Easier Guitar Hero Clone Controller!

Easier Guitar Hero Clone Controller!
This is inspired by Realities' excellent idea, but I used a PC controller instead of a keyboard circuit board, eliminating the need for an elaborate flipper build.
 
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Step 1Parts!

Parts!
I used a cheap $10 electronic guitar (you can find them just about anywhere... Dollar General has this particular double fret model =) and a PC game controller. I used an old Xbox controller that I had modded to use as a PC controller, but any PC controller should work. Dual stick models are great!
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89 comments
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Jun 5, 2010. 12:14 PMnoodleman97 says:
Will this work on a PS2 controller? Except with different parts...
Sep 11, 2010. 10:44 AMKindhamster says:
In theory, yes.
however, if the game you're trying to play does NOT support using a normal game controller, then you're screwed
Apr 7, 2010. 7:36 AMmagiccowy says:
Thank you heaps for this great instructable. I was just about to give up on fixing/adapting a broken guitar hero controller after a massive rage at it and this pretty much saved it so thanks. =)
Oct 6, 2008. 5:35 PMLion-O says:
Where exactly do you solder the wire onto the controller buttons? I have an xbox s-type controller which is slightly different but the soldering should be the same. I am just wondering if I solder anywhere on the button itself or in the tiny hole beside the button (the hole connected to the gridline coming from the button. Any help would be great. Thank you
Jan 19, 2010. 6:07 PMxsammymanx says:
if you have bought a toy guitar like this, it should have wires already connected to the fret buttons. all you have to do is solder the fret wires to the corresponding buttons on the gamepad
Nov 25, 2009. 1:47 AMbounty1012 says:
I know this is a random question but, how do you hook your computer up into your TV like that?
Nov 19, 2007. 1:44 PMMetal4God says:
WTF why not use a PS2 controller and make it work with REAL guitar hero!
Aug 31, 2008. 4:22 PMrootbeerben3 says:
it is for people who dont have a ps2 or dont want to spend $200+ for a ps2 and game
Aug 31, 2008. 4:38 PMMetal4God says:
most people have a ps2 or w/e if u have a 360 use a 360 controller, ps3, then use ps3 controller not that hard to figure out!! and ps2's are like 100
Sep 27, 2008. 8:31 PMevanwehrer says:
I dont have a ps2 or an xbox 360
Oct 6, 2008. 7:06 AMMetal4God says:
ok tell me

when did i say "you HAVE to do this with a ps2 controller"

i was saying IF u have one

KEYWORD IF
Oct 6, 2008. 8:17 AMevanwehrer says:
You said most people have a ps2 or xbox 360
Dec 20, 2008. 7:45 PMrootbeerben3 says:
IF everyone had a ps2 that this, instruable would be pointless, but not everyone does, therefore making it a good instruable.
Dec 21, 2008. 9:59 AMevanwehrer says:
i never said it was a bad instructable.
Dec 21, 2008. 10:22 AMevanwehrer says:
i love FoF
Sep 2, 2009. 8:57 PMbounty1012 says:
Playing it with a x-plorer or drums is the best .
Sep 2, 2009. 8:57 PMbounty1012 says:
FoF pwns.
Jan 9, 2009. 8:34 PMduck-lemon says:
As do i =]
Mar 14, 2009. 2:48 PMfiresketch says:
I have GH on my 360, but I still love FoF.
Aug 31, 2008. 4:47 PMrootbeerben3 says:
I'm buying a ps2 controller and a ps2 to PC adapter.
Sep 14, 2008. 8:34 AMMetal4God says:
cool
May 30, 2009. 4:47 PMLithium Rain says:
Excellent! I plan on doing this! Also, how did you mod the original game controller to work with your pc? I see you soldered a usb cord onto it - how did that work h the wirinwiring? Would the pinout be similar for an old game controller with a 15 pin connector at the end?
Jul 15, 2009. 5:51 PMkagenin says:
Frets on Fire is a free Rock Band/Guitar Hero clone for PCs. People have ported the content from those games over to it, as well.
Jul 15, 2009. 8:29 PMLithium Rain says:
Erm, yeah, thanks...but I knew that, I meant the hardware, not the software. =]
Jul 17, 2009. 12:05 AMkagenin says:
Oh, my bad, I think I misread your original question. I use a PS2 controller to USB connector to play (although the USB connector I use doesn't support the whammy bar on the PS2 GH controller). Sorry I'm not much help.
Jul 17, 2009. 7:09 PMLithium Rain says:
Ahh, I see, thanks! That actually does help. :)
Apr 10, 2009. 10:35 PMjunior640661 says:
can someone give me an old (useless but still works) wii remote so i can do this mod
May 29, 2009. 6:30 PMdogbot10 says:
"Useless but still works" LOL! How does that work?
Dec 30, 2008. 10:54 PMyourmom0164 says:
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why dont you jest use the guitar or mic or drums.that what makes it fun. if you dont like to use thoe s then you are lazy
Feb 5, 2009. 4:58 PMduct tape apprentice says:
Yes, he's lazy because he decided to make his own controller, instead of buying one premade. You just made a fail.
Dec 30, 2008. 5:06 AMTMSheik says:
very nice Instructable! indeed I thought too about using a controller instead of the... how do you call it? I don't remember hehe Well, nice work and keep it up. I'd like to see more projects from you later.
Jan 5, 2008. 4:45 PMweaselman50 says:
I need a little bit of help conserning my fret buttons. The buttons are rigged so u have to press two buttons for a regular button press for the original guitar. My ribbon does not identify a common ground and only has 6 wires out of 7 buttons. What shall i do?? sorry for the bathroom pictures and fisheye( my macro is for extremely close-up)
instuct-CRIM0240.jpginstuct-CRIM0241.jpginstuct-CRIM0242.jpginstuct-CRIM0243.jpg
Dec 21, 2008. 10:17 AMevanwehrer says:
lol the bathroom sink
Nov 28, 2008. 8:38 PMbobhill125 says:
i might do this to drums so it will be like rock band and post an instrucable on how to make it me and my sisters love rockband
Jun 20, 2008. 3:29 PMflymudpie says:
Thats great in all but you lack telling me how to calibrate the controller to replace the f1 f2 f3 and so on buttons so i have the controller just cant use it...
Apr 21, 2008. 6:21 PMfercho0816 says:
can you get to this? to the special?
gh.bmpgh2.bmpgh3.bmp
May 22, 2008. 5:57 PMAwesome Possum says:
The controller is actually used for a computer game (I believe it's called "Frets on Fire"). The Guitar Hero games have an alternative to lifting the controller to use star power (on Guitar Hero 2, it's the back button). If you wired up that button to the guitar controller near the thumbstick, you could use it to play Guitar Hero. I can't think of a way to emulate lifting the controller with an older xbox controller.
Apr 24, 2008. 2:51 PMSpense09 says:
STAARRR POWERRRRR
Apr 24, 2008. 10:37 PMfercho0816 says:
by making this guitar can you make the star power?
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