A place for testing, experiments and playing around…
Byte Arts Labs
This is the place where I’ll post files and information some of the new products and projects that I’m working on. Be sure to check the Blog pages for updates too!
Where are the files for 3D printing? They have moved and are now here.
Strum Fix Plus 3, Strum Fix 3 with Overdrive Option
[Updated April 16, ‘23]
Note: At one point I was calling this project the “Strum Fix GH”, but that was too confusing since there is another project to make a strum fix for Guitar Hero brand guitars, so this is now the “Strum Fix Plus 3” or SFP3, and the other project is the “Strum Fix GH”. The SFP3 is shipping and available here: Strum Fix Plus 3
Overdrive Option
The “Overdrive Option” is the name I’m using for a variation of the Strum Fix Plus that also includes an additional switch for activating “overdrive” in the Rock Band game (called “star power” in Guitar Hero). Usually you activate overdrive by tilting the neck of the guitar up towards the ceiling, but the tilt switches used in most guitar models are not very reliable and don’t always activate when you need them to. My original idea was to add a lever to the strum bar that would activate a mechanical switch, which could be wired into the same circuit as the original tilt switch.
Current Status
I’ve built prototypes and sent them to testers, here’s an example:
In this example the little white bar can be rotated up or down to activate overdrive, and it will stay activated until you strum with the black strum bar. It works pretty well, but you do need to pay attention to finger placement on the strum bar, so I’m currently working on some other ideas and this project is still “in progress”.
Strum Fix GH
A version of the Strum Fix for Guitar Hero guitars.
Current Status:
Still in prototype phase, this project is on the back-burner.
Fret Fix for Rock Band Guitars
[Updated Aug 23, ‘23]
The “Fret Fix” replaces the existing rubber “switches” on the neck of a Rock Band guitar with mechanical keyboard switches. It consists of 2 circuit boards, with 5 switches on each board, a ribbon cable and connector. It’s a “drop in” replacement that doesn’t require any modifications to the guitar, but does require taking the guitar neck apart and removing the existing circuit boards and connections. This is now a released product and you can find out more here: Fret Fix
Telecaster Adapter
This adapter allows you to install a Strum Fix Plus in a Rock Band Telecaster guitar.
Current Status:
Design is complete and production units have been manufactured. I just need to add an option to purchase these on the web page. In the meantime, contact me at guitar@bytearts.com if you like to get one. The STL files to print your own copy of this are available — scroll up to the top to get them.
Wooden Strat Adapter
This adapter allows you to install a Strum Fix Plus in a wooden Strat Rock Band guitar. See Tech Note #1 for more information.
Strum Fix for Precision Bass Replica
This is a replacement strummer for the Rock Band Precision Bass replica guitar. It is similar to the Strum Fix DUO, but has a different mechanical layout to allow it to fit in the Precision Bass guitar.
Current Status:
In progress, prototypes should be available in Sept ‘23.