The Guitar Hero Xplorer Guitar often gets a bad rap among rhythm game enthusiasts. Widely considered one of the less desirable controllers, especially compared to later models, it’s unfortunate given its initial prominence as the pack-in guitar for the hugely popular Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero 2. Even now, the Xplorer persists as a wired bundle option for Guitar Hero 3 and the pack-in for PC and Mac versions of the same game. If you find yourself stuck with an Xplorer guitar, or simply want to improve its feel, know that you’re not alone in wanting to make it better.
Having acquired yet another Xplorer with a recent purchase, the question arose: can this much-maligned guitar be improved? The answer is yes, and through some surprisingly easy modifications. Here are three common and effective Xplorer mods that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
DIY Mods to Upgrade Your Xplorer Guitar
These modifications focus on addressing the most common complaints about the Xplorer: the fret buttons, the strum bar, and the whammy bar. Each mod is straightforward, requiring minimal tools and time.
1. Enhance Fret Button Responsiveness with Cardboard
One frequent complaint about the Xplorer guitar is the feel of its fret buttons. They can sometimes feel mushy and less responsive than desired. A simple yet effective solution is to add cardboard shims behind the fret buttons. This mod shortens the travel distance of the buttons, making them respond quicker and feel more tactile.
To perform this mod, you’ll need to carefully open the guitar controller. Once open, cut small pieces of thin cardboard – cereal box cardboard works well – and place them behind each fret button. This added support makes the buttons more sensitive and improves the overall playing feel, especially for fast-paced solos and chord changes.
2. Quiet and Smooth the Strum Bar with Rubber Dampeners
The Xplorer strum bar can be noisy and sometimes feel clunky. To address this, adding small rubber dampeners behind the strum bar can significantly reduce the noise and create a smoother strumming action. This mod also subtly aids in debouncing, potentially improving strumming accuracy.
For this modification, cut thin strips of rubber – adhesive rubber strips are ideal for easy application – and attach them to the back of the strum bar mechanism. These rubber pieces cushion the strum bar’s movement, reducing the loud “clack” and providing a more refined feel. While a subtle change, it makes extended play sessions more pleasant and less distracting.
3. Improve Whammy Bar Action with a Rubber Band Mod
The stock whammy bar on the Xplorer is notoriously stiff, requiring excessive force to activate and lacking the smooth, expressive control found on other guitar controllers. Replacing the stiff spring with a simple rubber band dramatically improves the whammy bar’s feel, making it much lighter and more responsive.
To perform this mod, locate the whammy bar spring inside the guitar. Remove the spring and replace it with a rubber band. A standard office rubber band, or slightly thicker, should work well. This simple swap transforms the whammy bar, making it far more enjoyable and practical to use for adding vibrato and other whammy effects to your gameplay.
Conclusion: Breathing New Life into Your Xplorer
While newer and better-designed guitar controllers are available, these simple modifications can genuinely transform the often-criticized Xplorer guitar into a much more enjoyable instrument for Guitar Hero and similar games. These mods address the key shortcomings of the Xplorer, improving fret button responsiveness, strum bar feel, and whammy bar action. If you have an Xplorer collecting dust, these easy DIY fixes are well worth the effort to unlock its hidden potential and enhance your rhythm game experience.
