So I got another deal on Craigslist, it is a Bump N' Jump Cabaret cabinet. It is in very decent shape, and pretty clean. I will need to redo the T-Molding, get some new tinted plexi, and replace some lights. But other than those few things cosmetically it is very solid. I have been wanting both a dedicated vertical MAME cabinet and also a smaller cabinet for my girls to put in the playroom. This will be the answer to both of those goals. Originally I was going to convert this to a Ms Pacman theme so it was more girl friendly, but my oldest told me that she likes the cars and wants those pictures to stay. So for now, that is the way it will be.
I will need to replace the monitor, I have a flat screen 17 inch CRT ready to put in, I just need to discharge this one first and get that bad boy in there. It has many issues with display, I don't have the time/knowledge to fudge with it, so a replacement will the best option. If anyone in the Cleveland OH area would like to come pick up a working 17 inch monitor, PM me, maybe we can work a deal. I will not ship this, sorry. . .
In the last two pictures, I repainted the back panel, and the coin door. It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to really make it pop. The coin door was in stellar condition to begin with, now it looks minty fresh. except the coin inserts will need to be replaced. I also painted the marquee holders and the top of the CP to hold the plexi on, but I forgot to take pictures of it, and it's late, so that will be another day.
On the subject of plexi, I need to get a replacement tinted piece for both this and the last piece for finishing my Space Invaders cocktail restore project (sorry, no thread on that one.) Does anybody know the best place with the best price to get tinted Plexiglas? I can find the pieces, but the shipping always cost 2 times what the plexi itself costs, and that it tough to swallow.
I have a computer ready to install, but I need some advice, I want to make this as user friendly for my daughters who are too young to read at this time. I left the MaLa default for my DK MAME machine since it was good enough for me. I am not sure how to use the GUI changes in MaLa, nor what would be the best for children to use, pics of the marquee, or screen shots, something like that. Any help or direction would be great.
Last but not least, I will keep the 2 button set-up, but I am going to redo to placement so they are side by side, rather than an ambidextrous single button set-up. Does anybody have a list, or a way to list all the vertical games that use 3 buttons or less. For some games, since it is a one player at a time set-up, I will make the 2P start button the 3rd button for play if needed.
Now I am just waiting for some new parts to arrive, and to get the new monitor put in place, and this should go rather swimmingly, and quickly at that.