How much is your mame cab worth???

[skyblast]

As of today I have spent $1,000 on the cab itself and $500 on the computer for a total of $1,500.

I'm guessing that of course most would not give theirs up for what they are into it right??
So for $1,500 of course I would not part with it.  But...that got me thinking. 

How much would someone have to give me, money wise if I could never, ever see it again?

For me, I feel that because of the time, energy and the love I have for my cab and how overall proud of myself that I am for having built it, someone would have to pay me quite a bit

.....like maybe $10,000!!!

Am I crazy? 

Do you all feel the same way about your cabs??

I mean if I were to get $10,000 and invest it wisely in my life in some capacity 1 year from now when the money is spent I would really, really miss it.

This does come from the stand point of never ever wanting to build another one again.  For me it was a really hard process to go through...

So try this.  Take what you have into your cab and double it.  Would you be willing to part with it for that much?  If someone were to hand you hard, cold cash?

How much is your cab worth to you?

[JonProphet]

$335 on the cab (Former MK2 cab with 25" monitor)
$200 on the computer and hardware (P4 1 Gb, 80 GB HD, PCIe ArcVGA)
-$265 Sold the Soul Calibur III JAMMA stuff.
$24 for Marquee
+$45 for controls

Total..... $339

[skyblast]

$335 on the cab (Former MK2 cab with 25" monitor)
$200 on the computer and hardware (P4 1 Gb, 80 GB HD, PCIe ArcVGA)
-$265 Sold the Soul Calibur III JAMMA stuff.
$24 for Marquee
+$45 for controls

Total..... $339

So I gather by what you are saying that if someone were to pay you $339....that you might part with it?

What about the love, time and energy?

[retrometro]

I've dropped way more time into collecting and organizing the games and media than is worth in replacing the cab with money.  Fortunately, the result is that just a few Tb of hdd on different computers is all i need to backup the time spent.

[Ginsu Victim]

skyblast:
Do you have more than one arcade game?

If not, you don't have an arcade. You have an arcade game.

[skyblast]

skyblast:
Do you have more than one arcade game?

If not, you don't have an arcade. You have an arcade game.

Huh?  Ok I changed the title to "mame cab"

[1UP]

Worth more than someone would be willing to pay for it!  I've personally got at least $2000 in my cab, but you're right, the time and effort (labor) was worth a lot more than that.  I also did a LOT of engineering of stuff you can't buy off the shelf.  I have thought about selling a few times when money was tight, but was always glad I didn't.  Now all I have to do is reconnect and swap out a few parts to get it in ship shape, instead of building a new one from scratch.  Once that's done, I'll probably never sell. 

[Ummon]

I wouldn't sell mine - undone as it is....okay, there's no cab part yet! - because you can't get the brand of monitor I have anymore.....although, you could replace it with a good NEC XM29 or something.

[javeryh]

I don't think I could put a price on my mini cab.  I guess in theory if someone offered me $10K or something sick I could always use part of the money to build another... but I probably wouldn't sell only because my daughter loves it so much.  I'd sell any of my other cabs though for $2,000+.

[drventure]

I've had friends ask how much I'd take for my cab, and it doesn't have a pc or monitor on it yet!

Considering it's based on an antique, with a solid 1" thick walnut top, 1/2" thick sides (not veneered), maple legs, hand carved trim, and completely refinished...

Honestly no idea. If someone offered me an insane figure, I'd probably take it. Next time round, I could probably build one just like it in a quarter the time it's taken me on this one.

[Benevolance]

What I paid to build the cab and what someone would pay for my cab are very different things! Like many hobby projects, the cost of building is probably greater than what another would pay to own, particularly because a lot of the choices are based on personal taste. Not to mention a substantial time investment.

All told, I probably spent about $900 to build mine. All the computer components were snagged from office hardware destined for recycling, but some of the decorative elements really added up quickly. The paint alone ran me about $120.

Incidentally, I don't think I'd go with the Happ 49-way joysticks if I built again. The action is very poor, even with the GGG grommet upgrade. They don't re-center well at all and feel too light. And after months of playing, I realized that I didn't need anything more than an eight-way for the games I want to play. I basically built a great big NES-in-a-box.

But as for selling, I'd take enough to cover most of the material costs. Heck, I'd even take a small loss if it were going to a good home, because it'd mean I'd suddenly have room in my house to build a new one...

[leapinlew]

skyblast:
Do you have more than one arcade game?

If not, you don't have an arcade. You have an arcade game.

seriously? You some sort of Arcade terminology police? 

