Xbox 360 wireless Rock Band guitar starting to show up in stores

We've been waiting for Harmonix to deliver the promised Xbox 360 wireless Rock Band guitar controller for a while now, and it looks the company is stealthily getting them out there. Pre-orders have been trickling out for about a week, and alert reader Greg just sent us these shots of the controller in the wild at his local Best Buy. Oddly, he says the in-store price is $79.99 while the BestBuy.com price is $59.99, so if you're looking to cut the cord, you might want to save some cash and order online. Oh, and remember -- this bad boy doesn't work with Guitar Hero, so don't say we didn't warn you. One more shot after the break.

[R0B3RT @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:48PM]

I have seen a bunch at best buy circuit city. I thought about getting one even though i have the bundle.

[Ray @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:17PM]

@Craig:
When you're soloing you can move the pickup selector on the controller to add effects to your playing. It's just basic things like delay and Wah. But I don't like the way it sounds and it only happens during solos.

[Ray @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:18PM]

Kill me now, hit the wrong reply button...

[NoAndThen @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:51PM]

This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen... what's the point? I have a wireless guitar hero guitar that works with RB, so why buy one that doesn't work with both?

It took me about 2 seconds to find a guitar hero guitar online, for 79.99 and I'm sure you could find it cheaper looking around a bit. (Such as here, which comes WITH GH3: http://www.overstockdealz.com/products.asp?id=047875951235R&referer=google)

I personally don't need to lock myself into using the guitar with only one game, when for a small amount extra I can use it with both.


Am I missing something? Does this guitar also get you a beer while you're playing? Because then I'd buy it.

If not, no thanks.

[Zadillo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM]

Some possibilities:

1) People who only play Rock Band and don't play GH, who wouldn't need GH compatibility.

2) People who prefer the Rock Band guitar for one reason or other.

3) People who want the extra frets near the neck for solos or other reasons.

4) People who like having the switch for different effects.

[craig#2 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:02PM]

The RB controller has an extra set of frets, so you can simulate tapping while you play solos. No need to strum the bar as you normally would. Like you, I only have the GH guitar and I'm satisfied enough, though if I needed a second one I'd pick this up over a second GH controller in a heartbeat. Hope that answers your question.

[craig#2 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:05PM]

what's that about a switch for different effects??

[whiskey @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

I picked a wireless 360 controller at my local gamestop yesterday for $59.99

overdrive doesn't work for some reason

[Das @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

I had the same problem on the first one I got. I immediately went back to the store and got it replaced but that one didn't work properly either. I've resorted to just using the back button for overdrive until I can get it replaced with one from a working shipment.

[Tyler @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:57PM]

This is old news, the Gamestop near my house has had these for awhile for both consoles if I remember correctly. They also have the stage lighting kit box out on display that has a a release "month" on it.
@ NoAndThen, I believe the reason people are buying them separately is because Guitar Hero guitars are not compatible with Rock Band. I've never tried but that's what I've heard.

[Tyler @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:59PM]

Also, I forgot to state they also sell the drum kits separately at my Gamestop.

[Zadillo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM]

It's the other way around; you can use the wireless Guitar Hero controller with Rock Band, but you can't use a Rock Band controller with Guitar Hero.

[holycow @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:00PM]

"Oddly, he says the in-store price is $79.99 while the BestBuy.com price is $59.99, so if you're looking to cut the cord, you might want to save some cash and order online."

Or you could just get it price-matched!

[Greg Baz @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:05PM]

If you buy it online you can do in-store pick up and get the cheaper price.

[nicksevere @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:10PM]

They are in store at Best Buy for 59.99 bought one on monday (overdrive didn't work). Exchanged it Tuesday (Strum Bar didn't work), exchanged it again today.( Heres hoping this one isn't crap)

[Greg Baz @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:00PM]

Well about 2 month ago my friend and I went to CC and bought a whole bundle for the PS3 just for the guitar. Sounds dumb but we wanted a matching one so we could play with 4 people. I wish we had waited. But after the drums broke in middle of a sung we we glad to have an extra drum set stiin around. BTW - i love it when my tip makes it on engadget!!

