Multiple-downstrum Stratocaster Issue

[Dillius]

I know there are a number of guitar issue threads already, but there are a number of separate issues and getting them all mixed up is getting this nowhere.

What I'm looking for is other people who are having strum bar issues on the stratocaster in which downstrumming causes 2-3 strums to be registered. Also, did the day 0 patch have any effect on it?

Personally, mine began to do this near the end of a song playing in Band World Tour, quite randomly in my mind. If I remember correctly it didn't even occur immediately after a hard downstrumming section, but was at the end of a section I had been steadily alt strumming. When the patch was applied, I no longer saw triple downstrums on a single hit, but still often see doubles (Frequency of such down from about 66% to about 33%) but now I also on occasion have downstrums that do not register whatsoever.

Also, does anyone know for sure if this is a hardware issue? I have already sent in a request for a replacement guitar, mostly out of impatience, but would like to know if a software fix may be possible.

[Cutwolf]

Same problem here. Upstrumming doubles or triple strums (downstrumming if you're a lefty).

The other ways work fine.

Randomly started in the middle of Black Hole Sun.

[stunner1210]

Thank God I'm not the only one. Only with mine I can't downstrum at all now, leading me to believe it is broken. The only way you can play is upstroking, any attempt at a downstroke it doesn't register an attempt at strumming.

Should I request a replacement or is there something in the software to be worked over?

[DAV]

same here !!!! crap on the Second day


everything works and looks great, its my guitar that does not want to strum!

[Jarmer]

I already posted in a similar thread regarding this, but I just wanted to make my voice heard, so I'm posting again. The more that say something the better, they'll fix it faster.

Yes, this is also happening for me. Double strums only though, I've not had any triple (I think)

[stunner1210]

I've already requested a replacement, I got standard so I can cancel it if they let me know something other than hardware is wrong. It's pretty upsetting because it's been messing up a lot and makes playing pretty much impossible. I haven't had one song complete normally because of it.

[Schlagwerk]

I've got the exact same problem here. Last time I tried, it was double strumming on down strums about 75% of the notes, making the game impossible to play. I can up strum without any double registers, though.

I tried blowing out around the switch with canned air but that didn't fix the problem at all.
Another fun thing I found while trying to debug the problem was I would press down on the bar and hold it instead of releasing right away. After a second or 2 I would easy my thumb off the bar (in order to purposely avoid the bar "bouncing" as it goes back up) and sure enough it registered again right there. Sounds like I have a borked guitar.

I haven't tried opening it up to see if it's an easily fixable problem yet, but then again, that is something I shouldn't have to do when my controller is barely even a day old.

[socco6]

My guitar just started doing this too. Only on the down strums, I can strum up with no problem.

[mmiranda119]

Add me to the list of people with the double downstrum issue. It happened randomly in the middle of a song, before the patch. The patch did not seem to help one bit.

[Halfazedninja]

Yup. just started happening to me. I'm up at my parents house right now with no live access (OH NOES!!) so I'm hoping the autoupdate will fix it. if not i guess i'll have to order a replacement. luckily i brought my xplorer and my brother brought his les paul. it's really annoying having to deal with this though.

[technopimp]

This is happening to me. During faster sections, it's only registering maybe 80% of my downstrums. What's worse, is once it "skips", it starts doing it for the rest of the song. This even happens in practice and tutorials (in fact, just for fun I did the advanced tutorial and couldn't finish it because it wouldn't register strums). This is kind of making it hard to play the game. Upstrumming sort-of works, but it's a very unnatural motion for me, and throws me off.

[kshreve]

I didn't have any problems before the update, but after the update almost every note registers as a double on downstrums. Upstrums seem to work fine.

[DeaconFrost2100]

Glad I'm not the only one, anyone know if there is a for sure fix for it? I dont have xbox live and it kinds sucks if the only way i can fix it is to get xbox live for a patch.

[Colour]

Me to.....i mainly think its because (in mine, not sure if it has happened to any of you) i get this wierd ring noise when i shake my guitar a little up and down. It kinda sounds like a coin thats gradually lowers until its level with the table but it makes a funny ringing noise. IT PISSES ME OFF SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was playing on the second day......i just got finished with "BlitzKriegPop" and i heard the ringing. It turned out to be ok until i got to "Ballroom Blitz". It started to either not play the note at all or give me that weird delayed multiple strumming thing. I tried to comprimise with this stupid problem but when i started to play that one Police song (forgot what it was called) it started to bug the **** out of me....... Im going to my local Gamestop tommorrow and im askin' what the f's up with my controller. I've been waiting for this game a long time and im not getting another until febuary!!!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............................... ...I'm mad....

