Retail Radar: Rock Band guitar revealed

GameStop posts first images of Fender-licensed peripheral for upcoming Harmonix rhythm game, drops estimated peripheral prices.

The Fender Stratocaster of gaming guitars.

With Harmonix ready to strike up the Rock Band later this year, the first pictures of the game's Fender-licensed guitar peripheral have arrived, courtesy of retailer GameStop. In a mass-e-mailed newsletter this morning, GameStop linked customers to two images of the new Rock Band guitar.

The new guitar features 10 fret buttons, as opposed to the standard Guitar Hero controller's five. However, the set of buttons down near the base of the guitar neck may be redundant, as they are labeled with the same five colors in the same order as the buttons at the top of the neck. A similar arrangement was used by The Ant Commandos for its Guitar Hero-compatible Double Range Freedom V guitar. (The descending order of green, red, yellow, blue, and orange in the Rock Band guitar is identical to that used in controllers for Harmonix's original axe-centric series, Guitar Hero.)

Color-coded buttons for easy rocking.

Currently GameStop is accepting Rock Band preorders with an expected shipping date of November 20. While the retailer still offers the game and its individual peripherals separately, it has also added listings for a Rock Band bundle, which would include the game, the wireless guitar, drums, and a microphone. The bundle is currently going for $199.99 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The $200 price point for an all-in-one Rock Band bundle was previously floated in a focus group where, among other things, participants were told a Wii edition of the game was in development.

GameStop has also changed its estimated prices for a few of the game's peripherals. The Xbox 360 and PS3 microphones are currently being offered for $29.99, down from $39.99. Meanwhile, the PS3 wireless guitar controller is listed at $59.99, down $20 from $79.99. As of press time, the Xbox 360 wireless guitar is still listed at $79.99, although there is a note assuring customers that if the price drops before the product releases, they will be charged the lower price.

192 Comments

  • rosscero

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 8:55 am GMT

    1 guitar is ok for me...

  • halofareak

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 8:07 pm GMT

    no

  • GJMCC

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 10:34 pm GMT

    is it coming with two guitars?

  • SSDDAVE

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 3:29 pm GMT

    This is gonna be a-frikkin-mazin. I've seen around that you can use old guitar hero controllers but the fact that I've got a wired PS2 controller would prevent that i suppose cause i'll get this for the PS3. Might just sell my old controller. I also heard somewhere that Harmonix stated if you can do the higher difficulties for the drums then you can probably play the drums in real life, and i think keeping them a simple 5set works because it makes the notation easier and its easier to get into. I agree with maynardgilmour, im going to get a guitar soon and its mostly because Guitar Hero exposed me to such an amazin world of rock. Im just prayin they dont up the price alot for us Brits, cause its gonna cost me £150 for the real thing.

  • SK_TAG

    Posted Jul 8, 2007 7:22 pm GMT

    its been announced that you can use your old x-plorers for the 360- version, beyond that i dont know.

  • PokemonMikas500

    Posted Jul 7, 2007 7:09 am GMT

    AWESOME,but i dont have a 360 or PS3. I guess ill have to use Anime-Beast's 360

  • maynardgilmour

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 4:01 pm GMT

    You just have to hope some of the kids who get in to this game will want to go out and get a real instrument. There's a lot music can do for the mind's development when you're young. Helps with creativity, and when you get to the point where you can just flow, it's like meditation. You forget everything other than the music.

    Sounds like there's some fun to be had with this game.

  • gregerz_2468

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:25 am GMT

    im wondering is u can use the guitar hero guitars and singstar mics instead

  • Brandon245

    Posted Jul 4, 2007 10:37 am GMT

    can u just use the guitar

  • peyo670

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 6:50 pm GMT

    its normal its the same creator from gh its just they have been bought by mtv

  • ironorr

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 5:52 pm GMT

    As a drummer, I have to say that the way it shows you what to play actually looks do-able. I like how the bass drum hits are just a solid line across the whole thing. The drum controller itself will take some getting used to for a real drummer, but I think it looks like it'll work pretty well for someone who's never actually tried to play drums before. I can't wait for this game! Screw GH3!!

