Bally 902 EM - lots of problems - is it worth $150???

[4 Deuces]

I could get this machine for $150, doesn't work, is it worth it?  :Dave

[4 Deuces]

More pics ...

[Amachanic]

I would say its worth the money. Nice looking EM slot machine. Should be an easy fix. Clean and lube the machine and check the blade switches and contacts.

Gary

[Thompy]

I, nice one, I have one of these but have not got round to working on it, really heavy but I would go for it, should be a interesting project.

[CVslots]

OMG!!! That is the huge orange end cap machine, Double Jackpot Time!!  We actually have the beast, have had for 5-6 years now. It is truly unique, as there is a progressive and bonus game in the top display box. It stands about 6.5 feet tall x 3.5 feet wide, and weighs a ton or two....

We are fortunate enough to be close friends with a gentleman who worked for Bally in the 60s-80s, and he remembers installing these in casinos as a huge attention better on the ends of banks. There was only a handful made (7-8, I think). I believe he said (Darrell would know for sure) that it was the first game of its type, as the progressive and bonus was not mounted inside the machine cabinet, but instead, it's up in the overhead box. I don't know diddly about EMs, but I do know ours has some issue with the steppers (?) in the overhead, as there's 3-4 progressives and bonuses up there. Game plays on machine, just not up top.

Wow, that makes 3 that we've seen total. Unfortunately, with EMs, rare does not always mean valuable. Bally made so many unique games, some took off, some didnt. Our friend remembers going to the "Artwork" Dept to see if they were done painting the glass for a machine, so that he could finish putting the machine together and get it installed. They would often make custom glass and strips for machines per customer requests.

Back to value, there was a lady in Reno wanting $1000 for her's, not working, don't think she ever sold it though. We still have a picture of it from her CL ad. Darrell has threatened to scrap ours, but can't bring himself to do it. They are really large, and really heavy, but they are very retro looking. $150 is a fair price, given you have the room for it (and a good chiropractor, which you'll need after moving it.)

Roz

[4 Deuces]

Thank you all for the feedback.  I think I'll take a go at it and see what I can do.  Will be a fun restoration project.

I'll bet your close friend knows the guy I'm buying from ... he also worked with Bally's and actually did the artwork when these machines first came out.  All I know is his name is Mark.  I meet him later this afternoon.

[4 Deuces]

Well, I decided to pass it up.  It's the size of a Suburu and probably weighs just as much.   

It was just too much work ... out of my league.

Best part ... it's only $50!  So, if you want a complete restoration project, bring a crane and take it home.

He's got 3 machines for sale, $50 each or $150 for all 3, that's where I got confused.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/3862831584.html

[CVslots]

Awww, c'mon!!!! What??? Not up to a little challenge? 

[FOXSSLOTS1]

I must have been the lucky guy as I had 2 of them - they are HUGE - not that hard to get running - just  hard to find a customer with the ROOM for one.

[CVslots]

Wow!! Really, 2!?!? They are big...and colorful with that orange Formica!

[4 Deuces]

The base is what surprised me.  It looks so small in the picture, but it's nearly 4 feet wide.  Then the back that attaches with the topper stands over 6 feet (just like you said Roz) and is probably 3 feet wide and 20" tall.  Then there's the side boards and brackets.  Basically, it was an old Bally machine in window dressing.

[CVslots]

There's also a rectangular topper that says JACKPOT that goes on top of the top box. Topper has a candle (I'm guessing the really big ones) on either side. Those had to be removed when it was moved so that it would fit through doorways, and, unfortunately, didn't always stay with the machine over the years.

Darrell estimated it to weigh about 500lbs. We've moved ours (ok, so Darrell has, not me) on dollies, but the worst part is definitely doorways, as you have to tilt it back to get through.

[FOXSSLOTS1]

they are really a 989-2 I believe - a machine that the late Phil from Ace designed for Bally.

[CVslots]

You knew Phil??? We were not lucky enough (haha, we've heard he was a real gem) to have ever met him, but we are quite close to his widow. We have a Wheel of Fortune machine that he designed. And about 100 other EMs from his shop/warehouse.

Wow, Darrell will be pleased to know he designed it. Now he'll never scrap it, that's for sure!