, MA

11y 121K 7,881 21 13

I picked up my Stars 5 years ago. It was a 770 mile journey, and totally worth it. I still love the game.

#35 3 years ago

KAG

kguenther6

Pinside+ Frequent

Burlington, KY

12y 73,550 664 17 25

I sold my Stars and kicking myself for selling it. I would love to have it back.

#36 3 years ago

AJP

parsonsaj

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 75,550 949

I love Stars... remember playing it when it first came out!

If I ever had unlimited space and cash to build out the kind of home arcade I'd like to have, I've always dreamed of having Stars, Meteor, and Stern Magic all together in a section of older pins.

#37 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Quoted from WIZ:
And look at that cabinet paint!! I don't think I've ever seen a faded Stars cabinet. They must have used different paint in those days. I bought my first Stars about 20 years ago and the playfield and cabinet looked great.

Hi,
If you're referring to the pics I posted, it is a restored cabinet. There are pics in the recent restore thread by WeatherbyMAG of what the cabinet looked like prior.

#38 3 years ago

LRP

lpeters82

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 132K 5,282 8

Quoted from TheLaw:
And that's A LOT of cash.

Meh.

Not a fan of the 2020 code? I think it's great. Really keeps everything I enjoy about Stars and adds an extra depth. No plans to add the audio update since the chimes are already fantastic.

Quoted from Pmaino:
Why not have both!

#39 3 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Quoted from lpeters82:
Not a fan of the 2020 code? I think it's great. Really keeps everything I enjoy about Stars and adds an extra depth. No plans to add the audio update since the chimes are already fantastic.

It's fine work but my issue has always been Stars rules are already perfect.

#40 3 years ago

RJA

Hi-Fi

Pinside member

Milwaukee, WI

11y 63,550 722 10 6

One year at Pinburgh I was in a elimination round to get into the C playoffs. 7 people tied for 5 available spots. I hit the STARS jackpot on ball one. It is by far the high point of my normally mediocre tournament play.

#41 3 years ago

RJA

Hi-Fi

Pinside member

Milwaukee, WI

11y 63,550 722 10 6

I agree with TheLaw, Stars already has perfect rules.

The new code is really great but my Stars plays so tough I don’t think I would get to experience all the additional rules all that often.

#42 3 years ago

LRP

lpeters82

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 132K 5,282 8

Quoted from Hi-Fi:
The new code is really great but my Stars plays so tough I don’t think I would get to experience all the additional rules all that often.

This is very true. My game is also setup pretty tough, so just collecting the stars once is a challenge. I don't think I'll ever reach the Wizard Mode of doing it three times...plus the pop bumper and drop targets.

#43 3 years ago

DRT

pins4life33

Pinside member

Sherwood Park, AB

11y 87,550 2,184 104 18

I think I could give you a run lol...

Quoted from chuckwurt:
I’m pretty sure I have the meanest stars on earth.

#44 3 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Quoted from pins4life33:
I think I could give you a run lol...

I think everyone could; and that's the beauty of Stars.

#45 3 years ago

CJZ

PinZig

Pinside member

Bismarck, ND

10y 55,050 204 18

Quoted from TheLaw:
I think everyone could; and that's the beauty of Stars.

Agreed. Last week I scored 13,700 total in a full game. I've had plunges score more. Next time everything just flows perfectly and it starts singing. Never thought chimes would get the adrenaline pumping that much.

20210121_201249 (resized).jpg

#46 3 years ago

JCS

DrJoe

Pinside member

Mars, PA

16y 100K 1,513 54 233

The first, and best imo, of Steve Kirk’s 3 gems for Stern Elctronics (Stars, Meteor, and Nine Ball).

#47 3 years ago

ERW

chuckwurt

Quoted from pins4life33:
I think I could give you a run lol...

Used it in the Pincinnati tournaments in 2019. The average four player game across two days took an average of 11 mins. Haha.

#48 3 years ago

SJG

Xtraball

Pinside member

Ansonia, CT

12y 52,300 621 9

My brother’s father-in-law, having heard me talk about collecting pinball machines, decided he wanted one. He left it up to me to get him “the right” one. He requested an inexpensive one that’s got easy to understand yet tough to master objectives, a game that would keep his interest a long time. What other choice was there... Stars all the way!

#49 3 years ago

TPD

tomdrum

Tom's Pinball

Port Matilda, PA

6y 165K 7,299 16 52

I saw that game in person multiple times during the restoration and it is awesome. I found that game in a garage where it had sat for 15 years. Sold it to @weatherbymag. Ironically, I found another project Stars 2 weeks later and let another friend have that one.

Enjoy!

#50 3 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member