Guitar Hero controller mod integrates a 7-inch touchscreen LCD

As go the real guitars, so go Guitar Hero controllers, and hot on the heels of that axe with integrated visualizer we just saw, Cyberpyrot over at the AcidMods forums has managed to stuff a seven-inch LCD with touchpanel overlay into a GHIII controller. The LCD shows a mirror of the game itself, but its location means that the strummer had to be replaced with a magnetic switch controlled by a metal "pick." The touch overlay allows players to activate the whammy simply by sweeping across the screen, and Cyberpyrot says the next step is to add optics so the guitar can play itself. That ought to add some fuel to the real-guitar-vs-Guitar-Hero debate, we think. Check a vid of the guitar in action after the jump.

[Tid @ Dec 3rd 2007 11:37AM]

does it matter you cant see whilst you play?

[NHAnimator @ Dec 3rd 2007 11:51AM]

Next thing you know, we'll have real guitars with real strings that make real music when you strum them. Ah, technology!

[Nick @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:29PM]

I think some people have made modded versions of guitar hero controllers which work to this effect. some guy named Lester Paul I think? idk. I think a website of all these mods is www.gibson.com

[Rob @ Dec 3rd 2007 11:57AM]

WTF???
What's the point in having a monitor you can't see? This is just stupid. It reminds me about that post here in Engadget of someone who covered their pc case with cooling fans. Sure that helps a lot. I'm all for DIY. But, do it with a purpose to improve the original product.

[PDubNYC @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:13PM]

Look up "Hater Vision" for another example of useless screens. Some people are just idiots.

[Rob @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:00PM]

Wait, is that the "Zune" tattoo guy???

[firephoenix @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:15PM]

Maybe it's just me, but this seems a tad stupid. Kudos to the dude who managed to do it, but it's like putting a screen on the bottom of a controller, there's not really a great deal of point in doing it exept for the fact that it's achievable.

[superfresh @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:22PM]

Call me when this mod is done. Until then, stop bothering me.

http://jafproject.net/images6/trick.jpg

[Chris @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:23PM]

The screen seems kinda pointles.. I mean good on ya for being able to do it, but why?

The thing I think is cool is how he replaced the strum bar thing with the magnetic switch/metal pick combo. I haven't played much guitar hero, but as a guitar player, I can't help thinking that using an actual pick (metal or otherwise) would be better than hitting that stupid strum bar with your thumb..

[snowglyder @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:24PM]

So why does he need to look on the other screen?

[Nick @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:33PM]

Dude needs to get laid.

Yeah, I know. That was immature but seriously. WTF?

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:38PM]

you guys are missing the point. go check out acidmods. we mod for fun its a game ware in your life dose a guitar hero controler actualy mater? so why not have some fun with it

[phil.mills @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:54PM]

And not only do you /mod/ while on acid, but you apparently post Engadget comments as well. That's talent, there.

I have an idea: If a student cannot pass a basic 3rd grade spelling and grammar test by junior high, someone figures out a way to prevent them from ever using a computer for the rest of their life.

If I ever decide to run for president, this will be the foundation of my campaign strategy. Can I count on your vote, people?

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:12PM]

I'm glad you guys had fun making this useless mod.

[Paul @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:16PM]

@phil.mills

Great flame right there... Please go crawl back under your bridge you troll.

Tec_'s point is that mods dont always have to be purely functional and that often they are done because someone said, "Hey I wonder if I could do this..." Its more about experimenting, learning, and doing something that you enjoy.

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:24PM]

dead on paul

[phil.mills @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:07PM]

@Paul
"Tec_'s point is that..."

It is? I couldn't tell. Gosh, if only there was some way to communicate ideas clearly from one person to another in a written medium.

I couldn't care less about the mod, honestly. Tec_'s welcome to do whatever he wants and more power to him for doing so. He can go mod a coffee machine in there for all I really care.

My gripe is that I really wish that people would at least try to not type like grade-schoolers who've fallen off the monkey bars once too often. Written communication is difficult enough to convey ideas and tone with without having to decode some bizarre Internet-pidgin version of English to do so.

[Benson @ Dec 4th 2007 10:48AM]

@phil.mills

It's simple. All computers must run UNIX or some other CLI. You can't do anything if you can't spell.
Then again, perhaps UNIX is a bad choice. It teaches _consistent_ spelling, but leaves out a lot of "needless" letters.

