Seawitch
Stern Electronics, 1980
Star Gazer
Stern Electronics, 1980Quoted from cottonm4:Back when John first showed us his Seawitch play fields I raised the issue of things being out of alignment. Maybe I spoke too soon.
Here is a pic of John's repro unit.And here is a pic of the NOS unit for sale on Ebay.
I am inclined to think that John's is the better quality play field.
NOS does not mean that it was top quality at the time. Odds are that the opposite is actually true - that the "nos" unit is one that was pulled off the line because it was not up to par.
Quoted from pinheadpierre:NOS does not mean that it was top quality at the time. Odds are that the opposite is actually true - that the "nos" unit is one that was pulled off the line because it was not up to par.
Something like CPR gold, bronze and silver? Only taking lower down to the copper and tin level?
Quoted from cottonm4:Something like CPR gold, bronze and silver? Only taking lower down to the copper and tin level?
That's my suspicion. I could be wrong.
Quoted from pinheadpierre:NOS does not mean that it was top quality at the time. Odds are that the opposite is actually true - that the "nos" unit is one that was pulled off the line because it was not up to par.
I agree to point. Obviously extra parts were made for repair and warranty work. So not all NOS stuff would be 2nds. I would definitely not buy and NOS from the 80's or 90's without seeing it in person. I saw a High Speed NOS populated PF in the box and most of the inserts were popping out of it. Sad to see. Also seen the same on a NOS Bobby Orr PP PF. About 10 years ago I had a NOS Seawitch PF that was cleared years earlier and it looked great, but I was new to the hobby and sold it off like dingbat! Actually I think it's the same PF that John is using for the repro.
Quoted from dothedoo:Another round of playfields was listed for $700 each this time. Maybe these are better quality?
I think they are the same ones. All were no sales as the reserves were not met.
Quoted from hisokajp:could also just be extra PF because they ordered more than they sold? After that, 35 years worth of ageing can't be good for any PF, even if not played
Still way better then restoring an original by far.
It's easy to forget that when restorations are done in this hobby (and other hobbies!) we often end up doing things more carefully than the original manufacturer. They had to worry about mass production and we are basically doing boutique work.
Forgive that I only check here occasionally - are these playfields for Seawitch still being made, or has all this moving and such made them vaporware, so to speak? Thanks
Quoted from MtnFrost:Forgive that I only check here occasionally - are these playfields for Seawitch still being made, or has all this moving and such made them vaporware, so to speak? Thanks
vaporware? hmm... I don't think that we've been prattling on about a playfield that we're not going to receive for the last 25+ pages
read back a page or two. john is on vacation until the end of next week. after that final checks will resume which should lead to playfield production for seawitch
Sorry guys I was not on the internet for my entire vacation June 28 - till now. Thanks to my brothers United reward program, I just returned from my 14 hour stay at a tiny airport. Trying to sleep a few winks on some benches with out arm rests from 4 am - 11 am. So Tuesday afternoon Austin to Toronto, Toronto to Moncton, & Moncton to Halifax.
While I was away I did call the cnc shop. Nothing was done so far, mid July. So I will call Thursday. Glass is being printed various titles. I am going to finish restoring the 2 first Seawitch tests, before more finish clear. Still looking again for a new contractor. This is the year for Seawitch to end. Let the big boys battle it out for world wide domination of playfields.
Refunds asked for over the years have gone out. Want one please ask. Star Gazer run & over run 100% done. People still want many more, but the focus is to finally end the torture for everyone on Seawitch playfields. There should be lots of positive news starting in August - a week away.
With CPR now doing glass titles that I have done for years. I will be leaving the parts business in 2019. My focus is now on finishing Seawitch & Star Gazer playfields. I will not be able to price match CPR glass & shipping. Thanks for the support over the years!
John thanks for the updates and I am looking forward to receiving my Seawitch playfield. I have purchased a few CPR items over the years and i am disappointed to see that they are producing the glasses that you have been doing for years. I generally always appreciate their efforts but dont approve of them doing this to one of the pinball good guys.....
I love your dedication and work ethics
And would purchase anytime from you again for items needed like I have in the past.
You are the nr one guy to go to !!!
