Why I Started Ajax Custom Guitars: A Builder's Journey
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From conservatory musician to custom controller craftsman - the story behind Ajax Custom Guitars
When Your Equipment Holds You Back
After a few years away from rhythm games, I decided to jump back in with a Rock Band kit. I was excited to rediscover the games that had captivated me for over 15 years, starting with the original Guitar Hero that first hooked me as a kid.
But something was wrong.
The guitar controller felt... terrible. The buttons weren't tactile and actually hurt my hands during longer sessions. The strum bar felt mushy and unresponsive. Every missed note made me question whether it was my fault or the equipment's fault. For someone trying to rapidly re-enter the rhythm gaming world, this plastic instrument was becoming a genuine barrier to enjoyment.
That frustration became the spark that would eventually grow into Ajax Custom Guitars.
The Classical Music Foundation
Before diving into how I solved that problem, I need to share something that shaped my entire approach to building controllers: my classical music background.
I spent years studying Classical Trumpet at a conservatory under incredible mentors, with the dream of becoming an orchestral player. That experience was transformative in ways I couldn't have anticipated. Not only did it make me a better overall musician, but it fundamentally changed how I approached rhythm games.
When you've spent countless hours perfecting your embouchure, analyzing phrasing, and striving for musical excellence at the highest level, you develop an almost obsessive attention to detail. You learn that your instrument isn't just a tool - it's an extension of yourself. If your trumpet valve sticks or your mouthpiece doesn't fit properly, it directly impacts your performance.
This mindset carried over completely when I returned to rhythm games. A mushy strum bar wasn't just annoying - it was preventing me from expressing myself musically through the game.
The Tinkerer's Instinct
The classical music background gave me the why, but I needed the how. Fortunately, I've been modifying things since childhood.
I remember getting a RadioShack breadboard kit around middle school age and being absolutely fascinated by it. Around the same time, my father helped me build my first computer, and I was hooked on the tech side of life. I'm naturally curious about how things work, why they were designed that way, and most importantly - how they can be improved.
Whether it was a small performance tweak or a major accessibility improvement, I've always been the type of person who can't leave well enough alone. If something could work better, I had to try to make it work better.
The Search for Better Equipment
So when that Rock Band guitar disappointed me, I did what any reasonable person would do: I went down the rabbit hole.
I tried a Rock Band mod kit. Better, but not quite there.
I tried stock Guitar Hero controllers from different generations. Some were improvements, others had their own issues.
I even tried various mod kits for those controllers. Each solution got me a little closer, but nothing felt like the professional-grade instrument I knew was possible.
After months of experimentation and frankly, wasting money on mediocre solutions, I made a decision that would change everything: I was going to take matters into my own hands and create a product I was actually satisfied with.
Building From the Ground Up
Here's where my approach differs from many other builders in the community. Instead of just swapping out switches or adding some RGB lighting, I decided to treat every single build like a real instrument - professional level, high quality, and absolutely no shortcuts.
This philosophy comes directly from my conservatory days. When you're preparing for an audition with a major orchestra, you can't afford to have equipment that's "good enough." You need something that will perform flawlessly under pressure and allow your skill to shine through.
I started designing things from scratch. PCB design, 3D modeling, even the assembly process itself - everything had to complement the overall experience. It's like solving a complex puzzle where every piece has to work perfectly with every other piece.
The biggest breakthrough came when I developed my integrated RP2040 (Pico) boards. I actually learned PCB design specifically for this purpose because I refused to outsource something so critical to the final product. Having a mostly plug-and-play solution not only increased my efficiency but dramatically improved the stability and reliability of every build.
The Reality of Small Business
Today, Ajax Custom Guitars operates out of my home workshop here in Central Missouri. My setup includes an assembly/disassembly workbench, soldering station, 3D printing rack, packing area, and storage for stock controllers. I'm averaging about 20 controllers per month, though that number keeps growing as my processes become more efficient.
It's just me handling every aspect of the business, which means every controller gets personal attention. I face some health challenges that cause production to fluctuate throughout the month, but that's part of running an authentic, small-scale operation.
The most challenging builds? Definitely the Guitar Hero 5 and World Tour controllers. Hardwiring through those necks is an absolute nightmare. You have to float the neck without pinching wires, carefully position the faceplate, then connect everything while guiding tiny wires with tweezers. It's like performing surgery sometimes, but the end result is worth it.
The CraftiePlays Connection
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been connecting with the rhythm gaming community. When CraftiePlays purchased a controller from my Etsy store and messaged me shortly after, I had no idea it would lead to such a great partnership.
Within a couple of hours, we were on Discord discussing his needs, play style, and what he was looking for in a controller. The conversation felt natural and genuine - he's exactly the same person on and off stream. A few weeks later, we decided to move forward with a partnership that's been incredibly fulfilling.
It's not just about the business aspect. When you see someone using your work to create content, tackle impossible charts, and share their passion with thousands of viewers, it validates everything you've put into the craft.
Why This Matters
At its core, Ajax Custom Guitars exists because I believe rhythm gamers deserve better equipment. Not just "good enough" equipment, but instruments that enhance rather than limit their musical expression.
Every controller I build gets the same attention I would have given to selecting a trumpet for a Carnegie Hall performance. That might sound excessive for what some people consider "just a game," but anyone who's spent hours perfecting a difficult chart knows these aren't just games - they're musical experiences.
When someone messages me saying my controller helped them finally FC a chart they'd been struggling with, or that they can now play for hours without hand pain, that's when I know this journey was worth it.
Looking Forward
The rhythm gaming community continues to grow and evolve, and I'm excited to be part of that evolution. Each new build teaches me something, each customer interaction helps me understand the community better, and each technical challenge pushes me to innovate further.
Whether you're a casual player looking to upgrade from stock equipment or a serious competitor who needs tournament-grade reliability, my goal remains the same: to build you an instrument that enhances your musical journey rather than hindering it.
Because at the end of the day, we're all just musicians looking for the perfect way to express ourselves through rhythm and timing. Sometimes that perfect expression just happens to require a custom-built, RGB-lit, mechanically-switched plastic guitar.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Have questions about custom controller modifications or want to share your own rhythm gaming journey? Feel free to reach out - I love connecting with fellow members of the community.