Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle
General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: Superully on February 16, 2011, 07:33:25 PM
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ok guys, i "found" a neon sign in the wild which for some stupid reason has caught my attention - and isn't willing to let go ;). it's been "sitting" there for many many years, rust has destroyed parts of the metal frame, but the neon tubes seem to be intact - except for the R. have a look :arrow:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/5451486108_6d19322c7e_b_d.jpg)
questions:
- does the neon sign work at all even if one of the letters is broken?
- how are the chances that it still works at all after all those years?
- can the damaged R somehow be restored (by finding someone who's able to repro it)?
- do those signs run on high voltage or do they plug into a normal wall socket?
- am i crazy? ;)
i could most likely get it for free and i have a person willing to help me get it down, but i'm not sure whether it would be worth the effort. who knows, it might crumble in our hands ...
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To answer the last and easiest question: yes of course you are crazy.... ;D ;D ;D
Neon uses hi-voltage but transformers (or more recently, "adapters" are used to make the high-voltage from regular 230V.
Chances are that parts may still work. Usually those neons are made up of sections. It looks like every letter on this one is either one or two sections. Depending on how they wired it to the transformer AND if they used more than one transformer, some (or most) of the letters may still work.
The real issue is the broken one...yes there are companies (persons) that repair these kind of neons (they sometimes advertise an Marktplaats f.i.) but I'm not sure about costs. But if you can get the sign for free....
I would exchange the old transfomers (which are probably used on these) for new switching "adapters" though. They're quite cheap on e-bay. You DO have to know how many watts etc. though, so do take the transfomer with you !!
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Must be some alien letters ::)... I even can't read the word? :-X Electro?
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Must be some alien letters ::)... I even can't read the word? :-X Electro?
wait till you see it glow ;D and you almost read it correctly - it's ELEKTRO!!!
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To answer the last and easiest question: yes of course you are crazy.... ;D ;D ;D
thx, i just needed confirmation for this 8)
Neon uses hi-voltage but transformers (or more recently, "adapters" are used to make the high-voltage from regular 230V.
so this means i could plug it into a normal circuit?
The real issue is the broken one...yes there are companies (persons) that repair these kind of neons (they sometimes advertise an Marktplaats f.i.) but I'm not sure about costs. But if you can get the sign for free....
thx, there are probably companies over here as well, i'll have to do some digging regarding costs! i was hoping to use the R from the other word (the name of the former owner), but this R is connected to the E before it >:(
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5451083403_6854661fff_b_d.jpg)
I would exchange the old transfomers (which are probably used on these) for new switching "adapters" though. They're quite cheap on e-bay. You DO have to know how many watts etc. though, so do take the transfomer with you !!
i'll be going there again soon to check it out in more detail, was in a hurry today. i'll have to phone the owner of the house first though (it's been abandoned for years, but there's a contact number in the shop window) to see if i could simply grab it, but if he says YES, i will most likely get it down to see what it does and i'll grab all the parts which are there. this might be crazy, but it's one of those arcade lifestyle advantures :)
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Very nice. :-* it looks for me so 60´s or 50´s. ???
Go for it Ully :spaceace:
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"Neon Licht, schimmerndes Neon Licht
Und wenn die Nacht anbricht ist dieser Stadt aus Licht"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hznxGxYxMak
I love it.
I think it will be easier for a neon work shop to cut off that extra r from the e of the second word. I figure they could do that easier than recreating the broken e.
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Do you have a plan how to remove that sign from there?
It must be heavy! :D
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questions:
A does the neon sign work at all even if one of the letters is broken?
B how are the chances that it still works at all after all those years?
C can the damaged R somehow be restored (by finding someone who's able to repro it)?
D do those signs run on high voltage or do they plug into a normal wall socket?
E am i crazy? ;)
Okay, my opinion on your questions ;)
Ill do it in the order of easy answer first..
E: Defenetly ;D but in a good way ofcourse
D: there are transformers with the neon that you can just plug into the wall socket
A: depends on the segments like andre mentiones, the broken piece will not work since the gas has gone..
B: Dont know the lifetime of the gas, but my guess is that when its hermeticly sealed it will not leak out
C: I think also like andre says, that the chances of restoring the "E" will be better if they can somehow use the E from the other word, but my guess is that its gonna cost you ...
