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Below is important information to know before placing a custom order with us:
The art cover replacement top panel offers one of the best ways to customize your joystick. The plexiglass sits atop specially cut artwork, allowing you to add or replace new custom artwork to match your joystick theme.
Obsidian 2 Stickless Panel Template (Must use custom AFS metal panel replacement. Not compatible with other Obsidian 2 stickless panel replacements - 1.8Mb zip) |
The Qanba Obsidian 2 is the newest flagship model for Playstation 4/5. This model uses our .125" thick acrylic. Some important notes while installing and replacing your pushbuttons:
The original acrylic top panel has artwork permanently attached to it. To replace the original panel, you must first remove 6 black stickers on top panel and epoxy glue below those stickers across the top and bottom area of the panel. You can re-use the existing screws if you are able to remove the epoxy, or you can purchase replacement screws in silver and black oxide. | To access the internal wiring, use a Phillips head-screwdriver to unscrew the 6 screws on the bottom panel. A screw is hidden behind a white warranty tamper sticker. The Obsidian 2 features a cover for the joystick shaft. Using a flathead screwdriver, place it between the shaft groove and then begin turning the balltop. This will allow you to unscrew a balltop or battop. |
Once the bottom panel is removed, make note of the button wiring. The guide shows the wire colors for each button when the panel is upside down, the orientation you are likely to have when installing the Stickless metal replacement panel. Screwbuttons such Sanwa OBSN, or Seimutsu PS-14-GN/KN will fit the Obsidian 2, as top buttons' proximity to the control PCB is not as close as the original Obsidian. That said, you may have varying results with screwbuttons fitting within the Stickless style layout. Also note that the slightly larger Seimitsu PS-14-G pushbuttons may have trouble fitting in this panel. |
Shown here is the original top plexi panel removed. The top middle screw hole requires a longer screw, which we explain in the next step. Note that the metal panel contains cut-outs around the button holes. Snapbuttons such as Sanwa OBSF will attach to the plexi panel, not the metal panel. The tab cutouts in the metal panel's holes will dictate which orientation your buttons install. Keep this in mind when installing artwork in the button insert cap, as it may need to rotate to match the button tab position when reinstalled. |
With the Vewlix style panel removed, install the replacement AFS Stickless panel. Position the new panel into the shallow groove that the original panel occupied. Use the 6 silver screws from the original panel to attach the new panel to the Obsidian 2 housing. Luckily, the Qanba team anticipated a Stickless replacement panel may one day arrive. They already pre-cut the bottom middle panel near the stickless' up button would appear. |
Flip the Obsidian 2 upper case over to reveal the Fightstick motherboard. Connected to the motherboard is the USB power cable, along with the joystick lever connector. Both will connect to the FA SO.CD (included with our Obsidian 2 Stickless Bundle kit). As of this writing, there is no CPT certified firmware update for the Qanba Obsidian 2 (Q7), which is why the FA SO.CD is required. |
In this step, you will install the supplied Qanba passthrough harness (included with our Obsidian 2 Stickless Bundle kit) into the USB Power connector. First, as shown in steps 1 and 2, remove the existing USB power connector, located to the right of the 5-pin joystick lever harness. Next, connect the female end of the USB power connector harness to the male end of the passthrough harness. Finally, in step 4, attach the female end of the passthrough cable to the female end of the USB Power connector. The passthrough harness uses the electricity from the USB connector to supply power to the FA SO.CD. Note that the connectors are keyed - there is only one way to insert them into the corresponding pins. |
We're now ready to connect the passthrough harness to the FA SO.CD. Attach the male 2-pin connector to the female connector on the SO.CD. This connector is also keyed and can insert only one way. If you notice difficulty inserting the pin, it's likely that you have it upside down and need to flip. |
At this stage in the process, you will now install your top artwork and acrylic panel. Use the included Set of 6 Bolts for Qanba Obsidian 2 Fightstick (if you purchased our Qanba Obsidian 2 Stickless Custom Art/Plexi Bundle) and take note of the slightly longer 1.5 inch screw in the set. This screw is longer to address the unique "half-screw" hole Qanba designed into the Obsidian 2. The longer screw bores into the plastic reservoir that the original, shorter 3/8 inch screw once occupied, allowing the top acrylic panel to attach more securely. | |
We now move to attaching the wires using the included All-Button Harness for FA SO.CD (included with our Obsidian 2 Stickless Bundle kit). Start with the black ground wire of the harnesses daisy chain. Notice the tinned edges of the harness wires. You will insert this into the "G" terminal block. You do not have to push forward hard or you risk damaging the terminal block. The terminal is designed to slide the tinned edge in and keep a secure grip. To release the grip and remove the wire, use a pen tip or similar and press down on the while pulling the wire out. Again, do not press too hard or you risk damaging the terminal block. | The Obsidian2 has a reverse input from the FA SO.CD. In this case, the directions output from FA SO.CD are reversed when input to the Obsidian motherboard. To address this, we connect the SO.CD harnesses to the opposite direction buttons. This is important; forgetting to reverse the input wires (ie DOWN from SOCD goes to UP button) will result in reversed directions when playing. This is simple to resolve should you forget this step however. UP goes to DOWN Button DOWN goes to UP Button LEFT goes to RIGHT Button RIGHT goes to LEFT Button |
Now is a good opportunity to test your wiring connection with the FA SO.CD. The device has tiny LEDs that show power, input and output connections. This is helpful to confirm which buttons are pressed during testing. | In this case, we want to confirm that the wiring is properly reversed from the SO.CD to the buttons, based on the earlier wiring steps. In the example photo, we want to confirm that the down SO.CD output is properly wired to the up button. The application used here is gamepadtester.net. Be sure to switch your Obsidian 2 platform switch to "PC/X-Input" before plugging into your computer and performing the test. |
With the wires installed to the directional buttons, we're close to wrapping things up. A suggestion to position the FA SO.CD to the front of the Obsidian housing. You can also use additional small zip ties to keep the SOCD harness wiring tidy. | |
You're now ready to add your action buttons. Pay attention to the wiring color as described in our third step photos, as you'll match those colors to your new 24mm buttons. Once completed, reinstall the bottom panel, along with the bottom panel screws. The finished product should look similar to this. Congratulations! |
The Obsidian top panel is constructed using resilient clear acrylic, and layout is cut to precision with a laser etching device.
