Looking for advice on a mame cabinet purchase

[bhays]

I have decided to put together a cabinet for my game room and have been trying to decide whether to purchase a used cabinet or build from scratch.  I often have anxiety about starting projects from total scratch and I thought it might be good to find a cabinet that I could play around with and later rebuild just the way I want it.  I have pretty much made the decision that an arcade monitor is the way I want to go since the actual retro mame games are what I think I will enjoy the most.

I have found a used cabinet that is complete except the pc.  While I really don't like the cabinet (although it's an actual arcade cab with coin door and marquee, etc. all in good shape) and it's missing a spinner and trackball, it does have good 'bones'.  A nearly new Wells-Gardner D9400 monitor with just a few hours use, the pushbuttons and joysticks that are there are Happ good quality parts and the Ipac is included... I can probably pick this unit up for $350. 

It seems the monitor is likely to cost me more on it's own.  Does this sound like a good way to get started?

I want to eventually go with all illuminated controls and of course a trackball and spinner as well as a different case design most likely.

[Dazz]

For $300 that doesn't seem to be a bad deal.  I think for the price that isn't a bad start at all.  The control panel can easily be re-built to add what features you want.

[mgb]

Yeah for that price, I would go for it. then you'll have your start and you can make changes as you want and it won't be as overwhelming as starting from scratch.

[bhays]

That was my thinking.  It's a good deal for the monitor and this way I will have a frame of reference even if I pretty much build from scratch on the final version.

[Turnarcades]

Looks like a well MAME'd cab so it must be good for conversion, and the price seems right too!