Some basics about neon : http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4644514_do-neon-lights-work.html (http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4644514_do-neon-lights-work.html)
and if you really got balls :D http://www.ehow.com/how_7476195_repair-neon-light.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_7476195_repair-neon-light.html)
for answer D, i amost reccommended to get something like this in your backyard ully ;D ;D ;D
(http://media.englishrussia.com/atomic_station/3.jpg)
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for answer D, i amost reccommended to get something like this in your backyard ully ;D ;D ;D
(http://media.englishrussia.com/atomic_station/3.jpg)
Looks like the Nuclear reactor in Chernobyl and it is out of order since 1986. ;D :P :P :P
Looks like this nowadays...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_-UA8BV99Des/SWD6lxAl1aI/AAAAAAAAAG4/brmo8C2dv9A/s800/K%C3%A9pek%20072.jpg)
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ok this is information from my poor memory,
the one custom neon sign i saw and heard the price for said happy birthday 'rich person' was about 4-5 foot wide and cost about £3000, so one letter may not be hideously expensive to make
this is my favourite neon sign on a concert venue in glasgow,the barrowlands, famous for this sign and the huge glaswegians who carry the band gear up eight flights of stairs :o
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49326000/jpg/_49326355_barrowlands.jpg)
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Have a close look at the sections. Often these words are 1 tube, with some parts made black and put behind the board. If that is the case, the whole thing farted and is out of gas.
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Save it if you can! NEON rewls!
Reminds me of Sonic 1992 who saved the yesterdays sign! and i´m sure he don't regret that :spaceace:
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Ully,
If that big Neon is giving you a headache, you can always get this:
http://link.marktplaats.nl/424662461
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During a visit to an ex-arcade owner, I found this huge neon sign in his attic.
Not for sale unfortunately but I just wanted to share the pic with you.
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/~chrischris/arcade/dallas.jpg)
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that is so cool - video center ;D
regarding "my" elektro sign: i tried contacting the house owner, but the number listed in the shop window has been disconnected :shock: - must be pretty old! i'll go over and ask around in houses nearby or work my magic charm at the town hall (where my mother used to work), but i guess the sign is up for grabs - and then i'm definitely going for it, even if i'm not goin gto use it, i'm here for an adventure :)
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The Neon Police (r) hereby officially declares:
That is gives permission to:
Ullrich (Aka SuperUlly), Lauda, Germany, age 40
to remove and rescue any piece of classic Neon that has been abandoned /improperly maintained/damaged by it's (former) owner.
Signed, Captain André (aka Level 42)
(http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1439/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1439R-1040406.jpg)
Do your duty, do what's right !
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The Neon Police (r) hereby officially gives permission to remove and rescue any piece of classic Neon that has been abandoned /improperly maintained/damaged by it's (former) owner.
thx so much, mr neon policeman - i will do as i have been told!!!
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i just went there again to investigate a little bit further. school holidays are coming up - would be a perfect time to get this baby down! :spaceace:
here's another shot of the entire (abandoned) building :arrow:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5478690060_2275cedfc9_b_d.jpg)
i first look at the sign from behind :arrow:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5478090061_43c0b50a4f_b_d.jpg)
as you can see, time and weather have taken it's toll on the neon sign, parts of the metal are long gone - eaten away by rust! :evil:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5478090117_18928405c0_b_d.jpg)
if i definitely decide to go for it, it's going to be one hell of a job to bring it back from the dead. i checked the neon tubes and except for the R (which is broken), they all seem to be complete - but who knows ...
what do you think? get it? leave it?
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You're crazy :D On that picture it looks really huge...
I still have a question ... why the word 'Elektro' is so important? Maybe it was the German name to advertise a game room back in the day? Just explain why ::) ;D
I would understand if it was written Video Arcade or something? Or if was the place on your first arcade encounter (like 'Yesterdays for Barry') ...
OK, maybe you give the reason on the first post... but I'm lazy :P
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If i where you (crazy & german) i would take everything except the rusted metal...
Instead of the metal i vould make a similar background in MDF..
