Looking for 2person CP layout advice [big CP, classic games etc]

[quarterback]

Hey there.  I've got a  Konami "The Main Event" cab that I'm mame-ing and I'm looking for CP layout suggestions.

It's got a big 4-player CP which I'm planning on replicating (as far as size and shape goes) but I cannot EVER (and I really mean never) imagine needing a 4player setup. 

What I'd like to do is to use the real-estate provided by the large CP to make a comfortable layout for myself.

99% of the games I play are the old-skool classics (pac man, donkey kong, galaga) I also like games like Black Tiger, Wizards of Wor, 194x, Pleidas, Moon patrol, Time Pilot, crazy climber, robotron etc   

I do not play any of those "fighting games" and so I can't see *any* reason for 6+ buttons/player.  In fact, I'm not even sure I'd need three buttons per player because it seems like all the games I play use a maximum of 2 buttons, although I feel like I should put in three, just in case.

I'd like the 2 joysticks to be close enough that I feel comfortable playing crazy climber and robotron.   I believe I'd like the ms pac/galaga reunion 4-way, but I have to admit that I don't like the positioning that most people use for the dedicated 4-way where it's way up towards the glass.

So:
- Does anybody here have/know of a similar layout (a large CP that's pretty much a 2-player setup with 3 buttons each)?

- Does anybody think I'm making a huge mistake by only having 3 buttons per player?

- What is the general concensus on the layout of those 3 buttons?  Diagonal (slanting up to the right)?  I've seen some in the "triangle" layout as well?

- What about putting one (or more) buttons to the LEFT of the joystick?  It seems that most buttons are to the right, but are there some games where buttons on the left would be better?

- Also, I've got access to a copy of Visio, are there button templates (or whatever Visio calls them) that I can use to do some mock ups?

Thanks!

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'd like the 2 joysticks to be close enough that I feel comfortable playing crazy climber and robotron.

If you like Robotron, you might consider whether you want to play 2p SmashTV, which will require TWO two-stick setups like that.

Does anybody think I'm making a huge mistake by only having 3 buttons per player?

I'd do a 2-button/stick/3-button setup myself.
That will let you play 2-P Space Duel.

What is the general concensus on the layout of those 3 buttons?

[quarterback]

Does anybody think I'm making a huge mistake by only having 3 buttons per player?

I'd do a 2-button/stick/3-button setup myself.
That will let you play 2-P Space Duel.

What is the general concensus on the layout of those 3 buttons?

[coachcarstens]

Hey there.  I've got a  Konami "The Main Event" cab that I'm mame-ing and I'm looking for CP layout suggestions.

What a coincidence.  I also just got yesterday a  Main Event Cab that I will be MAMEing.  However, my cab now has Tekken in it.  We'll see how this goes, I have never done this before.

Chris