Great video I just bought one of these. Getting ready for Dbz fighterz and fighting games in general. Also upgrading the stick as well as the buttons and artwork as well. Might post a video. Shout out to Arcadia for the artwork.
I just got this stick today, beautiful stick, but the process of swapping out the main button pieces with sanwa ones, as to keep the LEDs was actual hell. Please, if you aren’t experienced in modifying arcade sticks, just buy white sanwa buttons… I cut my fingers about five times. However, if you really want to keep the original look, but want upgraded parts (which for this stick is certainly needed, the base stick is so loose I actually thought it was broken), you have been warned. Still, an awesome arcade stick so far.
Great! Glad it was useful for you. Lots of possibilities with some creative modding. I will be modding it live on Twitch with a Brook UFB in the near future.
I removed the lever and buttons replaced it with Qanba Gravity. The only sacrifice i hade to make was having no led lights. I love playing on this fightstick its the most stable one from all Qanba fightsticks.
After performing this mod, i noticed the jlf/qanba hybrid lever not properly registering down diagonals, and the response time, especially for crouches, being less-than optimal. There was a lag possibly due to the slight offset between the sanwa actuator and switches being fit into the qanba pivot. I remedied this by replacing the stock sanwa jlf actuator with a spare hori hayabusa actuator i had lying around, though i suspect any .5 mil oversized jlf actuator like the kind they sell on paradise arcade shop or focus attacks’s kowal actuator would work. It’s because the hayabusa actuator is slightly oversized. Though not effecting the throw, the switches definitely engage faster after the actuator swap.
Great video and explanation for modding. This inspired me to have a try at modding my Qanba Q2 Pro. Very similar to the Crystal but without the Ps4 pad. I've modded the buttons to now have Sanwa switches but retained the LED board and swapped the joystick components with JLF parts per your video. All worked out well. Have also now installed the Brook UFB PCBwhich worked out well but I havent been able to work out how to power the LED's for the buttons from the Brook board. Had tried making a custom wire harness for just the LEDs with the 2.0mm JST connectors connecting all in series and had thought I could connect them to the VCC and GND on the screw terminal on the Brook board to power them but it didnt seem to work. Next try was to try a dual mod with the original Qanba PCB. At least by doing this I thought Id be able to retain the different lighting modes for the LED buttons.A prelim test proved it could work. Being new to the modding scene, Im hesitant to solder from the Qanba USB (5pin) to the Brook USB (4pin) but I'll give it a try if anyone knows if that'll work. You mention diodes in your video. Just not sure where it should be placed. Cheers Jasen
i know you posted this awhile ago but is there anyway to change the plunger on the original buttons? obviously i would want to retain the LEDs but i would also like to switch the button color to match the artwork im getting. worse come to worse ill just say screw the LEDs and get regular sanwa buttons xD
Thanks! Glad you liked it. If I weren't working on my MBA in my free time, I'd make more for a lot of other sticks too... but alas, no free time and no more big work shop to keep setup as a studio while living in Japan.
My stick when held to the left feels like the "click" sound is wearing thing. Its also making me drop dashes and combos when on 2nd player side. Is there a way to fix this? Right side of stick clicks and feels good Thank u in advance
Great video, learning a lot from these! Love to mod stuff in general and this has become my latest obsession. I'm the idiot who emailed you about a custom PCB for big IL concave buttons, I've abandoned the idea for now for practical reasons. I've also done some research and it appears concave buttons are pretty much being phased out in favor of convex or flat ones. Couldn't even find a single Japanese manufacturer that makes them. I see the logic and the possible arguments behind it but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on concave vs convex buttons, I don't mean only which one is better, but why you think it is. If there's any material at all on this subject that you'd recommend I'd really appreciate it. Also, while on the topic of buttons, I know you like the OBS-MX buttons. I'd love to see a video with your opinions on them, and maybe a how to guide for upgrading from regular buttons. Annoying viewer suggestions aside, keep up the awesome work!
