Got Gorf, Now what?

[aj6500]

I actually found an ebay-er that was selling a cab and is actually located in my town.  Color me surprised.  Anyway it's a  Gorf cab and looks to be in great shape.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13716&item=3218535391&rd=1

I've been wanting to build either a mame, dreamcast House of the dead, or dreamcast Soul Calibre cabinet.  I was going to build my one cab, but for $25... I can't buy MDF for that price.  Then I thought that since the cab looks to be in such good shape maybe I should see if I can find all the internals and build a Gorf game.

All in all it's one more thing to store until my new house is finished.  But again, for $25...

BTW, won't actually see it until I pick it up.  I've got thur. off from work so probably then.  How much will an empty cabinet weigh?  Can I strap it to the handlebars of my huffy, or would I be better off taking my turbo diesel?

thoughts, ideas?

[kspiff]

Hm.. a Gorf cab.. Gorf is awfully cool, and that is a beatiful example of it.. I would be very hesitant to MAME or change it at all, except for fixing it up.. if you don't like it you should find it a loving home (anywhere near TX? ).. but as always: just my opinion.

[android]

Wow. In this case looks like you are closer to a full restoration than to a Mame conversion. The hard part of restoring a classic is all the custom hardware, art, marquee, etc (Tell me about it: I started a Tron restoration out of a wood shell). Your cab already has all that, and probably all you need to add is a monitor and PCB to have a fully restored Gorf.

[teef two]

Well the cab is yours to do with as you wish. I would have to say in this case though it would be a great shame to MAME this. I'd not have the confidence to do a restore myself but if you think you can undertake the task then you really should.

Build your own MAME cab out of MDF if you can afford it but please don't destoy a classic.

Gorf, along with Tron, was one of my personal favourites in the Arcade.

[MannyTC]

Please, please don't MAME that thing!

Gorf is one of the most unique cabinets and that one looks to be in great shape. Nice ones are really hard to find. If you restored that thing to working condition you could make a nice profit (if you decided to sell it) to help you get a different cabinet for MAME.

[Lilwolf]

Mame it!  It would be great!  Just try to keep all the original parts to unmame it later if you feel.

If it's working though... I would just keep it and build another!  

btw, does it have a monitor?  I couldn't tell from the ebay auction (or do you find out when you pick it up)

[Brax]

Tear everything out! Use a crowbar if necessary. Paint it black, jump up and down on the PCB, don't forget about giving the original marquee and control panel a good kick.

*sarcasm mode off*

*sigh*

[RacerX]

I would SO restore that cab.  It looks to be in great shape!

I would love to stumble onto a Gorf in my hometown for $25.  I loved that game!

[MrArcade]

Don't feel bad about maming it....just don't "harm" it.  Do not drill the original control panel.  Keep it.  You can make a harnes to plug it's existing plug into an ipac setup for example.  You can make a new control panel easily.  And try not to drill any holes in the cabinet.

I can tell you from experience that Gorf and the other games that use that board cage can be very hard to get working...so any "untested" boards you buy will likely not work.

Make it fun to play....just don't ruin it!

[mtd]

Don't Mame -- Restore it and trade it for a MAME cabinet.  
I'd trade you straight across right if you were in the Pacific Northwest.

[2slk]

Please do not MAME that cab!!

[aj6500]

I'm not sure if it has a monitor or any other goodies with it.  I'm going to pick it up thur. so I'll know then.  If the cab is in as good shape as it looks in the pic, I'll probably see if I can track down parts and some sort of documentation to help me put it together.  Anyone even have a pic of what the internals should look like?  Or a source for the parts?  I'm capable of the electronics assembly, but it will certainly be a new experience.    (everyone laughed when I told them I was going to build a jukebox, but now who's laughing?)

If on the other hand it's just a pretty p.o.s. then I think I've got my soul calibre cab.  I'll let y'all know t'moro.  mebbe poste sum pix.  hmmm, beer seems to be kicking in.

[paigeoliver]

I know someone local to me who owns a Gorf (had to help him carry it down the steps). I also know someone (non local) who has a falling apart Gorf cocktail with no monitor, but with a fully working boardset. I could probably set you two up if you wanted to buy the guts for your upright.

