1/2
I spent weekends for the past three weeks cutting MDF, painting, and building out this custom Guitar Hero cabinet. I created the sideart and marquee and sent it to GameonGrafix to print.
How did you get GH2 to work well on a LCD? Or is it a CRT in there?
It's just an Xbox 360 in there, connected to a standard LCD, like if you were just plugging your Xbox up to your TV via HDMI cable.
It works pretty standard, any lag can be offset with the in game calibration (though I haven't noticed any).
The thing with GH2 tho is there’s only an offset for audio
I was actually just playing it today. The lag calibration lets you sync up your controller input with the screen. I just played it all the way through on Medium with no issue.
But with the setup I have, I can just swap out to any other Guitar Hero game disc if it ever became an issue.
I have a chub coming on
If i had this would be playin non stop and would make a rock band one to
Rock on! It's Xbox 360 at it's core so I could technically run some Rock Band on it- but that's definitely an idea for another cabinet!
Keep up this bad ass art bro
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the support!
No prob
Can you play other games or is it just GH2?
It's a full Xbox 360 in the back, so theoretically I can toss any disc in there and play away. It's accessible from a port on the back, and with the casters I can pull it away from the wall easily with one hand and swap the disc. I currently have 2, 3, Aerosmith and Metallica but will be buying the others as I find them for cheap.
it’d probably look weird if you played rock band with that guitar hero logo at the top, but it’s just me.
You must not be a big arcade or mame guy
Super common to play games that don't match the cab, it seperates us arcade enthusiasts for sure lol
You got $ $, I see the movie theater in the background. Good for you man, looks dope!
Haha thanks! Realistically it was a little money from sale of my house when I moved to a new one (pocketed some equity from market appreciation) and that went right into the basement theater and arcade!
Not going to downplay it completely because there was an investment here, but I save a fair bit by doing work myself. For example- the wall that the unit is against I built completely myself after tearing down existing wall structures. So studs, electrical (the panel is right at the end of that wall), insulation for sound, drywall, mud, paint and the faux bricks were all by me (and my wife). So material costs and my own time comes in at about 10-20% of what it would cost for a pro to come in and do it. So the money stretches a little further.
Is it just 3? I’d be cool if there was a disc changer and you can switch between them all
It's actually an Xbox 360 in the back with changeable discs. I was playing 3 earlier, have 2 in there now, and am looking for a good deal on 4,5, and 6. Also have Aerosmith and Metallica.
I made an access port in the back to easily access the console (and for ventilation). And even though the machine is heavy and sturdy, the casters make it glide across the carpet with little effort.
So yep, I agree. Changeable discs is the way to go!
That's awesome, are you using Clone Hero or a console for the guitar hero setup?
Thanks! I'm using an Xbox 360 for this (I already had it laying around, so I went that direction). I have an easy access port on the back too, so it's not a big deal changing discs. But I am hearing a lot of folks suggest Clone Hero to me, so I'll definitely be looking into that.
Nice, I would suggest getting the Xplorer guitar for the xbox 360. It's wired. That way you can secure it to the cabinet so it won't be stolen like the wireless. Also the Rock Band series is compatible to the guitar hero controllers. And Rock Band still updates the liscences to their dlc music so you can still purchase more songs to download to the 360.
I haven't played Rock Band in years, but that seems like a good reason to check it out again!
This is actually my basement so I don't have so much of a concern about the guitars walking off, but it's definitely a good call if I decide to make these for someone else.
Thanks for the feedback and for taking a look!
Just sayin bro it’d be awesome if you dropped a tutorial on how to make this with measurements and all
Hey! Somewhere in this thread I tossed in some of the general guidelines I put together on measurements and process. It's the large block of text as a reply to the person asking for a guide. Some stuff left out just because there are so many steps, but I'm happy to answer any questions if you decide to give it a go!
Awesome ! Now load up clone hero to get access to an insane amount of custom charts and setlists and that setup will be seriously awesome !
Do you arrange for a teenager to come over and smear grease all over the guitars periodically, for the most authentic arcade experience?
Hahaha I have a couple daughters who will be happy to assist with that.
Also, some dude on here offered alcohol and pizza as admission to come play, so maybe I've already got that covered haha
What a good idea man, looks amazing
Thank you so much!
This is inspirational, only just getting back into the game and it's great to see the passion in this community! The cabinet looks amazing!! :)
Incredible! Welcome back! I appreciate the kind words.
That's so hot 🥵
Wow, thank you!
Awesome. I'd love to do this with a PC running Guitar Hero WT: Definitive Edition in windows Kiosk mode
I'm hearing a lot of folks mention using a PC version or Clone Hero, it seems like there may be a market for these that doesn't require hunting down a console and having it all-in-one. It definitely raises the experience for me having it in the cab!
Lemme grab my ski mask, my Stratocaster and Guitar Hero Controllers. Ima be there in 20 minutes with pizza, alcohol, and chicks
Haha you had me until chicks- my wife may not appreciate that, but some beer and pizza is a solid admission fee!
Say that im comin over with some wings and bourbon then 💪🏼
Haha now you're talking!
In my dreams I’ll have this
Wow! Thank you! It took some patience to build, but it wasn't too bad with all the right tools! It was a lot of fun planning everything out and seeing the finished product look like what I imagined.
This is goddamn legendary. Great work!
Wow, thank you! Really glad you like it! It was a blast to make.
Super cool man, I’m so jealous. You must be proud. Totally interested in seeing your whole setup overall, I see that screening room in the back with the AotC poster…don’t be shy lol. Haha jk, unless you really wanna share.
