Looking for input on how to improve my existing cabinet

[TheArcadeGeek]

Hey all,

Long time lurker, but first post.  I have had my MAME cabinet for a few years now and have decided to try and give it a facelift to make it feel new again.  I just updated a few of the components in the PC and added a new drive with 4tb (80+ systems) of games.  I mostly just use it for MAME though... 

Here are a few specs and new items I recently purchased but haven't fully installed.  Items mentioned as NEW are recent purchases.  Everything else is old.

Former PGA Tour cab that was empty when bought.  Sanded down and painted black.
Existing Monitor is a Samsung T214 21" 4:3 ratio (largest 4:3 LCD we can buy?)
Decent mobo with pentium processor and integrated graphics card.  More than enough to power this.
New LED buttons and Trackball - Blue
New spinner - Ultimarc - Blue (not installed yet)
New iPac4 and PacLED64 - Ultimarc
New Pyle 2 channel amp (75w per channel) - Need new speakers still.  5.25" is the size of the PGA speakers still in there.
New SSD boot drive

I have to replace the control panel art as the new trackball doesn't use the huge plate that the one in my photo shows.  I also have to select a spot on the CP to add the spinner.  I thought about adding LED strips to the bottom and rear of the cab to throw a little blue light on the wall where it sits.  It is normally in the corner facing out at 45 degrees so the rear light should look good.  I found this guy on eBay that can put together custom lengths of LED strips.

LED Strips
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261218086691?var=560200578400&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Controller
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Music-sound-activated-RGB-LED-controller-light-strip-24-key-remote-control-/251250155760?pt=US_Stage_Lighting_Controllers_Dimmers&hash=item3a7fad20f0

I'm looking for some input on what you guys think I can add to this list to really make it more of a conversation piece.  I still have no idea what to do with the center section where the speakers are.  That used to house a PGA tour sign that I simply painted black for the time being.  I also plan to remove everything from the front, aside from the coin door.  The old locking bar and card swiper are still there...  I have a simple black vinyl covering I found on eBay that I plan to put there once the holes are patched and sanded.

The one thing that I really struggle with is artwork.  I picked the basic theme that is on there because it was simple and looked "good enough".  I would be open to working with a designer to come up with something better.  I am also open to any ideas (or themes you didn't use on your project) from the community.  I'm a bit of a Star Wars nerd and grew up on the NES.  Love most of the superhero movies - Avengers (and all the character specific movies) - Batman - etc...  My wife's main comment is that she likes it having our name on it...lol.  I think a new theme might change her mind so that isn't a deal breaker.

THANKS!








I appreciate the assist!  Thanks!

[wp34]

Welcome to the forum!   

Your cabinet is one of my favorite form-factors of the "modern" cabinets.  New artwork as you mentioned will go a long way to freshening up your cabinet.  You could mount a small LCD between the speakers that could be used to display artwork and/or game instructions.  If it were me I would swap out the LCD for a 25/27" CRT.  The monitor looks undersized.

[Generic Eric]

What games do usually play?   If you don't play fighters, maybe you don't need those buttons. 

[TKW4rr10r]

If it were me I would swap out the LCD for a 25/27" CRT.  The monitor looks undersized.

2nd. You have the space in the cab and the games will have a more authentic look / feel. That would go a long way in the presentation of the cab. Grab a cheap 25" or 27" TV from goodwill if you can't find a decent med-res CRT. Plenty of builds used a similar setup will great results.

I also like the idea of a small LCD between the speakers for an additional wow factor. I was going to ask what is there currently since it looked like you already installed one.  But I'd have that low on the priority list. A cheap set of speakers are good enough for most Mame applications. No need to go for high brand. Since you already have a Pyle amp, they have two models of 5.25 that would fit your blue theme: PL53BL and PLBW52, the 2nd model even has Blue LEDs (OOOoooooo).

Artwork for the marquee/control panel can remain basic until you settle on a theme. And with that cab it's really a blank slate. I'd base it around your favorite game(s) or what gets played most. I'd clean up the coin door and remove those extra brackets / card reader. Patch the holes before a respray or front artwork.

