I agree. It can go both ways depending on the complexity and admission and understanding of the problem.
I busted the lower scoop bulb with a air ball (twice actually) and the first time I had the green time machine bulb left in my parts from installing the bulb mod so that was quick and easy. But at the same time
I opened a ticket with Stern and they promptly sent me 5 green bulbs after verifying my eligibility. I only expected 1 honestly.
Recently I blew it out a second time the same way and so now I'm down to 4 replacements. Thankfully they aren't glass.

Another thing that will help the plunge is getting those playfield centering pieces that Stern omitted on Rush to save 3 cents. That will keep the playfield snug in the game and it can't move from side to side after you get your plunger centered. I hope I'm making sense on that.

You put in a ticket for a 50 cent repair?

I need to do this centering first. My plunge degraded after installing the shooter but I just put it on so it's my doing... Clearly didn't get lucky.
You are making sense on the guides, although my first Stern and so I can't say I know what these are, what they look like, where they go, or where to get them.
If my adjustment of the rod gets me where I need to be for a full plunge around the playfield then I'll call it good. Right now I just barely makes it past the top flipper and the plus side is I really can't miss a skill shot plunge....unless I don't pull it all the way back.

Before removing the stock shooter, I place blue painters tape along the top and one side of the stock shooter housing to mark the alignment of the original. That allows you to place the new housing in the same alignment as the original.

Translation: "why didn't I think of that"

Now ya tell me. Lol. Thanks. Any tips on what to do when it's too late and you didn't mark it ?
I'm in the loosen screws , adjust, and test and repeat loop until I manage to get it right. Which is probably the answer. No biggie, we'll see how many times it takes me.

It's a good trick, but joke is on me.... Is it so hard for Stern to add that trick/suggestion in the install instructions.

Hadn't thought of that! @skyking2301, don't know if you have access to a topper or think this is a worthwile upgrade but if you're interested and since I've already got your kit still to install reach out to me if you want help figuring out the hardware.

I can't say I've seen what you're talking about, but it makes sense to me. My plunge is doing great with the NinjaCamp mod but I'm curious to look into snugging up the playfield.

I can't seem to find a pic of these inside a game, but if you own Sterns that are not Rush or Godzilla, they are there. I "think" they brought them back for Bond and forward, but maybe Bond is missing them too.

Found it. Here is a post showing what they are and where they go:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-godzilla-official-owners-club/page/285#post-7098733

I can confirm, that my Bond has them in the cab. My GZ and Rush do not.

Sweet, thanks for the confirmation. Yeah, Stern introduced shooter problems in those 2 games by omitting these. Every owner of these games should email them and demand a set of those. They obviously realized it caused a problem and back tracked.

To be fair, the tape trick only works when the shooter is aligned properly at the factory.

Loosen very loose the 2 red screws. Slightly loosen the 3 Phillips head screws so it’s still holds tight but you can move the housing. Lower the playfield into position and line the tip of the shooter to be centered on the ball. Make sure the housing stays square to the decal cutout (this is purely cosmetic). Carefully lift the PF witout bumping the shooter. Tighten the screws, Phillips first then the red screws.

Got it.
Tribal knowledge sharing rocks!
Thank you.

Canadian power duo:

Wow, thanks! I can get into this! (Crown Lands)

Talk about Rush-influenced! The bio on their own website mentions Rush six times.

Golly, they are almost more impressive than Rush, if such a thing is possible. The drummer (no slouch) also sings, and the guitar/keyboard guy plays guitar, bass, keyboard and pedals. If Rush's three members made a lot of sound, here's two musicians making nearly as much! The only thing missing is intricate bass lines coinciding with complex guitar...

Rush expression light kits are available at Marco specialties. Just purchased one.

You're welcome! Happy to share this fantastic band with other Rush fans. Their new album, Fearless, just came out recently and it's great. Please support them!

Just got an email that toppers are in stock as well

yup just ordered both!

