Looking for Aussie Joysticks - MCA

[LordDamo]

Hi all, I recentally heard about an Australian company called MCA from here http://www.classicgames.com.au/spare-parts.htm - does anyone know anything about them??? Im trying to find there web site or how I can get in touch with them.

Thanks in advance;

Damian Cross  

[NoOne=NBA=]

If you're just looking for their 2/4/8 way sticks, you can get them on ebay HERE.

If you want actual company info, etc... I can't help you, sorry.

[AmericanDemon]

I just so happen to have a few of those in black.

[LordDamo]

If you're just looking for their 2/4/8 way sticks, you can get them on ebay HERE.

If you want actual company info, etc... I can't help you, sorry.

Thanks =NoOne=NBA=, its on the American Ebay site though, which can get a bit costly with postage. Besides, I maxed out my ebay perchase's for this week already (All BYOAC stuff though).

AmericanDemon, where did you get your from? Ive got a heap of black buttons already, so im wanting a colour stick to add a bit of colour to my cab. Cant have it all black; well maybe I could, but im wanting colour without being a fruit salid if you know what I mean . . .

[AmericanDemon]

I actually got mine several years back in a bulk PCB and joystick purchase.  I had two of them.  I'm in the US as well sorry man.  I really wish I could help out.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Actually black sticks/black buttons looks really nice if you use the OVERLAY to add the color.
I personally would prefer the black stick to colored ones if you are using all black buttons.
I think the colored sticks would look out of place without colored buttons to go with them.

Then again, I'm an Oakland Raider fan (much as I hate to admit it THIS year), so the more black the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[AmericanDemon]

Then again, I'm an Oakland Raider fan (much as I hate to admit it THIS year), so the more black the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Alas, I am a Carolina Panthers fan.  We can both cry together.

[LordDamo]

Well, when it comes to Australian football (Aussie Rule's), I go for the Essendon Bombers http://www.essendonfc.com.au/default-s25.asp - which are black and red - thats why im wanting a red stick - though a black stick with a red overlay would do the trick. Know where I might find a cool one? A red fire one would rock.

MyCP shape is the same as LuSid's - as im using his design for my first cab. If anyone could help, would be most appreciated. Just got to find these black stick's to go with it . . .

[microwrx]

Why you would want the crappiest sticks available in this country (my opinion only)  I don't know but try any of the arcade vendors, they will either have some or point you to someone who does.  A couple who have websites are (and just because they don't have them online doesn't mean they don't have them, so make sure you ring or e-mail them):

http://www.bumper.com.au/home.asp
http://www.highway.net.au/index.html
http://users.bigpond.net.au/zax/

[Apollo]

Not just your opinion, also my opinion. MCA joysticks bite.

[LordDamo]

Why you would want the crappiest sticks available in this country (my opinion only)  I don't know but try any of the arcade vendors, they will either have some or point you to someone who does.  A couple who have websites are (and just because they don't have them online doesn't mean they don't have them, so make sure you ring or e-mail them):

http://www.bumper.com.au/home.asp
http://www.highway.net.au/index.html
http://users.bigpond.net.au/zax/

Guess they are a bit crap - but im looking for something Australian made I spose, just trying to buy as local as possible. Anyone who knows Australian vendors or Australian made products,  feel free to enlighten me. I already know of Oz-stick (bit too pricey), Arcade Gaming Australia and clasicgames.com.au.

[Bomber]

Well, when it comes to Australian football (Aussie Rule's), I go for the Essendon Bombers

LOL - check the nick. Go Dons!

I got some MCAs (top-fires) off www.trademe.co.nz. The seem to come up semi-regularly so may be worth keeping an eye out. Two top-fires cost my $25 inc. shipping. Shipping to Oz may cost a little more but shouldn't be too bad.

[LordDamo]

LOL - check the nick. Go Dons!

Cool, great to see another Mighty Don's supporter on the board. What do you think of the idea earlier of an all black cab with black control's with a red CP overlay?

Cheers for the site, i'll keep my eye's open . . .

[Bomber]

Cool, great to see another Mighty Don's supporter on the board. What do you think of the idea earlier of an all black cab with black control's with a red CP overlay?

I have a black-painted cab with a red metal control panel. To be honest, I think the CP stands out like a sore thumb. I would prefer a black CP with red balltops and buttons. I'll try to post a pic of the cab tomorrow so you can see what I mean. Who knows, maybe its personal taste and you'll love it.

I am starting a bartop cab that will have the highly original name of BomberCade. I'm hoping that someone with more artistic talent than me (99% of the population) might be able to convert the bombers logo to vector. Then this could be used as the sideart and also fit somewhere on the CP and marquee. I haven't thought much further ahead, as the project is currently a pile of components sitting in the corner of my lounge. But as usual the mind is racing lightyears ahead of the body...

