I built a desktop controller a while back. Even had listed on this site many moons ago (dead link now). Ever since, I had the itch to make a full-blown cabinet. Well, not so much "make" as "re-fit an old cabinet."
So began my search on eBay, flea markets, want-ads, and eventually craigslist, to find a gutted cab. Or a working cab that wasn't a "classic."
Last night, I found it. A Killer Instinct 2 cabinet. Without monitor or PCB or coin mechanisms. But it had both joysticks and all the buttons, two speakers, glass and marquee light. Now, I was never a big fan of KI/KI2, more of a SF2 guy. And since it was already gutted, I didn't feel bad converting it (purists, please put away the torches & pitchforks!).
The cabinet was in better shape than I expected. All of the artwork was in very good shape. Even the control panel looked good. Only thing wrong was the marquee. At one time it was a "Marvel vs Capcom 2" system. T-molding was all there, though the wrong color in a few spots. The wiring inside looked a little hacked up.
My plan was to strip it down and make a "MAME" cabinet. Probably all black paint and a custom marquee / control panel. But it's in really nice shape. Even my buddy who helped pick it up said, "Nah man, keep it as is. Just clean it up. Don't paint over it." So, I'm probably going to keep it in it's original KI2 form. I'll find a replacement marquee to keep it close to original.
I'm trying to keep it as "stock" as possible. I may find a KI2 board and deciede to restore it fully and sell it. To buy another gutted cab.
Still with me? OK, inside was just a mish-mash of wires. It looks like there is a JAMMA connector in there, along with a bunch of other connectors. No power supply. I already have an I-PAC2 on the way. Probably should have waited until I researched more, I would have bought the J-PAC.
Question 1: Should I try to preserve the JAMMA harness and make some kind of adapter? Or just cut it and wire it up to the I-PAC2? Are JAMMA connectors that "precious"?
Q2: I want to put the coin mechanisms back so I can put in a quarter to play. The door seems in good shape, what else do I need?
I also would like to do swappable control panels at some point. I do like Smash TV. And Centipede, Marble Madness, Crystal Castles, etc.
Thanks all!