prototypes are interesting to see the differences, but is there a "desire" to get a prototype because it's so rare? Seems to me a prototype would feel unfinished, though I guess in some cases you might get extra features not in the production game because of cost cutting (first 500 earthshakers with sinking institute for instance)

Congrats on the SC prototype!!!!!

There are prototype collectors out there.. there are not a lot of us, but there are a few.

To me, a whitewood game is often unfinished, but prototype games are not typically unfinished. They might be a little different, but they usually aren't missing anything large and glaring - for example, my proto CFTBL has a few playfield differences in the artwork, but that's about it. For example, the area under the ramps didn't have the artwork like production games, the KISS inserts were red on protos, etc.

Sometimes, there are things on sample and prototype games that were cost reduced out, which makes them more desirable to a prototype collector, like the stainless sides on the IJ POA, an extra set of drop targets on Rollergames, Corvette, a shifter assy on Corvette, etc.

And, sometimes, the additional features that were removed were removed because the game played better *without* them, like the way the ball locks were on early Jackbots. I have a friend who sold a sample Jackbot because the game just didn't play real well because of the ball locks.

The safecracker looks real nice. In some ways, I wish I never parted with my 2nd SC. Neat game you just don't see many of!

What a nice machine to have in the collection! Thats one to be proud of!

I have my Sample CV.

It says "Tickle the Ringmaster" on it! I mean who wouldn't want that.

I am one of those who would pay more for a genuine Sample/Prototype, but that's just me. Others couldn't give a crap.

Mantis makes a protector for the bank scoop.

I'm curious, does your game have the welded lockdown bar? I bought a lockdown bar that was welded and it was supposedly a "proto" style.

Interestingly enough, I have a welded lockdown bar on a ticket tac toe also.. not sure if it came with that bar, or someone used it as an afterthought.

Wow! I was wondering about this when I saw one at TPF last weekend. I saw the differences between it and mine, thanks for sharing!