Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 11:34:23 AM

Title: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 11:34:23 AM
Hi.

As everybody might know I got my grail from the Love Boat: Journey from Bally Midway. Since Journey is my most favourite Band in the world and my search didn't bring up any of these machines in Germany or Europe at all, I decided to import one from USA for my 50th birthday. When Thomas (aka Love) said he was organizing a container from USA I told him that I was searching for a Journey. Well, he found one on Craig's List and I bought it :)

Meanwhile it's in Dirk's hall.

Unfortunately some moron thought it was a good idea to make some extra money by selling a Journey-PCB-set. So he pulled my PCBs from the cab and replaced it with some nasty Two Tigers-PCBs (also from Bally). They are so dirty that even two 'rides' in the dishwasher couldn't clean them.

A new PCB-set for another $285 is now mine....hope it will make it's wya to me this time  :-\


Yesterday evening I spent some time with my cab. I did some measuring and to my surprise everything seems to work (besides the PCBs, of course). All voltages are present like they should.

It was a good choice to order all necessary artwork for the cab and have it shipped over here with the container.

As you can see the marquee has seen better days:

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/orig_marquee_2.jpg)

Maybe better when lit......no  ::)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/orig_marquee_1.jpg)

New marquee will be installed after the cleaning process. But there is more to do. I removed the coin box and took a photo down to the ground plate:

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/basement_front.jpg)

See the corners left and right? Let's take a closer look:


LEFT  :o

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/basement_front_left.jpg)

RIGHT  :o

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/basement_front_right.jpg)


This cab must have hit the floor very hard in it's history, the drop caused some serious damage I cannot ignore. I think woodfiller will not be the right 'weapon' for this 'fight'. When the cab is empty I will put it on it's back and replace the base plate with a new one.


After that shock I continued the inspection and disassembly.

Etienne, count me in for the next "Alu Sticker Repro Run" ;)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/orig_alu-stickers.jpg)


I removed the brackets that hold the tape player. The (very rare) original tape is still in place:

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/tape-player_1.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/tape-player_2.jpg)


After some cleaning the tape player looked shiney  8) 
This view made my heart sing  :-*

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/tape-player_3.jpg)


The PLAY-key is pressed all the time. When a specific stage of the game is reached the player is powered from the small PCB sitting on the left side of the cab. It then plays the song "Separate Ways" until the stage is over.

Of course I grabbed a power supply that we use to run our little red laser. After adjusting the output (6VDC) and checking polarity I connected the player to the PS unit and pressed PLAY. Well, it played the song and it sounded familiar....like the self recorded cassettes I used to have back in the 70s  ;D   The player will get a good cleaning inside. I hope this will make the sound clearer. Since I know this song very well I noticed it plays a little too slow. I will ask a friend if there is something I can do. I think I remember there are means to adjust the speed.

I recorded this test with my cell phone camera. Quality is bad but you get the idea. I tried to get closer to the speaker but the broadcasting of the cellphone made me move back. Here's a short video (http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/journey_sepways_cassette.3gp), if you want to listen :)


I removed all the stuff in the back. PCBs and the large (and heavy) power supply. I took those things home for a good clean.

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/stuff_to_clean_1.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/stuff_to_clean_2.jpg)

This looks really bad but as I said: all voltages work perfectly :)


Here are the controls on the left side behind the backdoor. As you can see there are two volume pots. Lower one is for the PCB-sound, the upper one is for the music.

Erm, no, the picture is not rotated. Don't know why they were not able to print a sticker with the text NOT upside down. This should have been possible back in 1983 ;)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/coindoor-controls.jpg)



So far....more to come :)



Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Superully on April 11, 2013, 01:15:21 PM
really interesting stuff with the cassette player, thorsten, never had a game with a setup like that? how does an endless cassette work? i will follow that restoration closely, not something you see every day. good luck and have fun, enjoy every second with your grail. already looking forward to playing it at your place one day ...

btw, that marquee is hilarious!!!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 01:38:49 PM
Thanks Ully :)


Any hints from "Mr.Restorator" how to clean the wooden inside of the cab? Did you use a spray or simply a vac cleaner and then a wet cleaning cloth?


