82-T/A Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Went on vacation this past week. I was up in the TN area in the Smokey Mountains. As I was cruising through a town, I ran across an Arcade restoration shop. I HAD to stop by, and stop by I did. The place, Chattanooga Pinball Company, was amazing. They had at least a thousand games, in rows. They had a display room with a bunch of games that were mostly all under $1,000... really nice games... many in original condition. They took me into the back warehouse, where they had hundreds and hundreds of games in various states of condition. None were in any particularly trashed state, all of them looked pretty good. Then they took me into their workshop where they had games which they were restoring for customers, or for different shops, locations, etc. The games in that room looked like they had just been pulled off the assembly room. Right there in front of me was a Galaga cabinet... it was waiting for the monitor and harness to be installed. The cabinet was made out of solid wood... I don't want to call it pressboard, or even MDF... but the really expensive wood (with resin) that you can buy at home depot for $60 a sheet that is normally used to make tables out of. MUCH better than the particle / press board that's used in the normal cabinets. Like for example... the Galaga machine I have, the bottom has swelled and it's basically disintegrating. Anyway, back to the awesome cabinet. The t-moulding, the graphics (sides and front), everything was immaculate. It had a new speaker, new lamp fixtures... it all looked like the correct equipment, but it was all brand new. I've never seen an arcade cabinet in this shape before. The guy was their engineer/mechanic that rebuilds/restores all the arcade machines for them (along with another guy). It was the nicest cabinet I think I'd ever seen. New coin door / hardware, everything was immaculate. So... I bought it. Ugh... I didn't want to spend that kind of money, but I have a 100% working Galaga arcade machine, but the cabinet is TRASHED... It seemed to only make sense. $1,185, and it will be at my front door in a week. I know that's a lot... but I've never seen a cabinet in this kind of condition before. Besides the fact that it was all new stuff, the graphics and hardware was all NOS, and the cabinet was solid wood (weighed much more than the one I have). I'll take pictures when I get it... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Went on vacation this past week. I was up in the TN area in the Smokey Mountains. As I was cruising through a town, I ran across an Arcade restoration shop. I HAD to stop by, and stop by I did. The place, Chattanooga Pinball Company, was amazing. .. I'll take pictures when I get it... Wow, that place sounds awesome! Congratulations on your purchase, can't wait to see the photos. I've always wanted a real Galaga arcade machine, but just don't have the room for it. I have to settle for MAME with an X-Arcade Do you think this is their website: http://choochooarcades.com/Arcades/Classic.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerx Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Do you think this is their website: http://choochooarcades.com/Arcades/Classic.aspx Yeah, that's Dale as well. Man, I'm sure it's going to be a great machine, but I just can't get over retail pricing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82-T/A Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Wow, that place sounds awesome! Congratulations on your purchase, can't wait to see the photos. I've always wanted a real Galaga arcade machine, but just don't have the room for it. I have to settle for MAME with an X-Arcade Do you think this is their website: http://choochooarcades.com/Arcades/Classic.aspx Yes! That's them!!! I didn't remember it being called Choo Choo, but if you dig down in there, it says Chattanooga Pinball, which is the sign they have outside the building. Really professional atmosphere. I got the impression it was much more than JUST a business, these guys were professionals in what they do. I'm really excited to get it... I'll take a bunch of pictures as I switch everything over. Yeah, that's Dale as well. Man, I'm sure it's going to be a great machine, but I just can't get over retail pricing. Yeah, I just paid the credit card this morning... and it wasn't fun... but I'm still really looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backflipper Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Nice one. Raises the old argument of new build or vintage old school. I love galaga. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Nice one. Raises the old argument of new build or vintage old school. I love galaga. One of these days I might take the plunge on a cocktail version of Galaga/Pacman. There seems be a lot of them (new) on eBay for sale and I think I can squeeze that one in with my limited space Something like this, a bit pricey though! http://www.ebay.com/itm/331503612791 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Meh.. I'd rather play mame on my laptop! Just kidding. Too bad they don't have a Missile Command. I'd order one. But they do have a Tempest for only $2,200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Meh.. I'd rather play mame on my laptop! Just kidding. Too bad they don't have a Missile Command. I'd order one. But they do have a Tempest for only $2,200. Yeah, I hear you. That ChooChooArcade is a bit pricey on some of their offereings. The eBay listing has the same cocktail galaga/mc pacman for cheaper. But I don't know, maybe they incorporate better parts or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Probably a lot cleaner, parts, some short-term service, better testing, fresh caps.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.