Dimpling isn’t wear. PFs dimple. All of them. A lot. Some PFs are of color or lighting that makes it more noticeable than others. It will even out to a new level in time.

Tale as old as time.

Worth mentioning is the Mantis protector covers those 2
Screws, and does a great job protecting the scoop

I took Dracula off his mounts and looked at the switch. Everything looks good back there. Then I noticed there are 2 black spacers on the mounts behind Dracula (one on each mount). As I screwed the Dracula toy back on the mounts I noticed Dracula could still slide in and out a small amount once the screws were tight on the bracket. Is this normal for everyone else, or is Dracula supposed to be tight?

By slide on the mounts, I mean I can move Dracula tight against the screws, or slide him back closer to the switch with a small gap between the head of the screw and the Dracula toy. If the Dracula is slid tight against the screwhead the feet would be further away from the switch, making it harder to register a hit.

Lloyd,
Did as requested. Reseated the opto connector a few times. Switch test doesnt register at all. I have a ticket open in the CGC ticketing system.

Thanks,
Jeff

So after being very vocal about why people are still waiting for their "pre order" of MBRLE while others are still waiting with no end in sight, I've received many PM's from pinsiders explaining their case. What's funny (or actually sad) is that they are all dealing with the same distributor....Joe @ pinballstar.

I've never dealt with Joe before but I'm sharing this in the thread to help others. If you have a game locked in with Joe, you're not alone. I have no idea what's the hold up on his end (he appears to be a big distributor around here) but again - you're not alone so don't think this is just one persons issue.

It really frustrates me to no end when Pinsiders give money (usually in full) to distributors and they end up still waiting regardless. I'm calling this out here so folks can learn from this experience and maybe think twice about pre orders but more importantly WHO we're buying from. In certain situations, I'm hearing 1k deposits are being held if someone were to move to another distributor. My opinion - that would be the last time I do business with Joe if he wouldn't refund my money. If you can't fulfill your responsibility, allow the consumer to buy elsewhere since they're available.

I have no idea about Joe's situation - I've only heard from others that time tables are close to 2 months with no other explanation. I believe Joe reads these boards (heard him on Kaneda) so maybe he can use it as an opp to inform all of his customers at once but ultimately, I respect transparency and informing other pinsiders to help as I would want the same if I were in your shoes! I hope you guys get yours soon.

Good intel.....

If it means anything, my order is not through pinballstar.

My order is not thru pinball star... and I can alway get a refund while I wait...

Joe is a standup guy, I would not lose any sleep over dealing with him. I have my money with him for potc le. You will get your game. It’s possible joe sold out of his batch of games and is waiting on the next delivery while othe distros May still have supply. He responds quick when I’ve emailed him.

I have a JJP POTC LE on order w/ Joe too.

That's too bad. I've had one great experience with Joe, and one not-so-great.

When I bought my first NIB, Joe was very responsive and helpful. He even helped me cut a deal and I got my game in just a week. It was the slow time of the year, no new games came out for a while. He got my NIB DI delivered to me asap and helped me every step of the way.

I purchased my second NIB (MBrSE) through Joe as well back in November based on the first encounter. Completely different experience. He disappeared and did not respond to my emails as timely. Then he accidentally ordered me an AFMrSE, apologized and said it would be another few weeks because of the mistake, but assured me that he had fixed it. When the day for my game to arrive came, I had two machines delivered to me; my MBrSE and a random AFMrSE.

I think he got too busy with orders and mixed a bunch of them up. To his credit he owned up to it in an email, but that's something that should not happen based on the dollar amounts we're dealing with.

I feel bad for Joe. I assume he received more orders than he can handle. I dunno. I like Joe but I'm hesitant on working with him the next time around.