  • tyrone987

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 5:30 pm GMT

    The crappyness of the drums ruins it for me. I want a full drum set, not four measly drums and a kick. I'd rather just buy Drummania.

  • snax13

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 4:18 pm GMT

    "In Bloom" - Nirvana...."Paranoid" - Black Sabbath...."Say It Ain't So" - Weezer........."Won't Get Fooled Again" - The Who..............."Welcome To The Jungle" - Guns N' Roses...all but Paranoid are master tracks...

  • snax13

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 4:14 pm GMT

    the lower frets(top of guitar) are for regular playing and the bottom frets are for solos and stuff, rock band is getting really customizable...it's in this month GameInformer(Fallout 3 on the cover), they have an article about Rock Band, and this one is going on my list...though the bundle package(game, guitar/bass, drums, and mic) may be priced around $200...i think its reasonable...those wondering where the tracklist is, here are some songs that are confirmed....(Next post for songs)

  • Turisman4

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 3:58 pm GMT

    Maybe the top frets are for guitar parts and the bottom frets for the bass parts?

  • MKHavoc

    Posted Jul 3, 2007 12:39 pm GMT

    For someone that plays a lot of guitar hero, that controller looks like it'll take a while to get used to.

  • dr_mcguire

    Posted Jul 1, 2007 7:28 pm GMT

    im with solid-old-snake. WHERES THE TRACKLIST!!!!!! with harmonix making this bad boy, its a pretty sure fire good game, but i wanna know wat tunes im gonna rocking out to!

  • heroface

    Posted Jun 29, 2007 7:43 am GMT

    racer21.. don't be stupid this IS THE NEXT guitar hero.. of course it's gonna take over.. think.. if you only have one person playing then it will be just like GHII but if you have a room full of mates then you can play as a whole band.. THIS IS GONNA ROCK!!!

  • calj5492

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 7:57 am GMT

    so are guitar hero controllers gonna be compatible with rock band?
    cuz if not... boy would that suck for both games

  • coryperemsky

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 9:13 pm GMT

    Of course it is, its made by most of the same people but now they have hundreds of people working for them and much more resources so this is sure to be on a level of awesomeness that not even the "Godly" Guitar Hero has reached.

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 1:06 pm GMT

    man this is soo guitar hero

  • racer21

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 12:51 pm GMT

    if this takes over guitar hero im gonna be mad >:-O

  • jakman2004

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 8:05 am GMT

    If the second set of buttons isn't for fred-tapping then i'm going to be dissapointed

  • Dominic0904

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 8:03 am GMT

    Just hope the game ain't as expensive as i heard, if it is i will just get the guitar and drum kit and use my bluetooth headset for the mic. ( it you can)

  • jakman2004

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 7:56 am GMT

    why am i only finding out about this now?

  • Xxann

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 4:19 pm GMT

    what coryperemsky said is true the article is so cool it talks about how they put in a co-op story and you make a character instead of choosing one. all the instruments have a single player story as well,l but the bass one isn't full length because bass is so repetitive. You make a band logo for your band, and you can play online with people and you can mix and match instruments however you want ex) you are a drummer and a friend of yours is a singer, you can still play and computers will play the other instruments like the bassist played bass in the single player on guitar hero. the rock band drum controller isn't anything amazing, its just 4 round drums two of which act as cymbals.
    it comes with real wooden drum sticks.

  • stevoG36C

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 9:49 am GMT

    thats so hot

  • coryperemsky

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 11:15 pm GMT

    For those that care and that don't know, theres a 4 or 5 page article on this game in the July 2007 issue of game informer (the latest one), in which there is a picture of the drum set prototype, and many screen shots that show how it will all come together. They did a pretty good job of fitting all four parts on to the screen. The drums are in the middle, the guitar on the left, the bass on the right, while the vocals slide across the top of the screen horizontaly, making it easier to read them. This is a good reason for me to get a Ps3, I know its on 360 as well but idc.

