The RedOctane X-Plorer guitar controller stands out as a legendary peripheral for rhythm game enthusiasts, particularly for titles like Guitar Hero and Band Hero. Many players, including myself, have logged countless hours shredding virtual riffs with this iconic controller, especially on classics like Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and GH: Metallica. Discovering a broken X-Plorer for a mere $5 at a charity shop felt like uncovering a hidden treasure, despite its obvious battle scars. This particular find presented three key challenges: a malfunctioning whammy bar, a severed USB cable, and a general state of grime and sticker residue.
This guide will walk you through the process of resurrecting a battered RedOctane X-Plorer guitar controller, providing step-by-step instructions to tackle these common issues and get you back to rocking out.
X-Plorer Guitar Hero Controller Disassembly
Taking apart the RedOctane X-Plorer is a relatively straightforward process. While a detailed disassembly guide isn’t covered here, resources like iFixit’s RedOctane X-Plorer guide offer comprehensive instructions. Essentially, accessing the internal components involves removing the Philips head screws located on the back of the controller’s body.
Whammy Bar Repair for X-Plorer Guitar
The whammy bar on this particular X-Plorer controller had clearly endured significant use. The mechanism, a combination of simple mechanics, a potentiometer, and spring suspension, suffered from a broken plastic tab. This small but crucial component caused erratic behavior when the whammy bar was moved. The repair approach taken here prioritizes functionality over finesse. A piece of scrap plastic, leftover from a 3D printing project, was shaped to replace the broken tab. Due to the stress on this part, simple glue wouldn’t suffice. Chemical metal, sometimes known as chemical welding, was chosen for its robust bonding properties. This material, while a bit messy to handle, provides a strong and durable fix, as previously utilized in other repair projects like laptop hinge repairs. The images below illustrate the process of recreating the broken plastic tab using chemical metal.
Replacing the USB Cable on Your X-Plorer Guitar Hero Controller
One advantage of Xbox 360 era controllers like the X-Plorer is their use of standard USB cables. This design choice simplifies replacement in case of damage. As shown in the image, the USB cable wires are color-coded (white, black, red, green) for easy identification. The repair involved cutting the damaged cable and soldering in a replacement.
This cable fix prioritized speed and simplicity. Electrical tape was used instead of heat shrink tubing to insulate the solder joints. The original cable retention mechanism within the Xbox 360 connector was reused to secure the cable inside the X-Plorer housing. Strain relief was added to further protect the cable at the entry point. Superglue was used to fix the USB cable within the strain relief component, which is then held firmly in place by the controller’s housing.
Cleaning and Refurbishing the RedOctane X-Plorer
Finally, the X-Plorer controller underwent a thorough cleaning process. This involved a combination of:
- Soap and water for general cleaning.
- Isopropyl alcohol for removing stubborn grime and sanitizing.
- Baking soda paste for tackling any remaining dirt and odors.
With repairs and cleaning complete, the RedOctane X-Plorer guitar controller is ready to shred once more. Time to plug in and unleash your inner rock legend!
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