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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Knievel on April 22, 2011, 11:56:18 am

Title: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Knievel on April 22, 2011, 11:56:18 am
My Evolution cabinet in KISS clothing.

BIG thanks to RandyT and arzoo for supplying the tech to make the marquee happen.



Built this one for a long time friend. We were both KISS crazy back in the day but he is the ultimate KISS fan and has met them several times. The big thing he wanted was the animated old school KISS logo for the marquee.

Our first idea was lots of white leds poking through a black background so they would look like bulbs. Cool idea, but really you could never have it running if you were standing in front of it. You would be 'Snow Blind' in no time.

Anyway, I did a few CP mockups and we decided on the Alive II logo/colors.  Always loved that album.
Gatefold cover(see pic #9), booklet, and most importantly the KISS tattoos! That was back when you bought an album and got bang for your buck..especially Love Gun..lol

I found the solo album artwork online and it printed it out really nice, kudos to Scott as usual.
The original design had Paul + Gene up front but my bud isn't that fond of Gene so he had to take a back seat :)

The marquee is 1/4" piece of ply with the leds mounted to it/through it (added a pic below). Then a piece of plexi in front of that with self-adhesive art from Game On Graphix. I mounted the plexi very close to the leds as we wanted to get the 'bulb' look.

This was my first time using the LED-Wiz board and I love the thing. I kinda went full circle with the button lighting and haven't done any in a long time. It's mounted up behind the marquee so I just had to run the power and usb cable down to the PC.
Also added a switch in the power line to turn the marquee on/off if desired. It's on top of the cabinet

I also tried Randy's Electric Ice trackball for the first time and couldn't be happier with it. The difference between the Happ translucent trackballs I normally use and Randy's Electric Ice is astounding. They light up just beautifully. And being able to change the color on the fly with the LED-Wiz is just too cool.
I couldn't show it in the vid but the trackball on this machine alternates blue/red/purple in time withe marquee.

Not much to say about the cabinet. It's the Evolution one I designed some time ago. It was indeed the evolution of my designs and I haven't changed it one bit. We used red t-mold in keeping with the theme. He may or may not add some sideart later. Nice thing about these slim cabinets is you don't really need it.

The 8-way joys are Happ Comps and the 4-Way is a Ms-Pac Reunion stick with an extended shaft. Buttons are all Happ.
BTW the purple spinner top I had on hand ended up looking kinda pinkish compared to the buttons so I threw a black one on for now. We are still on the hunt for a dark purple one.


(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/1.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/2.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/3.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/4.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/5.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/6.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/7.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/8.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/9.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/10.jpg)

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/kisskade/11.jpg)


kissmarquee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzaEuv45fp4#ws)
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: dfmaverick on April 22, 2011, 12:11:12 pm
Congrats on another great lookin' cab.

I really like the Evolution shape over the Woody. It just looks a little more arcadey.

What are you using for the 4-way nowadays?

Diggin' the marquee. Has that "on stage" Kiss logo look.

Do fireworks shoot out the top?
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on April 22, 2011, 12:20:52 pm
Yes, show us some Pyro! 

Keeping this one or is it for a lucky client?
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Woodshop Flunky on April 22, 2011, 12:27:07 pm
Nice job!  :applaud:

That marquee is OUTSTANDING!  LOVE it!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: alfonzotan on April 22, 2011, 12:30:00 pm
Niiiice.  That's awesome.

Kiss:  the greatest lousy band in history!  (And I mean that--sincerely--in the nicest way possible.)
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: VanillaGorilla on April 22, 2011, 02:35:04 pm
Nice use of the imagery of Kiss. Someone needs to do a Rush 2112 inspired cabinet (Hint Hint) :cheers:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: javeryh on April 22, 2011, 02:46:53 pm
Congrats.  Real nice as usual and I love the marquee (even though I don't like Kiss!).  Is that black paint or laminate? 
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: alfonzotan on April 22, 2011, 02:49:09 pm
Nice use of the imagery of Kiss. Someone needs to do a Rush 2112 inspired cabinet (Hint Hint) :cheers:

NOW you're talking.  The steampunk "Time Machine" designs from this year's tour translated to an arcade cab would be very nice indeed.

We should start a petition for Geddy to use arcade games for his "fake amps" instead of the chicken rotisseries on the next tour...
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on April 22, 2011, 02:54:40 pm
One finish I considered for my standalone CP top was a VH frankenstein job a la my avatar.  I went with something else, but now I wish I had run with it.  Dang.  :lol
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: DNA Dan on April 22, 2011, 04:00:16 pm
Your cabs are such an inspiration to so many on this site. Thanks for sharing your ideas with the community.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Malenko on April 22, 2011, 05:29:45 pm
when are you gonna build the "little KISS" cabaret to go next to it?
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: yotsuya on April 22, 2011, 06:01:45 pm
That marquee is awesome. Love for you to break down the process sometime!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: EvilNuff on April 22, 2011, 07:44:13 pm
Yay!  Another Knievel cab!  Fantastic as always man.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: drventure on April 22, 2011, 10:30:34 pm
Not a huge KISS fan, but that cab is fantastic!

 :applaud:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: RetroBorg on April 23, 2011, 04:32:41 am
Love the cab, great work as usual.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: patm95 on April 23, 2011, 10:43:27 am
Dude.  That is freaking awesome.  Really like the marquee!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: gatordad on May 03, 2011, 10:01:14 am
Love the marquee!

Pinball player are ya?

Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: leapinlew on May 03, 2011, 11:24:14 am
First, awesome cab.

Second, I vote for a 2 week ban for Javery and DrVenture.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: javeryh on May 03, 2011, 11:41:17 am
First, awesome cab.

