Changing Joysticks and Buttons on a Blast City

[noisuf]

Hi Everyone, I've just made my purchase of a Blast City cabinet for my shmups to be delivered in the next few weeks after free detailing. It's a 2 player 3 button setup with what looks like the original Pink and Green setup (http://www.highway.net.au/screenshots2/ ... 723_9.html). I'm going to get new joysticks and buttons as I've read that Seimitsu/joystick and Sanwa/buttons is a good combination for shmups. Also changing the colour combination to Light Blue one side and White the other to match my mushroom stools.

I have a few questions:

1) It's a cabinet from Japan so would both the joysticks and buttons be Sanwas already?

2) I've read that the Seimitsu joysticks to get are the LS-32s?

3) Is there anything in addition to the joysticks that I need to get like mounting plates or restrictor plates to install the LS-32 Seimitsu joysticks in the Blast City?

4) Are there specific Sanwa buttons I should get? OBSF 30, OBSF 24? I'm assuming all buttons from Sanwa or Seimitsu for that matter are same button hole size? Screw in buttons or snap in buttons?

5) Any other general advice would be great!

Thanks in advance everyone!!! I'm starting to dream..............

[StarCreator]

Not being a cabinet owner, I can only answer some of these questions... personally, my advice would be to wait until the cabinet is actually in your hands before you decide what parts to get for it.

I'd definitely go with LS-32-01 sticks - they're exactly like the LS-32 except the microswitches are mounted to a PCB that provides the industry standard 5-pin adapter. If your cabinet has a connector for said 5-pin adapter (and I hear they usually do), installation will be a snap. The LS-32-01 comes with an S mounting plate.

For Sanwa, OBSF-30 are 30mm buttons (for your action buttons), and OBSF-24 are 24mm buttons (for start/select on some control panels). My personal preference is to go all Seimitsu (Sanwa buttons are far, far too sensitive for my taste and I prefer the Seimitsu buttons' tactile feedback to Sanwa rubberiness), in which case you have a lot more options in regard to colors and the like. Just remember, action buttons are 30mm.

The main reason I suggest waiting is to see what parts will be coming with your cabinet - for all you know, they'll already be exactly what you want, and even if it's not, you can give it a shot and see what you like.

[noisuf]

Great advice StarCreator.

Oh, my hands are already getting fidgety...

[Jonny]

that cabinet will most likely come with sanwa buttons and sticks. there are different SEGA cab panels that are set up to accept sanwa joysitcks or seimitsu joysticks specifically, if you want the other you would need mounting plates specific to your application.

wait till the cab arrives, and as i said it looks like it's probably going to have sanwa stick and sanwa buttons. typically anytime you buy a cabinet from someone that isn't your best friend, it's a good idea to swap buttons and sticks. either manufacturers 30mm buttons will work, snap ins are easiest as they just "snap-in". if you like the stick that comes with the cab but want to put a new fresh stick(s) in, just buy the same thing that comes with it.

get it, play it, see if you like the feel, go from there.

great cab btw.

[noisuf]

Thanks Jonny.

Will take the advice and wait til cabinet arrives and try out.

If they do come with the Sanwa joysticks, taking StarCreator's advice, it's the LS-32-01 to get as it has the S mounting plate and 5 pin adapter? Will wait til it arrives before ordering anything so I can play around.

For Sanwa and Seimitsu joysticks, I'm assuming that for shmups, it's best to have a O restrictor plate? Is it a case of removing any 4 or 8 way restrictor plates in there or do you need to purchase a O restrictor plate? I've seen Sanwa O plates but not Seimitsu ones?

Thanks!

[StarCreator]

I've never used anything other than a square gate, for any game besides maybe Galaga and Pac-Man.

[THE]

For shmups get Seimitsu LS-32-01 joysticks and Sanwa buttons the combination is god-like. I just swapped Sanwa againt Seimitsu and couldn't believe how much better they are.

For my Egret 2s I needed RE plates (flate plates for LS-32). I dunno about the Blast City, just drop oxtsu a pm he is the man when it comes to joysticks and buttons.

Btw. the Seimitsu joysticks have build in a switchable restrictor 4-way/8-way!

[noisuf]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice so far! Looks like the screw in Sanwa buttons are the ones to get...

I've finally got pictures of the underside of the control panel from the supplier.

Looks like two different types of joysticks that are currently in there? Is it easy to tell what they are?

Can I get LS-32 joysticks? If so, what version? LS-32, LS-32-01, LS-32-02?

Thanks all!

[StarCreator]

That first picture definitely shows a JLF. The second picture I'm not sure about, but I think it's an LS-56. The buttons in both picture look like Seimitsu PS-15 buttons.

Whatever LS-32 you get, you'll definitely want one with the 5 pin connector, since you have the connector on both sides right there. The only consideration now is what type of mounting plate will both fit the control panel and let you mount at the correct shaft height. I'm not sure what the LS-32-02 is, but you could always order the LS-32-01 and get the flat mounting plate later if that turns out to be what you need.

Also, I just found this link by chance. Not sure how helpful it is, but better than nothing...

[noisuf]

Thanks for your advice. Looks like I might not be able to put LS-32s directly onto this control panel as it's an original Sega Blast City panel.

Lining myself up with a replacement panel...

Thanks all for your advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That first picture definitely shows a JLF. The second picture I'm not sure about, but I think it's an LS-56. The buttons in both picture look like Seimitsu PS-15 buttons.

Whatever LS-32 you get, you'll definitely want one with the 5 pin connector, since you have the connector on both sides right there. The only consideration now is what type of mounting plate will both fit the control panel and let you mount at the correct shaft height. I'm not sure what the LS-32-02 is, but you could always order the LS-32-01 and get the flat mounting plate later if that turns out to be what you need.

Also, I just found this link by chance. Not sure how helpful it is, but better than nothing...

[StarCreator]

Lizard Lick -does- sell a control panel for you. I have no idea how good or bad their price is though since I don't do a whole lot of control panel shopping, but thought I'd throw that out for you too. But hey, they're designed for Japananese joysticks and pushbuttons, so what could go wrong?