Hey Shoryuken,
I wanted to share with you my Seimitsu LS58 mod for the Madcatz Alpha stick.
I always wondered how I could get an LS58/6 to fit inside the Alpha give that the 58 and JLF have similar enough mounting plates and dimensions. After spending way too long on google images looking for best way to mod the Alpha I finally just went for it and ordered everything in one fell swoop and got started.
Seimitsu LS58/6 and PS-15 buttons arrived from ArcadeShock. Time to install.
Warranty instantly voided. (Pretending Madcatz is still in business)
Here is a Brawl stick mount (JLF clone). Fits great
Makes a nice template for the 58 mounting plate
And here is the LS58 plate after it made its way through the drill press
The next step needed some fun dremel action on these plastic tabs which prevented the case from closing since the LS58 takes up a little bit more room inside the case than the JLF.
Before
After
The bottom of the Seimitsu shaft still hit the bottom of the case so it was filed down as well
Before
After
The 58 sits a tiny bit higher but not extreme jlf levels. The shorter shaft of the 58 is a perfect match for the Alpha. You nearly get the traditional joystick height. Usually when mounted in most traditional Arcade cases the Ls58 sits a little bit lower. Of course maybe the ls56 is “optimal” sitting extra low to the top panel but personally that feature always bothered me so I’m glad to be able to use one at the nickle height for a change for better or worse.
Compared to my hrap universal mounted Hayabusa.
I’m done with it now but the next logical step would be to install a LS58 Phreakmod shaft and a LEMO Connector for some sweet de-attachable cable goodness which would make this the Ultimate travel stick. It’s so small you could lose it in your backpack.
Thats about it. This is a nice little Arcade stick. The last new design before Madcatz bit the dust. I’m surprised how little attention this guy gets. I was thinking about sharing my mod process in the Alpha thread but it has way too many dead photobucket image links which upset me (greatly) so good golly here’s a new thread and I’ll take the ban if need be.
Hope you enjoyed the process.