Scratch Build – In Progress -=My Brutal Frets on Fire Guitar/Keytar=-

Ok, so this is the story so far:

After playing Frets on Fire about 2 times i decided that this game realy deserved a desent guitar (keytar).

To try if it would be possible to use microswitches instead of keys i slayed an old wireless keyboard.
This is what happend to it:




Its horrible I know. But its just an experiment so see if it was possible.
And it was.
I would have used this wireless keybord controler if the range had not been realy awfull and if it had been possible to push more than 2 buttons at the same time.
But the test was a succes anyhow and my wife liked the look of it so I gave it to her.

And so it was time to go keyboard hunting...

I know the people that works in a lokal PC-shop so I went there to ask.
30 minutes later I had in my hand a flat USB-keybord, an PS2 kayboard and 3 bags of LEDs - total kost $0 - they are very friendly here in Sweden.


Before it went to the gallows I tested what combinations that would let me hold down all 5 frets and pick at the same time.
A D G J L and ENTER worked like a charm.

Messure and write down what combinations eatch button that you want to use.

But I want somthing more than just plane keys to push on this guitar so I made this litle thing


It enables me to use the same button to light a LED and write out the right letter.
Its very easy and basic; 3 4066 curits, 6 bc547 and some resistors. But it does do the job nicely.

Its hooked up to the keybord controler:


Anyone know what I'm up to?

This thing makes the leds fade out:

Its 6 capacitor and some resistors, It makes the LEDs fade out when I relese the button but still light up instantly when the button is pushed.

Alot of wires


Now its time to make a guitar/keytar!


A 12mm chipboard (I think it is called in english) "Spånskiva" here in Sweden.

Can anyone guess the guitar that inspired me?

Time to do some serrious cutting!


Bewere of my jigsaw skills


Atleast they are somwhat alike.


Time to let enter the sandman


Hush little baby, dont say a word

Better indeed.

It still need some sanding but I'll have to do that by hand.

Now it need some holes for the buttons

That was'nt to hard

Now some space to put the electronics in.



Dang! Thats nice! Well its not going to show later anyhow.

Of with his neck!



Stay tuned (haha I made a joke) for more...

 

wow, that looks really great. you may be able to make a business out of this
keep up the great work

 

A worthy controller indeed!

 

not bad

 

Rockin'!

I'd love to see this working.

 

that looks great
I had started to make one of these but stopped when i found out guitar hero 3 was going to be on the wii.
GlovePI should do all the work for me

 

Guitar Hero 3 for PC is going to make all this hard work seem kinda pointless.. but on the otherside you'll have a sick looking controller

 

Awesome mod , I think after you finish this one you should make one out of clear acrylic, then the leds fading in and out would look brilliant, top job your doing, well done.

 

The saga continues

Oooo you know how to push my buttons (or make them anyhow)
8mm Plexi


21*18mm pieces


1mm spacing, some CA-glue to keep the heads on buttons stay put








Epoxi to strengthen the buttons


Frosty buttons


drilling, drilling, drilling


aluminum foil...


To make the light from the LEDs spread even


Painting...










Hotgluing the buttons to the guitar






Gluing the top to the midle








mmm, hotglue...




Top to bottom; Glue everywere!






Sanding, sanding, and more sanding








Plastic Padding PP100 body filler


More sanding


It does get a bit dusty








Hooks to hang the neckstrap from




And some spray Plastic Padding


More to come...

 

Thanks for the feedback!
The wheight of the guitar is at this moment 1923g or 1,9kg.

 

Exelent work

 

Looking sick! Very nicely done

 

2:nd layer of body filler


Sanded down


3:rd layer of body filler


Sanded down and time for 2:nd layer of Plastic Padding spray


PP Spray done


400 papper to make the PP spray smoother and let the paint stick


Paint


Primer


Primer done


1000 paper


Smooth


Remember always to clean everything before its painted


First layer of black


2:nd layer


3:rd


4:th



Next week it will be done...

 

Looking awesome! Really good job so far.

 

That's pretty darn impressive. well done!

 

wow thats awesome.....and i can't believe you did that with chipboard i figured you would use plywood instead partially because of chipboard's bad rep at falling apart...but awesome nonetheless i want one...

 

Simply mad!!!!

 

I think you should clearcoat it..

 

5:th layer of black


1:st layer of clearcoat


2:nd clearcoat


3:rd


4:th






Guess the motive...

More will come later this week

 

Hurry up already

Nice work