Different parts in identical PDP sticks

[dendeno9]

I recently ordered 2 PDP fight sticks from gamestop because they were in stock and at $80, which is a pretty good price in my opinion. A day or two after I got them, I noticed that the color of the switches were different in the two sticks, and that I had much difficulty doing diagonal jumps with the stick I was using. I just brushed it off and figured I'd get better at it with practice, but now here I am checking out the other stick, and I noticed that it's much looser, and diagonal jumps are significantly easier on it. Upon further investigation I noticed that the dust guard for the stick are different, and the switches share more than just a color difference. The black switches have "zippy" inscribed on them, and the white ones I think have "E-switch". In addition, I noticed that a couple of screw on the underside are slightly smaller on the one with black switches. Did PDP seriously give me two different sticks on two supposedly identical products? Has anyone else encountered anything like this? Should I call PDP? Will upload pictures once I reduce the file size.

 

[Mikemetroid]

Klassic and Regular MK pdp sticks have different parts.

 

[dendeno9]

I am talking about two of these. They appear identical, except for the mentioned things.
http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/accessories/xbox-360-mortal-kombat-tournament-stick/91093

 

[dendeno9]

I couldn't reduce the file size enough.
This is the under side of the stick with black switches
http://i.imgur.com/0Ds7u.jpg
underside with white.
http://i.imgur.com/w2iii.jpg
dust cover of the black
http://i.imgur.com/xAnlR.jpg
dust cover of the one with white switches
http://i.imgur.com/ER3Ow.jpg
close view of black switch
http://i.imgur.com/pT7Sr.jpg
close view of white switch.
http://i.imgur.com/ddDh2.jpg

Keep in mind that they were sealed new like this and have only been used a few days.
Should I call this in to PDP? I'm thinking about just replacing the bad one with a IL Eurostick.

 

[nwo]

One looks like a Happ dust cover, one looks like an iL dust cover.

EDIT: just buy a bag of cherry switches from Paradise Arcade and replace ALL switches in both sticks.

 

[Dark_Rob]

The original PDP TE sticks came stock with all HAPP parts which include E-switches(garbage). Both of your models have Happ competition joysticks in them. The black actuator is a dead giveaway. IL joysticks use a white plastic actuator. The difference in the dust covers doesnt matter. I have seen all sorts of dust covers come with Happs, including IL dust covers.
The one using zippy switches is interesting. Assuming you bought this new and not used. I would say it was PDP, or whoever does the final assembling for PDP who decided to go with the zippy's. This may have been a later run of the stick after PDP realized how much the e switches are trash. For the Klassic stick they finally went with all Cherrys switches.
At any rate, whether Happ or IL both will work fine if you just pull all the switches and replace them with Cherry's.

If your having trouble hitting the corners its probably because of the black HAPP actuator. They arent made nearly as consistently as the IL actuators. Id swap which ever one is giving you trouble out with an IL.

 

[dendeno9]

Okay, thanks for the advice guys. I'm thinking about just taking cheaper way out and just not buying switches for the "tag" button, which is almost never used.

 

[Dark_Rob]

Okay, thanks for the advice guys. I'm thinking about just taking cheaper way out and just not buying switches for the "tag" button, which is almost never used.

Alot of people use it as the throw button instead. This way you get a 1 button throw with your thumb instead of having to hit 1+3

 

[dendeno9]

Alot of people use it as the throw button instead. This way you get a 1 button throw with your thumb instead of having to hit 1+3

Meh, I'm somewhat used to the 1+3 for throw, but I do understand that one button for throw leaves less room for mistake.