How it Started

HobbyCNC DIY CNC Router
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Written by BrianV

February 1, 2022

I’ve enjoyed playing Guitar Hero (X-Box 360) for many years. I was never ‘good’, but I had fun. When my grandkids were old enough, I started them on the game too. One of my Les Paul guitars was missing notes and it was making for an unpleasant learning experience.

CAD/CAM and HobbyCNC

I have a small 2.5 axis home-made CNC machine (shown above) that works fantastic for isolation routing PC Boards. I made a replacement mechanical fret PC Board and it worked great. I don’t really recall how the word got out (I think I put a post on Reddit), but the response has been crazy!

Guitar Hero Fret Switch Upgrade - HobbyCNC

First HobbyCNC Guitar hero PC Board, Isolation routed on my DIY CNC router.

Since Then

I have made replacement fret PCBs for 13 different guitar/system combinations. I ship boards all over the world. It’s a nice feeling knowing I’m helping to keep guitars up-and-running years after the manufacturers stopped production.

What’s Next

I’m looking at several other repair parts that might be needed, and I’m also looking at some of the Arduino / Clone Hero projects too. Too early to tell. 

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