New Guy here....

[BurningBeard]

First off I wanna say hey to all, been reading for a few weeks and decided to join.  Also wanna say you guys have some awesome setups and I hope to one day be able to join the ranks.

I have a plan for my first build and wanted see what everyone thought.  I have read through a lot of posts and think I have come up with a decent plan of attack.

My plan is for a 4 player control panel.  P1 and P2 with 7 buttons, and P3 & P4 with 4.  Prob throw a few admin buttons in as well.  I was gonna go with 4 of the Happ Competition 8 way joysticks, and Happ Competition Pushbutton for all buttons. Gonna go with the I-PAC4 for wiring. I plan on picking up a 25" or 27" CRT TV with S-Video.  I already have an extra computer with the S-Video out.

I want to build it for fighting games like MK and SF, but also want the 4 players for TMNT, Simpsons, NBA JAM, etc.  I will obviously be playing other games but those are the main ones.

I plan on getting the control panel built first for testing and what not, then move on to the upright cab.

Well that is my idea, just wanted to get a little feedback.....most importantly on the joysticks (like if they are any good and are the right ones for what I'm trying to do).  Any ideas on anything is much appreciated.

Thanks

[smalltownguy]

Welcome! Glad to see another one join up -- I too found my way in the same way.

My advice? Stop planning the control panel. Start planning the OTHER parts of your cabinet; i.e. the case, coin doors, marquee, base (wheels, etc), monitor mount w/ bezel, T-molding, side art, etc etc etc

If you rush to complete the control panel with joys and buttons and get it hooked up to a computer to begin playing you will NEVER finish the cab.

I know it takes great restraint, but in the end it's really the only way you'll be able to force yourself into actually finishing the cab construction.

[katrah]

Great advice smalltown!, im kinda nedw to the scene too and i have to say the control panal is the last thing to do, lol just enough plexiglass left and im down to my last bit of mdf too lol so it has to be perfect, and if i had done it before building the unit i don't know if it would fit together properly but doing it last you can be 100% sure its going to be right, oh yeah with the admin buttons, if your using n ipac you can use key combos to get menus etc for example press player 1 and A will give you the same as tab would in mame. 

[BurningBeard]

That actually makes perfect sense, you are right if I made the control panel first I would just hook it up and play. I guess I should work on running down some supplies and the TV. Thanks for the heads up.

Also didn't know about the button combos.  One of I'm sure many things I over looked while scanning the site. That should save a little time and money.  Thanks

[drventure]

+1 on smalltownguy's advice 

I +thought+ I would build a semi portable CP that I could stow in the closet when I didn't want to play.

Yeah, that worked out 

[BurningBeard]

Other than needing to focus on the cab first any feed back on the rest of my plan?  I am really concerned with choosing the correct joysticks.

Thanks

[smalltownguy]

Giving someone some advice on which joysticks to pick out is kind of like giving you advice on what car to buy. Sure, they'll all get the job done, but style, form, and certain functions mean more to some than others. Some folks really appreciate the pure arcade feel of a genuine new-old-stock true leaf restricted 4-way joystick for pac man, and others are just fine with using any old Happ competition 8-way stick for it. The real answer is: it depends on your needs.

Maybe you could share what some of your favorite games are to play? Once we get a feel for what those are, we could start to guide you towards some of the popular sticks to accommodate your needs.

What I can tell you is that there is no ONE joystick that can do it all perfectly. You will undoubtedly need to compromise something.

For what it's worth, my cab is using Ultimarc J-sticks, which have now been replaced by the Ultimarc mag sticks. I also have an Ultimarc U360 which I have not yet installed, but plan on using it on my next cab build as my 'main' joystick.

I also have a dedicated Double Dragon cabinet which has 8-way joysticks with leaf switches and I'm NOT touching those. I love the way they feel for that game.

[drventure]

I agree with smalltown guy about the sticks, but I'll chime in anyway 

I love the u360's. If i'd known what they were capable of at first, I'd have gone ahead and picked up 4. i've got to u360's and 2 magsticks, but, the 360's are much nicer, to me.

They don't "feel" like what I would call a traditional arcade stick though, so if you're a purist, some of the other choices might work better.

[BurningBeard]

The main games i will prob be playing will be fighting games.  I was a huge fan of the old school Mortal Kombat games, and was always a fan of the Street Fighters.  I assume there will be a lot of 4 player games like TMNT also so I kinda want to get the same joysticks for all of them.

I read up on those 360's and they sound awesome, they are quite a bit more money from what I saw so I wanted to start off with something a little cheaper and upgrade (or add those to a second cab if the first goes well) if I need to.