Anybody order from game exchange and hear anything on expression lights yet?

not now thet are not

Screenshot 2023-05-17 at 12-41-02 502-8013-T1 - RUSH (Stern) Expression Lighting System (resized).png

very frustrated with GAME EXCHANGE.. they are a big distributor. so far crickets about the topper or expression lights.. although I did just get my plunger from them..

Same here. Plain and simple - pricing has just gotten stupid and I’m sick of waiting for shit to become available.

I'm guessing this has more to do with Stern than the distributor. JJ has always been great and as with buying anything new as of late, I just need to be patient.

Well, UPS tried their best to smash mine....

But it made it and it's pretty cool!

IMG_20230517_163118540_HDR (resized).jpg

IMG_20230517_170917310_HDR (resized).jpg

I tried posting a video, but apparently pinside doesn't like the format my phone saves them in

Thanks for thinking of me guys, yes, this topper definitely needs a hardware cleanup kit and yes I'll definitely put one together! I have a local friend who got the topper so I'm already working with him right now to build up the BoM. I'll get a placeholder in my shop later tonight.

Wow, that was a valiant effort by UPS. I’m surprised it survived that abuse!

All 4 accessories arrived today.
I have Prem translite in signed by Borg.
I won't be installing art blades in hopes of stepping into a Premium at some point.

20230517_164437 (resized).jpg

I played a handful of games just to watch it move. First topper purchase ever and I get it now.

I would have freaked out until I opened it and it survived.

Just talked to Tommy, he said they are coming in soon!

<blockquote

I’m still kicking myself for dithering on the $399 Iron Maiden topper years ago! Looks great!

They got back to me same day and sent part two days later. Pretty good.

Did anyone see a description of how the lights work on the topper and when exactly the dial comes into play? Several games in (one of them an 864m score) and the dial has never activated and we couldn’t figure out the “rules” for the album lights. The album lights on the topper even stopped working at one point in the middle of a game.

We can’t figure out how to activate it nor how the album lights work…

Anyone that buys a lot from Marco know whether a topper being “in stock” means in stock or just pre-order?

It means it’s in stock and ready to ship. I already got my tracking info from FedEx that it’s been shipped.

Great. Thanks. Placed my order as well.

Thanks for posting that eye candy. Good to see a PRO all decked out - gives me a good idea of what my game will look like.

As pissed as I am that I am hearing nothing about my orders, truth is I have no time this week / weekend to install the EL's anyway. Hoping next week I get some shipping notifications!

Back to my dark topper… here’s a 10 second video in attract mode in a dark room. Can anyone else who has one confirm if theirs is equally dark? I pinged Borg and he seems to think there may be some GI lights not working.

Just got a note that El and topper will ship this week.
I wonder if these toppers are going to be limited in qty or how do they decide how many to produce initially?
I guess at some point supply and demand will say doesn't make sense to make more.
If there's 4000 pins made (random even number picked) do they starting percentage and make half? Say 2000 toppers first run? Or 25 percent? Then based on pre orders make another batch? Just curious how they might max supply but not be left with too much excess inventory in the end...

I just watched Georgiapinball video again from earlier and I don't see any lights on his in your dark areas on attract mode. I'm thinking that was a big miss by Stern not considering playing in or attract mode in the dark or dimly lit room which is how many people such as myself like to play. Sounds like even Borg will be disappointed to find this out.

Too bad.
I guess the modder community will have to come to the rescue once again.
Lermods
Schwaggs
SkyKing2301
OutpostKodelia

Let the race begin..

I don’t have a topper, but it would seem some up lighting on the center piece might work. Happy to help if there is interest.

I haven't played mine in a pitch dark room, I had some neons on. I'm pretty sure mine has the same amount of lighting as yours

There are more background led lighting effects going on during game play as opposed to that attract mode, so it doesn't seem so dark.

Now that I figured out how to link a video, here is one for anyone curious about the noise while the game is in after-game attract mode. It includes my son's fart noise at the end

I'm guessing it would need to be backlit, as light would reflect off the plastic if shined from in front of it.
I see reflections of everything in the room off of it when the lights are on.

Happy to help if someone wants to try some lighting. Just reach out.