Gottlieb joys crap? Restore with or without?

[RayB]

Here's a question for collectors who enjoy restoring games to original states like I do:

I just got an original control panel for my Juno First. It has all original parts. My concern though is with the joystick. For some reason Gottlieb used these very cheap feeling plasticky microswitch joysticks. When I was addicted to this game in the 80's, the machine I played had a classic leaf red-ball joystick. Whoever owned it was smart and had changed the joys.

So what should I do? Restore with the original joystick? Or use a joystick that performs better than the original?

~Ray B.

[Stingray]

I always go with sticks that i enjoy playing with. If you think it needs a set of balltop leafs, get yourself a set of Wicos. You know you'll enjoy it more if you put the type of controllers that you like on it. Stick the old ones inside the cab, you can always put them back on later if you decide you want to make it original again.

-S

[RayB]

Good suggestion, so long as the bolt holes are the same. This way the original joy doesn't get worn down some more.

[CheffoJeffo]

Put in the leaf joy and keep the original inside the cabinet ... from what I can tell, this is a game you want to play a ton.

Cheers.

[paigeoliver]

Use the sticks that YOU want to use. That isn't the sort of game that someone will ding you for an incorrect joystick on.

[ChadTower]

Yep, put one you like if you don't have to alter the CP, and just keep the original around for the next owner.

[Q*Bert_OP]

the microswitch joystick is the same one that was in Q*Berts

[spidermonkey]

Yep,and they're made by Suzo. Gottlieb used Suzo sticks and buttons in all their games. I do agree that they feel kinda cheap but I do have one mounted on a 45 for playing Q-bert. After mounting at a 45 and testing out a Wico leaf 4-way,an original Pac-Man stick (made by Laniel Manufacturing), a Pac/Gal Reunion stick (Betson version) and an original Suzo Q-bert 4-way I must say I still like the feel of the Suzo the best for playing Q-bert. Maybe its because thats what Q-bert came with and I did play alot of Q-bert back in the 80s' so the Suzo just feels right for that particular game. I use the original Pac stick for all regular 4-way games though. Personal preference I guess.