Repairing an ASCII Stick FT2 (PS1)?

[Strychnine]

I recently got a used ASCII Fighting Stick FT2 Original for the PS1 (yeah...). It worked fine for oh...a DAY and then two of the buttons started crapping out. I had to really pound on the square button to get it to register. So, I figure no big deal I'll just replace the buttons - but upon opening it up, it seems that the PCB is so how either glued in place or somehow attatched to the buttons themselves.

Has anyone had any experience working with this particular joystick? The stick itself looks to be very easy to swap out - its just the buttons themselves that are not so simple. I've got a bunch of Semitsu screw type buttons lying around...but I imagine I the snap-in Sanwa might work better for this project?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I just discovered how much Guilty Gear X2 is the rock.    

[NFG]

Unfortunately those sticks are designed to prevent easy repair and parts swapping, no doubt to subtly encourage you to replace it instead.  The only way to get that button out is to remove the PCB, which can't be removed until all the buttons are out which can't happen until the PCB is removed which can't etc etc etc.

Your options include delicious things like unsoldering every button from the PCB and hoping you can replace it properly later, and cutting the PCB to shreds violently, ripping it out and re-wiring the stick with actual WIRE later.

Once the stick is out you can replace the little black button mechanism inside the button itself with one from any other Sanwa or Seimitsu button, so you don't have to replace the entire button, possibly with one a slightly different colour.

[Strychnine]

Thanks for replying Lawrence,

from your response and from opening this bastard up again  - I am under the impression that the large PCB attached to the buttons is essentially serving the place for wires? In the sense that it is not the encoder, and thus not actually necessary to its functioning? I've got some nice rainbow wire leading from the button pcb to what i believe to be the encoder (as the joystick is also attached to this board)....I imagine I won't know exactly what wire goes where until I remove the PCB though. What an evil joystick.

[NFG]

the large PCB attached to the buttons is essentially serving the place for wires?

This is totally correct.  I haven't seen a PCB like this that also had an encoder on it for years (like a decade).  

[saxo kit car]

Hello your. 
I am from Greece, I am not very good with English and if you see errors I request you forgive with.
I have this here stick for Playstation 1 http://www.vidgames.com/ps/hardware/asciistick.jpg
The SONY accepted him as official arcade stick SONY for Playstation 1.
The asciiware-ascii it removed also this stick for Playstation 1
http://www.syntaxerror.nu/joy038.jpg
I have five questions that want answer, if you can you answer me you I request.
1) I try to find site her asciware-ascii but I don't find him, him you know?
2) The  asciiware-ascii it still produces arcade sticks?
3) I know that it has removed also this here the stick for PS2
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414F886PHYL.jpg
what I want to learn is how many stick it has removed asciiware-ascii for PS2;
4) For PS3 it has removed sticks?
5) I found also this here but I don't know if intended for PS2 the PS3, you know you? http://nfggames.com/games/grafx/asciistickpro.jpg

[NFG]

ASCII sold its stick-making division to Sammy, who pumped out a few clone sticks before (apparently?) stopping production of console accessories.  This was about 5, 6 years ago.

1. Their site is http://asciimw.jp/
2. No
3. ASCII made many, many joysticks.  I don't know how many for PS2.
4. No PS3 sticks.
5. I don't know if PS2 sticks work on PS3.  Perhaps someone else knows.

[saxo kit car]

I thank you
This stick it knew him? http://nfg.2y.net/games/grafx/asciistickpro.jpg
You know who is email site http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=controls:asciistickpro
in order to I speak together their and I learn more for ASCII Stick Pro;

[l_oliveira]

Quite a bunch of PS2 hardware can be used on the PS3 provided that you have the right (USB) adapter ...

[saxo kit car]

Quite a bunch of PS2 hardware can be used on the PS3 provided that you have the right (USB) adapter ...

Yes I know.