According to dictionary.com
an establishment, public area, etc., containing games of a mechanical and electronic type, as pinball and video games, that can be played by a customer for a fee.

Awww.... I guess hardly ANY of us have an arcade then. Tough break. Be sure to correct all those folks in the project announcement thread. 

[Ginsu Victim]

If I didn't, others would have.

[CheffoJeffo]

Awww.... I guess hardly ANY of us have an arcade then.

I do ... I even have "Out Of Order" signs, burnt CPs and everything!

 

[leapinlew]

If I didn't, others would have.

Ahh, so your the first one! Good for you. 

[leapinlew]

Awww.... I guess hardly ANY of us have an arcade then.

I do ... I even have "Out Of Order" signs, burnt CPs and everything!

 

Thats what I'm talking about! Party at Cheffos!

[skyblast]

skyblast:
Do you have more than one arcade game?

If not, you don't have an arcade. You have an arcade game.

seriously? You some sort of Arcade terminology police? 

According to dictionary.com
an establishment, public area, etc., containing games of a mechanical and electronic type, as pinball and video games, that can be played by a customer for a fee.

Awww.... I guess hardly ANY of us have an arcade then. Tough break. Be sure to correct all those folks in the project announcement thread. 

OMG dude!!  Seriously sooo funny I about pooped my pants. 

I know rights???....who the hecks spends time on a foruem corecting others peoples.  The funy part is that he/she isnt evens correctish!!! 

[CheffoJeffo]

I know rights???....who the hecks spends time on a foruem corecting others peoples.  The funy part is that he/she isnt evens correctish!!! 

I'm not sure whether or not this was intentional, but it is damned funny!

 

[1UP]

I'm suffering from a little bit of culture shock here.  I've been gone from these boards for a couple years, but seems to me the old crowd used to be a little more civil and kept most threads pretty much on topic.  Is there a single thread here that hasn't degenerated into an absolute $#!+storm?  It's kind of amazing.   

[Ginsu Victim]

I know rights??....who the hecks spends time on a foruem corecting others peoples.  The funy part is that he/she isnt evens correctish!!!

You must not go to many forums if you've never seen people like me. 

At least I'm not the sort of person to pick on you over spelling (though I have marked your mistakes for you).

I'm suffering from a little bit of culture shock here.  I've been gone from these boards for a couple years, but seems to me the old crowd used to be a little more civil and kept most threads pretty much on topic.  Is there a single thread here that hasn't degenerated into an absolute $#!+storm?  It's kind of amazing.   

Blame genesim. Everything was going fine until he returned.

[Hoopz]

I'm suffering from a little bit of culture shock here.  I've been gone from these boards for a couple years, but seems to me the old crowd used to be a little more civil and kept most threads pretty much on topic.  Is there a single thread here that hasn't degenerated into an absolute $#!+storm?  It's kind of amazing.   

Yep, they are are in Politics and Religion!   

[Ginsu Victim]

I was just getting my "not an arcade" in as a joke before the people who are real ---uvulas--- about it show up.

Lighten up, people.

 

[Hoopz]

I was just getting my "not an arcade" in as a joke before the people who are real ---uvulas--- about show up.

Lighten up, people.

 

I believe it should be "Lighten up, Francis".  Learn your quotes!   

[Hoopz]

I had about $900 or so in mine but sold it for about $400 without the CP.  They got the shell, tv, speakers, marquee, PC,  and a custom made CP.  I think it was a fair trade all the way around.

I sold it to a friend who is 20 and in college.  He couldnt afford a lot and couldnt make his own.

[1UP]

Blame genesim. Everything was going fine until he returned.

He's not even on this thread (yet...)  Who really cares what people call their cabinets.  I've entitled mine "1UP's Arcade" because it has so many games, it virtually is an arcade.   As close to an arcade as I'll get any time soon.  It's fun to pretend!  And yes, I think everyone here could afford to lighten up.  If not, you're looking at yet another soon to be locked post.

[CheffoJeffo]

I've never sold a MAME cab and I expect that I never will.

What I find interesting is the disparity in both price and cost between MAME cabs and xx-in-1 cabs.

I know a local (member here) who tried to sell his MAME cab. He failed miserably, despite dropping the price a number of times. It was a nice cab and not unreasonably priced.

He swapped the computer for a 48-in-1 and sold it immediately for higher than his original asking price.

I also know a number of folks who pay $25-$75 for a cab, drop in a 48-in-1 or 60-in-1 and then sell it for $750+.

I'm not sure what conclusions to draw, but the disparity is interesting to me.

