Add real strings to a Guitar Hero controller - OpenChord.org

Step 7 Attach Some Strings

So now that we've got the frets all wired up, lets add some strings. Since we don't need the guitar to actually make real guitar sounds, we're going to just put the strings into holes we drill in the back of the guitar neck, then bring them around the front.

Using a bit large enough for the rings at the end of the guitar strings, drill some holes into the back of the bottom of the guitar's neck. Make sure the holes are distinct; the strings need to not touch each other. Using a razor knife, cut some grooves leading to the bottom edge of the guitar for the strings themselves to lie in. In the proper order, put the strings into the holes, and then screw the neck back into the body. This might take a few tries, since the strings will probably want to pop out of their holes when the strings are bent upon insertion, but it can be done.

Now, cut a small piece of wood or acrylic to act as a bridge. It will sit between the bottom two frets and hold the strings off the frets. It should be about 1/4" tall. You can try and glue it in place, but the tension you'll be putting on the strings will hold it in just fine. Now, put the strings into the tuning pegs and tighten them up a bit. Don't do it too hard; if you break a string, you'll have to take the neck off and replace it.

Finally, tightly wrap some wires around each of the strings. Don't solder them, since the heat from soldering tends to weaken the string, making it snap a lot easier. However, also make sure that none of the wires touches any other string.