Found solution for stuck balls in front of the bride ramp. I read on an older Pinside post a solution that works. Loosen up all the screws (3) on the left wire ramp then slide it south about 3mm or so and re-tighten all the screws again (of course). This will pull the wire ramp away from the metal wall (U-turn around the bride) so the ball won't touch it. This is the reason for terrible failed shots to the left ramp and it keep the ball from getting hung up there. I also keep my playfield at 7.1 or so. Faster game that way. Try it! Now my ball sores through the left ramp with a lot more ease and less failed shots.

Any chance you could show a youtube video or pics of your fix... I'd feel better to attempt it, if I could see the steps... Might be simple, but I'm not handy with pinball, and I'd hate to damage my new toy.

Either way. Thanks!!!!

We have played 104 game so far and it has only happened once. My Playfield is set at 7.2 degrees.

This is an easy fix so no need for a video. See my image guide. It's only three nuts. Just use a nut driver and you will be fine. You can always put it back if it doesn't work for you. The images show after I moved the ramp and put back the screws. Just remove the two below the bride and just loosen the bride nut where you can move the ramp. The ramp has some "give room" for that nut.

MB_RampFix (resized).jpg

You probably don't have the same ramp issue then. Mine would happen once out of 7-10 games or so.

For those in the US still waiting on their LE's, take it with a grain of salt but I would be expecting them in the next few weeks. Us Australians have been advised that ours will ship in approx 2 weeks. Sadly international 220-240v are at the end of the production queue so I can only assume the remaining 110v will be done shortly before or after this. Given a month of shipping on top, it's been a hell of a wait, but seemingly not much longer.

My experience with Joe was great. He responded promptly and has offered to help out with a flipper issue that Chicago has now agreed to own and send a new flipper assembly.

Joe has always been prompt to reply to any issues I have had with any game and he has made sure my purchased machines are shipped as soon as possible. He goes above and beyond for me . Sorry if you have had issues and I know the frustration of wanting the machines asap. I have bought 6 games from him so far and just preordered Black Knight LE. I enjoy working with him .

I didn't know joe sells stern games.

Yikes. CG has maybe 1000 games left to do - everybody is backlogged. And yes as maybe one of CG’s larger distributors sure I have a lot of people waiting simple math. Chicago Gaming will admit they are 2 months behind due to pf issues. The distrubutor doesn’t manufacture the games we are at the mercy of our companies as well unfortunately. Not sure how I’m the bad guy here. I usually collect money an estimated 30 days out from shipping. My last round of invoices had a due date of 3/15 hoping to get games around that time or soon after but in those invoices I also clearly stated I really had no idea when games would be done due to CG delays. But Delt31 wouldn’t know that as he’s not a customer, just a Pinside poster. I’m frankly not sure why I’m even here explaining anything here. CG is paid on full for everyone’s games who have paid, feel free to ask them same, nobody’s asked for a refund and if they did they would get it gladly. In fact I’ve actually offered refunds to a few this week who haven’t even asked knowing they are tired of waiting but of course not one accepted as they want the game. Nothing more I can do as a distributor. I take care of my customers. Delt31 isn’t a customer never has been but very interested in something he has zero interest in to create Pinside drama. I guess another distributor was selling games NIB which has created this uproar about the wait and yes, that’s not good, but has nothing to do with me or any of the other distributors. Trust me, CG isn’t happy about it either. I’ve delivered plenty of MBR LEs and they will continue to as they come out of CG. Thanks guys ! Enjoy your weekend play some pinball.
Joe

I have two games currently on order with Joe/PinballSTAR, and one in my house from a previous order. He has been responsive by email anytime I have contacted him, including when I had an issue on delivery. When I placed my order for a MBle, he told me upfront he didn't know when it would ship, as they were at least 6 weeks behind then. Happy to wait for a quality remake like Monster Bash, the LE is even nicer than the original in my opinion. I don't know if I'll keep it forever, but it is going to make my family pretty happy when it arrives.

It costs a lot of money to delay games, so I'm sure CGC are working their hardest to get games out. Hopefully they get through this and continue putting out excellent quality pins.

To fellow waitees, here is some info for all of you, and thanks for all the responses, it has helped put things in perspective.