Ppl wld be tlkng ucmprhnsbly.
;)

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:06PM]

im a product of the clinton teachers, we will give hugs insted of grades. sound out your words, to bad words arnt spelled the way they sound b*tch! and im to lazy to coppy and paist in to word to use spellcheck

[IrishGandalf @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:19PM]

download Google toolbar, it has an inbuilt spell check for anything you type in Internet blogs. Better yet get FireFox with Google toolbar coz IE just sucks monkey testicles!

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:13PM]

insted - instead
arnt - aren't
coppy - copy
paist - what you probably ate alot of as a child ... and it's spelled "paste"

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:19PM]

ill take this, just dont bash cybers work bash me.

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:25PM]

Unfortunately, what he did made the guitar less responsive by removing the strum bar and relying on a metal pick and magnet setup to trigger "strums".

He then placed an LCD in the most impractical place (is there really a practical place on that guitar for an LCD?).

I could hollow out my forehead and put an LCD there, but it's somewhat counter-productive isn't it? People might go, "holy crap, I can look at that handsome devil and watch tv at the same time", but it's just not friggen useful.

In the words of Willy Wonka, "You lose, Good day sir".

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:31PM]

do you read? the point of all mods isn't always functional, and to that when you hollow out your head use a 44mag.

[kech88 @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:36PM]

cupholder?

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:36PM]

Yeah, I'll hollow out my head with a 44mag when you finish class at the state school.

I do, in fact, read. I saw exactly what you typed. But I'm of the opinion that modifications should be done to better something. Not to render something practically useless cause you thought it would be OMG KEWLZ ROFLCOPTER to put a god damn LCD on something.

Start contributing to society and we'll talk some more.

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:40PM]

i might not be contributing to society but at least i can recognize ability when i see it. why am i making you so angry? and why are you so angry that some one had some free time and did something they thought was fun and got recognized for it.

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:58PM]

Angry? I believe you're the one who asked me to hollow out my head with a 44mag.

I'm clapping at my desk for the guy because he put an lcd on something. I'm really quite proud of him. I'll post video on YouTube later of me clapping away. I'll also call up the local marching band and see if they can back me up.

I'm glad he had a blast but, I live in America and I'm entitled to my opinion.

It just so happens that my opinion is that his mod is completely useless.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find more useless places I can cram LCD's. Spare me your ideas Tec.

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:08PM]

yes but my asking you to kill your self was in response to you making fun of me and the only reason i offered it as a suggestion was to spare you the agony having to deal with me

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:41PM]

PS - I can't wait to see what exciting innovation you come up with next.

You're so l33t I wanna crap your pants for you.

[Kenshinffx @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:00PM]

Frank, if you want someone from AM that can hold intelligent conversation, then you just got one..

In the grand scheme of things Cyberpyrot is a visionary.. He made this mod in response to a Youtube video of someone who did this to an actual Guitar.. It didn't play a PS3 game it just had a random visualization studio that was integrated to the guitar to react with what was played.. Cyber only used the PS3 or 360 Display to have something display on the Guitar.. Maybe he'll end up making a Visual studio just like that other guy.

And yeah it may not be a mod that's for anything other than for show or just to have something new and innovative on a guitar hero guitar.. Who cares if it's not having a purpose.. Have you really ever seen visual mods that really add anythign to what they modded aside for looks?

If you want to try and bash someone who's got more skills and innovative ideas than you for fun, then I'd take a look at what you consider pathetic and pointless in your life.. I'm defending cyber cause he's like father to me and I know he deserves his credit.. He's asked for nothing but for people to enjoy modding.

So shut up already..

and PS to you.. Encouraging people to be good at something and create new and innovative things in life.. IS A CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.. Grow up already, and pick a fight without someone who can't stomp you into the ground.

Thanks.

[Paul @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:12PM]

Normally my policy is to not feed the trolls, but this has gone on for several posts so I might as well toss some bacon to him.

If you are going to suggest a mod (hollowing your skull) don't be mad when another modder suggests the best tool for the job (Although I think a shotgun would probably work better).

If you are going to insult the intelligence of someone else, please try to appear slightly more intelligent than the person you are insulting.

You rant about the stupidity of these mods, and the people who defend them, yet you can not seem to grasp the concept of a "Reply" button.

You blither about your right to express an opinion yet you stomp all over others rights to do the same.

This is my final post on the subject and I suggest this be the last scrap of bacon thrown to the troll and we let him wallow in his own filth.

[Nick @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:17PM]

I don't see how it's innovative if some other guy already did it to another (real) guitar and on top of it had a purpose other than shoving an LCD into something.

