Topic: Blonde Coin Op

[justfoosin]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the good info on this site.

I was looking at whirlwinds because I had about $300 to spend....After lurking on this site I was determined to buy a coin op.
The prices were about double what I wanted to spend. I was patient and found a Blonde in storage at a amusement retailer we haggled a little and settled on $310 for the unit. It was filthy and needed a rod and some bearing nuts. $90 in parts and a Mr. Clean magic eraser(BTW workes freaking awesome) and it looks like new again.

I overspent my budget but got 3 times the table.

One question I had was: I read that the 30 Year Grey Marble tables had "product of valley" on the center of the table. Mine is a blonde and it says that in the middle. Is that uncommon or are they all like that? A very unimportant question but curious to know.

Thanks again!

[deadbarfoos]

on models........
blonde model sounds like a 1997-2001

2002 ,it was cherrywood -reddish/brown wood grain
2003 ,the grey marble side 30th anniversary started out with the same version of the field with "product of Valley" in the middle
then they changed the field from "product of Valley" to "tornado foosball" ,it's a darker slick green surface (2004 and up to this day)

[ComebackKid]

I've got a Blonde coin-op and did some upgrades to my practice side. 3 and 2 man merkle rods. New men on the 2,3, and 5. Plus the new plastic handles and new bearings. I will eventually change everything to new and add the new sidestrips as well. All that said to say this. It plays like the newest T3000's they had at World, without the $1100 + price tag. I can now practice for tour events on a table that will require little to no adjustments.

[bbtuna]

i think Product of Valley is on all the tables up to the Grey and the 30th was the first grey and the last table to have Product of Valley which is why you can use that to tell that it is a 30th and not some other Grey

you did exactly right and got a smokin good deal on a table...you will never be disappointed you waited and paid a little more

Tornado was careful when they made their changes, which I highly commend them for, by making sure all previous tables could be upgraded with the changes as well...very smart and thoughtful of them so as the comebackid is saying, you can make any previous coin op the same as the current T3000

the only exception is the playing surface but the differences in these over the years isn't enough to keep you from being ready to play on the current table

i have said this before and but the new bearings really do a lot for how the table plays...they were just designed to keep the ball from going behind the man on the wall but some how, they also improve play and not just a little bit, the change is remarkable

anyway, great job, good luck, and keep up with the forum and let us know how your foosball interests are coming along...

bbt