[jgardz]

PLEASE EA or someone chime in on this one!!!

[o0MeTaL0o]

I'm having the same issue, but the weird thing is that it seems to be intermitent.
I'll get the double strum issue once and a while; not all the time.... My brother is a thumb strum downstroker and I always Alt strum. After getting the guitar back from him is when it happens, but it seems to go away for the most part after I alt strum through a song.
I took a look inside and I found no evidence of any kind of spring back causing the contacts to re-ajoin.
So I'm wondering if this is at all related to the patch trying to increase sensitivity for the non strumming guitars.

[djc6535]

Add me to this problem as well. Happened 1st day about 2 hours in. I tried messing with it for the last 2 days (amazon shipped it to me a day early) and it's just getting worse. I have a replacement on the way.

While I'd be happier if EA wrote something in this thread, if my guitar replacement really comes in 2-3 days, and works longer than 2 hours, I'll be more than satisfied. Things happen. stuff breaks. Stuff goes out that behaves the way it shouldn't sometimes. Having a problem doesn't reflect poorly on you... how you deal with it does. If this is fixed by a new guitar that is sent as quickly as they say it will be, they're holding up their end.

[bigl523]

I just hope that there is a new revision that has been made so that I don't get yet ANOTHER defective guitar.

[roxperch]

I'm having the same issue, but the weird thing is that it seems to be intermitent.


Yep, intermittent for me, too. I verified on the set-list selection menu. It'll go down one song at a time for several songs and then skip over a song (double-click). I'm a down-strumming thumber, but I can also upstrum so I can still use the guitar ... for now (very worried upstrum will break, too). I'll be seeking a replacement, as well.

But unless they've replaced the strummer since this batch was manufactured, won't this just happen again (there seems to be very few people without this problem. In other words, it sounds like most of the guitars have this defect so getting a new one that was manufactured at the same time will result in a good chance of getting another defective strummer).

I'm just sayin'....

[Redempshin]

I doubt we'll see any official confirmations from EA/Harmonix/MTV about known global problems with hardware. Doing so opens them up for a number of bad PR things. Not sure if it opens them up for any sort of class action item (nor am I saying anyone should seek one), but that's always out there in this day and age.
The fact that if you call support or go through their step by step warranty page, they replace your guitar with almost zero hastle and pay to send you a replacement via 2 day air, at least I wasn't charged, they did want a CC# to insure I'd send back my defective device. I have to keep myself from running to bestbuy and grabbing an Xplorer so that I can play, but once the replacement arrives, it will seem a waste of cash since no one in the house wants to play base.

[ESPY50]

Yet another sorry ass PS3 Rock Band owner. Unfortunately for us we can't use any other guitar 'cept for the couple of hundred million defective ones out there right now! Guess i'll Work on my GH3 rank for now while they figure it out!

[FamousLastX]

Yeah, I have a feeling the replacement guitars will have the same issue. I think I'll just deal with it and play with upstrums only for now, even though I don't like it, and get the guitar replaced in a few weeks, so they will have had time to HOPEFULLY have fixed the problem.

[lukewarm]

Got the last one yesterday at walmart for the PS3. After about 3hrs of playing my guitar started doublestrumming. Tried relinking it with the dongle but it still didn't work properly. Tried it again this morning and now I cannot downstrum at all. Since I am a PS3 owner there is no other guitar controller I can use for it and I have to either wait for a replacement or take it back tomorrow and see if they have anymore ps3 rock band bundles in.

[brianwcu]

PS3 version here, got it first day, it seemed to work fine for about two days, then all of a sudden today when me and my wife was playing the guitar started double stroking on down strokes and some times the green fret when holding down on long chords it would just bounce like it was strumming even though nothing was strumming. Sent in a request for replacement guitar, but not sure if that will really fix the issue since no one has confirmation that its a hardware or software issue. If it can be patched, thats fine, but someone better get on the ball with it. I knew something was fishy when I saw the note to not return hardware to stores, thats a key that they knew something was up with some of their hardware/software and didn't want retailers seeing hundreds of returns, I use to work for a company that manufactured outdoor power equipment and we said the same thing b/c our equipment was made in china and was cheap crap.

[Dillius]

Pretty severe problem here, since this game require precision. I really hope this is solved either through hardware or software pretty quickly, as for the short time it worked i really enjoyed the Stratocaster.

And I feel especially bad for you PS3 owners who have no alternative guitar.

[Jay Bomb]

I think its more of a software issue but I could be wrong, because when cycling through menus and holding the strum bar, it doesn't skip to the next song. But on the contrary I've been experiencing this problem since last night. Recalibrated my TV worked fine for 6 mins then back to the double strum.

