A Guide to Modding Your Fightstick

Why Mod Your Fightstick?

Modding isn’t just about aesthetics (although, let’s face it, we all want the end result to look the business). The real beauty lies in function. Getting your controls dialled in to your exact preferences can make a huge difference in response, feel, and durability.

From levers and buttons to springs, actuators and gates, there are dozens of ways to make your fightstick truly yours. Let’s dive in.

Levers: Your First Point of Contact

Whether you're playing Street Fighter, Tekken, or classic shmups, the lever is arguably the most critical component of a fightstick. It determines the feel of every movement.

I accept that many players are now opting for lever-less fightstick setups and if this is the direction you want to go in, you might pay less attention to this section. But in my opinion, levers are where things all started and watching some of the top players competing at Evo in Las Vegas recently, many are still using levers!

Popular Lever Choices

• Sanwa JLF/JLX: A go-to for many, known for its smooth motion and modular design.
  
• Seimitsu LS-32/LS-40: Preferred for tighter inputs, great for shooters and charge characters.
  
• Korean Levers (e.g. Samducksa/Crown): Popular in the Tekken scene for their rapid engage and rubber grommets.

Lever Modding Options

• Handles: The most obvious way to change the look of your joystick lever is with the choice of handle. There is a huge range of shapes, sizes and colours. The most common are ball and bat tops, but there are also other interesting options like bullet tops.
• Shaft and Dust Covers: Another aesthetic mod is to add coloured covers to the lever shaft and replace the standard dust cover.
• Springs & Grommets: Changing the spring weight or grommet firmness can really change the stick resistance and return-to-centre feel.
• Gates: Swapping the standard square gate for an octagonal or circular one changes the restrictor feel and makes a big difference on some games. It’s perfect for fine-tuning fireballs or 360s.
• Actuators: Increasing the actuator size can reduce the throw distance (how far the stick moves in each direction), making inputs quicker but potentially less forgiving.
• Switches: Swap microswitches for lighter or firmer ones depending on your preference for feedback.

Lever Modding Guide

Here is a very quick step-by-step guide on how to swap out the spring, actuator and gate on a Sanwa JLX2.

JLX2 and replacement octagonal gate:

Remove existing gate by squeezing the plastic tabs two at a time:

Lift out the microswitch PCB:

Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully lever off the e-clip (make sure you are holding the actuator as it can ping off):

Remove the actuator and spring:

Choose your replacement parts:

Drop the new spring and actuator into place:

Whilst holding the actuator down, put the e-clip back on with some pliers:

Drop the microswitch PCB back into place and then clip the new gate back on top and you’re done!

Buttons: The Sound and Speed of Inputs

Not all buttons are created equal. Here’s what to consider:

• Switch type: Silent microswitches, clicky microswitches, and mechanical (MX) switches. Within each of these categories, there are multiple models that each offer unique characteristics in terms of actuation force, travel distance, tactile feedback, and sound profile. 
• Convex or concave: The profile of the top of the button makes a big difference to the feel. Concave buttons are typically seen on arcade cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s, especially in the UK and US. Most modern fightsticks use convex buttons, like those found on original Japanese candy cabs.
• Fixing type: Buttons either clip into place using locking plastic tabs (snap-ins), or screw in using a securing nut (screw-ins). Snap-ins are quicker to install but may not be suitable for thicker panels. 
• Aesthetics: Colour is just the beginning. Buttons are available in translucent or opaque finishes, with either a glossy, matte or textured surface. Some support LED lighting for a visual effect, whether through built-in illumination or custom wiring setups. These options allow you to personalise your stick to match a theme or make it stand out in a crowd. 

Popular Button Choices

• Sanwa OBSF/OBSC: Ultra-light press, short travel. Great for fast tapping.
• Seimitsu PS-14: Slightly stiffer, preferred by those who like a bit more resistance.
• Crown/Samducksa: Known for screw-in models and different plunger profiles.
• Silent buttons: Ideal for streamers or night-time players wanting a quieter experience.

Tools of the Trade

• JIS or Phillips screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Spudger or flathead screwdriver
• Soldering iron (for advanced mods)
• Button removal tool
• Flush cutters
• 2.8mm or 4.8mm QD (spade) terminals

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

There’s a real joy in modding your own fightstick. It’s part craftsmanship and aesthetics, part performance tuning. Once you get started, it’s hard to stop tweaking. Hopefully this article has given you a solid start into lever and button mods.

Got questions or mod ideas? Drop us a line or join our Discord community!