[Paul Olson]

I don't think I will ever sell mine. I think I have about $3000 into it (my eBay addiction is expensive), which is more than I think a MAME cab should sell for. If someone was crazy enough to pay $5000 for it, I would sell. That would give me enough money to build a new one with new and NOS parts. That would be nice.

My cab is called Monster Arcade, but only because I liked the marque I found (back when it wasn't common). As a general rule, I think of an arcade as a place, not a thing; although I do agree with 1UP, my cab is kinda like an arcade in a box.

I do have a small arcade in the garage, so I am careful with the naming convention here at home.

I'm just happy that this thread didn't degrade to "do a search or check the wiki - cab values have been discussed before"

[CheffoJeffo]

Damn ... need to remember to add that to the wiki !

 

[skyblast]

Guys thus far this thread has been pretty entertaining and not at all what I expected.  It's nice to get a few funny responses.  

"Hi my name is dork, I'm going to correct people and I am perfect so be ready everyone as I might just pull you over."

No seriously though, as I'm sure, times are tough for most and when times get tough you might sorta look around and say...what I got.... that's somewhat expensive???"  

For some the answer might be their cab.  I kind of did that today.  My wife almost lost her teaching job.

I came to the strange conclusion that my cab was last on the list of things to sell.  I was just curious if others felt the same way?  

Please know that when I look at my cab I am oddly amazed.  I seriously wonder if I would ever be able to come up with enough energy to make another one.


Please know "Ginsu Victim" true undeniable love and compassion for all of your born and unborn babies "Ginsu Victim" true love!!!!

  

[Ginsu Victim]

I believe it should be "Lighten up, Francis".  Learn your quotes!  

I've never liked Stripes, so I don't feel the need to quote it.

"Hi my name is dork, I'm going to correct people and I am perfect so be ready everyone as I might just pull you over."

Perhaps you missed the part where I pointed out that I was actually making fun of the people who constantly come into a thread just to correct the "arcade" thing.

Lighten up, Francis.


.....DOH!

[dreamakuma]

I only spent $300-$400 on mine, yet I will never sell It because it is mine, I made it, My time was put into it, and it was one of the few projects that I pushed that hard to Keep going.

[Ginsu Victim]

I've got somewhere around $1,000 in mine and you can't tell looking at it. I could have a really nice cab for that compared to what I've got!

[leapinlew]

I haven't had any luck getting more than $850 for a well done cab in Virginia (by Washington DC). For example, would you believe these cabs only fetched $850 each?




And I tried to get more, but the market wouldn't hit on it over $1,000. Maybe the 48-n-1's are nicer because all the ROMS are loaded up and ready to go?

[Benevolance]

I'd believe it. I think there is a disconnect in the DIY community between how much something costs, and how much we think something should have cost. The genuine arcade parts seem to fare better than the replica parts and PC components.

I really like that Donkey Kong cab. You did an excellent job, lew. That's an interesting fan on the wall, too.

[Ummon]

Arcade vs arcade cabinet:

In the words of Francis Bacon:

There arises from a bad and unapt formation of words a wonderful obstruction to the mind.

[Flake]

Just saw this on CL in my area -

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/vgm/1279189344.html

My guess is he wont get his asking price but who knows.  Similar to Lew's although not sure if Lew's were dedicated or mame cabinets.

[rooter]

Um, a MAME cab is an entire arcade(and then some) in one box.

[CheffoJeffo]

Um, a MAME cab is an entire arcade(and then some) in one box.

Except that it can only play one game at a time ...

[protokatie]

Since mine is unfinished (I think like most of the members of BYOAC) I couldnt sell mine... Hmm, How much would someone pay for the components with no box (IE the cab itself)? Oh and I have a busted minipac, so I bet I could get zilch for what I have (although someone might be interested in the over-under). Damn, I gotta get a move on it, huh? Hopefully this fall I will be in a place to actually "Build my own arcade controls (and cab)).

As far as the "What is an Arcade" subthread/joke/etc, When anyone says arcade to me, the first thing that comes to mind are those large open walkway areas. Dunno how Video Arcade was come up with, prolly just that it is a large open room or walkway with lots of videogames. Hmm, to think of it, the first mechanical style games (pins, fortune telling cabs, etc) were put in arcades and on boardwalks, so I guess it makes sense.
Imagine if we used boardwalks as our nomenclature instead of arcade? Wow, that would be weird... Although "Jav's Bubblegum boardwalk" has a nice ring to it...

[Todd H]

Between $2000-$3000 easily. Heck the U360 sticks with all the options were over $100 each! Luckily I built it in installments with cash so it's paid for. I just wish I had more time to play with it.