Something Innovative would be like the cup holders in newer cars that heat or cool the drinks that they hold.

An LCD in a game controller that has no functional purpose or reason is just dumb and a waste of time/money.

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:17PM]

Keep the bacon. You need it more than I do.

[Grant @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:04PM]

Cool factor: maybe 7
practicality factor: screen door submarine

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:11PM]

"If you want to try and bash someone who's got more skills and innovative ideas than you for fun, then I'd take a look at what you consider pathetic and pointless in your life.."

I'm shaking in my desk chair. Put down the soldering gun and find me.

I never attacked the man's dignity. I said I thought his mod was useless. I'm glad he found something to do with his life. Bra-friggen-vo.

He clearly has "more skills and innovative ideas" than I do in the modding sense. But that's because I don't mod crap. I never whipped out my multimeter, threw it on the table, and said that I could out-mod him. I said I thought the mod was stupid. Again, I'm entitled to my opinion. I'm glad you're proud of your "father".

"Grow up already, and pick a fight without someone who can't stomp you into the ground."

I think you meant, "Grow up already, and pick a fight with someone you can't stomp into the ground."

Jesus you nerds get worked up and stumble over your words, huh?

[bottmint @ Dec 18th 2007 9:04PM]

Dude I have 1 comment for you...... You are a FUCKING loser shut the fuck up spare us your blithering filth and bitch to someone who might take pity on you and end your MISERABLE FUCKING LIFE you file of fecal disappointment. Peace fucktard.
_
l l
-l l-
l l l

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:13PM]

And until I see this guy cure cancer, let's stop a wee bit short of calling him a visionary.

Til then, he's just another dude who stuck an LCD into something impractical

[Kenshinffx @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:22PM]

Actually it's "Grow up already and pick a fight with someone who can't stomp you into the ground." It's a mistype and one of the only ones in that whole post.. and I'm sure that in your knowledge you probably know that If they have cured cancer which probably has happened.. The FDA would never approve it cause it would take medicines they get paid for and doctors that treat it off the market and the would lose the money.. In this world they would never approve something like that..

True it is a useless mod other than to look cool.. but once again.. who cares?

And I'm not a nerd.. I'm just a person who believes in giving credit no matter how small where it is due...

Oh and in that sense.. Good job on making a well thought out post that actually has good sentence structure and grammar.. props...

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:29PM]

you realize your arguing about a video game controller and comparing it to curing cancer. look ware you are man your on the internet, the main use of witch is for porn. i doubt that if cancer is cured the internet and any thing but chem/bio/enginering had any thing to do with it.

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:34PM]

Kensh - Thanks for the ethics lesson, and I certainly appreciate your appreciation.

Tec - I'm still not picking up anything you're putting down.

I'm just flabbergasted that "visionary" status is being given to a man who copied someone elses idea from YouTube and applied it to a game controller.

I'm through with this. Paul, where's the bacon?

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:50PM]

he was calling you a troll, so get your bacon and go back to your cave ware you will sit angry at the world looking for your next chance to attack someone for any reason

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:08PM]

I'm psyched to see that I'm getting the props I deserve on your forum. Apparently I've really struck a "chord". I promise to stay tuned to all of your work.

Tec, just stop. I know what he meant. I don't need your busted translation.

Plus I don't like bacon... I only enjoy feasting on the sweet sweet tears of others in my cave of dispair.

[Tec_ @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:15PM]

you mean ken and one other guy calling you a tool? but yeah dude join up and show us your contributions to society show us your work on your cures for caner

[Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:47PM]

I'm in the middle of a really important conference call... I'll get around to contributing sometime between now and never. Take care, brush ya hair.

[Nick @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:18PM]

This is like putting an LCD into a basketball

[mike @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:34PM]

That actually sounds far more useful.

You are a visionary Nick.

[Michael Remis @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:41PM]

good for you!

but seriously, everyone will agree that it is pretty useless

[__smooth__ @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:24PM]

how do you know he really sucks and it's not the thing that's faulty?

[Grandpasmurf73 @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:34PM]

Hi Im glad some of you are passonate about the mod and its praticality. I did not intend to start a flame war. if you read the article closely it states that phase two of the project is to add oprics to the LCD two measure the resistence of the colors passing the LCD and ultumatly use a programmable IC to have the guitar play itself. What point doe all this serve in the grand scope of world peace. Absolutly no point at all just wondered to my self a few weeks ago since I have no dexterty at all could I use my electronics skills be able to play a game.

Thanks,
CyberPyrot