Another Nintendo Neon
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So I recently acquired this broken vintage Nintendo neon sign, needs a transformer. From my research it was given to nintendo commercial dealers and it doesn't have any backplate. The original transformers is unusual in that it's wall based. The previous owner mentioned it was from 1985 but didn't have any paperwork. Does anyone have an idea of the value if it's in working condition? Thanks
Comments
Hrmmm I am unsure on this. It looks a lot like the blue neon era that was stripped down. I would need more pics to tell.
I don't think it's blue but right now it doesn't work. That'd be totally awesome if it was. Here are some photos of an old eBay listing that doesn't have price and the links don't work anymore. It the same one I have though because the t in nintendo has that weird shape that resembles a square root function on a graph. I assume mine is red.
Yeah that T is unique. I am still not sure... LAC?
What does LAC mean?
Yeah that T is unique. I am still not sure... LAC?
What does LAC mean?
LaC is another NA member.
So I recently acquired this broken vintage Nintendo neon sign, needs a transformer. From my research it was given to nintendo commercial dealers and it doesn't have any backplate. The original transformers is unusual in that it's wall based. The previous owner mentioned it was from 1985 but didn't have any paperwork. Does anyone have an idea of the value if it's in working condition? Thanks
The tube work and bends almost look like a dead match for the M37XB. The back tubes on yours seem like supports for the glass. I am wondering if this was someones garage project who was trying to reproduce the sign
or was a neon craftsmen and made this. Possible prototype or early pre production model?
Early Nintendo Neons used clear tubing. The one below has colored tubes. Not exactly sure what you have.
Also added a pic of the more modern blue version.
I was looking at this on ebay... would you mind posting better pics since the one you posted was directly from the the listing and was not very helpful?
I'm away on travel but when I get home this weekend I'll take some new pics. The lit up version I posted if from a website that tracks old eBay sales for signs.
So I recently acquired this broken vintage Nintendo neon sign, needs a transformer. From my research it was given to nintendo commercial dealers and it doesn't have any backplate. The original transformers is unusual in that it's wall based. The previous owner mentioned it was from 1985 but didn't have any paperwork. Does anyone have an idea of the value if it's in working condition? Thanks
The tube work and bends almost look like a dead match for the M37XB. The back tubes on yours seem like supports for the glass. I am wondering if this was someones garage project who was trying to reproduce the sign
or was a neon craftsmen and made this. Possible prototype or early pre production model?
Early Nintendo Neons used clear tubing. The one below has colored tubes. Not exactly sure what you have.
Also added a pic of the more modern blue version.
I have a newer one and it's colored red as you said. This one is clear which was why I picked it up. I spoke to the seller and someone else who owned the same one. They both said it's one of the earliest nintendo neon and both have that back glass support. Also both were previous dealers but have no paperwork on the sign. So I also verified the transformer and it's NOT wall based apparently but I do not have the original transformer . I will have it repaired soon and will find out the color. Fingers crossed it's blue but in other pictures it's red.
http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=178144
It is identical. something needed to be fixed at the neon shop, so they moved from connectors around. But that is exactly what mine looked like. And in the post is what it will look like lit up. It is red lettering with White border.
The guy I bought it from ran a Hollywood Video years ago and said that was their Nintendo sign in the store. When I bought it it wasn't working. If I recall correctly, the problem with mine was the least expensive fix, it was $75. But I think the transformers may be hard to come by or you may need to re-wire it somehow.
Let me know if you find anything more about it, I am happy to know that mine may be more "authentic" then I thought it was before seeing this!
-Joe
Here is a picture of my sign now, not-lit so you can compare the tubing.
Thanks for sharing. Now we know conclusively that's it's not a one off. One of the guys who used to own said he was a nintendo dealer from the Midwest if that adds anything considering yours came from MN mine came from NE.
Is the white border the original color? I have seen one that was all red. Looks pretty cool man. Also do you have the original transformer on yours? If you do can you send a pic so I can try to track a similar one down...mine just has wires coming out and I don't know the color(s). Considering now that more than one person own the same exact neon and that other people have owned it makes me believe that it's just a very early neon. Thanks for sharing.
So I recently acquired this broken vintage Nintendo neon sign, needs a transformer. From my research it was given to nintendo commercial dealers and it doesn't have any backplate. The original transformers is unusual in that it's wall based. The previous owner mentioned it was from 1985 but didn't have any paperwork. Does anyone have an idea of the value if it's in working condition? Thanks
The tube work and bends almost look like a dead match for the M37XB. The back tubes on yours seem like supports for the glass. I am wondering if this was someones garage project who was trying to reproduce the sign
or was a neon craftsmen and made this. Possible prototype or early pre production model?
Early Nintendo Neons used clear tubing. The one below has colored tubes. Not exactly sure what you have.
Also added a pic of the more modern blue version.
I just contacted the original owner of my sign and he said that when he had it and it worked it was.................BLUE!!!! I can't wait to get home and get a transformer on it to confirm.
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately.
So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy.
Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately. So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy. Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
Thanks. Those are pretty old pictures and were taken right after I moved in the World of Nintendo display case. The game room is much more chaotic now.
What you are most likely not factoring is these are handmade. There will be differences between sign to sign. I have seen the t's bent both ways over the years.
I am 95% positive, if that is indeed legit, what you have is just the glass that would have been added into a frame or assembly. Neons came with the metal backing and a frame, some in plastic housings. What you have was never meant to be a standalone. That is why the glass tubing was used as support structures. If I had to bet, I would bet these are rejects since the quality is pretty bad overall. So they never made the cut (met Nintendo's quality guidelines) to be installed into the neon sign assembly. Then at some point, they were repurposed for rental places and such. Still odd to me they would not be mounted to protect the glass. Using glass as a support structure and a mounting structure is pretty silly (but most likely occurred since it was something they readily had that didn't cost much).
Or they could be a bootleg sign from back in the day as Sign Guy was saying above.
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately. So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy. Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
Thanks. Those are pretty old pictures and were taken right after I moved in the World of Nintendo display case. The game room is much more chaotic now.
What you are most likely not factoring is these are handmade. There will be differences between sign to sign. I have seen the t's bent both ways over the years.
I am 95% positive, if that is indeed legit, what you have is just the glass that would have been added into a frame or assembly. Neons came with the metal backing and a frame, some in plastic housings. What you have was never meant to be a standalone. That is why the glass tubing was used as support structures. If I had to bet, I would bet these are rejects since the quality is pretty bad overall. So they never made the cut (met Nintendo's quality guidelines) to be installed into the neon sign assembly. Then at some point, they were repurposed for rental places and such. Still odd to me they would not be mounted to protect the glass. Using glass as a support structure and a mounting structure is pretty silly (but most likely occurred since it was something they readily had that didn't cost much).
Or they could be a bootleg sign from back in the day as Sign Guy was saying above.
I am not sure we will ever know tbh. Even it is a reject that's means even more rare . Either way I'm happy to add it to the collection. Foofghtrs33 was nice enough to send me a pic of the transformer so I can replace to original. I will continue to research. I know in Foofghtrs33 case the owner was a video store. In two other cases the owners were both Nintendo authorized dealers but I will add that they couldn't remember if it was given from Nintendo. Also in a side note I bought a cabinet today just like yours . I can't believe I found one.
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately. So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy. Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
Thanks. Those are pretty old pictures and were taken right after I moved in the World of Nintendo display case. The game room is much more chaotic now.
What you are most likely not factoring is these are handmade. There will be differences between sign to sign. I have seen the t's bent both ways over the years.
I am 95% positive, if that is indeed legit, what you have is just the glass that would have been added into a frame or assembly. Neons came with the metal backing and a frame, some in plastic housings. What you have was never meant to be a standalone. That is why the glass tubing was used as support structures. If I had to bet, I would bet these are rejects since the quality is pretty bad overall. So they never made the cut (met Nintendo's quality guidelines) to be installed into the neon sign assembly. Then at some point, they were repurposed for rental places and such. Still odd to me they would not be mounted to protect the glass. Using glass as a support structure and a mounting structure is pretty silly (but most likely occurred since it was something they readily had that didn't cost much).
Or they could be a bootleg sign from back in the day as Sign Guy was saying above.
I am not sure we will ever know tbh. Even it is a reject that's means even more rare . Either way I'm happy to add it to the collection. Foofghtrs33 was nice enough to send me a pic of the transformer so I can replace to original. I will continue to research. I know in Foofghtrs33 case the owner was a video store. In two other cases the owners were both Nintendo authorized dealers but I will add that they couldn't remember if it was given from Nintendo. Also in a side note I bought a cabinet today just like yours . I can't believe I found one.
Nice. As is the tradition on here, pics or it didn't happen!
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately. So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy. Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
Thanks. Those are pretty old pictures and were taken right after I moved in the World of Nintendo display case. The game room is much more chaotic now.
What you are most likely not factoring is these are handmade. There will be differences between sign to sign. I have seen the t's bent both ways over the years.
I am 95% positive, if that is indeed legit, what you have is just the glass that would have been added into a frame or assembly. Neons came with the metal backing and a frame, some in plastic housings. What you have was never meant to be a standalone. That is why the glass tubing was used as support structures. If I had to bet, I would bet these are rejects since the quality is pretty bad overall. So they never made the cut (met Nintendo's quality guidelines) to be installed into the neon sign assembly. Then at some point, they were repurposed for rental places and such. Still odd to me they would not be mounted to protect the glass. Using glass as a support structure and a mounting structure is pretty silly (but most likely occurred since it was something they readily had that didn't cost much).
Or they could be a bootleg sign from back in the day as Sign Guy was saying above.
I am not sure we will ever know tbh. Even it is a reject that's means even more rare . Either way I'm happy to add it to the collection. Foofghtrs33 was nice enough to send me a pic of the transformer so I can replace to original. I will continue to research. I know in Foofghtrs33 case the owner was a video store. In two other cases the owners were both Nintendo authorized dealers but I will add that they couldn't remember if it was given from Nintendo. Also in a side note I bought a cabinet today just like yours . I can't believe I found one.
