Topic: Purchasing research for 2003 coin-op

[ebuto]

I'm new to foosball table buying and playing, but thanks to this list I've identified a $325 table as a 2003 grey marble anniversary edition coin op nearby.  There is no other labeling on coin-op tables to identify the specific year/model? 

Can you easily compare a 2003 grey marble anniversary edition in terms of construction quality to a consumer model for reference?  I've seen the spec comparisons (http://www.foosballsoccer.com/tables/reviews) between  a Storm or Cyclone vs. a Whirlwind etc., so I'm just trying to have a reference.  The weight is more because of thicker walls and legs, and the coin-op machinery? 

The pictures posted by the seller doesn't show me the sides or legs.  It appears to standing on one end.  I'll have to make sure it's setup so I can test for warpness from what I've read. 

I've learned a lot from this list so I hope I can make a good decision!  Thanks in advance. 

Ed

[ebuto]

I was finally able to speak directly with the seller of the coin-op I'm thinking about.  He says he bought it for his brother and it's been at his house - says no bent rods, surface is great, men great - not used too much.  Some exterior panel damage. 

The picture says 'product of valley' so per my reading here that'd be a 2003 grey marble 30th anniversary. 

BUT, he's saying it has a wood finish/looking exterior when I expected him to say 'it looks grey'.

Does that make any sense -he must be not recalling correctly?  Or, a previous owner changed it?  Would that be common when buying used in your experience? 

Thanks in advance. 

[bolt115]

check out this post for help   http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2331.msg10482#msg10482     it seems to me unlikely that someone replaced laminate  though not impossible

[ebuto]

Thanks.  What I'm confused on most from my reading here is that the 2003 30th Anniversary table (which uniquely says "product of Valley" on the surface) is a grey marble. 

I found this ad via Google but it looks to me like a Cherry (correct me if I'm wrong please), but still with the "product of Valley" on it. 
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/tornado-t-2000-foosball-coin-op-table-770703/

Apparently then, not all 30th Anniversary tables are grey marbles?  Or is something fishy? 

[ebuto]

From this post below, I guess it's reasonable to infer that at least some of the first 30th anniversary tables were Cherry, before switching to grey marble.  Thoughts? 

BB:
Cherry -  to end of 2002 - $450 - $650
Fastest of all the tables made and considered by most the worst of all the Tornados (outside of the recent warped top tables)

actually they went to the grey/30 annys after the Cherrys in 2003 . a grey-30anny is a former "cherry" with new grey marble siding, most everything else was the same

[kgstewar]

If the table is a gray marble AND it says "Product of Valley" then it is a 30th anniversary. Cherry/Mahogany coin-ops also say "Product of Valley" (maybe blonde coin-ops, too?) but they are not 30th anniversary tables.