[seafisch]

I did the autopatch the first day, and my strat was working fine until last night when I started having problems with downstrums not registering. It happened first online, then I played some solo with no problem. Today, it started happening online again, but then I had the same problem when I tried solo. Upstrums work fine, but downstrums are a no go.

I don't see how it could be a software issue, but maybe. Either way, it's frustrating as hell, since I don't have any other 360 guitar, not to mentioned that it's such a recurring problem so shortly after launch.

[Dillius]

I did the autopatch the first day, and my strat was working fine until last night when I started having problems with downstrums not registering. It happened first online, then I played some solo with no problem. Today, it started happening online again, but then I had the same problem when I tried solo. Upstrums work fine, but downstrums are a no go.

I don't see how it could be a software issue, but maybe. Either way, it's frustrating as hell, since I don't have any other 360 guitar, not to mentioned that it's such a recurring problem so shortly after launch.

Not responding at all or double downstrumming?

[Final Remix]

Add me to the list for strumbar madness on 360. This just manifested itself in the past few minutes... Halfway through "Gimme Shelter", downstrums either stopped, or would start to freak out on their own.
I'm getting symptoms of the following:
-half-second lag on downstrum
-no downstrum
-lack of downstrum, then sudden simultaneous input as if catching up.
I've noticed VERY subtle menu-lag when going downward in menus recently, and upstrumming is perfectly fine. I've been playing sing GH1 on PS2 and know exactly how to take care of a controller, and from having worked at a gamestop, I know how not to treat a controller.

I'd love to get this fixed asap, either through an actual update (yeah right, GH2 anyone?) or a mass hardware replacement. My main problem is that neither of my Xplorers have proper whammy or overdrive engagement, so I'm essentially out a decent guitar at this point if these symptoms persist.

[CanisFirebrand]

Yep.. I was playing with the 360 guitar with no problems until today I played about 15 songs to finish the solo guitar tour. Once I was done, I went to play another song and the downstrumming was being finicky. It was not registering notes and double downstrumming. Upstrumming is fine.
I tried my guitar hero 2 guitar and had no problems upstrumming and downstrumming.
I'm not very happy that after 2 days I have a broken instrument. Lucikly EA let me do the express shipping. I should have my replacement monday or tuesday. I hope the replacement doesn't break as quick, or at all. I can't believe that after 2 days the thing is broken.

[jgardz]

ea won't replace mine, as I'm in canada....not cool ea

[HPLabonte]

neither the up or downstrum works on my strat now, wtf.

[PlattenFaust]

Ok rockers - check this out.

I took apart the strat only to discover the depths of screwedness we are all in.

Let me preface this first by saying I am "The Gray Bush", and a 20+ year IT vet so I do NOT recommend you go off and violate your warranties by ripping apart your Faux Fenders.

1st - this issue can not be fixed EXCEPT BY CHANGE OF HOW YOU STRUM
2nd - the way the sensor mechanism was constructed is simply rediculous
3rd - I hope I don't get banned 'cuz this game rocks!

The mechanism for recording strokes can only be described as a 5th grade science experiment where I made a telegraph machine. It is two thin strips of metal on a foam shiv acting as the return spring.
The contacts are SO close together that if you sturm too quickly in the same direction the contacts never open.

The logic from the controller mechanism PULSES the circut so if you hold the strummer UP or DOWN for a few seconds you get an additional hit as well.

So the trick is this - you MUST double strum on fast / close notes, and this is compounded by the fact that you can't strum TOOOO hard OR tooo soft or it will not register.

This is a TRULY analog system for making strums happen.

No amount of tinkering is going to resolve this, so my suggestion is to learn to play this as best you can and maybe they will come out with a better unit.

Or you can buy the wireless Gibson - my homie has that and it uses microswitches for strumming - NEVER misses a note.

hope this helps!

[Dillius]

So what you're saying is unless the hardware is changed we're pretty much screwed?

*Hugs his Les Paul*

[eightbithero]

Even after the patch, downstrumming stops working randomly for me

[Alzdaman]

Well, mine misses strums as well as double and triple strumming. And when I hold the bar down it strums like a turbo controller. My guitar also sounds like something is loose inside of it when I move it around. My replacement will be here Monday, hopefully it's better.

Edit: It came like this out of the box 10/17/07 was the box date. I keep all of my possessions in pristine condition.

[jaredstokes]

This blows. Mine was DOA the day I bought it. I submitted for a RMA but no response from EA. Freaking blows.

