Measure full installed height
Seller dimensions sometimes describe the base cabinet without a topper or candle. Ask for a floor-to-highest-point measurement with all original display hardware installed.
Then compare that number with doorways, ceiling soffits, shelving and the transport vehicle. Removing a top box may be possible, but only if you know how it is mounted and connected.
Top boxes can be more than decoration
Depending on the machine, an upper assembly may include lighting, speakers, displays or game-specific electronics. Treat it as part of the system rather than assuming it can be discarded without consequence.
Ask for photos of the connection point and any harnesses before disassembly. Label connectors during transport instead of relying on memory.
Candles and status lights
Casino candles were designed to communicate machine status on a busy floor. In a home collection they are primarily part of the original look, but they can still be useful clues when diagnosing normal or fault states.
Cracked lenses, missing bulbs or damaged LED assemblies are usually easier to address when you know the exact part number.
Replacement versus originality
Generic lighting can make a display attractive, but original housings and game-specific toppers may matter to collectors. Keep removed original parts and avoid irreversible modifications when a reversible repair will do.
If a rare topper is the reason you are paying a premium, inspect it as carefully as the main cabinet.
Room design tip
Leave visual breathing room above elaborate machines. A topper crammed under a shelf is hard to service and loses much of the reason you wanted it.
See current marketplace examples
Use listings to study cabinet styles, parts availability and seller documentation. A listing is not proof of legality, compatibility or condition.
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