[aj6500]

I picked up the cab today and it's in my garage.  It's not perfect    But it's not bad.  Looks to be about standard arcade condition.  Turns out the guy selling it runs a few arcades in the state and was liquidating his old stock.  Unfortunately I got found out at the very end of his current supply.  He had some fully functionals that went for $99.  Nothing amazing left at that point, but they worked.  I should have bid on them when I bid on the cab, but I didn't for some reason.  I'm stupid stupid stupid.  On the + side, he seems like a nice guy and is really into coin-ops.  He was shocked this cab only went for $25.  I was the only bidder.  He gave me a card and told me to call from time to time.  I think I'll be able to snag one here and there before it goes for auction.  I almost bid on a spy-hunter pin he had for sale.  The auction stated it only lit up, but the playfield and everything else looked great.  After talking to him I'm glad I didn't.  I think I could have bought a fully functional and gone to lunch for what it would cost to fix that one.

Anyway, Gorf.  The marquees are absolutely perfect.  Clear, bright, and no fade or discoloration.  Beautiful, defintitely the highlight of the cab.  

The CP seems complete, all buttons and joystick.  Some of the screen printing has rubbed off, all in all it's a 7 out of 10.  

The cab has the original glass, no plexi, and seems clear and free of pits and scratches.  I need to clean it to get a good look but I think it's good.  The monitor overlay also appears to be perfect, but again I need to clean the glass.  The cab also has the black monitor bezel.

Coin doors are intact minus mechs and look good.  The cab has all 3 locks intact with the exception of the 2 on back missing the actual lock arms.  The front lock is complete.  The seller actually had the key for the locks.  All 3 work, definite bonus.

Sideart is probably 7.5 out of 10.  Minor scratches, but 10 yard perfect.  That is from 10 yards, looks new(ish).

The cab itself is probably 7 out of 10.  Minor damage to front lower corners, minor delamination on right side.  Otherwise the laminate is in good shape.  The paint on the upper section is in ok shape.  Minor lifting/cracking, minor scratches...  could use sanding and a new coat of paint.  Overall the cab appears to be structurally sound.  It is missing all 4 casters, but they look like generics will fit.

Internals.  I'm new to this so bear with me.  The wiring harness is there and appears to be more or less intact.  The board mounted to the bottom of the joystick is present, as is the board that lights up the ranking on the display board.  Lighting and speaker hardware is present and appears intact.  The powersupply/transformer is mounted on the bottom, and intact as far as I can tell.  There are a couple misc. parts attached, and I'd only be guessing at what they are.   Unfortunately no monitor or other real hardware.

 All in all I think I did good for $25.  I'll try and post some pics so those more informed can tell me what they think.

Paigeoliver:  I think I'm going to Gorf my Gorf cab.  So if your friend's hardware is fully functioning and he's willing to sell at a reasonable price (again building new house, my budget's really tight right now), I'd like to bring this back to life.  If I can get it working it will be #1 of the 3 I'm going to allow myself.  So if you would get ahold of him and make sure it works and if he's willing to sell and at what price, I'd appreciate it.

I decided to change my house plans, as I will likely sell again in 2 years.  No reason to dump all of my money into this one, when the next will be the house I actually want.  But I'm still going to have a gameroom w/pool... but I'm only going to have room for 3.  I figure Gorf for my classic, a combination HOTD2/Soul Caliber/Ready2Rumble dreamcast cab for my shooter and fun fightes, and lastly an actual mame.  I may still make a YDKJ tabletop, I'll have to see how much extra room I have.  Mame will have to come last as i still need to replace my home PC, so the mame PC will have to wait.  But that should give me time to find 2 Jamma cabs to convert.

[paigeoliver]

Yeah, it looks like you got a great deal.

Go to the klov.com message board, register, and send a message to a guy named krk to ask about the Gorf parts. I am pretty sure he still has them as he still lists the Gorf cocktail in his signature.

Gorf control panels usually have a lot of wear, that is normal due to the printing process, and funness of the game.

I encountered my first Gorf machine at my first arcade auction. I had never heard of it. I was thinking, "This will be cheap." and then it sold for like $500

[aj6500]

$500 at an auction seems to be a good price.  Probably get a grand on ebay.  It would be nice to have an auction in my area, but I don't think it happens.

Thanks for the info, I'll email him tonight after I post these lovely pics.  These were taken in my dark little garage, so the quality may not be the best.












This one's just 'cuz.

[android]

This one's just 'cuz.

What is that? I'd rather convert that two-wheeled thing into a tricycle than mameing that beautiful Gorf ;-)

[Carsten Carlos]

$25 For such a beauty Damn, you are so lucky!  

[Chris]

That Gorf is pristine!  Restore that puppy... please don't MAME it!

--Chris