thank you for making this video, it helped me to fix my overstrumming xplorer! :) (also i found that holding the pcb in place with a helper and pulling the switches gently downwards while heating the solder made it easier than throwing it around)
Yeah this was back when I was usually up to no good in my private life so to speak and wasn't thinking clearly. These days I do things much more professional. Now I just tug the switches and they pop right off when applying heat
I'm new to soldering so sorry for the dumb question. But does the soldering pen/gun/whatever have to be at a specific temperature for the solder to melt so I can remove the switch?
Not usually. Most guns/pens don't have a temp setting but if yours does setting it to half whatever the knob should be suffice. If you are finding that old solder won't melt so easily hit the solder gun tip lightly on your solder so there's a little bit on the tip. When you press this against the old solder it should liven it up a bit. Old crusty solder is stubborn, but it'll get there.
Just finding this video and feel dumb for asking but I'm fairly sure I have an overstrum issue with my x360 Xplorer. Can I use any mechanical keyboard switch? Or if I need to buy specific ones or can anyone link a good site to get replacements?
They don't make the original stock switches anymore, but many keyboard box switches work, they just gotta match the original pins. I have spare stock switches I could send if youre looking for an exact fit
Yeah they're ALPS clones. I found a company out of Canada that had a large quantity of new old stock but the clones work in the same exact manner. The main difference with these besides the cap being square instead of cross is that the solder pins are oriented different than any other key switch, and thus further modifications are needed to make those work. Best bet to find a 10 set of ALPS Clones, it takes a little digging but you'll find something
The switches were made by a company called ALPS, who went out of buisness years ago, so the switches are unfortanetly no longer in production. You can still often find large stocks of new ones pop up on ebay every now and then. Also the switches were originally made for keyboards, so you can sacrafice an old keyboard to get them too. Do a search on ebay for "ALPS SKCM white" or "ALPS SKCM blue" (I would reccomend blue but theyre a little more expensive) and you should find some, if not, wait a few days and some will likely pop up. NOTE that there are "alps dampened white" switches, but they are different and I would avoid them unless you really want your guitar to be as quiet as possible. I would also avoid "alps SKBM white" You can get SKBM if you want, but they feel a little worse and dont last as long.
@@dumdum7786 This is not quite true, Alps stopped making SKCM/SKCL switches long before Guitar Hero came into existence, but a lot of manufacturers continued making direct clones (most notably Matias). The switches used in these controllers are apparently Kwanda PB11C05. It should be the case that any original Alps or Alps clones should work in place of them though, as they seem to have the same pin footprint.
@marioex497 they are fully soldered through the board. The only way I have ever gotten them off without soldering is to cut the pins extremely flush with the board and then just pull the switches out. It is hard and may bust the switch, which if being replaced no big deal. But in order to get new switch on you need to solder it anyways
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe I see. Was hoping there was a way to take the top part of the housing off so I don’t have to worry about soldering and just seeing if I can temporarily fix it
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe I actually figured out how to take them apart without soldering! There’s two hidden tabs parallel to the slider (white part) and once you pull them out you can take it apart. Functions just like keyboard switches
What are the names of the screws of the switch’s board? I’m trying to find them online on eBay because the original ones that I had in the X-Plorer are damaged on the Head parts
@@domfagseller2k176 I found this on the discord for the Clone Hero subreddit. Matias Standard Clicky switches (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica): goo.gl/XfPwh9 Taihao APC switches (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica) (Blue ones for closest feel to the original): goo.gl/qc38NE Taiss switches (World Tour/Metallica Guitars): goo.gl/QNZxLm Strum Fix Plus (Rock Band Guitars): www.bytearts.com/strumfixplus/ Replacement tutorial (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica): ua-cam.com/video/hzDcILTbrKw/v-deo.html Replacement tutorial (World Tour/Metallica Guitars): ua-cam.com/video/Q_KwaqEE9xo/v-deo.html
The switches were made by a company called ALPS, who went out of buisness years ago, so the switches are unfortanetly no longer in production. You can still often find large stocks of new ones pop up on ebay every now and then. Also the switches were originally made for keyboards, so you can sacrafice an old keyboard to get them too. Do a search on ebay for "ALPS SKCM white" or "ALPS SKCM blue" (I would reccomend blue but theyre a little more expensive) and you should find some, if not, wait a few days and some will likely pop up. NOTE that there are "alps dampened white" switches, but they are different and I would avoid them unless you really want your guitar to be as quiet as possible. I would also avoid "alps SKBM white" You can get SKBM if you want, but they feel a little worse and dont last as long.
