Anyone know where I can find good sticks?

Hey all,

I'm new to the site... just joined today, in fact. I just got VF5 and can't stop playing, even with the terrible 360 D-pad. I'm not a fan of the official VF5 Hori sticks, so was just wondering if anyone knew a place where I could get bigger sticks that won't slide around with every directional movement.

Also, anyone down for playing with a not-TOO-bad player, feel free to add or look for me online as DaSuperFunk.

 

http://www.arcadeinabox.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=42

select the sanwa stick and buttons. or go to shoryuken.com and get a custom stick built.

 

How good an investment is the $150+ 360 stick from Arcade-in-a-box for those that have one? (or similar) I have a Hori and like it a lot, but I have some extra money burning a hole in my pocket and am thinking of upgrading. What exactly is the difference? Will it be at all noticable to someone who is new to the game but has been playing steadily since the 360 release on a Hori?

Also, is there any way to see what custom artwork they have available? (I couldn't find out from browsing the site)

 

The main difference between the sticks for me is the Stick style... Hori sticks have a shorter stick, and they're the skinny ones with a big ball at the top. Additionally, they overall size is very small.

I'm looking for something bigger, with better button placement and with a bat-style stick (the kind you'd seen on Street Fighter or older VF machines)

 

you can actually change the ball top on that hori stick to a bat top. lizardlick.com check under joysticks and you will find the piece you need to convert it, plus the bat top.

 

You can get the bat style stick with an Arcade-in-a-Box. Go to the link that was provided and check them out. You can also choose between Happ concave or convex buttons, or Sanwa's. You also have the choice between the straight button layout (US/SF style), or the curved style (Jpn/VF style). I customized mine and it's on the way. Plus the artwork overlays are sweet, and you can even submit your own! Here is a link to some of their finished sticks:

http://aiabgames.com/xbox/

 

You could always make your own if you want it to be exactly the way YOU want it to be (or get a friend to do it). You can pickup arcade components (sticks/buttons) from any number of online retailers.

 

Thanks for the link to the art, Throwmasta. Is there a good reason to switch from the ball to the "bat" if I'm already used to and appreciate the ball? I had a Soul Calibur joystick that had a bat, but I really didn't like it because it felt like shifting a gear stick on a car and I never really got used to it. What setup should I go for when I order my custom stick if I want something as close to the VF5 arcade cabinet as humanly possible?

 

Well that's an easy one. Go with all Sanwa parts (doesn't cost too much extra, but it costs a little extra). This includes the ball type stick that you are used to, as well as Sanwa buttons. Your button layout would be the curved/Japanese style. That should be about as close to the VF arcade cabinets as it gets.

I chose a pre-existing artwork overlay (jpg.3 from that link); this was perfect for me, since I play both SF and VF. Also, the ball sticks (which you would want for your stick) come in so many color variations that Ed (the dude who runs the show) says to contact him for all of the options available. There must be too many for him to list on the website, which is a good thing if that actually matters to you.

 

I'm very tempted to get one of those since the quality seems great but they just seem way to big to travel with. Plus I prefer a stick I can hold in my lap.

If you feel the same way fortean, on the shoryuken.com boards there is a trading/selling section (it appears after you registered). In there there is a "so you want to buy a custum stick" thread at the top and it lists a whole lot of stick builders. Prices vary from expensive to reasonable, check it out.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll go check out shoryuken.com and see what's all out there.

I know what you mean about wanting a stick that can rest easily on your lap, Fulaani. I keep trying to think how I'd even accommodate one of those giant monstrosities in my tiny apartment with no furniture.

 

anyone know how long it takes for them (arcade in a box) to deliver.

its been almost 3 weeks,
no emails
no calls
nothing...

i might have to cancel.
i've tried contacting their email,
but no response yet..

thanks
later
-1

 

hmm everyone else has been positive about them. try calling them yourself.

and 3 weeks is not that long.

 

Negative,
I have still not responded to you? I try to get to every email with in a day or two. Let me know your order number and I'll look it up and see what's going on.

Or your Full name you used when you ordered.

Ed
Arcade-in-a-Box

 

Hi Ed.

Thanks for the response!

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again,
-1

 

Did I ship it? It's hard to know without knowing your order number or real name so I can look it up .

Ed

 

ed,

yeah i got it a few days ago.
order number : AIAB-2817

1) it didn't come by fedex, just regular mail.
2) i'm pretty sure i asked for all black buttons,
but one was green
3) i thought i asked for a bat controller,
but i got a ball one

seems to be working fine though,
i haven't really tested it out much..

will follow up with more details later.

thanks
-1

 

Fark, sounds a bit dodgy to me. You wouldn't think someone could make that many mistakes. You might've gotten someone else's stick that they sent to you instead.

 

honestly,

i'm pretty sure its the right order

it's an excellently built stick,

1) i don't really care about the button color
2) the ball is ok, i just have to get used to it.
3) it just took awhile to get here, and i didn't
get any notice of it, that was my only issue..

later
-1

 

negative, its really easy to switch from ball to bat top. give them a call and ask if they could send you a bat top. then you can simply unscrew the ball and put the bat on.