What Stern Pinball Hides From You!

In this video, we reveal what pinball manufacturers don't tell you when you buy a pinball machine! 🎰 Pinball machines can be expensive, but to truly get the most out of your investment, you might need to spend a little more than you expected. From pinball game accessories to essential MODs, we discuss how these upgrades can enhance your gameplay, improve the look of your machine, and boost overall performance. 🚀

Many pinball enthusiasts add mods and accessories because they feel the stock features just don’t do the machine justice. Whether you’ve purchased a brand-new pinball machine or a used one, these tips and lessons learned will help you make smart upgrades to maximize your fun and get the best value out of your machine.

[LOOKING TO BUY A NEW OR USED PINBALL MACHINE?]

[PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO]

Stern Expression Speaker Lighting System - PRO/PREM

Stern Expression Speaker Lighting System - LE

Snap-On Happy Sliders™ For Wood, Tile, Concrete & Linoleum - Set of 4

Stern Offical Pinball Audio Headphone Kit

Pinball Life Headphone Jack And External Volume Control For Stern SPIKE 2 Machines

Stern Shaker Motor Accessory (SPIKE 2)

Pinball Life Shaker Motor Kit (Rev C) For Stern SPIKE & SPIKE 2 System Games

PinWoofer Spike-2 PowerWave Super Kit (Powewave Amp + Backbox Speakers + Subwoofer)

Invisiglass Non-Glare Playfield Glass - Standard Size

Stern High Definition Playfield Glass - Standard Size

Stern Spike II 2 HDMI Video Streaming Kit

HOVPINBAL - LVDS to HDMI Converter (New - Easier Install)

Stern SPIKE System Plug-N-Play Quiet Fan Kit - 500W
Note: This is not required on Metallica Remastered (Stern replaced the fan with a quiet one)

ArtBlades | Expression Light Kits and Toppers

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[JasonTremblay]

I have the Pinball Life headphone jack installed on three Stern machines, and I can confirm that they work great. No problems, easy installation.

[bwaltzek]

Great video Ralph. Getting my first pin tomorrow. I’ll be looking at these accessories next.

[flyfalcons]

Shaker definitely the most game experience improvement for the money. Day 1 upgrade for all of my machines.

[chaddestroys]

I wouldn’t say Stern is “hiding” these things from anyone. The title is a bit misleading or clickbait-y. Either aftermarket or OEM upgrades are just that…upgrades.

[jasontacoma]

Cool video i have 8 sterns and never knew about the back box lighting thing very cool.

[BitBear]

Wow perfect timing. I emailed my local distributor last night with some questions before buying my first. Now I just need to decide between Foo Fighters and X-men pro.

[kram]

Great video. Never knew you could tone down the back box light

[combochuck]

Good list! HD Glass is a day 1 purchase with my pins. Fields look foggy to me without it now 😆. So another tip I've seen is to purchase a new wifi dongle, sense Sterns tend to go out pretty easy. But just in case that happens to someone, the free fix (as funny as it sounds) is to 1) turn the machine off, 2) ensure the wifi dongle is pushed all the way in, 3) pull it out just a tad, 4) turn the game back on. I've had to do it with all three of my Sterns whose wifi went out at different times.

[leodonnelly]

Thank you for the heads up on the happy sliders, I'm going to order some right now. I've been using furniture sliders for years.

[therexershow]

Great vid, the problem is that every time I do a mod, like the glass, the fan, the headphone jack, I feel like every new game I get, I have to do it now. That’s why I don’t want to do the light expression kit. Lol. I’ll like it too much.

[Gunloc]

Ralph, don't forget about PinGulps! I consider them a necessity on all pins.

[jhendrix]

A lot of these mods are a must for me as well. Once you start to do them on one pin, you have to do them on all... it becomes the standard. Nice job on the video...

[MortsGarage]

This makes me want to buy my first pinball machine

[gettin_lit]

Upgrades are just part of the pinball life .. 👍👍

[joshbaldwin]

Very informative. I hope to get my first Stern next year so I will be saving this video. Thanks Ralph.

[codykehl]

I love your content man, always positive. If I can make a suggestion.. you need your own Retro Ralph hat!

[IndieArcadeWave]

Thanks for the info on upgrades. This is very helpful when thinking about buying pinballs.

[RETROCENGO]

What an awesome and very informative video 😊

[colemangreen]

This is a good video man. I would say the best way to truly enjoy the sound of a machine is a good pair of open back headphones. The speakers just aren't far enough apart to get the stereo sound they actually code.The Pinnovators headphone kits are amazing - clean look, on/off switch for the speakers, volume control for both headphones and speakers.

[mooncloud]

Now I just need money to buy a premium pinball machine.