Before replacing the switches, look up on youtube how to fix overstrum. Sometimes u can fix it by placing duct tape over some plastic bits inside the guitar
As long as the strum bar can hit the "+" (the top of those mechanical keyboard switches) cherry mx switches, I think it's possible....maybe. What matters the mechanical keys has to work though... Also you have to check if the pins on those mechanical switches will fit onto the Strum Bar's PCB before you decide to buy one.
The board that houses the switches for the strumbar is designed for ALPs switches. The pins wouldn't line up if you used cherry mx switches. You might be able to DIY a fix by bending some pins and extending them, but it's would be easier to just install ALPs or ALPs clone switches instead. Acai mentioned in a video awhile back that he had someone put in box navy switches in his guitar for the strumbar, so anything is possible really.
yes. there are quick fixes online for broken strum switches that generally dont require you to take the switches off. but i would always recommend replacing if spare parts are available. adding keyboard keys is very doable but requires modifications to the board itself.
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe i actually already replaced the switches and have a functioning controller, but thanks for the reply! the main reason i was confused was because the flux on the wires on the circuit boards looked to be in really bad shape, but it doesnt seem to be an issue
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe Hey, I know that it's been a while, but my xplorer has the same problem, can u tell me where I can find those quick fixes? would be very helpful
I had the same problem IS ANYONE IS READING THIS the problem with the stuck downstrum is inside the switch. it takes effort, but if you can take apart the switch it is usually a piece of metal is stuck in the inner spring and can be fixed without buying a new switches
Are they the Kwanda PB11C05s? Or do you have other switches that also work, because I haven't found anywhere that I can buy those in quantities lower than 5000 lol
interruptVEKTOR i found some on ali express. They dont have the same name as the kwanda pb11c05 but the look exactly the same. I ordered 10 for like 8 bucks ill let you know if they work!
interruptVEKTOR www.google.com/amp/s/m.aliexpress.com/item/32820537943.html?source=images#ampf=undefined Heres the link for them. Shipping says 12-20 days if you dont want to wait for me to tell you if they work lol
I just changed the switches from my explorer and I couldn't have done it without this video, very thanks!
thank you for making this video, it helped me to fix my overstrumming xplorer! :) (also i found that holding the pcb in place with a helper and pulling the switches gently downwards while heating the solder made it easier than throwing it around)
Yeah this was back when I was usually up to no good in my private life so to speak and wasn't thinking clearly. These days I do things much more professional. Now I just tug the switches and they pop right off when applying heat
"Proceed with caution"
>SLAM
was able to transplant a ps2 red octane strum assembly and switches to an xplorer with overstrum i got on the cheap! thanks for the help!
I'm new to soldering so sorry for the dumb question. But does the soldering pen/gun/whatever have to be at a specific temperature for the solder to melt so I can remove the switch?
Not usually. Most guns/pens don't have a temp setting but if yours does setting it to half whatever the knob should be suffice. If you are finding that old solder won't melt so easily hit the solder gun tip lightly on your solder so there's a little bit on the tip. When you press this against the old solder it should liven it up a bit. Old crusty solder is stubborn, but it'll get there.
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe okay thank you!
Just finding this video and feel dumb for asking but I'm fairly sure I have an overstrum issue with my x360 Xplorer. Can I use any mechanical keyboard switch? Or if I need to buy specific ones or can anyone link a good site to get replacements?
