Why I'm Releasing Revamp Kits (And Why I'm Still Very Much a Builder)
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January 20th, 2026
If you've been following along on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitch, you've probably seen me talking about the new Revamp Kits. I've gotten a lot of questions about why I'm doing this, what it means for Ajax Custom Guitars, and whether this changes how I operate. So let's clear the air.
The Light Bulb Moment
Late summer last year, I started noticing something while I was building. My components - the PCBs, the 3D printed parts, the wiring harnesses - were getting really efficient to assemble. I'd spent months iterating on designs, tweaking tolerances, simplifying installation steps. Everything just... worked.
Around the same time, I kept getting requests from people who had old Guitar Hero controllers sitting in closets. Controllers that worked fine mechanically but needed electronic upgrades. "Can I just buy your components?" they'd ask. Or better yet, some customers who'd bought fully-built guitars from me would send me their old controllers as thank-you gifts - controllers that just needed new internals to be great again.
That's when it clicked. I'd been so focused on building complete guitars that I missed an obvious opportunity: there's a whole segment of players who want modern performance but already have the foundation. They just need the good stuff inside.
It's About Respecting Your Time and Skills
Here's my business philosophy, plain and simple: what are you willing to put into it, and what's your time worth?
Some people love the process of building. They want to understand every component, solder every connection, troubleshoot their way through assembly. For them, a Revamp Kit at a fraction of the price of a full build is perfect. They're trading their labor for savings, and they're getting exactly what they want.
Other people? They want to unbox a controller, plug it in, and start hitting notes. They don't want to spend time on assembly, they don't want to read technical guides, and they prefer knowing it's been professionally calibrated. For them, a fully-built Ajax Custom guitar makes sense. You're paying for my expertise, my quality control, my testing protocol, and the confidence that when it arrives, it just works.
Both approaches are valid. Both serve different needs. And frankly, both make my business stronger.
The Competition Question
I'll be honest - I've had a few builders ask me if I'm worried about competitors buying my kits and reselling builds made with my components.
Short answer? Not even a little bit.
Here's why: buying my kit doesn't mean you understand my methods. You don't know the specific firmware tuning I use. You don't know my troubleshooting protocols. You don't know the hundreds of little decisions that went into making these components work together seamlessly. And when your customers have problems, you're the one providing support, not me.
My real competitive advantage isn't in the physical components. It's in the design work - the PCB iterations, the 3D model refinements, the countless hours of testing and optimization. That intellectual property lives in my head and in my design files, not in the kit someone can buy.
If anything, having more builders using quality components elevates the entire community. And if someone wants to compete with me while using my parts? I'm confident in my support, my turnaround times, and my deep understanding of every aspect of these systems.
Two Arms, Same Body
I'm starting to see the Revamp Kits as a different arm of the business. One side is DIY - empowering people to build their own modern controllers. The other side is done-for-you - providing turnkey solutions for players who want performance without the process.
They serve different customers with different needs, but they support each other beautifully. The revenue from kits helps fund R&D. The lessons I learn from kit builders inform my full builds. The efficiency I develop for kits makes my full builds faster and better.
And here's the thing - my hands work great (well, unless I'm sick), but my brain is the real asset. These kits free up time and revenue to focus on what I do best: research and development. I'm not just maintaining products - I'm actively pushing them forward. New PCB designs, better 3D printing techniques, more efficient assembly methods. That's where I shine.
Eventually, I want a full mainline collection to cover all the major Guitar Hero controller models. Maybe some other community-focused products too. But whatever I develop, it'll always come back to the same principle: maximum value for my customers, whether they're building it themselves or ordering it ready to rock.
I'm Not Going Anywhere
Let me be crystal clear about something: releasing DIY kits doesn't mean I'm stepping back from building.
Being a builder means I'm actively working with my products every single day. The model will never change to me pulling a product off a shelf after sitting around all day managing inventory. I am always seeking better, more efficient solutions that deliver maximum value.
When you buy an Ajax Custom guitar, I built it. When you have a question about your Revamp Kit, I'm the one answering. When there's a new problem to solve or a new feature to develop, I'm the one at the workbench making it happen.
That hands-on connection with the product is sacred to me. It's what keeps me sharp, what helps me understand real-world issues, and what ensures that every design decision I make is grounded in actual building experience - not just theory.
Making Controllers Accessible Without Compromising Quality
Here's the reality: $140-200+ for a guitar controller is a huge commitment for a lot of people. I get it. I've been there.
But you know what? A lot of those people already have a Guitar Hero controller sitting in a closet somewhere. Maybe it's a hand-me-down from a sibling. Maybe they snagged one at a garage sale. Maybe it's been sitting there since 2008 waiting for a second life.
By pairing what they already have with my Revamp Kit, they can take the wheel and build something up to modern standards. Mechanical switches, proper firmware, a 1000Hz poll rate - all the same tech that goes into my full builds.
I'm not gatekeeping this technology. I'm not hoarding knowledge. The Clone Hero community thrives when we lift each other up, and if I can help someone build their dream controller for less money because they're willing to put in the work, that's a win in my book.
The Launch Experience
I'm going to be real with you - the hardest part of launching these kits wasn't the product development. It was getting on camera.
I'm autistic, so making eye contact with a camera lens is genuinely difficult for me. I found the filming process challenging. And the video editing? Still figuring that out. It's not my forte, and it probably never will be.
But you know what made it worth it? Showing my process. Not in some polished, interview-style production, but in a raw, authentic way that actually demonstrates how these kits work and why they matter.
And the response from the community - on TikTok, Instagram, Twitch - has been absolutely astounding. Every single person who's vouched for me, shared my content, or just dropped an encouraging comment has made every challenging minute on camera worthwhile.
This is all I do. Ajax Custom Guitars isn't a side hustle or a hobby business. It's my full-time commitment, and the community here makes every day worthwhile. Even the days where I'm working through video editing.
What's Next
I've got big plans for the Revamp Kit line. More controller models, potential upgrade packs, maybe some specialty components that support specific playstyles. But every expansion will follow the same principle: give people options based on what they value.
Want to build it yourself? Here's a kit that makes it as straightforward as possible.
Want it done right without lifting a finger? Here are fully-built guitars that have been tested and calibrated.
Want something in between? Let's talk about what makes sense for your situation.
At the end of the day, I'm not trying to be the only builder in the Clone Hero community. I'm trying to be the builder who raises the bar for what's possible - whether that's through the controllers I build, the kits I design, or the knowledge I share.
Because when everyone's playing with better equipment, the entire community benefits. And that's something worth building toward.
Got questions about Revamp Kits or custom builds? Hit me up. I'm always down to talk shop with fellow rhythm gamers.