On a side note I may have secured a TV from a guy at work so I may be able to get started on the cab in the next week or two.  Not gonna rush it though I wanna take my time and do it right.  Gonna go with the measure 10 times cut once approach.

Thanks again guys
 

[smalltownguy]

I read up on those 360's and they sound awesome, they are quite a bit more money from what I saw so I wanted to start off with something a little cheaper and upgrade (or add those to a second cab if the first goes well) if I need to.

Don't expect anything about this hobby to be cheap. Sure there are ways to cut costs, but there's usually an inverse relationship between quality and economy. The one thing I would NOT recommend skimping on would be your controls. Be sure to get what you want. There's nothing more frustrating than spending a ton of time and money in a cab that you're not satisfied with because you tried to save $$ on your controls. If you don't have the money now, then wait until you do.

As far as good sticks for fighters, I'd suggest the Sanwa JLW or Happ Competitions.

[mwong168]

My plan is for a 4 player control panel.  P1 and P2 with 7 buttons, and P3 & P4 with 4.  Prob throw a few admin buttons in as well.  I was gonna go with 4 of the Happ Competition 8 way joysticks, and Happ Competition Pushbutton for all buttons. Gonna go with the I-PAC4 for wiring. I plan on picking up a 25" or 27" CRT TV with S-Video.  I already have an extra computer with the S-Video out.

I want to build it for fighting games like MK and SF, but also want the 4 players for TMNT, Simpsons, NBA JAM, etc.  I will obviously be playing other games but those are the main ones.

Check out my showcase build thread in my signature if you are going to make a 4 player cab for games like MK and SF.  Instead of using only 4 buttons for P3 and P4 why not just add the few extra buttons and follow the traditional MK layout since games like TMNT or NBA JAM don't really require fixed button layouts in order to play properly.

[piecesof8]

Nothing to add really, just had to say: Love the avatar. 

[BurningBeard]

Right on guys, I'll keep all of this in mind.  I hope to be able to pick up some supplies this weekend if the weather holds, don't really need the wood getting snowed on. Prob need to con one of my friends with a truck to help. I'll keep some updates and I'm sure I'll do something dumb and have to call on some more ideas.

Nothing to add really, just had to say: Love the avatar. 

Thanks, glad to see another clutch fan

[BurningBeard]

My plan is for a 4 player control panel.  P1 and P2 with 7 buttons, and P3 & P4 with 4.  Prob throw a few admin buttons in as well.  I was gonna go with 4 of the Happ Competition 8 way joysticks, and Happ Competition Pushbutton for all buttons. Gonna go with the I-PAC4 for wiring. I plan on picking up a 25" or 27" CRT TV with S-Video.  I already have an extra computer with the S-Video out.

I want to build it for fighting games like MK and SF, but also want the 4 players for TMNT, Simpsons, NBA JAM, etc.  I will obviously be playing other games but those are the main ones.

Check out my showcase build thread in my signature if you are going to make a 4 player cab for games like MK and SF.  Instead of using only 4 buttons for P3 and P4 why not just add the few extra buttons and follow the traditional MK layout since games like TMNT or NBA JAM don't really require fixed button layouts in order to play properly.

Checked out your build.  That thing looks great If this first build of mine goes well I hope to build a showcase as well.  I'll be keeping an eye out for updates on yours for some ideas.  Looking forward to the LED setup.

The MK layout is a good idea, I'll keep it in mind and see what comes from it.  The layout I was planning on was something similar to the quad unit from North Coast Custom and many others that I have seen on here.

although I can see things changing between now and when I actually start the CP.

Thanks for the ideas, I hope to get started soon.
 

[syph007]

The only advice I can chime in with is that be 100% sure you NEED a 4P setup.  I haven't seen one built yet that didn't look .... awkward when complete.  I'm curious to know, of the people that built 4P controls, how many regret it, and how often they get used.   I think its crowded enough to have 2P standing in front of a 35 inch panel that I have.  I couldn't imagine 4 working.   I would also recommend maybe following what alot of people do here for control layouts, not what the 'custom' companies sell.  They made pretty bad control layouts.

[Desolis]

Little late to the party on the stick topic, but I figured I'd throw in my two cents anyway. If you have any arcades/pizza parlors/bars with 'cades near where you are i'd suggest going and trying out the hardware first hand. That's what I did. I have custom sticks that i've made using Sanwa joysticks, as well as Happ competition. I like them both, but I favor the Happs because I test drove them. (I like the spring resistance over the Sanwa) but I digress. To barrow from an earlier post. If you want a new car, go to the lot and drive a few.   

[rachely476]

Welcome! Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.