1. It will be thinner..
2. It would be 10 times lighter..
3. You vould save tonnes of time/money when fixing it up..
4. With your craftman/preserver skillz, it would be dourable!!
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The metal parts are extremly rusty, It would be a hell of a job to restore it and I'm not sure it's possible.
+1 for Muerto. ;)
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If i where you (crazy & german) i would take everything except the rusted metal...
Instead of the metal i vould make a similar background in MDF..
that's exactly what i'm planning to do, but i need the metal parts as a template, so i will have to remove everything!
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You're crazy :D On that picture it looks really huge...
it IS huge, first guess is 2 meters - but not as huge as barry's yesterdays sign ;D
I still have a question ... why the word 'Elektro' is so important? Maybe it was the German name to advertise a game room back in the day? Just explain why ::) ;D
well, first of all we're dealing with ELECTROnic games here. and then i've been thinking back and forth about a name for my future gameroom and while i'm still not 100% happy with simply naming it ELEKTRO, it could be the start for something else. don't know yet what that "something else" could be, i have some ideas floating around like ELEKTROCADE, but nothing which totally convinces me (yet).
if you guys have ideas in helping me name my gameroom, give it a shot!!! ELEKTRO has to be a part of it though, otherwise i could leave that neon sign rust into pieces ...
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What about "ELEKTRO AVENUE" ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPk5IUbdH0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPk5IUbdH0)
and what about "taking over" the building,(in dutch the term is "kraken" ;D) i mean its abandoned, and it looks big enough :P
also there are 2 big doors as a storage, and upstairs the restored games ;)
Oh and in that case , you dont need to remove the sigh ;D
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What about "ELEKTRO AVENUE" ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPk5IUbdH0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPk5IUbdH0)
once again, that video is not available in germany. to be honest, i've got the feeling that NO VIDEO is available in germany anymore ... >:(
and what about "taking over" the building,(in dutch the term is "kraken" ;D) i mean its abandoned, and it looks big enough :P
Oh and in that case , you dont need to remove the sigh ;D
;D unfortunately, that building is damn old PLUS (what's worse) it lies directly at THE main road through the beautiful tauber valley - which means tons and tons of traffic!
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I suggest simply "Super Elektro".
Like in "super"ully.
I think it sounds both cool and retro + also a bit cheesy in a good way.
Something in the same spirit as when people where always naming stores "something 2000" in the 80's and now it sounds really cheap (but looks great on a tshirt).
Hey Ully, if you decide to get that sign and if you don't need them, can I have the metal parts when you'll be finished with them?
I like them all rusted like that and I'm sure it would look nice if I hang them on a white wall in my house.
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I suggest simply "Super Elektro".
Like in "super"ully.
I think it sounds both cool and retro + also a bit cheesy in a good way.
i'm checking ebay regularly for any cool neon words to add to ELEKTRO, but so far nothing interesting has come up yet. i've also been thinking about "stealing" the N from the second word, then adding it to the first one thus making it ELEKTRON and have some electrons in the form of (animated) wire swirling around it, but i'm not sure yet (again). i've also thought about ELEKTROHALLE (electro hall) , ELEKTROSPIELE (electro games) and ELEKTRO ULLY, but ... (you know)!
so keep those ideas coming, guys!
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Hey Ully, if you decide to get that sign and if you don't need them, can I have the metal parts when you'll be finished with them?
I like them all rusted like that and I'm sure it would look nice if I hang them on a white wall in my house.
sure, no problem at all! i've been trying to find the owner of the house this week - without success. i'll try my luck again this week, but perhaps i should simply go there and grab it - i'm pretty sure noone cares ...
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you'll soon find out if someone does if you start taking it down, go for it :evil:
i like elektro, being as my favorite albums in the early 80's were called electro 1 electro 2 etc, couldnt be more retro to me
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once again, that video is not available in germany. to be honest, i've got the feeling that NO VIDEO is available in germany anymore ... >:(
Does this work for you ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI)
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Does this work for you ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI)
yepp, working now. man, this was one of those 80s songs i had totally forgotten about.
regarding ELEKTRO: i like it too, but i'm still not 100% convinced. however, first order of business is to take this thing down and see if i can get it back to life :ghost:
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once again, that video is not available in germany. to be honest, i've got the feeling that NO VIDEO is available in germany anymore ... >:(
Does this work for you ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAwvpw8RqI)
Check out the Refugee Camp Allstars rap version, it rules: ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm_maD1fCEI
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Check out the Refugee Camp Allstars rap version, it rules: ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm_maD1fCEI
Yeah, that i had in mind, but i thought that eddy grant's version would fit better in the "arcade scene" ;D
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Thank you Ully for keeping the metal parts for me if the taking down happens!
