Review of New Strummer for Strat

popcorn88 · #1 02-26-2008, 11:06 AM

I don't know if anyone gave feedback yet for any 3rd party strumbars for the strat, but I just received one today from the website bytearts.com.

I returned my first strat because of the mushy strumbar, only to receive the exact same thing in return. So I figured what the hell and spent the 20 bucks on this. The only thing that sucks is I guess it voids your warranty...but these guitars are almost unplayable the way they are. So anyway after a pretty simple installation, I am very happy with this product. It kind of gives that click that guitar hero did but not as loud and doesn't allow the strummer to travel as far. I only played for an hour so far, so I don't know how long it lasts or anything.

btw sorry if this is old news, I just found out about it...and I know how many people are having problems

kaiserkreb · #2 02-26-2008, 11:12 AM

interesting, the mush was the biggest issue I had with the strat, along with an faintly audible sound when it returns to rest rather than a nice click when you move it into position. Not a huge deal but it effs up my rythym when you're used to hearing the click on the actual downstroke. (or up, for that matter)

shadebug · #3 02-26-2008, 11:14 AM

I just removed the sponges from mine. It's free and does much the same job, though it may also destroy my switches, we'll see

HeadHunter67 · #4 02-26-2008, 01:13 PM

Nice - now if they made the same sort of mod for the shoddy overdrive switches I'd gladly buy both!

BriGuy · #5 02-26-2008, 06:31 PM

Not that I was having a huge problem with my strummer, but this actually looks pretty solid so I went ahead and ordered one too. My fiance has been complaining about the strummer and this one will bring back that slight click we've all grown accustomed to and there's a 14 day return policy, so if it sucks it won't be a total waste (depending on the return shipping cost!)
As soon as I get it I'll install it and post my review here too.

JiggMaster · #6 02-26-2008, 06:47 PM

the overdrive switch replacement'd be nice, I like the strumbar without the click.

tidu · #7 02-26-2008, 07:16 PM

Is the installation hard?

I'm in the same boat as you, I RMA'd my first guitar at most 1-2 weeks after getting the game for Christmas. The RMA'd one is broken as well, and it's even the magnetic strummer. I had to chip away the plastic inside to expose more magnet and give it some more sensitivity, but after a week or two of that the guitar is back to its broken state. And to top it all off, EA didn't return my money, because they apparently didn't get my UPS'ed guitar. >:/ I'm looking for the tracking number now to prove to them they got it.

King_Nuthin · #8 02-26-2008, 07:25 PM

How springy is it? I've opened mine countless times to try different rubber band fixes to get the kind of spring action I desire and am mostly happy now. I still think I am more accurate with a GH strum bar but I prefer everything else about the Strat. I'd love to get something that feels more like the GH strum bar, click or no click without having to worry about rubber bands breaking or losing elasticity and regular tune ups.

malklavious · #9 02-26-2008, 07:26 PM

See link in my sig for an easy mod for the tilt switch.

edit: odd, sig isn't showing up for me, here's the link:
http://rockband.scorehero.com/forum/...pic.php?t=5132

HeadHunter67 · #10 02-26-2008, 08:05 PM

It's not too complicated, but it looks fragile (I imagine that accidentally dropping the guitar would destroy those little vials) and the nice thing about this strummer is that it requires no soldering. If they made a tilt switch it would appeal to some folks, I'm sure - but I'll likely wind up doing your mod when I have the time to tear open my guitar.