Get sanwa. Remember that tourney where my button went out? that was semitsu, and that was less than a years worth of play. and also. SWAG at more friendly faces at goons. I typically catch a ride there with Mike Vo if you remember him :O
as far as changing buttons goes, get an allen wrench to get dem screws off, if it's a stock TE, then they're snap ins so just pop those badboys out, replace them with new snap ins since the Sanwa screw in's nut is too big for the button closest to the Stick(A/X button) and the wire type connecting them is quick disconnects so just get em off any way you can and connect them to the buttons you want after you snap em in. easy squeasy lemon peasey lol.
edit: Also lol, it wouldn't be very like you to not use some type of cheese/neat trick/lolfrigid status stuff. I look forward to some mahvel matches with ya :D