Thanks for all your hard work.
Quoted from greatwichjohn:With CPR now doing glass titles that I have done for years. I will be leaving the parts business in 2019. My focus is now on finishing Seawitch & Star Gazer playfields. I will not be able to price match CPR glass & shipping. Thanks for the support over the years!
I thought CPR was just going to be going through titles they have done in the past, unless they were furnished the art for something new.
Quoted from cottonm4:I thought CPR was just going to be going through titles they have done in the past, unless they were furnished the art for something new.
Cpr announced earlier this year in a newsletter that they would be making playfields and backglasses for Seawitch, Star Gazer and Nine Ball for the first time. No eta was given for any of this, but they just added Seawitch and Nine Ball backglasses to their inventory
Quoted from greatwichjohn:With CPR now doing glass titles that I have done for years. I will be leaving the parts business in 2019. My focus is now on finishing Seawitch & Star Gazer playfields. I will not be able to price match CPR glass & shipping. Thanks for the support over the years!
John I really appreciate all of the support that you have given the fans of Classic Sterns over the years.
The glass that I have produced for years will be price matched to CPR & shipping if they are selling that title. No money in it for me at their price points. But it will end this year as I exhaust the special shipping boxes I purchased 7 years ago. The end is near, & I will move on to other pinball projects. The offer is good to USA customers only. Thanks for your support over the years!
Quoted from greatwichjohn:With CPR now doing glass titles that I have done for years. I will be leaving the parts business in 2019. My focus is now on finishing Seawitch & Star Gazer playfields. I will not be able to price match CPR glass & shipping. Thanks for the support over the years!
Quoted from greatwichjohn:The glass that I have produced for years will be price matched to CPR & shipping if they are selling that title. No money in it for me at their price points. But it will end this year as I exhaust the special shipping boxes I purchased 7 years ago. The end is near, & I will move on to other pinball projects. The offer is good to USA customers only. Thanks for your support over the years!
john, from the wording in these 2 posts of yours, you almost make it sound like CPR is "stealing" the business away from you (or maybe I'm just reading into it way too far. however from what I have heard, that's not the case
care to set the record straight and clarify for everyone?
CPR is very predatory, & now going full out to kill off the small guys. I am going to match their pricing to USA, even at a loss. I will focus in 2019 on my own builds. No big deal, just a refocus. Lucky for me I have a exit plan. Unfortunately I have little art coming my way. Glass you could make some money, playfields there is no money.
I lost the internet for a few days, & going back to Bell for service. When I moved to my apartment they had a cheap internet provider. Was not happy when they had a transformer fire. So expect a update on cnc mid week, Monday is a holiday here.
Seawitch playfields in bulk have been cut for the 4th test. Either they turn out nice, or get sold at a discount. There is 10 or 12 cut, along with 2 Star Gazer playfields. I hope to pick them up Friday, & pay the piper (bill for cnc, & the inputs).
One more customer is getting a refund on a Seawitch (4 now), & previously got a 2nd Star Gazer refund. So if you still want a refund let me know. If not my priority is to end this playfield production this year.
I will have pictures likely late Friday to post up. Thanks for your patience!
Quoted from greatwichjohn:even at a loss.
greatwichjohn Don't do it! Your glasses are far superior and worth the extra cost!
Fingers crossed that the SeaWitch tests come back clean and ready for production!
Quoted from xeneize:greatwichjohn Don't do it! Your glasses are far superior and worth the extra cost!
I agree.
Quoted from xeneize:Fingers crossed that the SeaWitch tests come back clean and ready for production!
Mine are too!
I have no idea about CPR & their flat bed printer. Brand new or used, model, etc. Most people will say what they are using for years, even Wayne in Australia. The printer contractor I have used for glass printing is OCE, don't know the model number. But it has been 6 years? People can compare my glass, CPR, BGresto, etc. & make their own observations.
Contact info: Please contact me here if you want my personal or business address, & phone numbers. Thanks!
I sold my house in June, moved to a apartment, & share a workshop in Halifax.