The best way is to dress as technician, to go there with a van and a ladder and to operate confidently in broad daylight.
Nobody will ask you anything (except maybe for the owner if he happens to pass along ;D ;D).
I like ELEKTRO too, it's plain simple and fits the purpose.
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The best way is to dress as technician, to go there with a van and a ladder and to operate confidently in broad day light.
Nobody will ask you anything (except maybe for the owner if he happens to pass along ;D ;D).
a friend of mine, markus, works for one of the four big german electricity companies (enbw). as a birthday present, he offered to go with me in his company car and help me take the sign down - so this is basically a legal operation! :)
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I truly hope somebody will discretely take pictures of this undercover operation...
Note that you might wanna delete this thread once it's done in order to destroy the evidences ;)
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Being a HUGE Kraftwerk fan it should of course be called:
Electric Café
(http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/k/kraftwerk/album-electric-cafe.jpg)
After the album and song.... (but I fear Ully can't see it, I thank our Buma/Stemra for striking a deal for youtube music video's...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwrHEbipZyc
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Is this how it looks when its lit ::)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/538888690_73d5e527ed.jpg)
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Is this how it looks when its lit ::)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/538888690_73d5e527ed.jpg)
cool, cool, cool! a little bit different, but you get an idea of what to expect. i'll continue digging tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully find a solution ...
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I'd like to "rescue" this sign:
(http://www.classicarcademuseum.org/images/Attraction-Logos/Weirs-Beach.png)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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i'll continue digging tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully find a solution ...
finally FINALLY F-I-N-A-L-L-Y some progress on this! after talking to some of the neighbours i got what i was looking for: a name! i also learned that the house was auctioned off a couple of years ago to someone living about 70 kilometers away. he wanted to restore the house, but never showed up since to do so. i was also given a partial license plate number! 8)
with that information in hand i managed to retrieve both the address and the telephone number of the guy who is supposed to be the actual owner of that house - and therefore the neon sign! i'll try to get in touch with him tonight.
keep your fingers crossed!
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I think he'll say: sorry dude, but you know....I've got this strange hobby.....you know....those old arcade videogames......and my plan is to turn it into a arcade museum so I'm going to keep and restore the sign and namel it "Elektro Arcade".....
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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;D
Don't ask for it,Ully... take it instead!
And if you ever end up in jail because of this, I promise to visit you often and to hide handheld games in your fruit baskets...
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;D
Don't ask for it,Ully... take it instead!
And if you ever end up in jail because of this, I promise to visit you often and to hide handheld games in your fruit baskets...
thx for the offer, chris, but i'd rather ask first! this is going to take a while to get down and it's directly at a very busy main road, so i won't take any chances.
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Oh, man I love this thread!
I don't quite get why you wanted this in the first place, but that's irrelevant. You seem to want it badly and that's all that counts.
Seems to me it's really hard to decide wether to inform the owner or just take it. I mean once you call the owner you've lost all the steathyness that's required to just taking it.
If I'd still be a minor (yeah, long time ago) I'd just take it just for the thrill of it, but asking is the adult thing to do.
Go for it Ully !
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I don't quite get why you wanted this in the first place, but that's irrelevant. You seem to want it badly and that's all that counts.
i don't understand it either, but once this is hanging fully restored and working in my gameroom, i hopefully will ;)
If I'd still be a minor (yeah, long time ago) I'd just take it just for the thrill of it, but asking is the adult thing to do.
the problem really is - as i've said before - the busy road. this can't be an undercover action, this is done in public where everyone is watching - plus it probably takes a lot of time to get it down. i wouldn't care so much if it weren't for my job. if i were to get in trouble with the police because of that, i could forget my status of being a civil servant which will be given to me next year. period! i'd rather let go of an old neon sign than the security of having a lifelong job!
anyway, i'm pretty sure the owner doesn't care at all, i was out yesterday and therefore couldn't get in touch with him!