For the endless tape....I'm not sure, but I think the tape must be cut, twisted once and then glued together again. Maybe Dirk can jump in here. I'm sure he knows how to do that :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on April 11, 2013, 02:29:27 PM
Great Luigi !

Quote
Etienne, count me in for the next "Alu Sticker Repro Run"  ;)

No problem there, i am happy to help.

But you must source me a good pic, so i can replicate it...

as for the "upsidedownsticker", scan that, and i will "fix" that for you if you want  ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 02:53:37 PM
But you must source me a good pic, so i can replicate it...

What? Better than this one??


Quote
as for the "upsidedownsticker", scan that, and i will "fix" that for you if you want  ;)

I thin I will leave it like it is...it has this 'charme of originality' ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Q*ris on April 11, 2013, 03:34:08 PM
Thanks for the details, Luigi.
That tape player rocks (haha), I love all this kind of clever tricks they used BITD (like the color overlays over a BW screen, 8-tracks tapes and that kind of stuff).
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Muerto on April 11, 2013, 03:40:36 PM
Superb! great read, didn't know about the cassette player, that is totally cool!! :spaceace:
Glad you found a Journey PCB, and I hope it will make it all the way to you this time!! (maby it´s you own your bought twice.... :-\)

-Will follow this thread closely!!! (now, back to my misbehaving Missile Command monitor problem  :-[)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on April 11, 2013, 03:41:54 PM
But you must source me a good pic, so i can replicate it...

What? Better than this one??


Quote
as for the "upsidedownsticker", scan that, and i will "fix" that for you if you want  ;)

I thin I will leave it like it is...it has this 'charme of originality' ;)

I agree on the last one.

I dont have any pics of the "complete" sticker.
Perhaps you can inform on klov or somewhere else and ask there if someone has a sticker on the back of the cabinet and can make a good picture of it which i can use to replicate it.

I would love to help you out, but without a proper source its really difficult to do  ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Belike on April 11, 2013, 04:28:02 PM
Nice to hear that you finally have your dream cab! ;)
That pcb case is very annoying, but let's hope you will forget about it when you play on Jouney for the first time after so many years. :D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: gyruss on April 11, 2013, 05:00:20 PM
Very cool, congratulations!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 06:52:31 PM
Etienne, of course you will get a better picture of the stickers. I juzst had the cell phone to take photos. When I read about the next ASRR I will take pictures and we will try to make it as complete as possible. Good idea to ask the boys over at KLOV :)

@all: thanks for your kind words :)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on April 11, 2013, 07:56:12 PM
Congrats buddy, I know how much you've longed for this :)

I am imagining that there was a Level 42 game BITD and finally owning one.... ;)

About the cassette: might be better to replace it (record from CD yourself) ? => http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=endless+tape&LH_PrefLoc=2&_arm=1&_armm=63&_ruu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3Dendless%2Btape%26_arr%3D1


If you want to keep that "original only" feeling you could transfer the tape itself to the original cassette housing..... :D

This is how an endless tape works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1OKaQKCVCQ (I've seen better constructed versions, but this shows clearest how it works)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 11, 2013, 08:05:59 PM
Thanks André. Don't give up...one day there will be a Level42-cab, too  ;)

I already thought about replacing the original tape. It sounds awefull. Maybe it's better to put it in a safe place and use a new one :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on April 11, 2013, 08:53:01 PM
Thanks André. Don't give up...one day there will be a Level42-cab, too  ;)

Yeah, I'm still thinking about converting that old Journey cabinet I have had here all those years under a tarp in my backyard.......





 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Seriously: I thought about naming my Mame cab "Level 42" and I prepared the marquee file already....it is the logo that I use here. This was scanned from a 12", the inner blue converted to black and cleaned up. I think it would look awesome when back-lit ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on April 11, 2013, 09:38:50 PM
Hey Thorsten, you PMed a question about the TL tube but I figured I'd answer it here as more people might like to know it:

TL tubes don't come in "230V" or "115V" because they running at a much higher voltage. Especially the voltage to start a tube is very high initially (unto 1000V). As soon as it's running this is reduced by the ballast.

