Picked up a SE today for ps3/pc usage. Got to say…I think they definitely fixed the washer issue. The joystick feels very, very much like the JLF on my TE. As in, the movements feel like it, but definitely doesn’t register the same. Buttons are meh, not as responsive as the sanwas of course, but overall not bad for less than 1/2 the cost.
After playing with the fightstick for a month, these button issues began to happen to me, as well. So much that, when playing, I feel like I keep asking myself, “Will the buttons work properly at the time that I press them?” rather than actually paying attention to my command timing. It also seems like the more I play, the less buttons respond. The buttons can temporaily be more responsive if I repeatedly press them deeply, over and over again, for a few seconds, but then they later stop responding, again.
I don’t really know how to exactly say this. The design of the fightstick is pretty nice, and at the start it is decently playable. But overtime?
My advice is, if you are not a collector and/or if you’re not planning on modding it, I would honestly suggest not buying one. Instead, think about an alternative, a more reliable fightstick. Even if you are a new player and you are looking for a more affordable one that you think would be an introduction to the arcade style of playing, sure. For the first few times you play on it, it’s all right. But then it basically stops working, and you can become frustrated at how much it effects your performance, in game.
Though this is not really new. It’s a bit common knowledge that the default buttons in the SE aren’t that great. But I thought I’d give some more information about it.
But, like I said, if you plan to mod it, then go for it.
Just got my stick today, opened it up and washer stays in place, will be fine. Now quick question. If anything happens to my new PCB, can i switch that one with the stock one with no problem or is it alot more in depth then that?
I apologize for asking a very similar question to what’s been asked before, but I desperately need clarification.
One of the buttons (LT) doesn’t respond at all, and I don’t have the reciept for my fightstick, so I don’t think I can sent it in for repairs (nor do I want to, because I waited forever to get mine from ebay). I’m positive that I want to replace both the buttons and the joystick with sanwa/seimitsu parts.
Will replacing the buttons and joystick most likely solve mine and most of the other possible SE problems? Will my fightstick probably be in perfect condition after modding it, or could the parts I’m replacing possibly not be the problem?
Once again, thanks for your help, and sorry for the trouble 
Edit: Also, sometimes when I press all three buttons, it first registers one or two, then registers all three (pushing down once, and not lifting up) possibly causing me to do a super instead of an ultra. Is this because of the quality of the standard buttons, a fightstick issue, or just my bad timing?
Good to hear this because my left side started not functioning. I am from Canada and I bought the stick from US, do I still qualify?
Guy, my Light kick is not responding since i bought it. I checked the connector, but all were alright, do you a solution to my issue ?
I’ve had my fightstick since late February and while playing it the other day the left action on the DP and LS went out. I have since replaced the joystick in the stick but it still won’t recognize when I move the stick left. UP, DOWN and RIGHT as well as all the buttons work just fine its just anything having to do with Left, Up/Left, Down/Left doesn’t register at all. Let me know if there’s anything we can do.
If you just replaced the stick and it’s still not registering it sounds like a PCB issue. There have been quite a few of these popping up in the last batches of sticks (both SE and TE). Sounds like there might be a serious quality control problem.
Call technical support and see if they can do anything for you even though you’ve voided the warranty.
thanks dread will do
i seriously find it absolutely unbelievable that some ppl are complaining about the scratches on the TE stick. lol Are you serious? Be glad that the stick actually works!!! There are ppl that have LEGITIMATE defects on there sticks. Like washer issues etc. More important things then your scratched up TE sticks. My goodness. Its like you guys are going to put these inside of a museum? Please don’t spam this thread because you have a tiny scratch on your stick. Absolutely amazing.
For all those people who have 1 or 2 buttons that stopped working and can’t play street fighter at all ATM:
It should be pretty obvious but you can replace the locations of the bad buttons with the black buttons of the 3 punches and kicks. (Which should be an easy task with the fightstick if I’m not mistaken)
As a temporary solution until the sanwa parts arrive, it’s better than going back to the pad…
i took apart the stock buttons after i replaced them with sanwa parts.
most likely, the plastic is loose and it’s not sensitive and doesn’t always tap onto the sensor button when you’re pressing it.
I’m not sure. I would assume so, but don’t take my word for it. I would call their support line to find out for sure.
$150 is a lot of money to spend on a product. Especially a controller for a game. Not everyone is going to go out of their way to buy something like a TE stick. Personally, I want my stick to be flawless since I’m taking that much money out of my pocket. It is a collector’s item as well, so I like to keep it in great condition. (Cleaning and polishing it after all of my gaming sessions.) I just want to maximize the life span of any product I purchase.
Fun fun fun. My RT button is going out, but it is a PCB problem.
It stops registering everynow and then and wont register until I unplug and replug the stick back in…
Ughhh. Just going to change it so my LT is my RT
Pretty sure if you just replaced joystick, you probably stuck the connector or the PCB IN THE WRONG direction…
That’s encouraging but does that level of service extend worldwide? Plus, their support service might not have to be so good if their quality control department did its job!! Addressing the washer issue is fine but what about the crap quality buttons?
I say void the warranty and get some Sanwa/Seimitsu parts in there!
I wish that was it 
unfortunately. Thou like I said all the other directions work just fine its just anything having to do with left on the joystick it happened on my standard stick and has apparently carried over on my JLF I just put in it. I thought putting the new stick in would take care of it just fine but it’s either the wiring or the main PCB itself.
Got it working it was the wiring harness that came in the SE stick that was the problem. So I took the harness my JLF came with and spliced the two together. All directions work now in the stick an it’s pretty sweet having all Sanwa parts in the stick finally.
Same problem happened to me. Is there any fix for it?
Btw mine is a TE stick.
Just bought a Standard Edition today for the 360.
I don’t have a 360 but I’ve been using it for PC so far.
Works great on MAME and GGXX #Reload so far.
I’m wondering if anyone with any problems post in what they are experiencing along with their purchase date and possibly number of hours put into using the sticks?
I think this could help measure how Mad Catz is dealing with quality control issues.
Format: Street Fighter IV SE (or TE)
Problem: None
Date Purchased: May 08, 2009
Hours Spent: 15 mins
PC compatible: Yes
hope that format may help others understand the situation