Id like to do a lot of Breaking Down videos for a lot of different stuff. I think for me personally, the Concave buttons are not so important any more because I was turned to the Japanese style buttons and they are now my go to. After playing in Japanese arcades and then building fightsticks with the Sanwa parts, I can't go back :) I like the convex style because I can quickly move between buttons, but the concave are nice because you can feel the center easier. Its all personal preference though! The OBS-MX are great buttons and they have some areas that could be improved, but once you get them installed and get them to stay down... good to go. Ill do a video in the future on them.
Firstly, excellent video! Secondly, I've a bit of a question; I'm rather new to the modding scene of arcade sticks (well, still rather new to arcade sticks in general) and I've had my Qanba Crystal for some time now, I'm certainly interested in upgrading some of the parts inside, or rather, at least the basics (lever / buttons). Whilst I did watch the video all the way through, I hadn't really caught what it was that you'd said in terms of the buttons or lever for upgrades, and I wanted to know by chance, what parts would you switch the stock parts out for? If possible, could you maybe provide specific names or links, as that'd be greatly helpful. Thank you, and have a wonderful rest of your day!
I agree with you Nuzzlestick. I would be very interested with the aftermarket parts. I just ordered this and it will be delivered Saturday 12.21.2019. The reason I ordered this stick is because I'd like to learn how to play using stick. Hopefully I could handle it. It will probably be a little while for me until I decide to mess with aftermarket parts.
I recently got this stick and now want to put a universal converter board in it so I can use it on what ever I choose I was wondering if you would make a vid on that in the future if possible
I was thinking of getting this stick. Never had Qanba but I like the lights and the handle and the price. Or I was think of getting the Mad Catz TE+ because you can swop the cover for art also I like sanwa parts and you can get the stick now for $129.00. What do you think I should go for from the two?
I think TES+ vs Crystal - TES+ is a better long term value. Crystal gets pricey if you want to swap buttons to Sanwa and then you lose the LED function (unless you mod it heavily). TES+ has an EZ MOD if you ever want to really upgrade it to be multi-console capable and some other goodies coming soon . The downside is MCZ is out of business and the PCBs are prone to failure.
Hey Jay, Brooks will be releasing the Brooks wireless pcb soon and I plan to dual mod this particular stick in this video, Qanba Crystal. I figured out most of the wiring part. However, how can I tap into the "dome switches" on the Crystal's pcb? Time stamp; 17:00 . Looks like I could solder wires to the ( T )test points for the dome switches right? I see some test points for the Touch pad in which you made a diagram for BUT how can I wire the Brooks Wireless pcb touch pad functionality to the Crystal's touch pad which uses a 7pin ribbon cable? Also, I would have to wire "ground" and "power" from the Brooks wireless to the Crystal's PCB right? If so so do I route wire to the Crystal's pcb "USB" "ground" and "power"?? www.focusattack.com/brook-ps3-ps4-switch-wireless-fight-board/
Awesome video, and that looks like a great stick. I love my custom Qanba Q1, which I featured recently in a stream: th-cam.com/video/Ybu5VFsUS1Q/w-d-xo.html
Nice to see a familiar face here, didn't know you were into fight/arcade sticks too! Sweet! Big fan of your work, thanks for all the effort you put into your packs!
the effort required to keep the leds are not worth it. just switch out the stick and buttons for sanwas and be done with it. you can't see the lights when your using the thing anyways
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 87 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องชัย vs โชคปรีชา"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YN6e7HVnekw/mqdefault.jpg)
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video I just bought one of these. Getting ready for Dbz fighterz and fighting games in general. Also upgrading the stick as well as the buttons and artwork as well. Might post a video. Shout out to Arcadia for the artwork.
Love this grading type system review
I just got this stick today, beautiful stick, but the process of swapping out the main button pieces with sanwa ones, as to keep the LEDs was actual hell. Please, if you aren’t experienced in modifying arcade sticks, just buy white sanwa buttons… I cut my fingers about five times. However, if you really want to keep the original look, but want upgraded parts (which for this stick is certainly needed, the base stick is so loose I actually thought it was broken), you have been warned. Still, an awesome arcade stick so far.
