Where have all of the good ones gone?

[RiseLikeRa]

 Since things are relatively slow on the forum I wanted to ask some you the long time members here where have all of the more exotic machines gone?  I have a pretty decent collection however I have been actively looking for a Bally Las Vegas or a Monte Carlo for about 3 years now. I just want something out of the ordinary.   Not a one could be found. 

Are they all tucked away in a geezers private collections waiting for probate?  Are they in the basements of the older casinos collecting dust?  Were they mechanical nightmares that no one held on to?  Have they all been exported and none have returned to these shores?  Did they meet their tragic fate in the crusher as obsolete merchandise? 

Inquiring minds need to know.

Ra

[OldReno]

Many years ago IGT had a nice refurb department, and they rebuilt lots of machines.
This is long gone, though, and probably some wise guy decided the old reburbs were competition.
I've heard horror stories of them crushing machines when they shut down the dept., but don't want to believe it...?

[rdaniel]

I have asked that question myself. Where have all of the tens of thousands of Bally EM's gone.

Since it has been 30+ years since any have been produced, I would bet that those still in one piece probably are in storage units, garages, or homes where  they sit gathering rust. People bought the EM's in the 80's and 90's when they were plentiful and I would suppose the novelty wore off and they got tired with them and just let them sit.

Every now and then they show up on e-bay or Craigslist for sale with the comment like "been in family for 20 years and not used for 10 years" 

[RiseLikeRa]

I am getting disheartened.  My mechanic has  a Golden Gate, Monte Carlo, Circus, Las Vegas, Double deuce, and many many more.  He also wont part with not a one.  Breaks my heart to see them so close and yet so far.  At leave I get to play them when I visit.

Ra

[rdaniel]

Do not distress. Just keep being nice to your slot mechanic and maybe he will have some sympathy for you and part with one. Keep the faith baby and hang in ther. One of these days you will get a pleasant surprise.

[RiseLikeRa]

You are wise indeed.  I will stay the coarse.

[slotsteve]

1000s of those games  made their way back east   nj/nyc area and were smashed by the law  , 

[RiseLikeRa]

That is a shame.  Say it ain't so!

[slotsteve]

there was a endless supply for many years coming out of l/v and reno  in mid 80,s there were many closed places just looking to get rid of those em slots , those 800 ballys we paid 500 to 800 each for and made a good mark up on each , nothing set around long back then , if we had a game 2 weeks  in warehouse it was a long time

[RiseLikeRa]

How many did you rescue for youreelf?

[slotsteve]

none state of nj took all we had,

[RiseLikeRa]

Yourself.  Sorry of typos

[blueridgeslots]

I have the following Monte Carlo's - Make serious offer on one or all - pics of the Monte were posted here a few years back

E/M Red Glass - worked last time I played in 99-2000, will need cleaned and serviced now

5500 9" Top with correct light array in top box, nice as new cabinet

6000 - over 100 Mini's and 25 Full Monte's and Cash Wheels

Alpha - Monte Carlo Royale (Sale Pending)

Also other E/M collectables - Double Up, several pre fire MGM Lo Boy's, couple of Continentals, Nevada Club Money Honey (correct Laminate) and a Horseshoe machine or 2 I think too

[CVslots]

Are they all tucked away in a geezers private collections waiting for probate?
Are they in the basements of the older casinos collecting dust?
Did they meet their tragic fate in the crusher as obsolete merchandise? 

Are they tucked away in a geezers collection? YES, althought most "geezers" only have a handful or less. The machines are spread out thin, but many are still out there.

Are they in basements of casinos? NO, not for the most part. There are some stashes in NV still, but any decent ran casino was done with them long ago.

Did they meet their tragic fate? MANY probably did, probably shortly after those fancy S machines came out and Si Redd was busy buying out small slot companies. Every machine he could get off the floor was another spot for his machines. The EMs would come out of casinos and were sold off to smaller guys who ran routes in NV. The volume of routes dwindled over time as Si Redd/IGT gobbled up more and more casino business with promises of newer machines, higher paybacks, and all with less maintenance/repairs than EMs.

Persevere, as there are still plenty out there. We were kind enough to give a Quick Draw a new home here just yesterday. It had been sitting in someone's house for years, and they were just done with it.

[RiseLikeRa]

Thank you so much for sharing some interesting history.  I will keep the faith and my ear to the ground/computer.  Since I am in the North East I have an additional challenge. Just not as many machines to be had in this area of the country.  Either I will be in for a big shipping charge or a nice road trip.  I would probably opt for the road trip since every game I have was described to be in better shape than I actually found it.  Be on the look out for me boys and girls.

 
Eternally hopeful,  Ra

[blueridgeslots]

Been in a warehouse since 99-2000 but was working when in the store I had, the chrome will clean up, it is just dusty and dirty in an industrial park

[blueridgeslots]

more

[blueridgeslots]

Pair of Medalist, that is a cobweb not a crack on the glass

[CVslots]

Wow.....nice...

[slotsteve]

medalist  was one of our best sellers in early 90,s  state of nj took 10 of those off us they were heavy   to ship   compared to 809,31 73  but worth the extra money

[RiseLikeRa]

I like my Medalist.  Need a better reel glass but its passable.  You are right Steve.  It is large and heavy.  I also have replaced many of the ligjts in this machine with LED'S  since it naturally is kind of on the dark side.

[slotsteve]

but a very good game was hard to find in late 80,s early 90,s  , people we sold them to made ig return on that game ,  blueridge has 2  you should try to buy 1 , might never see another

[Linde]

Long way from USA... in Denmark there is "always" nice Bally EM slots for sale.

Denmark is like Sweden a small country in north Europe.

Do you want to see "our" market for Bally EM slot machines?

1. Go to www.dba.dk (online market for used items)

2. In search window print "Spilleautomat Bally"

Then you will see many pictures and price.

Google translate will help with the text.

Right now; about 1.000 USD give you a EM Bally Monte Carlo or Tivoli.

There is only one "problem" with Bally slots from Denmark: some have been converted with electronic prints and EM relay is no longer inside! If ever buy... first ask seller if totally EM original or if any electronic prints. For example, there is a Bally Top Hat with visible electonic prints for sale at dba.dk right at this time. They look like a Bally EM original outside but not so very fun at the inside.

Bally EM 742 (all kinds), 809 and many hold draw is normally priced from 500 - 1.000 USD at dba.dk

In Sweden the price is higher and some people buy Bally slots in Denmark and sell in Sweden.

Maybe time for a european vaccation with a big travell bag :-) ?

[RiseLikeRa]

Thank you for the info.  I wish I knew someone who was traveling.  I will.need a really large carry on bag.Ra