First off, we are all in a large boat, and there are a lot of us waiting still. Second, I got responses from a lot of people waiting for LE’s from my distributor, Joe at PinballSTAR. But I got responses from others with different distributors, and there were multiple people waiting from multiple distrubitors, but as Joe said, he is a larger distributor and so that shows up in the numbers.

What I was not happy with is the failure of CGC’s distributorship network to provide games in a timely manner to all people waiting on machines. When we get posts on here and personal recounts at TPF of people buying a MBrLE off the street by calling around, how does that make me feel? How does that make all you fellow waitees feel? It made me pissed as hell.

To all those who took advantage and shifted to other distributors, I can’t say I blame you, but I am sticking with Joe because he has treated me as fairly as CGC has allowed him to. Not sure what others have experienced, but Joe offered me a refund, or to shift to another game, but I am waiting it out.

I think we can hold off on the torches and pitchforks for our distributors and instead ask what is CGC doing to solve the issue? Not sure about anyone else, but if the production rate of LE’s has dwindled to a trickle, how do you justify this to all of us with 1000 machines to go? And I bet the investers all know what you are doing about it, so why not share it with the customers?

Appreciate the response - specifically that FULL refunds (including the 1k deposit) is being offered. I know that will put many at ease and is all you can do so glad to hear. Thanks

Had to do some minor plastic removal/disassembly to do Titan conversion. Noticed two plastic black spacers from this area. I didn't even touch the Drac toy itself, where these normally are seen.

I think one came from above the front post with sleeve, front left of picture, did the second come from the back post opposite it, without sleeve, closer to the shooter lane?

IMG_20190330_132517 (resized).jpgMVIMG_20190330_132532 (resized).jpg

Not all the orders are with Joe; this is how rumors get started

Not an owner yet but want to be. Quick question: are all the LEs sold out? I may get the SE but love the blue trim a lot

I'd think there are LE's still available...call around.

After a dozen games...

Pin1 (resized).jpg

Pin2 (resized).jpg

Pin3 (resized).jpg

Pin4 (resized).jpg

Pin5 (resized).jpg

Pin6 (resized).jpg

We have LEs left to sell. CEs and SEs in stock ready to ship.
Email Joe at [email protected].

Ok. I guess I will go there....but, for those that want to cut down on the dimpling is there a PF protector for MR(r)?

*sigh*

I understand dimpling happens. I had a protector on my hobbit for 2 years and then took it off. It was a pristine playfield underneath - but I didn't like the way it plays so I took it off and the dimpling started occurring. I prefer no PF protector myself and live with the inevitable dimpling. But for those that can't the PF protectors work VERY well for that. I know this from first hand experience.

It prevents dimpling, yet affects play so much that it’s intolerable? I’m not seeing the point. It’s kinda like buying a high end car but being obsessed that the tire beads are going to wear off if you drive it. But to each his own.

That ball damage is what has me concerned...I'm assuming thats from the burrs mentioned, and the scoop hole protector that gets the crap beat out of it?

Yes, plus it begins to cloud over time. Dulls the PF lighting and the PF art. Once I removed it the machine would shine brightly and showed off the art. I just wax it and let it dimple (like most).

Sounds like you are a big fan of PF protectors - have you used them before and/or recommend them?

CGC has 1000 LE’s left to do? I think what would really help is for CGC to post their current production schedule and when they will be filling each distributors orders. This would remove the ‘unknown’ from the equation and let everyone see where they were inline. Lack of communication from CGC is not helping anyone, especially people with an LE on order. I can say I will not preorder another LE with CGC based on this experience.

Probably less just using a round number to convey they really have just recently started the non number matching games a little while ago. I don’t know exact number probably a bit less I’d guess but still a lot to go. Pinball is hard.

This all day. Dimpling is a necessary evil of steel on wood. But it will and does even out and become much less noticeable with time and plays. But a scratched and rough ball is just round sandpaper on that PF.