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... my status of being a civil servant which will be given to me next year.
But do you want to be a civil servant!!! ??? ;D ;) :lol: 8)
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i finally managed to get a hold of the guy today on the phone and guess what: it's the wrong guy! he is not the owner of that house :'(. damn, i was sure i had him, now it's back to the drawing board ...
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I love neon signs, they look just so cool and it's nice to have original ones
Elektro (electro) is a great 80's word, I used to listen the the Electro Hip-Hop albums back in the day
I've been looking at neon signs, I have 2 nice "Change" ones, one came from a Shipleys arcade in the UK
In Miami Vice there are neon signs everywhere :) fantastic
The new Neon signs run on a small transformer like ones used on most items these days, like a internet router etc
They word is all in one I would say, they usualy paint the parts they don't want lit with black paint and that sign the tubes I would think go behind the metal letters, maybe all joined, maybe not?
There are also things like this,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Party-Blue-Neon-EL-Light-Lighting-Wire-Rope-Tube-/170612886616?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b9520c58
Don't know if these look the same when lit, but you could make your own sign up for the outside of your arcade? or inside
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i finally managed to get a hold of the guy today on the phone and guess what: it's the wrong guy! he is not the owner of that house :'(. damn, i was sure i had him, now it's back to the drawing board ...
Com'on man, show some balls ! Go get it.
Over here we would have already helped the owner to get rid of that old junk..... ;D
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Com'on man, show some balls ! Go get it.
Over here we would have already helped the owner to get rid of that old junk..... ;D
if you show some balls by coming over to help me get it down, i will! 8)
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O man, if it would be the Ruhr-area I'd come over and help.....but you are JUST a bit too far away man....
Funny thing just went through my mind. I could make a great German holiday, first I'd go to the Weinstrasse, to visit my good friends Thorsten & Dirk. Then to Frankfurt to see some arcade club over there....next to Ully for some Lauda cabs and finishing at Speleo's place ;)
Vielleicht nächstes Jahr !! :D
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O man, if it would be the Ruhr-area I'd come over and help.....but you are JUST a bit too far away man....
Funny thing just went through my mind. I could make a great German holiday, first I'd go to the Weinstrasse, to visit my good friends Thorsten & Dirk. Then to Frankfurt to see some arcade club over there....next to Ully for some Lauda cabs and finishing at Speleo's place ;)
Vielleicht nächstes Jahr !! :D
If you are in Germany don't miss Zollverein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zollverein_Coal_Mine_Industrial_Complex) ;)
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any news on this ?
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well, i've been trying to get a hold of the owner really hard, but this guy is like a phantom: just when you think you have him, he disappears again, but leaves another trace behind him. i've made a lot of calls, been to the town hall four times speaking with the people in charge of this, but never managed to get a hold of the guy. the last information i got (but that's not a 100% certainty) is that the owner of the house is dead :ghost:. that would explain him not showing up for the last couple of years and the phone number displayed in the shop window being disconnected.
with that said: we're planning on taking down the sign over the next couple of days (weeks?) - thus saving it from further destruction!
quick poll: what would you do? save it or rust in pieces?
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It would fill half my gameroom....so that's not a measure to judge it on....
I would get it if I were you though....plenty of room and you really need _some_ arcade decoration :)
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I would get it if I were you though....plenty of room and you really need _some_ arcade decoration :)
as i've said before: until me and my games have moved to our final premises, i won't be doing a lot decoration-wise, because i have no idea how my future gameroom is going to look and whether decoration stuff is going to fit the scheme. i've even thought about renting an old military bunker in our (abandoned) military barracks and calling it ELEKTRO BUNKER (or something like that). i've just been there today on a tour with the owner, this would be a couple of meters below ground and is constructed to withstand a total collapse of the building on top of it. i have the key here with me right now, perhaps i should put up some pictures 8)
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...ELEKTRO BUNKER (or something like that)...
