Jump in and get one!

Start here: https://bingo.cdyn.com/ You will find one of the best sources for Bally bingo repair, as well as links to free schematics and score cards for most, if not all, Bally bingo games.

As for parts, use your normal EM sources for generic parts like rubber, etc. There are several guys on this forum that have bingo-specific parts that you might need. Just ask, and we'll probably be able to get you what you need.

As for choosing a game, beyond any cosmetic concerns / criteria that you might have, I stay away from any game with water damage. I also look inside the game for any obvious and large hacks (often indicated by wires running from one component to another that are obviously not stock). I also have had little success getting the later 6-card games to operate correctly. If you can, once you find a game, tell us about it and post some photos, and I'm sure you'll get feedback.

Cheers!

Robert

Don't know what you should stay away from, but can't suggest strongly enough to get a game with the "OK" section or Red Letter game. Made from '59 onwards (County Fair) was the first and was the only reason I bought one, and still have 40 years later. You never forget your first child. Get a Bally Bounty, outstanding game. Pay the extra bucks, you will never loose out.
Soooo much more fun

It might be have better if you added Bingo Pinball Machine to your title in your post to get more of the bingo people to reply.
Anyway...you can go to http://bingo.cdyn.com/ for schematic's and more.

Did you see this posting about a Variety yet?
Go here below
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-variety-general-value

What about this post about bingo parts?
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/nos-bingo-parts

Here's another post to go to...if you want
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/show-us-your-bingo-pinball-machines

I don't want to put you off a game that you are already considering.
Without going into great detail, an OK bingo machine gives you a free game with guaranteed features on your next game. Do some research, take your time, games without this feature can, or might get a little boring.
I urge you to get an OK machine ..... Just my opinion .....

Variety was the first game with mechanically movable numbers in the backbox. It's a great game - each of the first three columns can be moved vertically one position up or down from the starting position, if you have the Magic Lines feature qualified. This is the only game that tells you the position the line is in, and is a great introduction to moving numbers in bingo pinball machines.

Having the super cards is typically how I win on Variety. Those are also awarded randomly, along with the potential to win on corners of the main card.

This is not on OK machine - OK was a feature added for the Magic Screen games - and those are quite different. Some bingo collectors prefer the screen games for their variety and neat features like the OK, but I happen to like them all. Variety is also interesting from a historical perspective and would be easier to fix than a Magic Screen game for your first one.

Just to add, all bingo games are complex to repair and keep me from going senile, so just to back-track a little, I want you to get yourself one. A wonderful complex device.

Variety is a nice looking early 1950's Bally (wood rail) bingo. I had this all original collector condition game in my collection for many years, but sold it to a serious coin op collector that needed a bingo to round off his collection. It's a nice player with moving lines, super cards and 4 corners features. The good thing is these early 1950's Bally bingos weren't as packed in with electrical and mechanical units and are easier trouble-shoot and repair, if needed.

Also there are many new and old bingo collectors here on pinside that are willing to help anyone out that wants to learn to play or repair bingos etc...

Most pin collectors are finding themselves thinking about owning a bingo and some are taking the plunge. It does take time to learn about how the bingos work and to learn the features and literally how to play them too.

Finding a buyer for a bingo isn't easy these days, but the bingo market is on the rise. As for pricing the nicer the condition the more you might get for the game. I'm thinking a good working and clean Variety could even be good for trading for another type of machine.

Go for it!

Also, this is a bit crass, but if you want to hear about each of the games in audio format, along with tech info and so forth, I do a podcast that is primarily devoted to bingo pinball. The podcast builds, so best to start at the beginning (there are over 400 episodes now). http://foramusementonly.libsyn.com -- you may notice interviews with some of the folks that have posted in this thread! I've talked about every game (for about 10 minutes an episode) that Bally produced from 1951-1981.

I also talk about flipperless and flipper EM pinball in general and some pure mechanical stuff in there for good measure.

Jeffrey Lawton has also written two books about the bingos, and I would suggest reading Bally Bingo Pinball machines, as well as some of the writings of Vic Camp and Phil Bogema available on http://danny.cdyn.com to learn how to play the games very well indeed.

This particular machine has some pretty serious fading in the reds, but otherwise looks like it has a good playfield. Is it working?

If the seller has a price in mind lower than this, I'd go with that, but based on the fading on the backglass and condition of the cab, I'd offer something small, like $100 to start.

Non-working games are not worth very much. Better condition = more money, of course.

if you haven't played bingos before, suggest you try some of the simulations on http://bingo.joopriem.nl/

he has most of the game types implemented, and you can see what you find interesting to play...if any

The best way to learn is to buy one and jump in!

IMO, Variety is an ideal starting machine. It has some features, but not too many to overwhelm you as you troubleshoot. It's also a fun playing machine. (I know this because I own one.)

The backglass on this is pretty poor, with the pinks very, very faded -- especally in the two supercard areas.

IMO, $175 for this machine is not unreasonable, especially if it is nearby and in a spot with no stairs so can be easily transported.

i would stay away from solid state Bingo, no one know how to repair them.

Agreed. I think one may find them advertised as a "Simro" or "Simpro"... something like that. But yes, avoid these for sure.