Really wish them luck. Anybody that has held on this long deserves a nice, new MM for their patience.

Only 2 machines have been reproduced that I can think of. Big Bang Bar and King of Diamonds

Original Big Bang Bar sells more than reproduction. Easily 5000 more.

KOD remake is entirely different as it uses SS parts and can have multiple players. I saw restored KOD at Pacific Pinball Expo and it was the same price as a new reproduction.

Disagree. Look on Chris' High End Pin site and see all the flaws that came from the factory.

HEP >>>>> Original He does NIB pins for Stern owners.

The clear coat that restorers use is 300 bucks a gallon. A pinball company would not even come close to using that quality of a clear. Having said that, no matter what clear you use, it will dimple. Just the nature of the game when using a steel ball.

Look how the cabinets are prepared. Decals are not just slapped on like they would be at a factory.

I've experienced both NIB and HEP to see the difference.

No, I don't think you are referencing the same thing.

I think you are mistaking "Restored" with "Reproduction".

2 pins that I know have gone into Reproduction. BBB and KOD. In both cases the original is either valued more or the same as the reproduction.

I come from a unique perspective on all this.

I had a deposit in on the MM with Wayne. I did not like the delays and lack of information, so I got out. I found a MM on CL for a nice price. Using the deposit as part of the funding, I bought the MM and had it sent of the HEP. If I would not have bailed when I did, I truly believe I would have never gotten a MM. The prices have almost doubled since then.

So basically, by my actions, I really do believe a HEP MM > Wayne's MM.

Lets just say Chris is the King, he has more ins and outs than anybody, and can make any machine better than new.

Jim is a stud, and has some mad skills. He is a close friend to Chris and I know that they talk all the time. The best way for friends to become ex-friends is to start a pissing contest. Ask Jim, he will gladly tell you Chris is the man.

Having said that, if you have either one do a restore for you, you are one lucky person.