I am about to buy a CE and after reading about these issues I am absolutely a bit more concerned about how things are going to go.

Yes, nothing is perfect, but functional issues that leave buyers with a non working product and no means of correction are something the industry needs to fix. If my new car had major issues and the dealer told me they would provide parts, but I had to do the work.... i honestly cant think of any other product where the buyer is expected to do the work to a brand new product.

I get what you are saying LTG...and yes my manufacturer does if my car cant make it to the dealership... and they provide a loaner car.

Tesla, Ford, and Chevy all provide this service via direct (tesla), and via warranty reimbursement to the dealer (Chevy and Ford).

...and not a single car dealer/manufacturer asks me to repair my own car while under warranty.

And please dont see my tone as negative here, I want JJP to continue making great games, and I am really excited about my CE. If no one urged improvements then any company would think that everything is fine and never improve. I speak as a friend in this situation, and am willing to do the work, but so many others are not going to tolerate this and simply pass on purchasing. That will hurt us all and we will quickly be back to 2002 where it was a very difficult time for the industry.

Fair point. My counter is; did you pay $9500 for X-men? *grin*

I'm getting ready to lock down on $12.5k for the CE and if I have to deal with broken wires, mechs not working, etc.. I'm going to be really disappointed.

Granted, I am going to go to JJP and pick up the game myself with the hope that my game will be sitting there, legs on where I can play it for a bit and go over every inch of the game before driving back to a distributor free location.

All good points, and agreed concerning JJPs offerings being top notch, LTG always being on standby here at pinside, and yes pinball machines do break. It happens, and will continue to happen as is the nature of the game and anything else with moving parts. Could you imagine being a helicopter mechanic? That would be a nightmare in my opinion. Way too many moving parts. As my grandfather has always said, never ride in a helicopter... and he flew airplanes for 65 years, half of his time in models that didn't have engines!

I know JJP is listening, and likely making constant adjustments to improve QC, I just hope that it continues to improve and feedback is critical, but not criticism.

Yes, thats agreed. The point is the fact that owners are at times required provide their own service for a product that is brand new and the request is that some system be implemented in the field or at the exit point of the factory to address the issues that are complex for people that want to enjoy pinball but have a limited skill set for repairs.

Otherwise the industry is self limiting to customers that are mechanically inclined, and I cant see how this keeps the industry in growth mode.

Can we agree on that?

And this just made me confident in every penny I am going to spend on my CE. Awesome!

So glad to hear you are at the factory! My CE is on the line! I plan on coming to pick my game up in person and hope to meet you and play the game before departing with it.

Fixing issues at the factory would be cheaper than dealing with shipping parts. Not sure what is so interesting about this to be honest.

..and they dont have to box it for me.

Why so?

Mine isnt built yet from what i have been told. Regardless it would be nice to have a factory delivery program in place ala car manufacturers... but if not, oh well.

Already done... but whatever happens it will be enjoyable to see the factory.

I am obviously spoiled by my experiences with BMW where I would go to the factory in SC and a tech or two would be there to fix anything on your car for free during their homecoming weekends. Certainly was an amazing customer experience.

Do i detect a bit of sarcasm there? *grin* It's not going to happen, but one can always hope. That being said, hope isnt a strategy. I am worried about issues posted here of course, and fixing there would be better. The best thing about pickup is that you take the non vested shipper out of the equation.

Everything else is a bonus.

Anyone else have the switches in the chapter select mode stuck closed because the rubber is forcing it closed? Not a big deal to fix.. just curious.

Also, someone please tell me the menu item to adjust the chapter select magnet strength... if the ball ends up on the left side of the pop up post...it's usually STDM.

Love it, going to copy that for sure. Did you use one of those projectors one can get on amazon for this effect?

Why I purchased the CE. I didn't want him visible from every angle.

Couple of issues on my new machine, looking for assistance.

Switch 24 i think is stuck closed, this is the ship on the left... looks like i need to take the ship apart to get to it?

Also, the right most spotlight on the left sling is out..but will flash a moment when a flipper button is pushed.

Got tired, so I'll need to lift the playfield tomorrow morning... just wanted to see if anyone had the same issue in advance. Thanks.

Thanks! Working through the tweeks this morning so its ready for Christmas day! And yes, you are correct. Switch 48.

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Lol, this! ...and I cant imagine this will be the last shipment you and I are receiving for pirates.

I initially had a preorder on this game, then decided to wait and play first.
As soon as I played it I knew I made a mistake and had to own it.
It really is that good.

Same here.... but glad I did since it ultimately led me to get my CE.

Of note, anyone know if this block should be removed?

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Thank, and thank you for this game!

Oh, and if you are still lurking, could you tell me if there is a way to adjust the magnet in the starmap/chapter select area? 50% of the time when the ball rests on the left side of the up post, it ends up going stdm and makes me a sad pirate.

Yes, I have the same behavior on my CE as this. I wanted to turn off the codex tips, but in doing so lost the video clip in the background on bonus.

Is there any definitive fix for the button on the lock down bar? I am 8 days into ownership and the button is already sticking and behaving badly.

Thanks guys, ill give this a try. Of note, my button also pops up and halfway out of the shell (not sure what the outside of the button/plunger is called).

Well, CE owners, especially Yelobird have you found a way to remove the button without damaging the way the button is integrated into the coral rock on the lock down bar? I am concerned about breaking it if I attempt to remove it. It looks like epoxy was used to seal the gap around the button.

Thanks! I am so anxious about screwing up the beautiful artwork of the machine I don't want to screw with it. Lol

NYE action button while I wait for the replacement.