Great video. Literally exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.
Great video! Like the breakdown!
Thanks!
Thank you very much! I plan on getting this stick in the future.
Great! Glad it was useful for you. Lots of possibilities with some creative modding. I will be modding it live on Twitch with a Brook UFB in the near future.
I removed the lever and buttons replaced it with Qanba Gravity. The only sacrifice i hade to make was having no led lights. I love playing on this fightstick its the most stable one from all Qanba fightsticks.
After performing this mod, i noticed the jlf/qanba hybrid lever not properly registering down diagonals, and the response time, especially for crouches, being less-than optimal. There was a lag possibly due to the slight offset between the sanwa actuator and switches being fit into the qanba pivot. I remedied this by replacing the stock sanwa jlf actuator with a spare hori hayabusa actuator i had lying around, though i suspect any
.5 mil oversized jlf actuator like the kind they sell on paradise arcade shop or focus attacks’s kowal actuator would work. It’s because the hayabusa actuator is slightly oversized. Though not effecting the throw, the switches definitely engage faster after the actuator swap.
Excellent series! Very detailed and elucidated.
Muchas Gracias!
Great video and explanation for modding. This inspired me to have a try at modding my Qanba Q2 Pro. Very similar to the Crystal but without the Ps4 pad. I've modded the buttons to now have Sanwa switches but retained the LED board and swapped the joystick components with JLF parts per your video. All worked out well. Have also now installed the Brook UFB PCBwhich worked out well but I havent been able to work out how to power the LED's for the buttons from the Brook board. Had tried making a custom wire harness for just the LEDs with the 2.0mm JST connectors connecting all in series and had thought I could connect them to the VCC and GND on the screw terminal on the Brook board to power them but it didnt seem to work. Next try was to try a dual mod with the original Qanba PCB. At least by doing this I thought Id be able to retain the different lighting modes for the LED buttons.A prelim test proved it could work. Being new to the modding scene, Im hesitant to solder from the Qanba USB (5pin) to the Brook USB (4pin) but I'll give it a try if anyone knows if that'll work. You mention diodes in your video. Just not sure where it should be placed. Cheers Jasen
i know you posted this awhile ago but is there anyway to change the plunger on the original buttons? obviously i would want to retain the LEDs but i would also like to switch the button color to match the artwork im getting. worse come to worse ill just say screw the LEDs and get regular sanwa buttons xD
This is amazing! Would love to see more
Your videos are on point Jasen! GJ!
This is a great video! Should have way more likes! Thank you.
Thanks! Glad you liked it. If I weren't working on my MBA in my free time, I'd make more for a lot of other sticks too... but alas, no free time and no more big work shop to keep setup as a studio while living in Japan.
Nicely done sir, I have an older model of this the q2 evo and this was greatly helpful
Easy free mod, color the LEDs in the buttons or lever with different colored sharpies.. it's modding without modding!
My stick when held to the left feels like the "click" sound is wearing thing. Its also making me drop dashes and combos when on 2nd player side. Is there a way to fix this? Right side of stick clicks and feels good
Thank u in advance
Awesome video, thank you!
Great video, learning a lot from these! Love to mod stuff in general and this has become my latest obsession. I'm the idiot who emailed you about a custom PCB for big IL concave buttons, I've abandoned the idea for now for practical reasons. I've also done some research and it appears concave buttons are pretty much being phased out in favor of convex or flat ones. Couldn't even find a single Japanese manufacturer that makes them. I see the logic and the possible arguments behind it but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on concave vs convex buttons, I don't mean only which one is better, but why you think it is. If there's any material at all on this subject that you'd recommend I'd really appreciate it. Also, while on the topic of buttons, I know you like the OBS-MX buttons. I'd love to see a video with your opinions on them, and maybe a how to guide for upgrading from regular buttons. Annoying viewer suggestions aside, keep up the awesome work!