So typically when you replace a tube you look at the code it has, usually something with a "Tx" where x is a number that indicates the diameter size. The wattage is determined by the length of the tube. There is also a color code on them. Usually I prefer the cool white one's because they produce a more natural colors from the marquee. (You'd think warm-white would be better, but it makes the colors of the marquee more "yellowish"...

So if you go to a local DIY store or lamp store they should be able to provide you a suitable tube.

Only one time I had to get a tube from the US that was because it was a non-standard (for us) size. It was in my Berzerk. It was extremely cheap to get it, had to buy two and it cost something silly like 5 Euro's or so including shipping, this was because I ordered at RS online and they offered free shipping, even for the stuff that came from their "brother" company in the US (which these did :) )

It was actually cheaper than buying 1 regular tube at a shop here !

Anyway Midway usually used pretty standard sized tubes so you should be able to get one "around the corner".

The voltage issue only starts when you're talking about starters. You will have to get a 115V/120V one for this, however these too are readily available in Europe because they are  very often used in tube-holders that hold 2 tubes which are connected in series (two starters).

NOTE: Often these starters are still indicated as 220-240V. F.I. Philips does this for it's S2 starter:
http://www.ecat.lighting.philips.nl/l/lampen-professioneel/starters-voor-fluorescentie-lampen/ecoclick-starters/928390720230_eu/

Not sure about now, but they used to indicate both possible uses:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DIsHYhNbB8s/UBeEbHaNsDI/AAAAAAAAATA/E_GU2_3q6qo/w399-h206-n-k/starter2.jpg)

However these are totally suitable and really operating at 115V.

Don't use Philips S10 as these are for 1 tube on 220-240V.

If you want to go fancy you could also get S2-E starters (http://www.ecat.lighting.philips.nl/l/lampen-professioneel/starters-voor-fluorescentie-lampen/safety-comfort-starters/926000192603_eu/) which are electronic and (in theory) never die, start the tube without (a lot of) flicker and turn of the lamp when it's at it's end of life (to prevent it from overheating). You'll have to judge if these things are worth the extra cost, they are about 4 times more expensive then regular one's.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: DarthNuno on April 11, 2013, 10:52:56 PM
What a piece of arcade history you own! Congratulation!

 :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 12, 2013, 09:23:17 AM
Thanks Brun0. I'm proud and happy to have it here. Funny to get such a praise from someone who just built a bigger gameroom for his own  Galaxian Theater v3  ;)  :spaceace:


André, thanks for your explanation! :)
On wednesday I simply (because the risk of using a starter/tube built for 230V with 115V is far less than vice versa ;) ) put it a starter with the info that is also on your starter. And I also grabbed a new tube from our shelf...and there was light :)

I don't think I will need the S2E starter. Plus: this is not original!! ;)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Q*ris on April 12, 2013, 11:15:29 AM
Luigi, the message you're spreading here, is pretty clear:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/~chrischris/arcade/dont_stop_believing.jpg)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: slowcade on April 12, 2013, 12:59:55 PM
It's great to see a Journey in Europe! Congratulations!  :spaceace:
The tape player in this game has interested me ever since I first heard about it. Do you know if anyone is producing replacements for the endless tape and/or the whole tape player mechanism?
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on April 12, 2013, 03:24:55 PM
Yes, there's something going on: KLOV-Forum (http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=146261) :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on April 12, 2013, 05:01:45 PM
It's great to see a Journey in Europe! Congratulations!  :spaceace:
The tape player in this game has interested me ever since I first heard about it. Do you know if anyone is producing replacements for the endless tape and/or the whole tape player mechanism?
Uh....I think I pointed to new available endless tapes on ebay :) Not that hard to record a new tape from CD, but I guess people under the age of about 20 wouldn't have a guess how that works ;)

Tape drives had been used in EM arcade machines and pinballs long before Journey. Mostly they were 8-track players.