[Loafmeister]

I'm not sure, I think I put about $1200 in the cab but since my time is limited and thus so is working on another cab, it would take at least $3000 for me to let go of her.

... did I just say "her"?!?

[protokatie]

I'm not sure, I think I put about $1200 in the cab but since my time is limited and thus so is working on another cab, it would take at least $3000 for me to let go of her.

... did I just say "her"?!?

Do you, LoafMeister, take MAMEcab to be your awfully wedded wife; in wood-rot and in working condition, until Aaron's will do you part?

[Loafmeister]

I'm not sure, I think I put about $1200 in the cab but since my time is limited and thus so is working on another cab, it would take at least $3000 for me to let go of her.

... did I just say "her"?!?

Do you, LoafMeister, take MAMEcab to be your awfully wedded wife; in wood-rot and in working condition, until Aaron's will do you part?

My wife is already jealous, this would probably push her over the edge!

[kagaden]

Spent: ~$2000 + time. Maintenance costs are cheap now.
Worth to me: ~Priceless. Let's me relive youth. Though I'd sell for $10,000 and buy another 
Location: Work Breakroom, set to freeplay for co-workers on break

Type:
White Hanaho Showcase Cabinet in great condition
32" LCD
J-Pac
PC (q6600/8800GT/XP)
P360x2 (Prior to Happs manufacture... these babies survive a LOT of abuse)

Games Installed:
SFIII: Third Strike (board owned) [Over 18,000 plays so far]
SSFII: Turbo  (board owned) [Over 3,000 plays so far]
Dragon's Lair 720p (Blu-ray owned) [Over 100 plays so far]
Space Ace 720p (Blu-ray owned) [Over 50 plays so far]
Dragon's Lair II (DVD owned) [Over 300 plays so far]
Pics

[kagaden]

Oh yeah, if Capcom hadn't made it such a PITA on joystick mapping I'd be installing SFIV on it also...

...maybe I still will. I don't know.

[rackoon]

I have spent over two grand ($2,000.00) and two years so far on my MOLOTOV COCKTAIL TABLE. Yet, I love it so much that sometimes I just sit and stare at it. I wouldn't sell it for less than $6000.00. I set out to build the greatest cocktail ever. Its f@%ken beautiful! 

Yet, it still isnt done. 

[mvsfan]

First of all id never roll my own cabinet again from sheets of plywood and an idea.

you are so much better off money wise and everything if you convert something else.

with that said, i am not one to part with the first something that was significant to me.

i wouldnt sell that cabinet with anything besides an offer that could get me about halfway to buy me a nice piece of land.

its a great conversation piece too because every screw and wire in it was put there by me.

id say my total to this date in that thing is about $3000 and 7 years.

ive still got my first guitar wich is basically a good doorstop now, i played the heck out of it for 16 years and finally bought a better one when that one crapped out.

but id sell my second converted cabinet as soon as someone showed me the cash. ive got it running  and...

Empty cabinet with working monitor and control panel: $200.

Computer, Jpac, and Arcadevga $350

Rebuilding all buttons and joysticks $50

Making an image of the first one and disabling horizontal and enabling vertical - Free

total: $600

your first cabinet that works: PRICELESS.

[Dartful Dodger]

Almost $1000 and it's not even put together yet.
I had a txt doc that I kept adding to, but it's been years since I bought anything for it so I don't know where that file is.

It's one of those things I'd rather not know how much I've spent on it.

Like my Dodge Dart.  I stopped counting when it started going over $14,000.

[Jack Burton]

I had about $200 in mine I guess.  I was fortunate enough to get most of it for free.  The only things I paid for were the controls, encoder, gasoline, a cpu fan, and a few other odds and ends.

I'd sell it for $500 in a heartbeat.  But that's the way I am with my possessions.  I don't much of anything for long.

[LeedsFan]

The bartop I'm currently building is "supposed" to be a budget build utilising a lot of stuff I have left over from my previous project. But it still never seems to work out cheap. The wood alone (including cutting charges) was £30 and the new LCD was £55.

Still got the buy the U360, harness and buttons and then there's all the little bits and pieces.... screws, brackets, hinges, marquee light, plexi, paint etc. most of which will come from my local B&Q.

The artwork won't be cheap either. But I will be getting that from MameMarquees as the product is top notch and worth the dollars. The PC parts I plan to use what I have lying around here hopefully.

Build will still come in the region of £350 I reckon. (and that's only if I don't have to buy any PC stuff)