Introduction: 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!
Step 2: Prep Work...
Take apart the guitar and gut the electronics. Lots of good stuff in there for other projects! Remove the frets and cut the wires from the frets as close to the guitar's PC board as possible. Go ahead and take apart your controller as well. If your controller has Force Feedback motors, you can simply snip those off without effecting how the controller works.
Step 3: Map Out the Fret Buttons
Use the continuity setting on your voltmeter to map out which wires go to which fret. Removing the top of the fret helps greatly, as you can also follow the fretboards PC traces. One wire will be a common ground (different colored), and the rest will correspond to each fret.
Step 4: Fit the PC Controller to the Guitar Shell.
Trim plastic on the guitar body shell as necessary until you can nicely flush fit your controller PCB into the guitar body shell. You'll want to fit it at an angle with a multiple of 45 degrees (i.e., 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, etc.). This makes use of the eight way position of your controller's joysticks, so that two of the positions will be "up" and "down" for the "flipper" picking used by the Frets on Fire game.
Step 5: Solder Time!
Solder the wires from the fretboard that you mapped out earlier to the gamepad's button pads on the controller's PCB. It doesn't matter which controller buttons you solder to, because Frets on Fire setup will automatically map the buttons you use in the game's setup!
Step 6: Final Check!
Plug in the controller cable, and go to the Game Controller Control panel in your PC. Press the five fret buttons you soldered to your controller to make sure they light up in the control panel.
Step 7: Hot Glue Alert!
Now that everything has checked out, Reattach the fret to the guitar body, then use copious amounts (lots) of hot glue to firmly attach the controller board in your guitar shell.
Step 8: Almost Done!
Use a circular file or Xacto knife to make a whole for the controller cord. I found that using some hot glue around the cord just inside where it fits in the guitar body makes a nice "stopper" to protect the cord from being accidently yanked out, just like the rubber stoppers used on regular controllers. Now, reassemble the guitar. Almost done!
Step 9: Cosmetic Time!
Your controller is perfectly usable at this point, but you can do some cosmetic work if you want your controller to have a "finished" look. Thin 1/16th or 3/32nd aluminum sheeting can be used, as it is easily cut, even with scissors. Plastic cut from coffee can lids, cheap tupperware, etc., also works great! I used colored tape on the frets to match the color scheme used in Frets on Fire, and hot glued two extra thin guitar picks to the flipper controller. The real beauty of this is one joystick becomes the flipper, and the other stick allows you to navigate through all the game's menus from your guitar!
Step 10: Thrash Away!
Have fun with your new controller. If you'd like to support this Instructable, and see my controller in action, then please watch the video! Thanks and have fun!
Watch the Video!
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87 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
Will this work on a PS2 controller? Except with different parts...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
In theory, yes.
however, if the game you're trying to play does NOT support using a normal game controller, then you're screwed
12 years ago on Introduction
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. =)
14 years ago on Step 5
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
Reply 13 years ago on Step 5
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
13 years ago on Introduction
I know this is a random question but, how do you hook your computer up into your TV like that?
15 years ago on Introduction
WTF why not use a PS2 controller and make it work with REAL guitar hero!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
it is for people who dont have a ps2 or dont want to spend $200+ for a ps2 and game
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I dont have a ps2 or an xbox 360
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You said most people have a ps2 or xbox 360
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
IF everyone had a ps2 that this, instruable would be pointless, but not everyone does, therefore making it a good instruable.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i never said it was a bad instructable.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i love FoF
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Playing it with a x-plorer or drums is the best .
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
FoF pwns.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
As do i =]
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I have GH on my 360, but I still love FoF.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I'm buying a ps2 controller and a ps2 to PC adapter.