I vote for keeping the cassette recorder if it sounds OK. Time to get out:

(http://images.screenface.co.uk/1/ipa500.jpg)

and

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Wattenstaafjes_in_doos.JPG/220px-Wattenstaafjes_in_doos.JPG)

Or maybe even

(http://static.mijnwebwinkel.nl/winkel/pickupnaaldenshop/full27276537.jpg)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: slowcade on April 12, 2013, 05:08:28 PM
Uh....I think I pointed to new available endless tapes on ebay :) Not that hard to record a new tape from CD, but I guess people under the age of about 20 wouldn't have a guess how that works ;)

Haha, I guess I didn't see your link. But thank you for implying that I'm under 20. That would be great! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on April 12, 2013, 06:16:46 PM
Uh....I think I pointed to new available endless tapes on ebay :) Not that hard to record a new tape from CD, but I guess people under the age of about 20 wouldn't have a guess how that works ;)

Haha, I guess I didn't see your link. But thank you for implying that I'm under 20. That would be great! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I didn't....read carefully ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 07, 2013, 10:24:17 AM
I know you don't like Facebook Luigi, but this is a very nice picture I noticed there on Rich's Facebook page:

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/1474_309627415824847_180072184_n.jpg)

Pretty sure this is going to freak you out  ;D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 07, 2013, 11:04:13 AM
It's not that I don't like Facebook (as long as I'm not touched by it in any way)...it's just that I see absoluteley NO REASON AT ALL for me to register there ;)


This is indeed a very nice picture and an even more nice Journey-cab....but since I own one of these the time those pictures 'freaked me out' is over!! :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 07, 2013, 12:13:23 PM
Mmm, so you don't recognize the guy on the right ? The one who was the previous owner of that cab ? Mmmmmm  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 07, 2013, 02:57:18 PM
Mmm, so you don't recognize the guy on the right ? The one who was the previous owner of that cab ? Mmmmmm  ::) ::) ::)


:shock: no  :oops:  

I have no clue where this picture was taken...or who these guys are ::)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 07, 2013, 03:17:05 PM
 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

The guy on the left is Rich from ThisOldGame.com, but the guy on the right is Steve Smith the drummer of Journey !!!!


Geezzzzzz.....and I though you were hard-core !


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Steve sold his personal Journey cab to the owner of Paradise Arcade (don't know him, but Rich helped him picking up the cab :) )
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 07, 2013, 03:48:19 PM
oh wow....he has changed a little through the years

BITD he looked like this (the guy on the right)

(http://img2.blogs.yahoo.co.jp/ybi/1/6b/cb/tooru95/folder/1490143/img_1490143_59545706_1?1267366799)

or like this (again the guy on the right)

(http://www.mikedolbear.com/Images/stevesmithmissingphoto.jpg)

And since he is no longer part of Journey I had no clue how he might look today  ::)


Thanks for letting me know! :)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Superully on May 07, 2013, 03:49:54 PM
i would have recognized the guy on the LEFT easily, but the one on the right? :P
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Laschek on May 07, 2013, 07:24:10 PM
Even I recognized Steve Smith immediately, and I know hardly anything about Journey.
Shame on you, Thorsten, I guess we can't allow you to keep the cab  ;D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 07, 2013, 08:02:50 PM
Even I recognized Steve Smith immediately

You're a drummer, I'm a singer...there's the difference ;)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: DarthNuno on May 07, 2013, 10:45:14 PM
By the way, what is the difference between a drummer ... and a drum machine?


...



...



...




The drum machine has a memory!


Sorry guys, cannot resist!  :P
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 08, 2013, 06:40:54 AM
Good one Bruno ;)


You guys are damn right, I really should know and recognize Steve Smith. He played the drums on all the tracks that I love so much until he left 1985. Deeno's (Deen Castronovo) first appearance was on Arrival (2001) with the new singer Steve Augeri (which I have met recently at a 'Classic meets Rock'-show in Mannheim...see link to pic below :) )

http://www.thludwig.de/pics/Steve_Augeri_-_Classic_meets_Rock_March2013.jpg (http://www.thludwig.de/pics/Steve_Augeri_-_Classic_meets_Rock_March2013.jpg)


Shame on me! :(
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 08, 2013, 07:30:44 AM
No shame on you, I just was surprised :)

I would recognize the first Level 42 drummer (Phil Gould) in a heartbeat, but that's not fair because I got him as a "friend" on Facebook and see lots of recent pics of him :)

I just thought it was a very cool thing that guy bought the machine from the drummer (I wouldn't recognize any of the Journey members myself) of Journey :)

About drummers not having a memory, how do you think these guys memorize every single note, including amplitude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n26jcy9wzoE

HUH !!!

 ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Laschek on May 08, 2013, 03:08:17 PM
By the way, what is the difference between a drummer ... and a drum machine?

The drum machine has a memory!


Sorry guys, cannot resist!  :P

 ;D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Q*ris on May 08, 2013, 05:36:08 PM
Please stop making fun of drummers...
...because we all know that when they stop, something terrible happens: the bass solo begins!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: subzero1970 on May 09, 2013, 02:53:23 PM
No shame on you, I just was surprised :)

I would recognize the first Level 42 drummer (Phil Gould) in a heartbeat, but that's not fair because I got him as a "friend" on Facebook and see lots of recent pics of him :)

I just thought it was a very cool thing that guy bought the machine from the drummer (I wouldn't recognize any of the Journey members myself) of Journey :)

About drummers not having a memory, how do you think these guys memorize every single note, including amplitude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n26jcy9wzoE

HUH !!!

 ;D ;D ;D



phil gould hasn't changed much since his days in level 42, p.s. never heard of this journey cab before!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on May 09, 2013, 07:22:40 PM
Do you have the manual also Luigi ?

If not, i just stumbled over it  ;)

http://arcarc.xmission.com/PDF_Arcade_Bally_Midway/Journey_Parts_and_Operating_Manual_(May%201983).pdf
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 09, 2013, 09:48:26 PM
Do you have the manual also Luigi ?

If not, i just stumbled over it  ;)

http://arcarc.xmission.com/PDF_Arcade_Bally_Midway/Journey_Parts_and_Operating_Manual_(May%201983).pdf

Thanks Etienne. I have downloaded the manual a long time ago, since I started to think that I would never get one and planned building one from scratch. When 'the real deal' was done I also bought an original manual from a KLOV-member....the same who sold me the replacement PCB-set now ;)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 10, 2013, 12:23:31 PM
Nice:

(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii486/fizgigKLOV/Original%20Arcade%20Posters/IMG_8628_zps2e810271.jpg)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 10, 2013, 01:52:26 PM
I already bought one of these and framed it. It's in such an awesome condition that I almost could not believe it was NOS, but the seller confirmed twice it was original from 1983. It will be hanging over the cab ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 10, 2013, 02:01:53 PM
Cool ! :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on July 17, 2013, 11:42:44 AM
Some progress. Meanwhile I've got the cab at home. So I have more occasions to work on it....even in small portions.

I have removed the bottom plate and bought a new one. Since the notch for the original plate almost completeley broke away durgin removing the plate, I decided to remove also the rest of it and use a bigger new plate.


The derusting process of the metal pieces has started/is meanwhile finished. I will use primer and "hammer finish paint" (is that correct??) on most of them. Those without any rust (2 pieces!!   ;D ) will get a coat of clear paint only.

A collegue hast sand blasted the bolts that hold the coinbox-cradle behind the kickplate. The are awesome. And so I decided to use as much of the original parts as possible. The wheels and the plates for the leg levellers.


WANTED: I need two leg levellers, unused/as new, with 3/8"-thread....rubber or teflon feet preferred...any for sale? :)


See some before/after pictures below.

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/schrauben_coinbox-cradle_vorher-nachher.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/boden_draussen_klein.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/neue_bodenplatte_klein.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/wheels_rostig.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/wheels_gestrahlt_2.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/legleveller-platten_alt.jpg)

(http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/pics/Journey/resto/legleveller-platten_gestrahlt.jpg)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: anunaki on July 17, 2013, 11:45:30 AM
nice work :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on July 17, 2013, 11:50:24 AM
Looking good !
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: ckong on July 17, 2013, 12:43:00 PM
Looking good !


indeed
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 27, 2014, 08:05:24 PM
Better be carefull with that tape Luigi...  :o

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-MIDWAY-JOURNEY-Arcade-Game-NOS-Original-Cassette-Tape-/251685937120?ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1653
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on October 28, 2014, 07:52:16 AM
Nah, he won't get that much money...maybe a tenth of it. Played or not, the tape will have the signs of age anyway.