Haha thank you! Yeah, the Theater is Star Wars themed, there are three lightsabers on the wall there and some art work, as well as the 6 movie posters and a Mandalorian poster I made into a door that hides my breaker box. I have 6 power recline leather recliners and a 86" 4k TV as a screen. Popcorn maker, candy display, mini fridge, and 4 remote control droids on display below the TV.
The finished product has a Death Star interior themed wall opposite this one, with the last panel a hidden door. So the theater will be completely closed off, and this arcade will be a "hideaway" room.
I don't know how to share photos in a reply message or Id share a few here. The hope is to have the finished product by April- so I've gotta get moving!
This is amazing.
Thank you! I appreciate the support!
You are Guitar Hero
Love it. Thank you so much!
You sir are a god damn legend
A legend of rock?
Man, thanks a lot! I'm really happy with how it turned out. And it was surprisingly more fun to make than I expected.
I've always wanted to do something like this ever since I first played Guitar Hero: Arcade. I love the idea of throwing a console in there and having access to basically all of the GH games rather than being stuck with the awkward Guitar Hero III mod that's in an official cabinet. This is so inspirational, and I hope to be able to follow in your footsteps in the future!
That made my day! Thank you for the kind words!
I too loved the Guitar Hero arcade game, and really wanted to find a way to fit this into my existing basement arcade. Adding the lights here on the front and top really makes it feel like you're performing on a stage.
If you decide to make your own, please post! I'd love to see it!
Could you drop a guide man? I would love to do this
I don't necessarily have a guide, but I did everything by hand with a circular saw, table saw, jigsaw, sander, router, brad nailer, and drill with various bits, including a 7" hole saw bit from Amazon.
I made my dimensions deliberate to use the minimal amount of materials while maximizing space. The widest component inside was going to be the 32" tv (approximately 29 inches wide). So I used 4' x 8' 3/4 inch MDF for the outsides, cut 29 inches across the top then cut it straight down the middle to make two even sides. I then clamped them both together and drew the design for the TV indention on one and cut through both with a jigsaw at once.
I started the curve inward at around 8 inches, because I made my marquee 6 inches. I then went down approximately the height of the tv, then curved back out. Total area is approximately 22 inches end to end (TV is 17" high). I then went back into the cuts with a palm sander and curved them so that T-molding would fit. *Helpful hint: try not to make your corners too narrow- the T-molding is only so bendy and you will end up with some sticking out of your corners are too "sharp".
The sides of this cabinet I made 24"x 67", which left me exactly 29" x 48". I cut this down to two 29" x 24" with one being the bottom and the other being a cabinet back section.
I then used a 4' x 8' 1/2 MDF and cut it down for my front, my top, and the rest of the back (I left an opening around the middle of the back for ventilation). I used the hole saw to cut 4 holes in the front piece for speakers.
I spent days painting the front and back of every piece with an oil based enamel black matte paint (it's been freezing here, so it took a while for the paint to dry).
The building was actually one of the easier parts. I purchased a bunch of 3/4 square dowel sections and cut about 44 of them into 4 inch sections. I put these basically every 6 inches or so where I was attaching two pieces together and brad nailed them in place (I was constantly switching between nails to make sure I didn't puncture through- used 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, and 2 inch).
The base I used mending plates to connect 2x4s together similar in look to a dolly. I then screwed that to the MDF bottom and placed a 1/4 piece of plywood underneath to create a lip to hide the wheels. I nailed on the bottom back piece first (3/4 inch) to the base, then screwed the side pieces to the base and the back support. Then continued to build up from there, placing those 4" dowels as I went.
I could probably go on for each individual section, but it might be easier to just ask me questions if you decide to hop in and do your own build. Happy to answer any questions you might have! I'll also see if I can post some of my WIP photos here as well.
I mean this is really solid. The chrome t-molding is a great idea, and I love the diamond plate (I assume vinyl?).
What speakers did you go with? Where did you get the marquee? What are your finished dimensions?
Thanks! Yeah I felt like this thing was begging for Chrome, so I went all in.
The diamond plate is actually aluminum, the kind you'd find at Home Depot. So it's definitely metal, and it was a monster to bend on that top part haha.
I actually bought the cheapest 8" speakers I could find on Amazon- I don't believe they're any sort of name brand.
The marquee I custom made using the image from World Tour and slapping a .png file of the Guitar Hero logo over it. I sized it to 29" wide by 6" high and sent it to Scott at GameonGrafix to print on translite.
The finished dimensions for the cabinet are 31w X 67h x 24d. The height with casters and counting the top lights is approximately 74".
Dude hell yea I saved this post, I would love this in the garage I’m gonna read it closely when I get home I think this is the perfect project to start. Thank you
Awesome man- have fun with it! Happy to share some of the tips and tricks I've found along the way when building these things. Maybe save you some of the trial and error!
Sounds good brotha I appreciate it a ton
You should consider making a YT video you’d get a lot of views, there’s a big following of cabinets and things of that nature
What is the game actually running on in there?
This one is actually running on an Xbox 360. It's just been gathering dust the past few years, so I dropped that in there with the wireless controllers. Someone else was mentioning Clone Hero which I might end up looking into at some point.
Very cool dude!
Thanks! Really appreciate the support!
I really liked the Arcade version, but didn't have a spare $5000+ laying around to grab one. So I built it myself for about 1/10 of that.
People who create their own furniture are heroes for me. I'm not ready to spend a lot of time traveling to stores that sell different materials, in which I don't even know, and then still come up with a project and realize it. I found Kitchen Cabinet Makers Near Me in Point Cook when I started a kitchen renovation, and Fit my House ended up doing real quality kitchen cabinets for me. I wanted to leave more space in the kitchen, so we did away with the upper cabinets, but designed the lower cabinets to hold all the kitchen utensils.