Question to all of you:

[RayB]

I have a question for all of you:

Why do so many MAME cab builders choose to make the main control panel SO HUGE? Is it so each player has room for an ashtray and pitcher of beer?  

I just find that the bigger that part of the cab, the uglier these cabs tend to look. (No offence!   )

~Ray B.

[Witchboard]

That's the nice thing about being a MAME cab builder.  You can do what ever you want.  We're not restricted to following a set of "rules" when we create our own cabinets or CPs.  I'm sure that no body takes offense that you don't like them.  There are several people here that don't like CPs that extend past the sides of the cabs, but to each his own.  It's all about preference.

Welcome to the boards.  

[DaveMMR]

I have a question for all of you:

Why do so many MAME cab builders choose to make the main control panel SO HUGE? Is it so each player has room for an ashtray and pitcher of beer?  

I just find that the bigger that part of the cab, the uglier these cabs tend to look. (No offence!   )

~Ray B.

None taken (then again, I have nothing yet to be offended).

When I first posted I wanted a control panel with four-players, two trackballs (just need that Marble Madness), spinners, analog joystick, yada yada yada.   Then it was rotating panels, then a modular section and so forth.  As you can imagine that thing would be hanging so far off the side I could have used it for a coffee table.

I started building then had to stop the project for a year because of various reasons (car problems, move, yada yada, etc.).  

Then when I came back to this I had that urge for a cab that actually looks like it'll fit in a real arcade.  Not that real four player cabs are out of place in the real world, but I was going for the classic look.  So I ditched plans for the 4-player panel (when will I ever be entertaining that many people on one cab at the same time anyhow?).

So anyway I share your sentiment now about simpler panels (a complete 180), though I don't think what some people have done with the larger control panels are ugly at all.  Actually some of them are rather stylish.  I'm not really partial to large panels that house nothing but 2 8-ways and SF buttons but some people are for whatever reason.

You know, to each his own.  All that's important is that your creation is appealing to you.

Welcome to the boards.

edit: 'car' problems not 'can' problems

[walls83]

I have a 4player because My friends and I all like to play at the same time.  Basically thats it.  More people the better is how I see it.

[hyiu]

well..... for me...

while a normal cab (which is like 24 in - 26 in) in width can fit 2 adults playing at the same time... I would say its not very comfortable....

so.... when I do our CP... I want a little bigger so that we can each have a little more space... (and yes, a cup holder also...)

and since when I look at mame, there are SO MANY games that I want to play, and I can't afford 3-4 machines in my house.... (both budget-wise and space-wise...) I would like to sequeeze more controls on the panel so that I can play more games....

sorry.... in my mind, swapping panels is not really an option... (since when I have friends around, I don't feel comfortable letting them swapping the panels... but I don't want to swap for them when they scroll thru the game list and try this and try that....)

yes, rotating panel is good, but I don't think my woodworking skill is up to par yet....

so.... yes, I'm going to have the what-so-call "frankenpanel".... is it bad ??... maybe to some of you guys.... but to me, at least for now... it serves the purpose...

 

[hulkster]

there is absolutely nothing wrong with a huge panel.  not everybody just wants to play simple 1 player/2 player games like pacman, donkey kong, or even street fighter for that matter.  big panels only work if you build the right cab.  im building a showcase cab so its only logical for the larger panel.  i only have a large panel (49" wide) so that each of hte 4 players will have elbow room to play.  i also have a trackball in the middle for golden tee but thats it.  i grew up with the old 80's games but enjoyed a lot of the 90's games which involved games like tmnt, simpsons, xmen, gi joe, etc. which were all 4 players(or more if you count xmen)....so naturally i want to build a panel suited so that i can relive those days.  its just a preference for some people...and not one for others.  USUALLY, the older the builder, the smaller the cp.  a lot of the older guys want to just play mr. do, and tempest and pacman and stuff (dont get pissed old farts, thats just a "usually").  again thats not specific for everyone, but for most older guys, they like the true classics.  i like them all, so i build a control panel that will play them all.....and this is way too long so ill stop.  whew!  sorry, i rambled.

[Stingray]

My personal preference is also for the smaller classic style panels, but I have no problem with those who choose to build a large panel. The O in BYOAC stands for "Own". Do it your own way.  

-S

[hulkster]

My personal preference is also for the smaller classic style panels, but I have no problem with those who choose to build a large panel. The O in BYOAC stands for "Own". Do it your own way.  

-S

thats right, cuz...

whatcha gonna do brother?!?!  when my 49" control panel runs wild on you?!?!

[Stingray]

Probably scream like a little girl and hide behind my 23" panel.

-S

[abrannan]

My "showcase"/portable is 30in wide, and I only have 2 players, 8 buttons per player (For PS,PS2 use).  In my case, 30 in wide is just how big the trunk I built my system out of was.  My cab is 23 in wide (yes it's small), and may only end up with the classic single joystick in the middle with 2 buttons on each side.  If, as I play more MAME, I find I'm not satisfied without a trackball, or some other control, I'll build additional swappable panels, and control what's used via gamelists in the front end.  

But, hey, YMMV (Your MAME may vary)

[GamingGreg]

Bigger is better right?  

I think this just has to do with the "I want to play them all, I want to have it all" desire.  Thus you end up with big panels and lots of controls.  I have to admit that, "Yes", I built a large "Franken panel" with lots of controls, and I still want more on there.  Perhaps I would do swappable panels if I started over again, but then I'd have to find a place for all the other panels.   There's always something getting in the way of "having it all".   At some point, you just got to be content with what you've got.

[SNAAAKE]

Bigger is better right?  

Straight up !!
Mine is 44" wide.

[GGKoul]

Mine is 48wide x 19 long...  And there' s lots of room for everything I could ever want.