Van Halen Custom Controller

[Rusty Venture]

Where are you located?

[Nunzio]

British Columbia, Canada.

[Rusty Venture]

You might be able to get something going, even if Canadian customs are a buncha commie nazi's.

[Gentlegamer]

In order to be 100% authentic, you must always be holding a cigarette as you play.

No kidding. I saw Van Halen at Compaq Center in Houston years ago, a non-smoking facility. Eddie still had his cigarette onstage.

[Nunzio]

I'll put a paperclip on the cord and stick a smoke in there. Then it'll be 100%.

I have another controller in primer right now, so I'll paint it up and see if I can get some more buzz going. Should be ready by next week sometime, hopefully someone will want to buy it. I don't want to disclose the design yet, but it should be pretty cool looking and non Van Halen related.

[Disengage]

You have to tap on the A button with your D-Pad hand.

[KnightWarrior]

I think I have a Broken DC Controller....Could you try all black..

[Nunzio]

Yeah, but if it's broken what's the point?

[mick_aka]

Out of interest what methods are you using to paint your pads Nunzio?

I'm just thinking that you're painting something that's pretty much going to be constantly subjected to rubbing, so surely you're going to end up with a controller with the 'gigged with' look?

Just wondered if you're rubbing then coating or wether you're using plastic primer under there?
I'm taking a wild stab by your pics that there is a coat or two of clear laquer over the top, certainly looks like it from the excellent finish you got on the other pad.

[Nunzio]

Well, first I go over the whole surface with sandpaper, 400 grit. That makes it so the primer will stick. Then, several light coats of plastic primer allowed to dry for a day or two. Followed by acrylics painted on top by rattle can or airbrush and finally many light coats of acrylic clear for the finish. I did a lacquer clear for the Van Halen controller and I play with it and the physical controller does not take much wear. The clear coat on the buttons however has worn down, hence I didn't paint them on my gunmetal+blue controller.

The acrylic clear I use is actually Future floor finish. It's tough stuff because when it's dry you're supposed to walk on it. That's why I think it is better than a lacquer clear, but it is more difficult to apply. Between that and occasionally polishing the controller I think it will last quite awhile. But after playing with the Van Halen controller quite a bit, I am fairly certain that the shell of the controller does not take enough of a beating from gameplay to be damaged for at least a couple years.

Still, it's a learning experience for me too. I don't know how anything will stand up to wear until it has actually done it.

[cdoty]

My controller:

Nice job. Although, I always liked the red one better:

http://www.vintagekramer.com/Ed/guitar-918V.jpg