They don't make the original stock switches anymore, but many keyboard box switches work, they just gotta match the original pins. I have spare stock switches I could send if youre looking for an exact fit
Where did you buy the new switches? Can't seem to find them on ebay or amazon :(
They're just mechanical keyboard switches, specifically with the alps keycap mount
Yeah they're ALPS clones. I found a company out of Canada that had a large quantity of new old stock but the clones work in the same exact manner. The main difference with these besides the cap being square instead of cross is that the solder pins are oriented different than any other key switch, and thus further modifications are needed to make those work. Best bet to find a 10 set of ALPS Clones, it takes a little digging but you'll find something
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe Thanks so much guys. I'll look into alps clones 🤙
Where do you get the switches from
The switches were made by a company called ALPS, who went out of buisness years ago, so the switches are unfortanetly no longer in production. You can still often find large stocks of new ones pop up on ebay every now and then. Also the switches were originally made for keyboards, so you can sacrafice an old keyboard to get them too. Do a search on ebay for "ALPS SKCM white" or "ALPS SKCM blue" (I would reccomend blue but theyre a little more expensive) and you should find some, if not, wait a few days and some will likely pop up. NOTE that there are "alps dampened white" switches, but they are different and I would avoid them unless you really want your guitar to be as quiet as possible. I would also avoid "alps SKBM white" You can get SKBM if you want, but they feel a little worse and dont last as long.
@@dumdum7786 damn thanks dude that's really helpful
@@dumdum7786 This is not quite true, Alps stopped making SKCM/SKCL switches long before Guitar Hero came into existence, but a lot of manufacturers continued making direct clones (most notably Matias). The switches used in these controllers are apparently Kwanda PB11C05.
It should be the case that any original Alps or Alps clones should work in place of them though, as they seem to have the same pin footprint.
where do you buy your switches at? i just got some off etsy and i’m not sure if they’ll be quality
Where did you get the new switches? did you take them from an old guitar?
For the ones in the video I did use switches from another guitar. I also use mechanical keyboard switches too.
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe how would cherry mx switches fit an Aerosmith guitar? I am thinking about buying blacks
Is there a way to disassemble them without desoldering? It looks like there’s clips on the housing that would allow access inside the chassis
@marioex497 they are fully soldered through the board. The only way I have ever gotten them off without soldering is to cut the pins extremely flush with the board and then just pull the switches out. It is hard and may bust the switch, which if being replaced no big deal. But in order to get new switch on you need to solder it anyways
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe I see. Was hoping there was a way to take the top part of the housing off so I don’t have to worry about soldering and just seeing if I can temporarily fix it
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe I actually figured out how to take them apart without soldering! There’s two hidden tabs parallel to the slider (white part) and once you pull them out you can take it apart. Functions just like keyboard switches
What are the names of the screws of the switch’s board? I’m trying to find them online on eBay because the original ones that I had in the X-Plorer are damaged on the Head parts
how did you take off the switch protecter, mine seems to be like fused on
you have to desolder them to remove them
My guitar hero Aerosmith 360 controller doesn't down strum at all. Is this my only option to fix it?
Pls make more stuff like this
is there a place to get the whole board I'm not good at soldering and desoldering
I have not seen any really but on etsy some people sell new parts with special connectors that don't require soldering
My guitar doesn't strum up, will this video help?
Yes
anyone know where I can buy replacement switches online?
I'm trying to find some too if you find anywhere please let me know
@@domfagseller2k176 I found this on the discord for the Clone Hero subreddit.
