This is it, I have begun my arcade collection.
My very generous friend recently gave me this 1981 Red Cabinet
arcade. Dis spite my trying to tell him what a gem he had.
I know quite a bit about video game history and I know that only the first run of
cabinets were red. Still, I have many questions that I am researching to find the answers to - most important is whether or not this IS an original or not some kind or reproduction or knock-off. I bring that up mostly because it has only 5 speaker holes instead of 7 (pictured further down). I've only ever seen 7-holes in photos of these.
I'm posting this here so that those who have the experience can provide some insight into this particular unit and tips as to what they would do should they have such an item fall into their laps.
The machine has been dusted and cleaned since most of these photos were takenIt does run, first of all, and I can confirm that it has the original software (1981 Nintendo) and has not been upgraded, modified, or messed with in any way. It's logic board is the old 4-board model.
It's condition is far form perfect. The paint is very old and the black areas have a few cracks throughout. It has some cosmetic damage including some pretty beat up lower back corners, a few spots of missing molding, a long but not deep scratch on the window (graphics are untouched), cigarette burns on the control panel (which has warped) and start buttons, and the lock on the rear panel has been drilled through and is now useless. I can see that the Jump button was replaced with a red ring and crimson plunger (I can't determine if the original button was red or orange), and I'm pretty sure the stick has had at least some internal parts replaced. The instructions slip is sun-bleached and there are no instruction graphics under the screen (I'm not sure if that's how the 1981 versions normally were).
The original
coin-ops have been replaced with token based ones. I actually found a couple tokens in the cabinet and they work. One of the little wire switches that gives the credit is missing. I think the front of the coin ops are all original, but there is a "tokens only" sticker on it and stickers that I assume use to say "25ยข" have been partially removed.
5-holed speaker
the side graphics, as is common, have been removed. There are pieces of the decal around the bolts.
The monitor is original and still looks good. You can see some burn-in of the barrels level when it's off if you look real close, and there is a little shifting and warping while you play (don't know if that's normal for a 30 year old monitor). The speaker has a buzz to it and if the volume is high enough you hear a strange constant sound effect. I'd like to find out a way to "purify" it's audio.
The marquee is lovely with maybe two or three little spots where the paint has come off near the edges. I need to order a new florescent bulb, of course - can't wait to see it all lit up.
ID# NONE | Model# TKG3-UP-US | Serial# 02520I am NOT looking to modify this thing at all. I just want to make it look as good as it can without major surgery. I want to replace the T-molding, possibly add reproduction side art, maybe replace the damaged control panel pieces (though a part of me likes the character that has), and I definitely want to put in some
coin-ops from the early 80s (any help in finding those?)
Any advice, tips, links or whatever you guys would like to provide will be greatly appreciated. I'm learning what I can but there's a lot to know. Remember that I only became an arcade collector within the past month when I was given this.I still haven't had much time to tinker with it.
I'll post specific questions as I go further. Right now I'd like to know what cleaning supplies I should use so I don't ruin the original paint, especially on the window and marquee graphics.