Caution : Bunker is already under my copyright "The Bunker!" :P ;)
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Caution : Bunker is already under my copyright "The Bunker!" :P ;)
isn't yours going to be simply callede V3? or have you secretly been building a real bunker underneath V3 - like this guy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124298/)?
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quick poll: what would you do? save it or rust in pieces?
I'd say save it without any hesitation...
....but that doesn't really count because you know I'm very interested in the metal parts of the sign once you'll be done with them...
Damn, if only I'd live (even a bit) closer, I'd gladly help you taking this down.
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I would get it if I were you though....plenty of room and you really need _some_ arcade decoration :)
i've even thought about renting an old military bunker in our (abandoned) military barracks and calling it ELEKTRO BUNKER (or something like that). i've just been there today on a tour with the owner, this would be a couple of meters below ground and is constructed to withstand a total collapse of the building on top of it. i have the key here with me right now, perhaps i should put up some pictures 8)
Elektro Bunker, i love it! It would give you one of the coolest game rooms in the world.
WOuld love to see the some pic's, is it a WWII bunker?
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If it's WWI you need this:
(http://www.pinballrebel.com/arcade/atari/red_baron/red_baron_c.jpg)
Which will solve your "not a real gameroom without a vector problem" too ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
[Edit]Wait a minute.....did they actually have bunkers in WWI ?
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Yeah, I go for Elektro Bunker, too! And the Vindicators cab totally fits into that one :D
And for the sign: Save it! You talked so long about that and tried very hard to get in touch with those guys...
Btw. Have you tried leaving your number at the house? Maybe write it on paper and push it under the door. Maybe the guy gets there some time and you miss him. But then.. I would not steal the sign and leave my number there :) Anyway: Go for it!
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WOuld love to see the some pic's, is it a WWII bunker?
it's more like a shelter where the soldiers would hide in case of a military chemical / biological strike (or whatever). from the basement, a flight of stairs leads down into what i called the bunker - a couple of meters below the ground. it even has a vertical escape hatch, fluorescent signs and the original bunks inside.
the reason why i have the keys is that i'll be spending the night with my school class in the barracks this wednesday and as a part of our entertainment program, i'm planning on taking the kids into that bunker - flashlights only. this is going to be extremely scary, because they have no idea that i have arranged that :twisted:. today, i asked the owner of the barracks if that would be possible, so we went on a short tour today where he showed me everything and handed me the keys afterwards. :)
i'll try to take some pictures tomorrow! i already love that place :-*
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I would say save it;
1. alot of efforts already have been done
2. just for the thrills of it to take it down in broad daylight in a worksmen outfit ;D
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Still very cool, and a perfect place to play games like missile command! ;D
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Brilliant idea for your students, it's something the kids will remember forever.
...and of course that Elektro Bunker would really be something :!:
Before I found THE BASE (=that place I rent for my gameroom), I was looking at every building, bike shed or even dog house and filling them up with cabs mentally. I just couldn't stop.
The coolest places I thought about were: underground in my garden, a double container in a field, a boat in the canal nearby and an abandoned part of a castle in my village (I know some of these possible gameroom locations have been discussed at some point here)...
...but investing a real bunker would truly be the most original and I'd consider it if I were you, as long as it's conveniently located of course.
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You're going to spend a night with what, 25-30 kids in a bunker with how many security exits and any fire alarm ??
I wouldn't sleep. But then again, that's what we call job deformation.
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You're going to spend a night with what, 25-30 kids in a bunker with how many security exits and any fire alarm ??
nope, atm our school is being renovated, that's why most of the classes (and teachers) had to move into the nearby barracks where we have an entire building for ourselves. the former military buildings are or already have been transformed into business buildings, but there are still a couple of empty buildings lying dormant by the side of the road. we are going to VISIT one of those buildings late at night with flashlights in our hands, but we are NOT going to sleep in there - although we could because as i've said the bunks are still in there - plus the bar ;D
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The coolest places I thought about were: underground in my garden, a double container in a field, a boat in the canal nearby and an abandoned part of a castle in my village (I know some of these possible gameroom locations have been discussed at some point here)...
abandoned part of a castle sounds cool as well, why didn't that happen? well, in know, because you didn't take any pics ... ;)
...but investing a real bunker would truly be the most original and I'd consider it if I were you, as long as it's conveniently located of course.
it is conveniently located, just outside my hometown! one of the cool things about it is the entrance, but i don't wanna spoil the fun for now, i'll take some pics (and a video?) this afternoon!
the big questions are:
- will the owner of the barracks area rent parts of a building to a private person (or is he only considering firms)?