So where are you from? Melb?

[LordDamo]

So where are you from? Melb?

Nah, im from Wagga, but barack for the right code of footy.

Just checked out that site you mentioned, and they have some on there, in a cholce of three colours. Dont like the "give us $10 before you can bid" idea though. I bid on Ebay a lot and there's nothing like that. You have to give the seller the cash before they send the item, so whats the $10 bollocks for? They say to "pay any fee incurred", but it sounds like a cash grab to me. Undecided if i'll bid or not - ends saturday.

Yeah, would love to see a pic of your cab, as for the logo, I did a Diploma of Interactive Multimedia at Uni and my little bro programs games, so between us we should be able to come up with something. But he's a Magpies support, so not sure if he will  

[NoOne=NBA=]

I have a black-painted cab with a red metal control panel. To be honest, I think the CP stands out like a sore thumb.

I wasn't suggesting an ALL red CP, just that you could use the CP to bring in SOME color.
Maybe a black CP with flames worked through it, or something.

[LordDamo]

A red fire one would rock.

MyCP shape is the same as LuSid's - as im using his design for my first cab. If anyone could help, would be most appreciated. Just got to find these black stick's to go with it . . .

Yeah, thats what I said.

Im going to the newsagent today to look for some contact book covering (a certain brand, so its nice and thick) with a fire pattern on it or "fire worked through" it somehow.

[Apollo]

Why don't you buy from Ozstick, I don't think their joys are Ozzy made but they are a local company.

[Bomber]

Nah, im from Wagga, but barack for the right code of footy.

I grew up on the gold coast. I saw a lot of games at Carrara before the bears packed up and moved to Brisbane. I'm living in NZ now and having withdrawal symptoms. I try to get across to Melb once or twice a year for the footy (and always on Anzac day for the big one).

Just checked out that site you mentioned, and they have some on there, in a cholce of three colours. Dont like the "give us $10 before you can bid" idea though. I bid on Ebay a lot and there's nothing like that. You have to give the seller the cash before they send the item, so whats the $10 bollocks for? They say to "pay any fee incurred", but it sounds like a cash grab to me. Undecided if i'll bid or not - ends saturday.

The fee is there for when you start to sell stuff. That way they can just deduct any listing fees etc. from that deposit. I guess it also discourages non-paying bidders.

Yeah, would love to see a pic of your cab, as for the logo, I did a Diploma of Interactive Multimedia at Uni and my little bro programs games, so between us we should be able to come up with something.

That would be sweet. Like I said, it is still a ways down the pipeline, but thats the plan anyway.

But he's a Magpies support

You have my heart-felt condolences. But remember; it's an illness and these people need our help.

[Bomber]

I came home and tried to take a photo of the cab and my camera has decided to pack it in. I will try to get a photo in the next few days.

[wboy]

Hmmm... seems OzStick is now exclusively selling the Sanwa J-Sticks.... (good move too I will add).

I recently changed over the sticks in my cocktail to these Sanwa sticks, and am very impressed with them (to date).

I have a 3 old MCA sticks in reasonable condition.  1 black (best, near new), 1 blue and 1 red (both look used with the odd stratch here and there... but still okay for anyone not too picky.  The old microswitches are okay performance wise...  though they do have old solder on them if you plan to use quick connects.

You LordDamo can have them for the price of shipping them to you.....  pm me with an email if interested... I can take photos of them if required if you question their semi un-new-like appearance.... they aren't that bad, just didn't suit the style of my cocktail so I ripped them out!

[LordDamo]

Ok WonderBoy, that would be marvelous & most appreciated. Thats what I like about this board, you meet some of the nicest people here. Its all about the love of the game.

I've sent you a PM about this.

           

Seeings as you have a black one as well as a red one, I could incorrporate that into the black and red idea (the blue one would be good for my brothers future bar-top cab). Maybe red buttons and red stick on one side & black buttons and black stick on the other. Dont think i'll put a team logo on the side myself tho. I've already got a team logo on the wall in my slowly forming game's room/ bar area.

And again, mega thanks!

[Bomber]

Dont think i'll put a team logo on the side myself tho. I've already got a team logo on the wall in my slowly forming game's room/ bar area.

You can never have too much. My walls are covered with WEG posters of each premiership and a few of the runners-up ones as well  

[mattv]

Not just your opinion, also my opinion. MCA joysticks bite.

Yeap - they are pretty grotty. But if they are what you grew up with then everything else feels wrong which is why I use them in my cabinet.