And yes, I will take good care of mine. I think it's bad though. It sounded bad when I listened to it in the original player. A good friend of mine cleaned the player and it doesn't sound better, so I guess it's crap already...but it's a nice piece of arcade history IMHO :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 28, 2014, 01:32:23 PM
The auction gave me at least a peek on the back side of the cassette, which makes my repro set complete  ;)  :spaceace:

(http://www.easywebshop.com/shops/arcadedecals/4346320-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on October 28, 2014, 03:02:47 PM
I saw the difference over there at KLOV.
Will take a look at my cassette why "certron endless cassette" ist still on the sticker  ???



LOL when John tried to turn the paint from brown to blue by stiring it  ;D

But then I could feel his pain when he realized it won't happen  :-\

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: johnsarcade on October 28, 2014, 04:57:25 PM
Looking good! Etienne, I need the artwork for that new label. :)

I finished the blue! I should be done with the restore this weekend. WOOT!

The flash makes the color looking lighter than it is:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15027132903_08455d5d12_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Superully on October 28, 2014, 05:13:03 PM
really looking fabulous, john. watched your latest video yesterday and i'm happy for you that the end is near. just one more video to go ... ;) :P
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 28, 2014, 05:17:49 PM
Looking good! Etienne, I need the artwork for that new label. :)

I finished the blue! I should be done with the restore this weekend. WOOT!


Like i said on KLOV, i'll send you a vinyl one with the rest of your decals  ;)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on October 29, 2014, 07:15:43 AM
Yeah, great job!! Can't wait to see the sideart attached to it!!!  :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Tyrem on October 29, 2014, 08:16:34 AM
really looking fabulous, john. watched your latest video yesterday and i'm happy for you that the end is near. just one more video to go ... ;) :P

i watched it, too. my wife did not quite understand what i was doing there. :D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Tyrem on November 04, 2014, 12:04:13 AM
congratulations john. just finished watching the last part of your journey!
nice to see you in front of the cam at the end. some day we will have a beer together, man!

great work!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: vernimark on November 04, 2014, 06:06:20 AM
wow really a great work!!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: johnsarcade on November 04, 2014, 06:08:54 PM
congratulations john. just finished watching the last part of your journey!
nice to see you in front of the cam at the end. some day we will have a beer together, man!

great work!

Thanks!!!

So happy to be done. :)

(http://johnsarcade.com/klov/arcade_11-14/pictures/picture-4.jpg)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: DarthNuno on November 04, 2014, 06:25:41 PM
I've seen the last video... what a crazy job! sanding...painting...sanding... water sanding... what a crazy job you've done!  :shock:
Congrats... the cabinet looks fantastic!!!  :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on November 04, 2014, 06:29:32 PM
Holy Fuck.

I'm sure none of those machines left the factory like that !

 :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:


It is amaaaaaaaazing brother John !
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Tyrem on November 04, 2014, 07:01:22 PM
yeah... great job. i love the way john freaks me out all the time. for example when he ruined both kicklates, the colour frontside while getting the coindoor in it's place and when he dropped the screws 10 times in a row. :D not to mention the brown colour incident. :D

john, this was entertaining and after spending the past few month with you online with this and other projects i really enjoyed the final minutes of this vid. felt somehow... like the last episode of your most loved tv show.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: ckong on November 04, 2014, 07:42:31 PM
Wow,  this turned out really great.  I didn't watch the videos yet,  but I sure will.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on November 04, 2014, 07:52:11 PM
Dunno John.....maybe you should stir better next time.....

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Tyrem on November 04, 2014, 07:54:37 PM
Dunno John.....maybe you should stir better next time.....



lololol... i love you, guys. i really really love you! :D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 07:59:47 PM
   Amazing! work John! It's so immaculate, sort of gives me the child feeling of shying away if your hands aren't clean as a surgeons. I personally liked your video about scoring higher on DK.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: johnsarcade on November 04, 2014, 08:01:18 PM
Dunno John.....maybe you should stir better next time.....