It's already a great Mame cab. Artwork will make the biggest difference in giving you that "new cab" feel. There are some really gifted artists here so I'd check out their posts and PM them for some ideas. Good luck and keep us posted.

[yotsuya]

Send me the measurements for that hole on your coin door. I want to make you a plate to cover it. 

[TKW4rr10r]

Send me the measurements for that hole on your coin door. I want to make you a plate to cover it. 

OCD kicked in hard when seeing that, huh? 

[yotsuya]

Send me the measurements for that hole on your coin door. I want to make you a plate to cover it. 

OCD kicked in hard when seeing that, huh? 

Yep. It would drive me nuts. Fortunately, I have access to a metal fab shop...

[TheArcadeGeek]

Send me the measurements for that hole on your coin door. I want to make you a plate to cover it. 

OCD kicked in hard when seeing that, huh? 

Yep. It would drive me nuts. Fortunately, I have access to a metal fab shop...

Yeah, that has always bothered me, but it seems like every PGA Tour cab I have seen has that same problem.  I have been looking for new over/under coin doors for a long time, but all of the ones on eBay are too narrow and wouldn't plug up the hole...  That opening is why I never finished the front - I assumed I would have to replace the wood at some point and use a smaller coin door...

That is really nice of you to assist with that piece of metal.  The opening is 3 3/8" wide by 4 1/4" tall.  There are bolts already in the coin door to secure a new piece of metal.  The bolt holes are 1 square CM each and the center of the hole is 1 CM off the corner of the opening.  If you add an additional inch to the piece, I could attach it from behind with room to spare.  PM me your Paypal and I will cover the shipping.  Thanks again!

[TheArcadeGeek]

If it were me I would swap out the LCD for a 25/27" CRT.  The monitor looks undersized.

2nd. You have the space in the cab and the games will have a more authentic look / feel. That would go a long way in the presentation of the cab. Grab a cheap 25" or 27" TV from goodwill if you can't find a decent med-res CRT. Plenty of builds used a similar setup will great results.

I also like the idea of a small LCD between the speakers for an additional wow factor. I was going to ask what is there currently since it looked like you already installed one.  But I'd have that low on the priority list. A cheap set of speakers are good enough for most Mame applications. No need to go for high brand. Since you already have a Pyle amp, they have two models of 5.25 that would fit your blue theme: PL53BL and PLBW52, the 2nd model even has Blue LEDs (OOOoooooo).

Artwork for the marquee/control panel can remain basic until you settle on a theme. And with that cab it's really a blank slate. I'd base it around your favorite game(s) or what gets played most. I'd clean up the coin door and remove those extra brackets / card reader. Patch the holes before a respray or front artwork.

It's already a great Mame cab. Artwork will make the biggest difference in giving you that "new cab" feel. There are some really gifted artists here so I'd check out their posts and PM them for some ideas. Good luck and keep us posted.

Agreed on the monitor.  I have seen a few options on eBay that are 27" Makvision Tri-Mode CRTs.  Any thoughts on that make/model?  I've never connected one to a PC, so I'm not sure if there is anything special I would need.

Thanks for the heads up on those speakers.  Going to order a set tonight!

[TKW4rr10r]

Agreed on the monitor.  I have seen a few options on eBay that are 27" Makvision Tri-Mode CRTs.  Any thoughts on that make/model?  I've never connected one to a PC, so I'm not sure if there is anything special I would need.

Thanks for the heads up on those speakers.  Going to order a set tonight!

It all depends on what you eventually hook up to the PC, but you'll need some form of video conversion board. I've dealt more with converting game PCBs (CGA) to VGA outputs, but the reverse is done with different equipment. They tend to run anywhere from $25-150, so best to get the tube first before looking into those. Unfortunately I do not have any experience with that model you mentioned but I'm sure others here have.

Since you are hooking this up to a PC, the best bang for the buck may be an actual tube TV. Some arcade CRTs don't play nice with PCs depending on your video card setup. It's just been my experience when dealing with pure PC cabinets those were easier to setup and play nice. Plus you will have more options to choose from.

[DGP]

Grab a 27" flatscreen CRT HDtv so you can send a wider range of resolutions from the pc while not requiring any external conversion devices.

Jason