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.

Step 1 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!

Comments

[noodleman97]

Will this work on a PS2 controller? Except with different parts...

[Kindhamster]

In theory, yes.
however, if the game you're trying to play does NOT support using a normal game controller, then you're screwed

[magiccowy]

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. =)

[Lion-O]

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

[xsammymanx]

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

[bounty1012]

I know this is a random question but, how do you hook your computer up into your TV like that?

[Metal4God]

WTF why not use a PS2 controller and make it work with REAL guitar hero!

[rootbeerben3]

it is for people who dont have a ps2 or dont want to spend $200+ for a ps2 and game

[Metal4God]

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

[evanwehrer]

I dont have a ps2 or an xbox 360

[Metal4God]

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

[evanwehrer]

You said most people have a ps2 or xbox 360

[rootbeerben3]

IF everyone had a ps2 that this, instruable would be pointless, but not everyone does, therefore making it a good instruable.

[evanwehrer]

i never said it was a bad instructable.

[evanwehrer]

i love FoF

[bounty1012]

Playing it with a x-plorer or drums is the best .

[bounty1012]

FoF pwns.

[duck-lemon]

As do i =]

[firesketch]

I have GH on my 360, but I still love FoF.

[rootbeerben3]

I'm buying a ps2 controller and a ps2 to PC adapter.

[Metal4God]

cool

[Lithium Rain]

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?

[kagenin]

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.

[Lithium Rain]

Erm, yeah, thanks...but I knew that, I meant the hardware, not the software. =]

[kagenin]

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.

[Lithium Rain]

Ahh, I see, thanks! That actually does help. :)

[junior640661]

can someone give me an old (useless but still works) wii remote so i can do this mod

[dogbot10]

"Useless but still works" LOL! How does that work?

[yourmom0164]

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

[duct tape apprentice]

Yes, he's lazy because he decided to make his own controller, instead of buying one premade. You just made a fail.

[TMSheik]

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.

[weaselman50]

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)

[evanwehrer]

lol the bathroom sink

[bobhill125]

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

[rootbeerben3]

Check this out

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fof_Songs_and_Mod/

[flymudpie]

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...

[fercho0816]

can you get to this? to the special?

[Awesome Possum]

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.

[Spense09]

STAARRR POWERRRRR

[fercho0816]

by making this guitar can you make the star power?