- how much is that going to cost?
let's see ... for now this seems to be the coolest place i have found so far in regards to a future gameroom.
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abandoned part of a castle sounds cool as well, why didn't that happen? well, in know, because you didn't take any pics ... ;)
Many reasons: too far from my house compared to the place I now rent, no separate entrance from the owner and not really electronic devices friendly in the winter... and you're right, the owner certainly didn't want me to take any pics of this (not a super friendly meeting to tell you the truth) ;).
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The bunker soundt super cool, though, i have some worries.....
My main concern is: how are the humid condition of the bunker??, and of course, everytime you will play your games, you have to drive to this place....
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The bunker soundt super cool, though, i have some worries.....
My main concern is: how are the humid condition of the bunker??, and of course, everytime you will play your games, you have to drive to this place....
i'm pretty sure humidity won't be a problem down there. there are still metal signs and wooden parts down there and none of them show any signs of "humidity error"
regarding the distance: that's a good argument, but honestly, how good are the chances of ever finding a place where i can house all my games? chances would increase if i could move anywhere, but i want to stay here in my hometown in order to be able to walk to work, so options are somewhat limited.
of course i could also downsize my collection, but right now i'd rather have something bigger to be able to squeeze in as many games as possible and drive there instead of losing games.
but all of that is a hypothecial mind game right now, chances are that i ask the owner and he simply tells me to get lost :P
nevertheless, i'll be going to the bunker later with a friend for some photos - you guys should at least see what we've been talking about! perhaps you're going to say "what a piece of crap"!
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six years in the making - all good things come to those who wait ...
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/33693208492_f19c253ada_k_d.jpg)
more on that shortly on my youtube channel!!! 8)
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Cool !
Superully's Elektro Arcade :spaceace:
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That sign was my first thought, when I saw the name of your Arcade. :D
Well done. ;)
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thx guys! the sign is literally falling apart at the bottom, but i'll somehow save it. getting it down wasn't easy, but i'm thrilled that it's finally home. i have to say - no matter what its current condition is - it looks fantastic in reality and when this is hanging on one of my walls (together with the words Superully's and Arkade) one day it's gonna rock big time!!! i found the perfect spot for it 8)
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Just saw that thread.
I dont remember exactly, but I guess it was on youtube. There are only a few companies worldwide who still do lamps like that Elektro. Somewhere in China, or Hong Kong ( and on that video, you saw impressive lamps! ).
I thought i let you know if you need replacement or "cade" ;)
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Just saw that thread.
I dont remember exactly, but I guess it was on youtube. There are only a few companies worldwide who still do lamps like that Elektro. Somewhere in China, or Hong Kong ( and on that video, you saw impressive lamps! ).
I thought i let you know if you need replacement or "cade" ;)
thx, i'll try to repair the damage to the metal first (or better: have it repaired). as for the neon stuff i'm not sure what to do you exactly , don't know how safe it is to hook it up. i'll have to read up on neon stuff first and then decide. if everything fails, i can still use some led rope inside the existing tubes to make them might up, although i'd definitely prefer to have a real neon sign on my wall.
as for the "cade", it has to be ARKADE and i already know where to get this from 8). and finally, the "Superully's" exists in my head and i think i have a pretty good plan on how to get it right!
my problem at the moment: too many ideas, too many projects, too little time. good thing that two weeks of holidays are coming up ...
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did you steal the sign? Or was it free to take or maybe you bought it?
I hope for the stealing ;D
Awesome if you get it up and running anyways,
I think my friend went to some shop here in sweden that could fix a broken Neon Atari sign once, but when I took a look at it the Neontubes were fine and it didnt work because a wire were loose inside.
