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Today we'll be showing you how modify an Ashley Rock Axe or similar "guitar hero controller built out of a real guitar" into a controller that allows you to play Guitar Hero/Rock Band using real strings and frets, allowing you to practice real guitar fingerings and chords. Unfortunately, this process requires using full-size "built into the body of a real guitar" guitar hero controller, although with more effort, you might be able to use a regular Guitar Hero/Rock Band controller.
Basically, the project involves modifying the neck of the guitar to add strings and frets to it. There are two ways of doing this: replacing the buttons with wood and frets, or replacing the neck with a real guitar neck. I did a button replacement, which is most likely somewhat cheaper but much more time intensive, whereas using a full real guitar neck would be more expensive, but give more professional results. I'll show both ways of doing it, though, so if it's easier to get your hands on a suitable guitar neck, I'd recommend that approach.
Basically, the project involves modifying the neck of the guitar to add strings and frets to it. There are two ways of doing this: replacing the buttons with wood and frets, or replacing the neck with a real guitar neck. I did a button replacement, which is most likely somewhat cheaper but much more time intensive, whereas using a full real guitar neck would be more expensive, but give more professional results. I'll show both ways of doing it, though, so if it's easier to get your hands on a suitable guitar neck, I'd recommend that approach.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials
For this instructable, you'll need:
Basics
1 guitar hero controller built out of a real guitar body - I'm using the Ashely International Rock Axe controller. -$80
1 Arduino microcontroller - $30
Guitar Strings - 6 is the usual number -$8
Electronic Stuff
Soldering equipment
6 silicon diodes $3
Wire
Heat shrink
If you're modifying the existing neck
1 block of wood big enough to fill in the area of the buttons - Ask for a piece of scrap walnut or maple at your lumber yard, it should only cost $2-4
Guitar Fret Wire - This can be purchased online for around $6
"If you're using a new neck"
1 guitar neck - Prices can range dramatically; I'd suggest looking for factory seconds or on craigslist
Lacquered wire - This is easiest and cheapest to find in the quantities we'll need in old headphones
Basics
1 guitar hero controller built out of a real guitar body - I'm using the Ashely International Rock Axe controller. -$80
1 Arduino microcontroller - $30
Guitar Strings - 6 is the usual number -$8
Electronic Stuff
Soldering equipment
6 silicon diodes $3
Wire
Heat shrink
If you're modifying the existing neck
1 block of wood big enough to fill in the area of the buttons - Ask for a piece of scrap walnut or maple at your lumber yard, it should only cost $2-4
Guitar Fret Wire - This can be purchased online for around $6
"If you're using a new neck"
1 guitar neck - Prices can range dramatically; I'd suggest looking for factory seconds or on craigslist
Lacquered wire - This is easiest and cheapest to find in the quantities we'll need in old headphones
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While this version just adds strings to an existing controller, the full-blown OpenChord V1 guitar is a regular electric guitar you can plug into and amp and play, but also can be plugged into a Wii, PS3, or PC and be used to play guitar games. The current instructable for the V1 is out of date; we were using the Arduino, but we switched to a custom circuit board and a raw ATmega168 chip, but I'll be updating that soon....
www.instructables.com/id/Play-Guitar-Hero-with-a-Real-Guitar/
Now get back to work, and crank out more of these controllers! ;D
First: the modification package for sale with a single string in the demo video does not seem to act like a real guitar string. Hey; most people just want to strum with a pick in a natural "guitar" like fashion.
Here's the plan. Hook up 2 strings, close together, one for the downstrum and one for the upstrum, each having a very sensative microswitch, yes you dont need to "click" a switch (like a cherry switch) but these two switches respond to vibration.
Anyhow, if you're interested in doing development with any of the OpenChord stuff, all the code, schematics, and what not are available at www.OpenChord.org.