Shred $250 on Logitech's Guitar Hero axe

The Guitar Hero has always offered players a chance to simulate their rock-and-roll fantasies of performing on stage for rabid fans. Now they're getting a chance to simulate the vainglorious excess of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, as Logitech today unveiled a $250 Guitar Hero World Tour controller set for release in December.

Compatible with all PlayStation 3 Guitar Hero games and the PlayStation 2 edition of World Tour, Logitech's premium wireless controller uses materials found in real guitars, from its wood neck with rosewood fingerboard to metal frets and tuner pegs. The peripheral company also used a rubber dome technique found in its keyboards to make the fret buttons quieter than on the standard controller. To protect the customer's investment, Logitech is also including a gig bag to help safely transport the guitar.

Gamers worried that the rest of their fake instruments will look shoddy by comparison, take heart. Logitech is planning to release an entire line of premium instruments that will carry the Guitar Hero license. For spendthrift drummers who can't wait for Logitech to release its own set of skins, there's always the $300 Ion Drum Rocker.