The main problem is that they don't have a spring for centering, they have a big block of rubber. This means that even when the stick is brand new it feels weird and imprecise. They seem accurate enough but they don't feel like they deserve to be accurate if you know what I mean. It's weird.

The good thing about them is that they are well nigh indestructable, which is probably why they were so popular in the arcades here (new zealand)

[LordDamo]

But if they are what you grew up with then everything else feels wrong which is why I use them in my cabinet.

Yep, that why im wanting them. Still haven't fond any company info tho. I've emailed a few suppliers and got no reply from most,  still waiting to hear back from a few, but im not holding my breath  

The good thing about them is that they are well nigh indestructable, which is probably why they were so popular in the arcades here (new zealand)

And probally why they were invented in Australia - for use here and in NZ, guess thats another thing Aussies have in common with Kiwi's.

I started another thread while I was looking for Aussie cocktail cab plans.

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=26315

Out of curiosity, Is this similar to the one's you had over in New Zealand? (and still have, you can find them here still, but are as rare as hen's teeth) .

[LordDamo]

Dont think i'll put a team logo on the side myself tho. I've already got a team logo on the wall in my slowly forming game's room/ bar area.

You can never have too much. My walls are covered with WEG posters of each premiership and a few of the runners-up ones as well  

WOWSERS!!! I had a collection similar to this, but an ex-girlfriend desided she needed them more than me, even me beer steign's!!!  

When me mum found out, she came round the next day with a logo for me, one of the one's printed on mdf with a crap bit of string to hang it.
Saw my collection two week later as Cashie's   She didn't get me beenie though, cause I was wearing it . . .

[Apollo]

There is a company in New Zealand, in Christchurch called CoinCascade. They have MCA joys ( and Perfect 360's ). They take credit card payments over the phone and will gladly send them anywhere, including Oz.

[microwrx]

That is one thing with those sticks, they are relatively reliable due to the design and consequently easy to clean as well.  I don't remember ever using them in arcades myself but then again I stopped going a fair while ago (15 years or so), most of the machines I remember had red ball tops.  I sold my old MAME cab to my brother in-law with MCA sticks in it and he's not complaining (he wasn't getting my T-Sticks).

[LordDamo]

There is a company in New Zealand, in Christchurch called CoinCascade. They have MCA joys ( and Perfect 360's ). They take credit card payments over the phone and will gladly send them anywhere, including Oz.

Cool, thanks. I'll look them up and check them out. My phone company has got capped international calling to certain countries, and luckly New Zealand is one of them.

most of the machines I remember had red ball tops

Yeah, it depended on where you went where I grew up. If you went to the BP service station, in the video hire section, they had hired games in propper cabs. most of these had red ball tops.
But I mostly went to the squash courst's. Upstairs they had a smal arcade setup in an area that was wasted otherwise. The "squasie's" was accross the road from my best mates place. We've been mates for 20 years now and started going there when we were 7, playing galaga and eating "Killer python's". There was a cab here that had the MCA's I remember.
Thet wern't proper cab's now I think about it. They were home made job's with a PCB they kept changing. I remember helping  the owner (who we were friends with)  change PCB's every two months. This also gave us access to request games.
Ahhhh, they were the days . . . . . .

[Bomber]

Better late than never. Here's a pic of my cab with the red metal CP that came with it. I think it stands out a bit too much, but it is just my opinion. And it doesn't cross my mind when I'm playing.

[LordDamo]

Better late than never. Here's a pic of my cab with the red metal CP that came with it. I think it stands out a bit too much, but it is just my opinion. And it doesn't cross my mind when I'm playing.

Yeah, you only think about how it looks when you stand back and look at it?

When your playing your hands are too busy moving the stick and pounding buttons, though I get what you mean. Im thinking of trying to get a overlay printed. But I guess I will wait till I get to QLD for that. Printing prices would have to be better in Brisbane than in Wagga.

Still thinking of the red fire idea. I reckon a crop of a solar flare coming off the sun going across the CP would be cool, covering it with thin'ish perspex (drill SLOW padawan). Going from bottom left to top right.
What do you think?

[Bomber]

Still thinking of the red fire idea. I reckon a crop of a solar flare coming off the sun going across the CP would be cool, covering it with thin'ish perspex (drill SLOW padawan). Going from bottom left to top right.
What do you think?

Check out www.deviantart.com. They have some great images you could use.

I haven't had to use perspex yet, but the general consensus seems to be to drill in reverse and let the heat melt through it. I think I've also seen a few people sandwich it between two scraps of MDF before drilling. Anyway, Sod's Law says you will crack the perspex on the first attempt anyway...