Options Help |
You have several options to personalize your control panel, such as button layout, removal of control panel or screws in some models Jump to: LAYOUT | REMOVING DEFAULT ELEMENTSPlexi Color, ThicknessBelow are visual examples of available acrylic colors and thicknesses. Not all colors are available for each thickness, nor are the materials and thicknesses accessible for each Fightstick model. Some colors come in a specific thickness, and are too thin or thick to install properly on the Fightstick. Additionally, some material thicknesses do not allow for full etch, as the material can warp from the laser. When multiple colors and thicknesses are available for your Fightstick model, you will find them within the options list. Plexi ThicknessPlexi Color and TextureClear (.75mm, 1.5mm, 3mm)
Black Gloss (1.5mm, 3mm)
Black Matte (3mm only)
White Gloss (3mm only)
White Matte (3mm only)
Notes about Black Matte, White Matte & White Gloss
Black Matte is available in .125" (3mm) thickness only. This color and material texture can be purchased without etching. For AllFightsticks models, you can use the black matte plexi panel as a full replacement for the metal panel.
White Gloss and White Matte is available in .125" (3mm) thickness only. For AllFightsticks models, you can use the white matte plexi panel as a full replacement for the metal panel.
White acrylic is also semi translucent - about 80% opacity. You could place a brightly colored artwork underneath for a cool effect. Layout ConfigurationEach Fightstick has its own characteristics, with some sharing similar elements, such as the popular Vewlix button layout. We will specify what options are available for each Fightstick. Below are the most common button layout configurations: 8 Button Vewlix
First 6 Buttons
Last 6 Buttons
7 Button Vewlix
Removing Default ElementsSome Fightsticks, such as the popular MadCatz TE, offer additional personalization options by removing default elements such as control panel, start button, or screws. Cut options are defaulted to their authentic counterpart, displayed as [YES (default)] in the options list. For example, a MadCatz TE, the default configuration is to have the turbo/guide portion of the control panel cut, so that the control panel can fit properly. You have the option to select [NO] to prevent cutting these areas. Cut Control Panel? [NO]
Cut Start Button? [NO]
Cut Middle and/or Bottom Screws? [NO]
Cut Control Panel? [NO] - If you own a MadCatz TE, and installed a PS360+, you may no longer need the Turbo/Guide area of the control panel, located at top left. This option allows you to remove the Turbo/Guide portion. Please note that you MUST remove the actual control panel on the TE by unscrewing it before applying the plexi, or you risk damaging the plexi. Also, please make certain to select this option if you are also choosing to have artwork printed, or the plexi and artwork won't match. Cut Start Button? [NO] - On some joysticks - such as the Qanba Q4 - the start button is directly on the panel. You can select to have this removed. You can also select this should you desire a panel similar to the Eightarc Fusion or Synthesis series Fightstick, as the start button is moved elsewhere. Again, this option is available on specific joysticks. Cut Middle and/or Bottom Screws? [NO] - Selecting "no" on this option allows you to remove the middle top and bottom screw holes on specific joysticks, either for a cleaner appearance or to avoid rubbing your wrist against the screw. Please reconsider this option if you intend to have a full panel etch on your plexi, as etching physically changes portions of the plexi due to heat. In this case, it is best to leave the screw holes in place in order to keep the panel securely positioned. |
Image Edit |
If you would like to use a free, online Photoshop-like app to check out whether your artwork will work with a layout we offer, I highly recommend Photopea This amazing app works with our PSD templates and is a great way to preview your artwork or create new art files. It also exports to PSD, which is the format we recommend for submitting artwork. |
Support |
New to FA Plexworks?Click the "Options" tab for a detailed explanation of each customization option available to you. Using a mobile device? Click here to scroll to the descriptions. Artwork templatesWe offer a photoshop template for each custom artwork or custom plexi etch. Click the "Description" tab (or scroll up if on mobile device) to display the template and download. You can also click here to access our repository and download artwork and etch templates (in Photoshop PSD format) for your desired model and others. Important: Using templates outside of the ones we provide may produce unwanted output. We are not responsible for output generated from unsupported templates. More information here. Warranty and Support for FA Plexworks Custom OrderCustom orders cannot be returned for refund, or exchanged for another custom order. Orders damaged upon arrival are subject to special terms within our return policy. Please see our FA Plexworks FAQ for more information about our Plexworks return policy and related Q&A. If you have not used our Plexworks custom services before, we recommend that you visit our support section for updated information, helpful tips, and resources to get the best output. Some useful sections to review before making your purchase (will open in new browser window or tab):
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