Nope, never used them. I pull up the old voided Mylar on old games and replace with new on ball drop and lockout areas.

At least you have a game to dimple lol.....JJP and cgc dont dimple as severely as sterns. It’s all good and the average player won’t notice them

As far as delays..... who cares as long as they get it right which they will

Wouldn’t you rather wait then have to do something like send back your playfield or something of that sort

Nah not rumors just facts. Helping others....like how I PM'd you many times helping you find that Dr who.

Many PM's to me about this too. Let's just say many thanks given. It's been sorted out though. All money returned to buyer if they want to. All good.

Has anyone else discovered the flipper-activated easter egg in the MBR code to reveal the new ruleset that goes way beyond the original? The bummer is that it only works on LEs, and it's only relevant one day a year. It was very clever of CGC to program in this "April Fool's Madness." To those lucky LE owners and easter egg adventurers, enjoy!

Any videos posted of it?

Dimples ok but the sandpaper effect was what worried me the most. As I posted previously and now backed up by another who has the same ball issues as I was having. I did file and sand all the burrs I could identify by running my fingers over all the metal surfaces(touch is the best way) and I did put some duct tape in the scoop just need to put some sort of protective edging on the upright portion of the scoop where the ball hits and hopefully issue solved. I do have to say my balls have less nicks now than I had the first 50 games. I hate to rag on CGC's QC but this is something that should have been addressed at manufacture as you can see its from the forming of the parts as either stamped or possibly laser cut. I kind of wish now I would have waited just a bit longer for my LE.

This is the first time I've heard about this.

Details???

TL;DR but check my math please.

Understandings have been sorted out, but the actual LE delay due to pf screening issues is far from sorted out. It’s April and the LE drought continues... and here is my rub, even if they get it ironed out, ~800 LE’s divided by 65 machines/week is still 3 months to finish all machines, it’s April, so late orders won’t be filled until June. This is assuming they can actually get to 65 machines a week average production. So if we do simple math they may have delivered 450 LE’s so far in 5 months, and that is about 23 machines a week. That puts 800/23 which is ~8.5 months. So if nothing happens, last orders will be delivered by Christmas 2019. Ryan has told me personally their fallout on LE playfields is 40%. So 23 LE’s a week is their production rate with access to 60% good playfields. This means at 100% acceptance rate of production LE pf’s, they can only produce ~40 machines a week? These are all numbers made available to me by CGC and I am only assuming they have delivered 450 machines out of 1250. If that number is lower, it’s even worse than I calculated. Any higher than 450 and I would have expected my machine delivered already because I was in the top 20% of my distributors allotment, and 450 out of 1250 is 38% delivery ratio, meaning my game should have been here.

What all this actually means is not only are they behind, but they are WAY behind, and according to my calculations, there is no way they are going to magically start shipping boat loads of them to “catch up”. If they double thier current delivery rate, they might get done by August.

I will gladly listen to anyone who can tell me anything different.

Found this on IPDB. Not sure if it works but I’ll try it today on my LE.

Easter Egg Alert: Before launching the first ball, and with credits on the machine (or free play), press the left flipper 11 times, then press the right flipper once, the left flipper 5 times, the right flipper once, the left flipper 6 times, and finally the right flipper once. The game will say "Totally" then launch the ball. Hitting the scoop with this ball will start Lyman's Lament, playing different music along with the voice of programmer Lyman Sheats commenting while that ball is played.

Ahhhh....that one.

Yeah, it works on my LE

I have purchased 4 pinball machines (non stern) from Joe, as well as a Galaga/Ms.Pac, I have never had a single issue when dealing with Joe. He has also responded to emails every time I have contacted him re: anything, from checking in on the status of a sale re: shipping/delivery times, any dealings with bank transactions, and believe it or not, emails to just shoot the sh*t.

Once I emailed him not realizing he was in the middle of a pinball show, and he still responded promptly.

I would not hesitate a nanosecond to do business with Joe again.

Just wanted to share my experience.

Good Luck.