Williams 49-way

[fl0yd]

Were all William's 49-ways the one with the rubber 'X' on the bottom?  Or was there a version similar to Happ's?


Are they all like this?

[paigeoliver]

Yes, they are all like that.

Also, some of the sticks that look like THAT are actually 8-way sticks from Bubbles.

[JoyMonkey]

That's the only kind I've seen. To think, I sold two beautiful Sinistar sticks like that for about $10 each on ebay about a year ago. Who knew? 

[fl0yd]

I'm not sure if it could be made into a rotary or not.  Anyone have one that they are willing to loan me for some prototyping?  The 4 nuts on the outside look like a nice place to attach a stabilizer arm.

[Hoagie_one]

Floyd's in teh hizouse

[Flinkly]

not to stem the tide, but i don't know of very many users who use williams.  i have three, but most people seem to dislike the spider, or dislike the unavailability of parts and such.

[fl0yd]

I was contacted by a person who had one.  I think all of the components would be the same exept for the coupler so I was just trying to see if it's even feasible.

But I agree, I think the demand for them will be considerably lower.

[nostrebor]

I plan to use Williams 49 ways. I like the feel of them. I would probably just buy your kit as-is though, and modify it. For me that is the fun part of this hobby.

I also would predict that you would have very few takers on this kit. Most guys will buy a new stick when they buy the interface, rather than try to hunt down a Williams stick.

[Kremmit]

I'm using two of those.  The handles spin very freely.  I was thinking about trying it myself, but then, I think about a lot of things I never get around to. 

I've also got a spare with a cracked spider- needs a repro from Wizzes Workshop or 1UP or GroovyGameGear.  (listed in the order they came on the market)  It's nice to have so many choices, but now I don't know which one to order.  If you guys kick me a review sample, I'd be happy to do a write-up! 

In the meantime, it plays sloppy, but it could be used for rotary testing purposes. 
PM me your address.

[RandyT]

I've also got a spare with a cracked spider- needs a repro from Wizzes Workshop or 1UP or GroovyGameGear.  (listed in the order they came on the market)  It's nice to have so many choices, but now I don't know which one to order.

1UP doesn't offer repro's for the Williams 49-ways.  So really. it's between Wizzes Workshop and GGG.  1UP has told me though, that from a material quality standpoint, the GGG product is superior when he compared the two.

But that's all I can say, as I haven't seen the WW product.

RandyT

[Kremmit]

Oops- I thought 1UP had those for sale already, but checking back, the last time he mentioned it was a month ago, when he said:

Update: The 49-way Tron sticks will now use a heavier grommet rather than a spider.  However, the spider kits will still be available for use in converting your Happ 49 to a Sinistar joystick.  Patience--pricing and photos are coming!

He had previously stated they would work with the Williams 49 as well, here:

Ok, looks like the spider kits are going to be a reality!  The spiders will be made of a durable rubber, injection molded with metal inserts.  The plate will be mountable on a Happ 49-way with included hardware, and will not change the joystick depth.  Will work with or without the Tron shaft.  Spiders will also fit an original Williams 49-way with a different center insert (provided).  Pricing will be close to my previous estimate.  More info and prototype pics to follow...

I haven't seen him say these are cancelled, but I guess there's still no product, so I guess GGG and WW are still the only players in the Williams repro spider game. 

BTW, from the pics 1UP posted of the WW spider, and the ones on the GGG site, the GGG ones sure LOOK a lot nicer.

[fl0yd]

I've looked at the Willams 49-way stick, and I don't see any reason why an adapter couldn't be made for one.

In short, it would be possible to do it, but I don't have any plans to have a coupler made.  I don't see enough sales to really justify the cost of development.

I'd like to give a big thanks to Kremmit for loaning me his williams joystick.