[Final Remix]

So how does this work? Does EA send a new one, and you return-ship in the box the first one came in, or are we required to package our stuff and sent it out first, then wait even longer for a guitar? 'Cause I'll force my way through solo mode on the strat to unlock all the songs, since my Xplorer is in worse shape.

[GregoryHarbin]

So how does this work? Does EA send a new one, and you return-ship in the box the first one came in, or are we required to package our stuff and sent it out first, then wait even longer for a guitar? 'Cause I'll force my way through solo mode on the strat to unlock all the songs, since my Xplorer is in worse shape.

There are two options:

1. You give them a credit card #, they ship you a NEW GUITAR via 2nd day air. You get charged nothing as long as you send back you old broken guitar within 28 days with the included shipping box. If you don't send the guitar back, they will charge you $125 plus a handling fee.

2. No credit number, they send you a box to send back your guitar. Once they receive it, and verify everything, they send you a new guitar.

[Strutter]

Neither up or down works with strumming now, completely ridiculous.

[sherm12345]

My guitar seemed to work fine for the first day, but as I got into the faster songs on day 2 I noticed that my multiplier was repeatedly being set to 0 even when I was hitting all the notes correctly. As the day went on, the problem got progressively worse until I couldn't even finish a song because of all of the double hits and unregistered strums. I am currently waiting for my replacement guitar, but if the above post is true and this is a hardware issue, it would seem we are all screwed. And I really liked the guitar too.

[Ghambit]

Ok rockers - check this out.

I took apart the strat only to discover the depths of screwedness we are all in.

Let me preface this first by saying I am "The Gray Bush", and a 20+ year IT vet so I do NOT recommend you go off and violate your warranties by ripping apart your Faux Fenders.

1st - this issue can not be fixed EXCEPT BY CHANGE OF HOW YOU STRUM
2nd - the way the sensor mechanism was constructed is simply rediculous
3rd - I hope I don't get banned 'cuz this game rocks!

The mechanism for recording strokes can only be described as a 5th grade science experiment where I made a telegraph machine. It is two thin strips of metal on a foam shiv acting as the return spring.
The contacts are SO close together that if you sturm too quickly in the same direction the contacts never open.

The logic from the controller mechanism PULSES the circut so if you hold the strummer UP or DOWN for a few seconds you get an additional hit as well.

So the trick is this - you MUST double strum on fast / close notes, and this is compounded by the fact that you can't strum TOOOO hard OR tooo soft or it will not register.

This is a TRULY analog system for making strums happen.

No amount of tinkering is going to resolve this, so my suggestion is to learn to play this as best you can and maybe they will come out with a better unit.

Or you can buy the wireless Gibson - my homie has that and it uses microswitches for strumming - NEVER misses a note.

hope this helps!


Sorry, I disagree here. First of all, replacing the strum mechanism with microswitches isnt necessarily the best fix. Microswitches are "clicky," usually loud, and are many times un-serviceable. It would defeat the purpose of the design they came up with for the strat.

Also, there IS an amount of tinkering you can do to the strum to make it play any number of ways to your liking. Initially, with a "broken" Strat, even if you played it correctly it'll still glitch if you dont adjust the contactors.

The fix(es) are posted in another long thread so I'm not going to retype it here. It's extremely easy to do and wont void the warranty unless you're a complete doofus. Heck, even an IT guy could do it. :D

[cgouch2]

The fix(es) are posted in another long thread so I'm not going to retype it here. It's extremely easy to do and wont void the warranty unless you're a complete doofus. Heck, even an IT guy could do it. :D

Can you post a Link or two of the fix(es) to the other threads?

As many others who have posted here report, mine started doing it beginning of the summer as well. However I attributed it to 1 of 2 reasons (or both)... 1) high humidity and dampness in the basement where they are kept and/or 2) not playing RB as much over the summer and therefore the guitar sitting idle longer than it did in the winter/spring.

My problem "seems" to work itself out after about 1/2 hour +/- when playing. I have no idea what is going on or makes it work, but it almost appears that after playing it again for this period of time builds up "something" again to make it register again... magnetic contacts?? I have no idea.

I would have RMA'd it but wasn't clear that it was a problem that could be dupolicated (my luck) when it was received by them.

[ESCOBEN]

i havent read through this all but a while after my whammy bar broke my up strum was not working. after a day of it i got pissed off and opened it. what happend was the ring that the whammy bars spring had when it broke and i took out the spring i forgot to take that out and it got stuck to the magnet on the strum bar. i took it off and i could up strum again. it could be that for some of you. it would strum a few notes but then drop a few. once the ring was taken off the magnet it was fine.