This is brown paint! LOL! :)

Thanks, guys!!!!!!
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on November 05, 2014, 08:10:10 AM
Yes, a real beauty...well done! :)


Though I want my Journey to stay as original as possible (+ it wasn't that butchered at all) I'm really amazed by all the work you have put into that cab....this must be true love :)
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: anunaki on November 05, 2014, 08:56:17 AM
The result is very amazing  :spaceace: :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: synonym9 on November 23, 2014, 03:26:22 AM
I've seen the last video... what a crazy job! sanding...painting...sanding... water sanding... what a crazy job you've done!  :shock:
Congrats... the cabinet looks fantastic!!!  :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:

True that....this is the correct procedure, that is the way to get laser-straight and even surfaces.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on May 13, 2015, 11:51:35 PM
I found a nice little thing for Luigi's Journey:

It has all the correct connections (power 6V, correct connector with the plus on the outside and an ear/line-out jack. So it should be Plug & Play :)

It's also smaller than the original Emerson recorder so it should within the bracket. There's also a tone control which is nice.

Nice detail: It is a Magnavox and not a Philips f.i. so this is a little bit more "U.S." and fitting to the game :)
It was made in Japan however and has an all metal chassis so it's not one of those flimsy plastic one's of later years and it feels rather heavy for it's very compact size.

I got out a Q-tip and my trusted bottle of pure alcohol and cleaned the heads and capstan (anyone remember what a capstan is ;) ).

Played an ancient tape I found somewhere and it sounded OK but there was some high pitched noise, like I heard the electric motor interfering.

So I got out the demagnetizing wand that I bought for my monitor degaussing and fired it on the little player.

This did the trick ! It now sounds awesome.

Well.....


As awesome as a mono (voice) casseterecorder of this kind will get. Don't expect MP3 hi-fi quality sound from it.

Now all you need is an endless tape and one of Etienne's repro labels Thorsten !  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on May 15, 2015, 06:06:10 PM
I can't thank you enuoigh for getting this for me!! :)

I have watched ebay items that fitted the requirements and all went for silly money.

I will record a longer endless tape with other songs but Separate ways. I still have the original tape but I don't want to use it inside the cab.


THANKS André!! You rock!  :spaceace:
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on June 01, 2015, 08:53:34 AM
I received the player on Friday...together with two of my beloved dutch cookies (I have to buy a box full of them in September!!!)

This is an awesome device and I hope I can install it this evening and test it inside the Journey :)

THANKS A LOT again for getting this for me, André!!  :spaceace:

I will test it with the original tape but I'm afraid this is for the showcase only due to it's age.
Anybody know a source for endless tapes? I'd like to make one with more Journey songs. All I found for now is a 6 minute tape....this would be ok for two songs.
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on June 01, 2015, 05:42:10 PM
Glad it arrived aafely. Sorry I couldnt pack more than two......Well actually I ate all the others....HAHAHA, no those days are gone for good  ;D ;D

You do know where we buy them right ? At Lidl  ;D ;D but they are produced in The Netherlands so I guess they didn't make it to the German Lidls....yet (start demanding them you never know ;);))

I have heard rumors we might meet sometime this summer and I have had some other requests for Dutch food like raw herrings (yum yum !) and proper Gouda cheese (although honestly, Goida is considered a "beginners cheese over here" )

Oh uhmmm what was the topic, ah yeah the tape drive LOL

Hope it will work out ! Endless tapes ? Maybe Robin has some....?
Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: Luigi on June 02, 2015, 08:27:56 AM
Allright.....I removed the original player and 'installed' the Magnavox.....erm...it's really small, needs some stuff around it to fill the gaps  ;D
But I can still press the PLAY button in case it isn't ;)

[oh great, I forgot to upload the pics from my cell  ::) ]


It works perfectly!!! Will upload a short video as well.

The only problem is: there's an annoying hum while the music's playing. I thought it is because of the modification that Klaus-Peter did. He removed the mono plug and made a stereo for the mp3 player. But when there's no tape in the player and it starts playing, there's only a little humming and it should be loud if the plug is the problem, right?  ???


edit: just found out that silly me covered the microphone while recording (http://www.thludwig.de/pics/smilies/banghead.gif)

Title: Re: Long way Journey
Post by: level42 on June 02, 2015, 09:21:48 AM
Uh, so is it fixed now ? I did have some hum initially but after I had a look inside it was gone.....already kinda feared it might return because of the transport to you....