Id like to do a lot of Breaking Down videos for a lot of different stuff. I think for me personally, the Concave buttons are not so important any more because I was turned to the Japanese style buttons and they are now my go to. After playing in Japanese arcades and then building fightsticks with the Sanwa parts, I can't go back :) I like the convex style because I can quickly move between buttons, but the concave are nice because you can feel the center easier. Its all personal preference though! The OBS-MX are great buttons and they have some areas that could be improved, but once you get them installed and get them to stay down... good to go. Ill do a video in the future on them.
Oh, and you are NEVER and idiot for asking questions!
would a Sanwa GT-Y Octagonal Restrictor Gate fit the factory stick? also what actuator and spring can i use?
Firstly, excellent video! Secondly, I've a bit of a question; I'm rather new to the modding scene of arcade sticks (well, still rather new to arcade sticks in general) and I've had my Qanba Crystal for some time now, I'm certainly interested in upgrading some of the parts inside, or rather, at least the basics (lever / buttons). Whilst I did watch the video all the way through, I hadn't really caught what it was that you'd said in terms of the buttons or lever for upgrades, and I wanted to know by chance, what parts would you switch the stock parts out for? If possible, could you maybe provide specific names or links, as that'd be greatly helpful. Thank you, and have a wonderful rest of your day!
I agree with you Nuzzlestick. I would be very interested with the aftermarket parts. I just ordered this and it will be delivered Saturday 12.21.2019. The reason I ordered this stick is because I'd like to learn how to play using stick. Hopefully I could handle it. It will probably be a little while for me until I decide to mess with aftermarket parts.
Question. Are the buttons proprietary? My triangle is going out and I wanna replace it
How feasible would it be to change the leds if I wanted a different color?
I recently got this stick and now want to put a universal converter board in it so I can use it on what ever I choose I was wondering if you would make a vid on that in the future if possible
I'll see what I can do...
I was thinking of getting this stick. Never had Qanba but I like the lights and the handle and the price. Or I was think of getting the Mad Catz TE+ because you can swop the cover for art also I like sanwa parts and you can get the stick now for $129.00. What do you think I should go for from the two?
I think TES+ vs Crystal - TES+ is a better long term value. Crystal gets pricey if you want to swap buttons to Sanwa and then you lose the LED function (unless you mod it heavily). TES+ has an EZ MOD if you ever want to really upgrade it to be multi-console capable and some other goodies coming soon . The downside is MCZ is out of business and the PCBs are prone to failure.
Do you think and il euro joystick would fit on the crystal?
Which Is better Qnba or Dragón Slay?
Hey Jay, Brooks will be releasing the Brooks wireless pcb soon and I plan to dual mod this particular stick in this video, Qanba Crystal. I figured out most of the wiring part. However, how can I tap into the "dome switches" on the Crystal's pcb? Time stamp; 17:00 . Looks like I could solder wires to the ( T )test points for the dome switches right? I see some test points for the Touch pad in which you made a diagram for BUT how can I wire the Brooks Wireless pcb touch pad functionality to the Crystal's touch pad which uses a 7pin ribbon cable? Also, I would have to wire "ground" and "power" from the Brooks wireless to the Crystal's PCB right? If so so do I route wire to the Crystal's pcb "USB" "ground" and "power"?? www.focusattack.com/brook-ps3-ps4-switch-wireless-fight-board/
Awesome video, and that looks like a great stick. I love my custom Qanba Q1, which I featured recently in a stream: th-cam.com/video/Ybu5VFsUS1Q/w-d-xo.html
Nice to see a familiar face here, didn't know you were into fight/arcade sticks too! Sweet! Big fan of your work, thanks for all the effort you put into your packs!
Thanks! Yes, I have a big arsenal of sticks :)
the effort required to keep the leds are not worth it. just switch out the stick and buttons for sanwas and be done with it. you can't see the lights when your using the thing anyways