Second, I vote for a 2 week ban for Javery and DrVenture.

So what album do I listen to first?  I really only know Detroit Rock City and Rock and Roll All Nite and those songs are OK I guess.  I never got into them - not sure why.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: alfonzotan on May 03, 2011, 01:05:49 pm
First, awesome cab.

Second, I vote for a 2 week ban for Javery and DrVenture.

So what album do I listen to first?  I really only know Detroit Rock City and Rock and Roll All Nite and those songs are OK I guess.  I never got into them - not sure why.

Double Platinum.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: RandyT on May 03, 2011, 01:10:34 pm

I love it.  Amazing job, as usual, and the marquee is quintessential "KISS".  All that's missing are the flashpots.  :applaud:


So what album do I listen to first?

All of them....over and over.  You probably won't understand any other way  ;D  Ok, "Double Platinum" will probably get you started.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 03, 2011, 01:18:24 pm
KISS...   :puke

Nice looking cab, though.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: yotsuya on May 03, 2011, 01:30:57 pm
I'd still love a technical breakdown on how he did the marquee. I mean, I can guess and have some ideas, but I'd love to know how he did it.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: DNA Dan on May 03, 2011, 01:37:19 pm

Double Platinum.

+2. I would say that album was definitive KISS, in their prime.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: javeryh on May 03, 2011, 03:48:07 pm

Double Platinum.

+2. I would say that album was definitive KISS, in their prime.

I will "locate" a copy tonight and give it a listen.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: alfonzotan on May 04, 2011, 07:09:58 am

Double Platinum.

+2. I would say that album was definitive KISS, in their prime.

I will "locate" a copy tonight and give it a listen.

Better yet, just skip the albums and catch a live show.  For sheer spectacle, they still can't be beat.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: thatitalian on May 05, 2011, 06:26:44 am
Circus marquee! Awesome stuff there buddy!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: DNA Dan on May 05, 2011, 11:14:33 am
Better yet, just skip the albums and catch a live show.  For sheer spectacle, they still can't be beat.

Do they still wear the makeup and full dress at the live shows? I take it you've been to one?
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Knievel on May 05, 2011, 11:24:23 am
Thanks for all the comments guys.
I updated the description, sorry it took so long.

Think I answered all the questions but if not let me know.


And yes KISS is still alive and well and doing the full makeup thing, minus Ace and Peter.
I saw them last year and it's still an awesome show.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: yotsuya on May 05, 2011, 11:35:46 am
Thanks for the write-up and photos! You and your work are awesome!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: alfonzotan on May 05, 2011, 01:39:42 pm
Better yet, just skip the albums and catch a live show.  For sheer spectacle, they still can't be beat.

Do they still wear the makeup and full dress at the live shows? I take it you've been to one?

Yes and yes.  As Jimmy Buffett says, "Don't try to describe a Kiss concert if you've never seen it..."
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: bandit721 on May 08, 2011, 01:17:19 pm
Great work as usual Knievel!  I've been lurking for years here and am just about to start my first build...still deciding whether to use your Woody or Evolution for the basis of it   ;D  As others have said, your projects are such an inspiration to so many on this site - It's great to see you back! (thought you might have moved on to another hobby...)  :notworthy:

Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: bratwurst on June 18, 2011, 04:11:21 pm
Kneivel - how do you like the widescreen LCD in the cabinet?  Did it cause any issues with the old games?  I built a woody clone and used the largest 4:3 LCD I could get my hands on, which was a 19".  I would like a bigger screen but the only stuff I can find now are widescreen, which I didn't know if they would work well on a MAME box.  Your thoughts?
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Knievel on June 22, 2011, 11:06:09 pm
I use 20" 4:3 Dell monitors.

Tried out a widescreen many cabinets ago and didn't like it with Mame games.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: bratwurst on June 22, 2011, 11:18:05 pm
I use 20" 4:3 Dell monitors.

Tried out a widescreen many cabinets ago and didn't like it with Mame games.

My mistake, I thought that looked like a widescreen.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: syph007 on June 23, 2011, 01:38:44 pm
Looks good as usual.  You sure have your trademark knievel layout going strong there.   I'll admit to copying your layout on my first attempt at a panel, but it didnt work out for me, I didnt like the 1P being so far left.  You cabinets have always been an inspiration though!
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Donkey_Kong on June 24, 2011, 01:02:58 pm
If Gene sees this, he would probably ask you if you are able to mass market them! :)
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Superfrog on April 03, 2013, 01:21:09 pm
I was thinking of doing a KissBartop by myself, but first I start with a classic theme.

I'm a big fan started in 1977 till now..  So the Marquee is Very well done  :applaud:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: slasherman on April 04, 2013, 02:22:23 pm
If Gene sees this, he would probably ask you if you are able to mass market them! :)
no, Gene will sue him for using the Kiss logo
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Knievel on April 05, 2013, 10:17:32 am
I was thinking of doing a KissBartop by myself, but first I start with a classic theme.

I'm a big fan started in 1977 till now..  So the Marquee is Very well done  :applaud:

Thanks. Still the coolest marquee I've ever done.

We considered going with an older era theme on this. Black and white art and a white LED sign. Would be cool too.
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: Superfrog on April 05, 2013, 10:53:13 am
I like the cover of the first Kiss Album... black and white with a little bit of red ...
great  :applaud:

Maybe one day I start my Kiss Bartop..  >:D
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: yotsuya on April 05, 2013, 03:21:24 pm
This cabinet (and the marquee in particular) is what inspired me to dabble with LED controllers. :cheers:
Title: Re: Knievel's KISSKADE
Post by: dandro on April 05, 2013, 03:26:28 pm
wow,.. that marquee is awesome!!!!!!!