Matias Standard Clicky switches (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica): goo.gl/XfPwh9
Taihao APC switches (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica) (Blue ones for closest feel to the original): goo.gl/qc38NE
Taiss switches (World Tour/Metallica Guitars): goo.gl/QNZxLm
Strum Fix Plus (Rock Band Guitars): www.bytearts.com/strumfixplus/
Replacement tutorial (GH Guitars other than World Tour/Metallica): ua-cam.com/video/hzDcILTbrKw/v-deo.html
Replacement tutorial (World Tour/Metallica Guitars): ua-cam.com/video/Q_KwaqEE9xo/v-deo.html
T Groves Does the switches have to have three prongs or will it work with two
T Groves I have the warriors of rock guitar and the switches have 3 prongs
Where can i get switches for a wii les paul? I broke one while trying to open it and don't have money for another guitar to extract it from
The switches were made by a company called ALPS, who went out of buisness years ago, so the switches are unfortanetly no longer in production. You can still often find large stocks of new ones pop up on ebay every now and then. Also the switches were originally made for keyboards, so you can sacrafice an old keyboard to get them too. Do a search on ebay for "ALPS SKCM white" or "ALPS SKCM blue" (I would reccomend blue but theyre a little more expensive) and you should find some, if not, wait a few days and some will likely pop up. NOTE that there are "alps dampened white" switches, but they are different and I would avoid them unless you really want your guitar to be as quiet as possible. I would also avoid "alps SKBM white" You can get SKBM if you want, but they feel a little worse and dont last as long.
mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=483
does the same switch work on the xplorer?
Yes.
you do the same thing i do. literally let your phone sit on a cup to get a good camera view
A guitar I have registers upstrokes twice every now and then. What do you think the issue would be?
Overstruming. Fixed by replacing the switches.
Before replacing the switches, look up on youtube how to fix overstrum. Sometimes u can fix it by placing duct tape over some plastic bits inside the guitar
Do you know if its possible to replace them with new cherry mx switches?
As long as the strum bar can hit the "+" (the top of those mechanical keyboard switches) cherry mx switches, I think it's possible....maybe. What matters the mechanical keys has to work though...
Also you have to check if the pins on those mechanical switches will fit onto the Strum Bar's PCB before you decide to buy one.
no its not possible without extreme modification
The board that houses the switches for the strumbar is designed for ALPs switches. The pins wouldn't line up if you used cherry mx switches. You might be able to DIY a fix by bending some pins and extending them, but it's would be easier to just install ALPs or ALPs clone switches instead.
Acai mentioned in a video awhile back that he had someone put in box navy switches in his guitar for the strumbar, so anything is possible really.
just bought an xplorer on Ebay, turns out it constantly downstrums. would that be a problem with the switch?
yes. there are quick fixes online for broken strum switches that generally dont require you to take the switches off. but i would always recommend replacing if spare parts are available. adding keyboard keys is very doable but requires modifications to the board itself.
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe i actually already replaced the switches and have a functioning controller, but thanks for the reply! the main reason i was confused was because the flux on the wires on the circuit boards looked to be in really bad shape, but it doesnt seem to be an issue
@@ninjapwnsatlyfe Hey, I know that it's been a while, but my xplorer has the same problem, can u tell me where I can find those quick fixes? would be very helpful
I had the same problem IS ANYONE IS READING THIS the problem with the stuck downstrum is inside the switch. it takes effort, but if you can take apart the switch it is usually a piece of metal is stuck in the inner spring and can be fixed without buying a new switches
@@powerchordgamer what switches did you use?
switch ls-080 avaliable to buy in 2025!
Where the heck did you manage to find replacement switches?
ive been modding guitars for over 10 years now. i just have buckets full of parts, a lot of which are fairly fresh
Are they the Kwanda PB11C05s? Or do you have other switches that also work, because I haven't found anywhere that I can buy those in quantities lower than 5000 lol
NinjaPwns AtLife hey man would you sell me like 10 of those switches? To fix and have a few back ups?
interruptVEKTOR i found some on ali express. They dont have the same name as the kwanda pb11c05 but the look exactly the same. I ordered 10 for like 8 bucks ill let you know if they work!
interruptVEKTOR www.google.com/amp/s/m.aliexpress.com/item/32820537943.html?source=images#ampf=undefined
Heres the link for them. Shipping says 12-20 days if you dont want to wait for me to tell you if they work lol
please make one with wt
will do