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I have an extra new coin door for sale. I replaced mine from my ce with one powder coated to match, so the version you are looking for, I can get to you.

VividPsychosis

I would really like you to detail your support experience here if you have a moment.

Yelobird Thanks for posting this! Gotta check mine out as soon as I get home!

I have this problem often.

Factory balls, 6.5 degree setup...balls kicks up, but then rolls out from the ship. Haven't really investigated yet, but it happens.

Anyone have any idea where these parts go? Found the plastic bits on the cabinet floor, and the two aluminum spacers sitting on a circuit board after removing the chest fork to tighten the two fork screws.

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Oh crap, so they dropped out when i removed the mech?

Thanks for the help, found the diagram in the manual. Part 27 and etc... basically means i need to find the other parts that are somewhere.

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I have to agree that there are issues that feel like a lack of quality control. Simple things, like the fact that i had stuck switches, a cabinet rail stop block that is just missing, action button that needed replacement, decor falling off, holes not drilled for the topper, playfields chipping, etc...

While nothing is drastic in my case, it just feels like a lack of love from the people actually turning the screws. Granted in low unemployment its probably difficult to find an assembly line staffed with people that love and play pinball. That being said, someone should make sure that with a premium price comes a premium review before the unit goes out the door.

In short, there is room for process improvement on a game that was already delayed... a game that really is fun to play and deserves to reach buyers that arent just pinball geeks that can fix these issues.

Anyone know if I can tear apart the action button switch assembly? Mine isnt registering all of the time. I have tested it by hand in test.

Thanks guys, but this isnt the problem. The switch itself, no matter how hard I have manually pressed it is flaking out. I know the point where the switch mechanism is triggered and via my finger testing, its absolutely having an issue with the internals.
Note: The action button with screw is adjusted and etc.

Yep, just trying to get it asap for league night. Unfortunately getting anything but a voice mail is difficult at the moment. Thats the reason i was hoping i could work on the internals, or just order a part from marcos, pbl, etc... unsure if the switch is proprietary or readily available from somewhere. Do you know LTG?

Belay that... just got an email that they shipped me one!

Both, but mostly not registering closed. New one is on the way. I will take the one that is malfunctioning apart once the new one arrives just to see what is going on inside.

Yes, its the microswitch for the action button.

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The red portion doesn't stick, it just moves correctly, its the registration of the switch open closed state that is flaking out.

Check out the vid. BTW, it behaves the same if its my finger pushing the metal switch arm..i just took this video before I used my finger. You can hear the test screen in the audio.

Yep, bad microswitch. Replacement fixed it immediately. Took a meter to the bad switch after it was off and confirmed that continuity was intermittent. The switch is sealed, so no real reason to try to investigate further. I will however get a number of these and keep them on hand. As many times as the action button is being used, I can invision a need for a future replacement.

Also, it was interesting to note that the switch connection is soldered, rather than a spade plug.

Wait what? The kraken appears? Oh hell yeah.

Did anyone ever make a set of acrylic protectors in the smoked gray that was requested?

The game really isnt hard in my opinion. All the shots are obtainable without much hassle.

A hard game is houdini, which I own.... it has very narrow shots and you really need to be able to aim for those shots.

Agreed, I sold my DI for cash so I could get the POTC... the DI sim card shot is 90% impossible to actually sink intentionally in my opinion.

Those look as good as I thought they would! I was hesitant to install mine until i had an extra pair of hands to help.

I also have my pinstadium lights ready to install at the same time. Where did you hook up the UV glow flasher?

Any other notes that might be helpful?

Somewhere in this thread there was a note about adjusting the time that the mech used to release the ball. It's probably in the menu somewhere.

I have a maiden LE and i will tell you that I was never really a maiden fan. That being said maiden is a great game, and i know the songs I like and the songs I hate. Pirates and maiden are my top two. The other games i own are missing my love.

So, fwiw i received my printed manual today that came with my CE... holy crap its nice. Full color spiral bound... screw holding my phone and fighting with it when this thing is massive.

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Yes it can.

I am surprised that no one replied to this. I am going to say that I had the same type of issues on my CE. It was as if no one turned the machine on and read the self test, or if they did they simply decided to shrug.

Additionally my machine was picked up from the factory and placed inside my vehicle and had a nice smooth ride home.

Certainly there is some room for improvement when it comes to a QC review here.

I just put the silencer mod on, and i am going to say that this is my favorite one because it is really well done. Of note i used the dry lube solution rather than the WLG.

Worth every penny and really easy to install. My spinner is now incredibly quiet and from my perspective is impossible to hear during gameplay.

Same goes for me.. The smoked acrylic would be ideal.

Seriously, i have been holding off on any more mods from TMC, but now....the cute dog? That is just a cheap shot. Ugg gonna need to place yet another order now. Lol

Got a link to this MB, perhaps on AMZN or Newegg?

Yes and YES!

I cant hear mine at all any more. Note: I used dry gear lubricant that I ordered from the EU from here:

https://www.dryfluids-shop.com/epages/63013811.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/63013811/Products/"42%206026908%20073%201"

Only WLG I used was at the one point where the shim was placed. If you order the kit, you will know where this spot is.

Man, I am thrilled about that side art. The entire process of working with them to design, and the awesome suggestion by @kingbw made these blades look so good!

It's a shame I haven't had a hand to get them installed. Last time I tried to install them, on a different machine, alone I screwed them up bigtime. Uggggg.

What the heck is the wet method?

Oh! Basically the window tint method. This I can do! ...and I already have the tools for window tint. Thanks.