Ok I picked up the 2 Star Gazer, & 10 Seawitch playfields. After the test #4, they tweaked again before the next 9 cut. So everything should be hopefully close. I will know after printing starts. Pictured are the first 2 playfields inked with ghosted lense up top. I will be getting them ready for more finish clear. #3 is way off. The costs of playfield production with 3 of 4 contractors has doubled. So any new sales of either Seawitch or Star Gazer playfields are going to $700 US + $100 US shipping to USA only. Any Seawitch owners that want to bail out & receive a $500 US refund let me know. You will save me money on costs of production & shipping included. Hopefully these 9 or 10 will be best grade for the prepaid guys, & I get these guys sorted early Fall. Finish no later than before xmas for the rest.
It has been a very long wait, 5+ years for the smaller Seawitch prepaid guys. Thanks for your patience, & the end is near! So after this is over the prepaid guys for both playfields will likely save $300 US, along with the guys buying discounted issue Star Gazer playfields. Playfields are the hardest & riskiest pinball parts to manufacture. Anyone interested in joining in beware!
IMG_0002 (1) (resized).JPGIMG_0003 (1) (resized).JPGIMG_0004 (1) (resized).JPGIMG_0005 (1) (resized).JPGIMG_0006 (1) (resized).JPGQuoted from Pinballer67:only one of your pics is showing up (on my computer, anyway).
thanks
Same on my iphone
Quoted from bluespin:Same on my iphone
Same here on my android phone/chrome browser, but the one photo that I can see is exciting!
I was at the shop starting the prep on all the Seawitch playfields this evening. I see the pictures, but will throw them up again. I have 1 Star Gazer glass, & 2 Seawitch being printed (3rd sold). Selling at matching CPR price for Seawitch (or also Star Gazer), $229 US + $35 US shipping to USA only!
IMG_0001 (resized).JPGIMG_0002 (resized).JPGIMG_0003 (resized).JPGIMG_0004 (resized).JPGIMG_0005 (resized).JPGIMG_0006 (resized).JPGThere is going to be many playfields done to meet demand Seawitch, & trickles of more Star Gazer in 2018. More if I have to early 2019. What is ending is Backglass production this year 2018. I have 30+ custom glass box sets left. When they are gone, I am done. With CPR & others doing the same glass titles there is no money in it, along with their heavily discounted shipping. The big boys price war is making the small parts guys think about their future. I have a exit plan in place, which is now known here, & my speech at Pintastic. I do not want people to panic buy my Stern Glass titles, but people are starting to think of the end date. Anyone who is thinking of getting Seawitch backglass, a bunch of folks getting playfields. The next 60 days you should do so.
Any foreign buyers will have to arrange for glass & playfields to ship from a friend in the USA. Only shipping to USA now, & Canada.
Now that I see all of the pictures I am genuinely excited. I feel like I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel - a gorgeous new playfield for my witch!
Here is all my info: http://www.greatpinball.ca/
Not much of a web guy, & people mostly follow me here on pinside. My old web site was hijacked last year, & I lost my .com
Started the sanding process to Seawitch playfields. Next week I will be doing insert install.
I am planning on going to the Ottawa Pinball Show, with some local guys next month.
Quoted from greatwichjohn:There is going to be many playfields done to meet demand Seawitch, & trickles of more Star Gazer in 2018. More if I have to early 2019. What is ending is Backglass production this year 2018. I have 30+ custom glass box sets left. When they are gone, I am done. With CPR & .
I've got two of your glasses already, they look great.
What glasses are offering at this time? Know I asked on a Quicksilver but that wasn't one you could do.
Stern Glass: Seawitch, Star Gazer, Catacomb, Nineball, Iron Maiden (inner, outer, pair), Lightning (also hidden nipples).
Seawitch update: Still sanding & prep the 10 playfields for inserts next week.
Quoted from j_m_:john:
how many of us are pre-paid for the seawitch playfields?
Good question - are the ten you are working on enough to cover all of the prepaids?
I think the prepaid Star Gazer run was around 40+ (77 done), & Seawitch was close to 30 - some refunds (3 or 4). The paper work is at the work shop in storage. Still have a few days left before inserts go in.
Also glass in stock ready to ship: Seawitch, Star Gazer, & Nineball.
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