How do I remove the marquee without destroying things? (Space Firebird)

[monzamess]

I'm turning a Sega/Gremlin Space Firebird cabinet into a MAME cabinet. Don't panic, it was gutted and multilated before I got it.

I want to replace the original marquee but I can't figure out how to get it out without destorying something. It looks like, at the factory, a couple of slots were cut in the insides of the panels for the marquee, and then the top of the cabinet was assembled (glue, nails, etc) after slipping the marquee in place. I haven't done too much exploring for fear of destroying it.

Sorry if this is a dumb question... I spent 45 minutes searching the web and this site for an answer and only found some tips for Nintendo cabinets...

Thanks.

[monzamess]

Ok, anyone know how I can get the marquee out even if I have to take it all apart?
Surely someone has run into this before...

Here's what I'm working with:



You can see just about the only thing the previous owner left untouched was the marquee! I understand this is a rare game--is it really worth saving at this point (rather than turning it into a MAME cabinet)?

Thanks...

[Steve B.]

Are you sure that the top is permanently fixed to the cabinet? I have a similar cabinet and my marquee was installed in the same way. I finally found 4 screws on the top of the cabinet which were hidden under little wood plugs. Once I removed the 4 screws, the entire top popped off.

If your top is nailed down, I would try to gently tap it with a hammer from the inside and see if starts to loosen.

-Steve

[Texasmame]

Ok, anyone know how I can get the marquee out even if I have to take it all apart?
Surely someone has run into this before...

Here's what I'm working with:



You can see just about the only thing the previous owner left untouched was the marquee! I understand this is a rare game--is it really worth saving at this point (rather than turning it into a MAME cabinet)?

Thanks...

Don't worry about MAMEing it.  The cab is pretty generic and Space Firebird is *rare* sure, but nobody is gonna miss him. 

[monzamess]

OK, got it. It was just attached by long staples (lots and lots). 

I just pried it off and will use a few wood screws when I replace it.

[Texasmame]

OK, got it. It was just attached by long staples (lots and lots). 

I just pried it off and will use a few wood screws when I replace it.

Heh.  I thought only Nintendo had the cheap long staple/wood glue thing going on.