Custom vs Stock, Which one are you?

[MC1173]

I would like to see some other peoples perspective on this.

Not sure if I can clearly choose one over the other.

I seem to find myself always wanting that original, stock, untouched, retro machine.

But then I end up buying a 2nd, or a 3rd version just to modify it. Even if it is slightly.

Does anyone else do the same thing?

 

[portarinos]

We are all on the same boat here i suppose! I always fancy my stock, NOS A1200, which however has an Indy AGA and a Blizzard 030 under the hood. It looks great as an original (from the outside) and it is a pleasure to use (based on the inside). For me it still is untouched as long as i haven't put a dremel on it. I had the "customization" mania some 7-8 years ago with every A1200 i put my hands on. I heavily modified 3-4 of them with slot load cd-roms, BVision+BPPC, hacked the top cover for the air to flow easily and generally it was a "pimp my amiga" passion back then. It's in the last 3-4 years that i consider it necessary to leave this precious hardware as much untouched as possible. Btw, i have a couple of loose parts (cases, etc) for furture pimping but it all comes from dead machines, saved from the scrapyard.

 

[moijk]

If I got something looking pristine, I'll keep it like that. if I got something in normal condition, I'll mod without skipping a heartbeat. Rare stuff I don't mod, but a 600 or c64 isn't exactly rare.

 

[Firthy2002]

For computers it depends on the condition of the machine when I get it.

I did consider hacking the case of my A1200 for Indy AGA, USB and HD floppy drive purposes (back slot is occupied by the Blizzard SCSI) but as it's only minor cosmetic imperfections on the case, I changed my mind.

On the other hand I've got a C64 breadbin case with marks and all sorts on it that a simple RetroBriting won't fix, which I am planning to respray and customise.

Consoles I usually keep stock cosmetically but will get modchips and other internal mods done.

 

[Nobby_UK]

Custom...
Though I do have a couple of Stock A500s

 

[salaxi54]

Needless to say what i prefer, unless it concerns an A1000....

 

[Arnie]

I like custom stuff but, it's got to be done right. I've seen some bad stuff with fitting gotek drives internally.

 

[woodycool]

I do like to have stock, but end up customising them in the end once I get bored of the "stock" configuration, but usualy I like to get official vendor branded upgrades.
For example, my A500 has a Commodore branded A501, a Commodore A1011 external drive, and a Commodore A590

However, most of my other Amigas are upgraded with just what I can get my hands on.

The only stock Amigas I have are, 1x A500, 1x A500+ and 1x A1000

 

[Tech]

I enjoy building the custom ones, but I end up using the stock ones. I usually keep both, and some more systems for spares...

Examples from my collection:
- One C64C that is all stock. My other C64C has dual sids, 3x minijacks, psone screen molded in, replaced keyboard to get correct colors, svideo mod, stickers
- One pretty white Desktop A1200, has 1260 but you couldn't tell. The other A1200 that I am building is a open frame case to show off all the hardware, with mediator, modded apollo

 

[sir_beaker]

I like mods that are reversible or hidden unless the machine is too far gone then its fair game

 

[scrappysphinx]

If it improves the usefulness of the machine (I.e 60hz switches) I have no problem modding anything no matter how it looks. I do these days tend to install switchless mods though so I can keep the original look of consoles.

back when I first attempted a mod I was planning on cutting a slot in my NOS a1200 for the cf card to stick out of the back and thought id also install a CD-ROM. I didn't have any of the proper tools like files or drills/dremels so I used a kitchen knife to make the cuts. I made a horrible mess but I did achieve the installs and they worked fine it just didn't look pretty.

in fact you can see the pics here

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?1424-Wanted-Top-half-of-a1200-case

needless to say I now have some tools

 

[MC1173]

There was a lot of usefull input.

Thank You guys.