Nice. As is the tradition on here, pics or it didn't happen!
I honestly believe this is left over stock from when the signs were made. The neon guy(s) would have just made x number of them and then the assembly didn't end up occurring for whatever reason. There are versions with red neon and a blue neon that have the same non-coated glass and same bends (see my pics below to see one example). Then there were red ones like you posted above that had the red coating which was a cheaper way of adding color to the sign.
Thanks. The bends at the T are different though but everything else is the same. One previous owner claims of another exact sign said he was a dealer to the dealer and this was in his warehouse his was all red I posted from his original eBay post but also talked to him separately. So production was pretty low because right now there are three i know of with the same back and T, all red all blue and red and white. Idk but if it's blue I'm happy cuz i got it cheap.the seller sold me a playstation neon and when I got it asked if he had anything else and he had the nintendo and a broken ps1 light sign. And a few days later he posted for me to buy. Side note totally jelly about your cabinets/display cases that's my current hunt want so bad!
Thanks. Those are pretty old pictures and were taken right after I moved in the World of Nintendo display case. The game room is much more chaotic now.
What you are most likely not factoring is these are handmade. There will be differences between sign to sign. I have seen the t's bent both ways over the years.
I am 95% positive, if that is indeed legit, what you have is just the glass that would have been added into a frame or assembly. Neons came with the metal backing and a frame, some in plastic housings. What you have was never meant to be a standalone. That is why the glass tubing was used as support structures. If I had to bet, I would bet these are rejects since the quality is pretty bad overall. So they never made the cut (met Nintendo's quality guidelines) to be installed into the neon sign assembly. Then at some point, they were repurposed for rental places and such. Still odd to me they would not be mounted to protect the glass. Using glass as a support structure and a mounting structure is pretty silly (but most likely occurred since it was something they readily had that didn't cost much).
Or they could be a bootleg sign from back in the day as Sign Guy was saying above.
I am not sure we will ever know tbh. Even it is a reject that's means even more rare . Either way I'm happy to add it to the collection. Foofghtrs33 was nice enough to send me a pic of the transformer so I can replace to original. I will continue to research. I know in Foofghtrs33 case the owner was a video store. In two other cases the owners were both Nintendo authorized dealers but I will add that they couldn't remember if it was given from Nintendo. Also in a side note I bought a cabinet today just like yours . I can't believe I found one.
Nice. As is the tradition on here, pics or it didn't happen!
how much is the more-modern blue neon worth? I have a shot to get one locally yet know nothing about them.
bumping this thread to ask a question:
how much is the more-modern blue neon worth? I have a shot to get one locally yet know nothing about them.
For sure sub $1000. $400-700 IMO.
bumping this thread to ask a question:
how much is the more-modern blue neon worth? I have a shot to get one locally yet know nothing about them.
If you pick it up, post some pics.
If you pick it up, post some pics.
Picked it up yesterday. Here are some photos... I'm very pleased. Overall clean, works great, dimmer switch functions fine.
https://imgur.com/BPf2V2K
https://imgur.com/2ue1Byi
https://imgur.com/FfHY6Ak
https://imgur.com/5hOOy7w
https://imgur.com/0I3kJ24
If you pick it up, post some pics.
Picked it up yesterday. Here are some photos... I'm very pleased. Overall clean, works great, dimmer switch functions fine.
https://imgur.com/BPf2V2K...
https://imgur.com/2ue1Byi...
https://imgur.com/FfHY6Ak...
https://imgur.com/5hOOy7w...
https://imgur.com/0I3kJ24...
O.o very nice! That blue is so awesome.
If you pick it up, post some pics.
Picked it up yesterday. Here are some photos... I'm very pleased. Overall clean, works great, dimmer switch functions fine.
https://imgur.com/BPf2V2K
https://imgur.com/2ue1Byi
https://imgur.com/FfHY6Ak
https://imgur.com/5hOOy7w
https://imgur.com/0I3kJ24
O.o very nice! That blue is so awesome.
Meh I defiantly wish it was red. The blue is defiantly bright and cool, but I could care less about the Wii-era, so it's so-so to me. I'm just going to sell it as I got it for an awesome price, plus I have no room to fit it into my collection.
If you pick it up, post some pics.
Picked it up yesterday. Here are some photos... I'm very pleased. Overall clean, works great, dimmer switch functions fine.
https://imgur.com/BPf2V2K
https://imgur.com/2ue1Byi
https://imgur.com/FfHY6Ak
https://imgur.com/5hOOy7w
https://imgur.com/0I3kJ24
O.o very nice! That blue is so awesome.
Meh I defiantly wish it was red. The blue is defiantly bright and cool, but I could care less about the Wii-era, so it's so-so to me. I'm just going to sell it as I got it for an awesome price, plus I have no room to fit it into my collection.
Here is a red one I picked up a few months ago.