We got the sign as a sponsordeal for the videgame event Retrospelsmässan here in Sweden, we sold it and donated the money to an organisation for childrens rights here in Sweden. I think it went for around 400-500euros
Nothing on the sign says who made it but It can be seen on an old photo from an event held by Namco I think. They had this sign made so it is indeed the real deal... I wish I bought it, but instead a collector from Norway got it...
sorry for the off topic.
Edit: It is a stainless steel box holding the electronics...
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did you steal the sign? Or was it free to take or maybe you bought it?
I hope for the stealing ;D
sorry to disappoint you, but to cut a long story short: i bought it, although i still don't know for how much :P. the seller said: take it down, we'll talk about the price later ...
I think my friend went to some shop here in sweden that could fix a broken Neon Atari sign once, but when I took a look at it the Neontubes were fine and it didnt work because a wire were loose inside.
We got the sign as a sponsordeal for the videgame event Retrospelsmässan here in Sweden, we sold it and donated the money to an organisation for childrens rights here in Sweden. I think it went for around 400-500euros
Nothing on the sign says who made it but It can be seen on an old photo from an event held by Namco I think. They had this sign made so it is indeed the real deal... I wish I bought it, but instead a collector from Norway got it...
sorry for the off topic.
don't worry, stories like that are what make our hobby that great. old neon signs are an art in itself, a shame you didn't get it yourself. looks totally cool 8)
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the seller said: take it down, we'll talk about the price later ...
UhhOhhh, I think It´s a trap...
(http://jeffrose.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dr.-evil-million-dollar-term-policy-300x241.jpg)
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UhhOhhh, I think It´s a trap...
(http://jeffrose.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dr.-evil-million-dollar-term-policy-300x241.jpg)
;D it's not. we've both thrown out prices beforehand and said that we could definitely agree on something in the middle - it's just a matter of "pushing the middle" in either direction ;)
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I am really enjoying this thread! I had forgotten about this sign. I'm looking forward to see how it will look when you are done with it.
I have also found a neon sign "in the wild" that I really want, but it's high up above a busy street. It would be crazy expensive and/or impossible to get it. :(
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I am really enjoying this thread! I had forgotten about this sign. I'm looking forward to see how it will look when you are done with it.
thx! in all those years i never forgot about the sign because i've been driving by there from time to time, always afraid it might be gone one day. i almost had it once but then the house got sold again and the previous owner didn't wanna give me the contact details of the new owner - meaning: i had to start from scratch!
will start working on it at the weekend ...
I have also found a neon sign "in the wild" that I really want, but it's high up above a busy street. It would be crazy expensive and/or impossible to get it. :(
can you tell us about that sign of yours? busy streets suck, but too high is no excuse :P the problem might be getting it down in one piece, those things scare the hell out of me when it comes to moving them around ... :twisted:
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can you tell us about that sign of yours? busy streets suck, but too high is no excuse :P the problem might be getting it down in one piece, those things scare the hell out of me when it comes to moving them around ... :twisted:
It's a neon sign on Nathan Road in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, it says Game Zone. I don't think I will ever be able to get this, or have it shipped home. But I can dream! ::)
The pictures don't really do it justice, but here it is: (It's the green sign on the right)
(http://www.12hk.com/area/Mongkok/NathanRoad_IMG_5647.jpg)
And here is a street view link (https://www.google.com/maps/@22.3158257,114.1700821,3a,75y,172.76h,102.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQUoNpVoIEaypB1vOJsmDlA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)! :)
When searching for pictures of this I found lots of articles which said that Hong Kong's neon signs are disappearing. They are removed because they are considered visual pollution or a hazard. But the Game Zone arcade is still alive, so I hope that this sign won't be taken down any time soon. The street view picture is from 2011, so I'm not sure though. I haven't been there since a couple of years. John's Arcade visited that arcade some time ago and made an on the road video. :)
I'm also quite sure that the sign is huge, although it doesn't look that big from a distance. Maybe my best chance is to have it copied/remade on a smaller scale. :oops:
Edit: If you compare the picture with the street view link, you can see that most of the neon signs are indeed gone. :'(
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i stand corrected: too high IS indeed an excuse here ;). if you manage to get this neon sign from hongkong, i will do a dance of joy for you on my channel. oh, and by the way, this thing looks huuuuuuuge!!!
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Thank you! I don't think that there is a big chance of this happening! :lol: