Star Wars Owners...need your help/opinion on front art.

[Jedidentist]

Star Wars Owners...need your help/opinion on front art.

So here's my dilemma. The art on my Star Wars is pretty nice...nice enough that I'm not replacing the sides, and I do that on all of my games (when possible). The front is also nice, but has the lockbar holes that you see below:

The holes have annoyed me to no end...enough so that I got front art from Phoenix Arcade to replace it. Well, I finally got around to looking at it yesterday and noticed quite a difference in color:

It looks very silver compared to my more gold/copper color. The rest of my artwork is similar in color, so I'm afraid that replacing it will make it stand out quite a bit:

Is everyone's front art more silver or coppery? I suppose it could be due to age/sun exposure, but the side art of my game isn't really faded at all, and neither is the rest of the artwork. If it's supposed to be silver, then I'll probably replace it. If not, then I might just get some big bolts, paint them black and fill the holes that way. Thanks for your thoughts!

Derek

 

[qbass187]

Derek,
Mine is just like your original.
I think Darrin got the original Atari screens when he made these (don't know for sure) and maybe originally that's what the art color looked like and all of ours have just aged over time.

 

[joeycuda]

Could be like a repro Fathom playfield vs original. The originals look greenish, the repros blue - because the colors faded/changed that much over the years.

Also, 720 control panel and speaker overlays yellow a TON, so maybe that's that.

Since it's an upright and will likely be between 2 other games, I'd redo the front and not worry too much about the slight color variation.

 

[andys80s]

Mine is like the darker.

 

[Deadly]

It's a well known fact that there was indeed several different runs of artwork.
Prime example is the yoke over lays. There was 3 or 4 variances in that run.
Yes Darin used the actual films but the film doesn't decide the color of ink.
When I had my cabinet I had obsessed over restoring it and looked at many machines online. The lighter and darker ink was clearly visible.
Time has a way of fading things but that difference you show in pictures in not fade, but rather a different run of artwork. I say use it and be happy!

 

[docfrankie]

i would never use that front art
have him take it back.
i have never seen a Star wars with silver front art

 

[Jedidentist]

i would never use that front art
have him take it back.
i have never seen a Star wars with silver front art

I actually bought this one piece from someone who bought a whole set...not that it matters much. His site shows the more silver variation. If it's accurate, then I'll switch it, but if not, I might just leave it. It's a tough call for me because other than those few holes, it's flawless. There are no scratches, tears, or scuffs. Damn lock bars!

 

[p1899m]

I don't own a star wars but keep in mind if you change out that piece of art you will then have to change all the art on the front. Maybe not the marquee but everything else to keep it from looking off. Just my 2 cents but repros no matter how nice are seldom as good as the originals were. Not only the quality but also how they were applied. There are some exceptions but for the most part I find this to be true. These games and their art are only original once. Personally I would just put bolts in the holes as you mentioned and let it be. Enjoy the fact that you have a very nice original star wars game. Ultimately it's yours to decide.

BTW unless the art on this flyer also faded with time I kind of doubt that the silver of the repro is what was mostly produced BITD. Not saying there wasn't some basis for why the art was done that color but it looks as if most factory SW machines did not have that silver/ gray of art.
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=1076&image=1

 

[jj mann]

Mine is a copper color also.....

 

[stingray2309]

now this may not be the best idea but what about leaving the art thats already there and matches and fill the holes from the lock bar and than try your hand with some paint. i know the holes bother you and if you change out the art it will bug you more. since they are kind of small holes and its a dark front you could fill the holes and paint them black and even free hand the cooper parts. just a thought besides you are going to have to fill them anyways so wont hurt to try it

 

[80scoinops]

The front art on your machine is correct and not faded. I'd definitely leave it alone.

 

[mrbill2084]

yes, the holes suck, but that replacement art sucks even more.


Wood filler and touch up painting or just stick carriage bolts into the holes. I would not put that crappy reproduction on the cabinet if it was mine..

 

[darinjacobs]

I offer a full refund on my art to the original buyer as clearly stated on my FAQ page.

The films do indeed call out the colors as I recall but I haven't had the films in years so I couldnt tell you what they are.

Scott only sent me one set of films but perhaps there are more versions as we have discovered for many games.

I would also throw in the mix color fade. Even if the game never saw daylight inks do fade over time and the cab is now 28yrs old.

Having said all that, can you show me a picture of that front art you have there next to your side art?

 

[Mr Do]

Paint Bolts black. leave original art

Bolts
Bolts
Bolts

 

[80scoinops]

OP's machine

 

[Jedidentist]

yes, the holes suck, but that replacement art sucks even more.


Wood filler and touch up painting or just stick carriage bolts into the holes. I would not put that crappy reproduction on the cabinet if it was mine..

I'll never call Darin's work crappy...because it isn't. All the details are spot on and the quality is great. There's also a slight sheen to the silver that my original artwork also possesses...which was my first concern in buying the repro. As someone else brought up, I'm such a nit-picker that if I replace the front art, I would also end up doing the CP as well...and I really don't want to bother with that. There's also more of a chance to botch it up as well.

And as for Darin's offer to refund...that's mighty gracious of you. However, like I said, I bought this second hand from another member local to me, so I'd obviously have him pursue the refund and then have him refund me. I'm not in a big hurry...just wanted to see what everyone's opinion is. However, looking at that flyer, it looks like my art is pretty much spot on, so I'm more inclined to leave it be. Now I have to decide whether to go carriage bolts, or fill it and paint it black (I wouldn't attempt to paint the design...that would only look like a bad fix).

 

[Jedidentist]

I also find it interesting to note the differences in side art on the flyer compared to others (notably the Tie Fighter):

Oh and if this was on location, it must be a pretty clean location, because this is the inside with no clean up (granted this was in someone's house the past 15 years):

And yes, that board on the left has been stabilized

 

[YODAinMN]

Put a couple of bolts throught the holes, paint them black and call it a day....

So here's my dilemma. The art on my Star Wars is pretty nice...nice enough that I'm not replacing the sides, and I do that on all of my games (when possible). The front is also nice, but has the lockbar holes that you see below:

The holes have annoyed me to no end...enough so that I got front art from Phoenix Arcade to replace it. Well, I finally got around to looking at it yesterday and noticed quite a difference in color:

It looks very silver compared to my more gold/copper color. The rest of my artwork is similar in color, so I'm afraid that replacing it will make it stand out quite a bit:

Is everyone's front art more silver or coppery? I suppose it could be due to age/sun exposure, but the side art of my game isn't really faded at all, and neither is the rest of the artwork. If it's supposed to be silver, then I'll probably replace it. If not, then I might just get some big bolts, paint them black and fill the holes that way. Thanks for your thoughts!

Derek

 

[AlkalineJay]

I personally think the repro looks better with the original cpo in that pic.....

 

[andys80s]

+1 stick carriage bolts into the holes (paint black)