Complicated fix for overworked Rock Band drums

It's no secret that Rock Band hardware has experienced its fair share of failures, and while the kick pedal has caused the lion's share of grief on the drums, we're pretty sure at least some of you out there have thoroughly ruined those heads. If so, the similarly bummed folks over at Official Xbox Magazine have a possible solution. We'll be honest -- the "fix" described in the read link below isn't for the faint of heart, but if you're too impatient to take your problems up with Harmonix, find the smallest screwdriver you can and have at it.

[Via MAKE]

[Reader @ Mar 1st 2008 11:38PM]

This is good for companies... Why make your product high quality when as long as it's fun the consumers will fix it themselves. Of course no insult to the DIYers, always have respect for them, but picking up Harmonix's slack isn't my cup of tea.

[Big John @ Mar 1st 2008 11:47PM]

I don't think it's a quality issue. It's a "people are beating these things senseless for hours upon hours at a time" and repeating that over a long time. They get abused. The fact that these things last as long as they do is pretty surprising.

[Gnaget @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:56AM]

There shouldn't be a lot of force going to that little wire, and if there is, it is a design flaw. I used to have a nice set of electric drums which withstood years of abuse, and never gave me even the slightest problem. Granted that was a $3000 set, and these cost $80, but if it only lasts a few weeks (or even a few months) that is unacceptable. No one should have to pay $80 / month for replacement parts to play a game.

[Chuckles McGee @ Mar 2nd 2008 11:53AM]

To be fair, Rockband does have some pretty top-notch support. I was able to fill out a form online for a faulty guitar and get a new one shipped to me for free via 2-day air with a prepaid return label for the broken one. A shame that the thing would break in the first place, but at least EA's doing something about it.

[Thomas @ Mar 1st 2008 11:42PM]

Seriously, this article has been out for sooooooooo long. What took you guys so long? There has to be something else going on.

[Big John @ Mar 1st 2008 11:48PM]

It's Saturday night, just coming up on midnight in eastern America.

So no -- not really anything else going on. At least they're posting something, even if it *is* back burner stuff.

Oh and reminder: not everyone has seen every article ever posted in the internet like you have.

[Chip @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:35AM]

Seriously, why didn't YOU report it long ago then?

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:56AM]

@Chip:

I reported something here like a month ago, and it took them WEEKS to post it (not exaggerating)...


But really, don't whine about engadget being late to some things.. it is still news for some (or most?) of us, and John is right, there's nothing else going on right now.. this is better than nothing

[peacebyanymeans (AKA: Moorio) @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:00AM]

I would like to say that their is somewhat of a problem with the yellow drum on some units, as this article says. I had to replace my drum set because the yellow drum wasn't responding, almost 75% of the time. I would suggest that if you still have the warranty, just do that as opening it up voids it completely. I sent mine away and did the express method and got my new ones 3 days later.

My new drums work fine. :)

[Nicknin10do @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:23AM]

I have seen this page a while ago.
Ever since then I have fixed my drumsets a total of 7 time. 6 times was loose wires while the other time a piezo acturally broke. Had to buy a new one from radio shack. Better than waiting about 3 weeks for a new one from EA.

[HumanimalCracker @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:22AM]

Can't 5 year olds in Korea make a decent set of electronic drums? WTF peepz!

[Juaquin @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:58AM]

While these should be more durable, good to see that they haven't made it impossible to fix yourself. Some people comfortable with modding would probably rather do this than send it in and wait for it to be fixed, only to find out when it comes back that all the signatures from famous rock bands have been wiped away. I'm looking at you, Microsoft.

[Coaster @ Mar 2nd 2008 10:09PM]

I had a guitar replaced - the yellow strum. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks. Drums still fine, and with it being used nearly every weekend, I'm pleased. The xBox itself got the RROD, but the new extended warranty took care of that, and it should be back home Monday. Very much a no-pain repair plan they have.

[mike k. @ Mar 3rd 2008 8:45AM]

I've seen far scarier hacks to other consumer devices. Some disassembly and a little soldering definitely isn't that scary of a job.