  • darthvulger

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 8:23 pm GMT

    can u only buy the guitar

  • solid-old-snake

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 4:35 pm GMT

    First off, it's spelled BASS. BASS GUITAR. NOT BASE. =D Anyway, I thought [when I first saw the controller] that the second, smaller set of buttons would be for solos. Its just a thought. Honestly, I wanna see an early tracklist and the drum controller already. =D

  • hereIam123

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 3:07 pm GMT

    good that its cheaper, but can i use my old guitar hero guitar instead? i really dont feel in the mood to buy another one, but the extra 5 buttons at the lower portion of the neck look like it could change the game

    one more thing, whats with the switch, what can we do with that in the game?

  • TOTAL_DEFENSE_0

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 1:49 pm GMT

    guitar looks really cool. im glad its also 20 dollars cheaper on PS3 than 360 version for now at least

  • headbound

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 11:43 am GMT

    ok people the reason why its so expensive is because its not just the guitar its the drums,and the microphone too, plus its not like you have to get everything but hey who doesnt so quit whining about the price, if you dont want to spend it fine, but i know im going to get at least the game and one instrument and get the others graduly or i might just get thw whole package, will see when it comes out.

  • shoot-first

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:54 am GMT

    Hey, that looks like my American Strat. Except mine is sunburst brown.

  • chaotic_jesus

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 3:57 am GMT

    for the **** complaining about th bass guitar, YOU PUSH THE FRETS NOT THE STRINGS!!!!!!

  • s3NoXeRs3

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 7:30 pm GMT

    See what they needed to do since your makeing a rock band they need to make every fret an actual button. I know it sounds like a alot of work with 24 buttons or 22 depending on guitar. But if you actually PLAY guitar its not that hard.. And it will be better cuz i hear can make up your own stuff to play... Which will be kool if they follow through... And another thing they should ass is the ablity to watch a band play or put concerts together.. Ya know wat im saying.

  • gametester1424

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 7:06 pm GMT

    I don't give a flip about the entry fee. I just want to know the price of downloadable content. If it's to high like GHII for 360 then there is no way I will pay to play.

  • pooladden

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 6:14 pm GMT

    also for those people who are complaing thats theres no base , i think guitar controoler with ten frets is base and guitar just like in gh2 .That the top frets on the guitar are for base and the lower for guitar but thats my opion.

  • pooladden

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 6:11 pm GMT

    hopefully i can just buy drums and the game because i all ready have gh2 . after watching the vid of gh3 and i geuss they stop putting new songs out for about three months which is suposted to be monthly this is my last resort . p.s. there making an online demo for gh3 for any1 who cares

  • diabatman

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 5:10 pm GMT

    axe-centric, funny

  • PSLinux

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 1:09 pm GMT

    looks exactly like my fender strat, only mine is left handed.

  • haesuse

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 1:02 pm GMT

    i agree, they needed a base rather than a mic. hell i cant think of any of my friends that play this and can sing enough for us to pass a single song lol. in adition i think it might be a bit too pricey, when u think about it for $200 you can buy lets say Warhawk, SOCOM and, i dont know, Madden 08, and get a whole lot more fun and replay out of it. i personaly will just get the guitar and drums, and guitar only if i cant use any of my 3 custom made ones from GH2

  • mitch91

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 12:43 pm GMT

    Looks wicked!

  • CrazyGameLover

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 12:10 pm GMT

    ALL HAIL FENDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • kakashi_00x000

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 11:40 am GMT

    i think you can use GH controllers too.

  • anarchicgoth

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 11:09 am GMT

    awesome!!

  • Hellscreamdra

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 11:06 am GMT

    Where's the bass though? For 200$ I'd expect to get a damn bass.

  • zrocknrollerz

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 10:40 am GMT

    Too expensive and i live in Canada too, so imagine how much it will be >.

  • casesomething

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 10:39 am GMT

    why is everyone saying its so expensive?? im not made of money but im not gonna complain about the price because it comes with so much. not many people complained about $90 for guitar hero. if they do this thing right everyone will forget about guitar hero and everyone will be talking about how great rock band is. i can see it now - 4 person jam sessions with my friends... AWESOME!

  • Selfdestruct9

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 10:02 am GMT

    Jesus, and i thought Guitar Hero was expensive, yeah right like i'm going to buy all that BS.

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