[Kenny @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:03PM]

These have been out at several retailers for several weeks now here in the the midwest.

[amber @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:06PM]

I really love Guitar Hero so what is the difference with Rock Band? I would go into Best Buy and have them match the price if I did get one though ... no sense in paying for shipping!

[neok182 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:07PM]

rock band > guitar hero

fender rock band guitar > crappy GH3 les paul.

already picked one of these up at a gamestop used for $39.99 (it was still in the original box, apparently it was a gift that wasn't needed, lucky me. and picked up rock band used for only $35 after coupons.

but anyway, retail on this is $59.99 and almost any gamestop should have them now i've seen them in about 5 in my area.

[Raptor007 @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:20PM]

I don't think anyone really cares what the plastic guitar looks like, so the whole "Fender vs Gibson" argument is pointless.

On the Guitar Hero 3 controller it is much easier to find the center button than it is on the Rock Band guitar. Couple that with the better compatibility of the GH guitars, and I see no point in getting the Rock Band one.

[neok182 @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:37PM]

design does matter some what. i found the GH3 Les Paul very difficult to use and wasn't very comfortable for me, whereas my PS2 frontman guitar was very comfortable. and No matter what your feelings this is still a good thing to come out. some people want just rock band, not guitar hero and other people such as myself only wanted rock band and the guitar, nothing else. (friends had everything else) so for me this was good.

and personally i find the Rock band guitar easier, and more fun to use than any GH controller.

[Greg Baz @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:08PM]

The first review at bestbuy.com is from April 1st. While it has been out for a while it is still wrth letting people know about it.

[phez @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:11PM]

sorry guys, but the GH xplorer is miles ahead of the RB fender ;|

[nicksevere @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

That 79.99 price sign in the picture is for the Drum only kit the Guitars are stacked next to.

[Jeremy @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:47PM]

I bought the guitar the day it came out in NY. The overdrive doesn't work right (although you can hear the switch shaking around in the guitar), and the keys are WAY too clacky. I compared it to my wired RB guitar, and the keys are very noticeably louder. I like the fact that it's wireless, because I sometimes forget to unplug the wired one and when I turn on the 360 it assigns the wired one a controller slot I usually didn't want it to have. That clackiness is a real hard thing to get used to, and I'm thinking about cracking it open to see if I can do something about it.

[Luigi193 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:57PM]

I felt like such a moron...

I went into buy a PS3 wireless, and went up to the counter with the 360 one...

I failed Basic reading comprehension...

[Jay @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:48PM]

I saw these at Walmart last week....If I only had a 360

[Blair @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:52PM]

I got mine the day it was released. Walmart had 'em for $60, our Best Buy didn't even have them a week later.

[0mega @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:12PM]

My local gamespot (Hamilton, Ontario -- Limeridge mall) Has had them since they opened about a month ago.. I Figured it was old news so i didn't bother letting anyway know. My bad.

[Firemanburns @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:05PM]

Seen today in Richmond, VA at a Best Buy.

[Hike15 @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:29PM]

i didnt know these just came out
i used one last week and this past weekend at my freinds house
it worked very well

[Nick Nelson @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:05PM]

I picked mine up at a local gamestop about 2 weeks ago for $59.99 I figured they were pretty well available then.

[MarvinK @ Apr 24th 2008 1:39AM]

I won't buy another GH game until they add compatibility for RB guitars. We NEVER play GH3 anymore... and wish our RB guitar would work with it, so we could play multiplayer.

[Hafk @ Apr 24th 2008 8:35AM]

Still to expensive.

I remember back in the day when you could buy Black and White SG's for $40.

Those were good times. And those guitars never had problems. (Whammy doesn't count. I think we all have figured out the Rubber Band Fix, I like the Rubber Band anyway)

[Hafk @ Apr 24th 2008 8:36AM]

to -> too

Spellingman, AWAY! *flies off*

[slarity @ Apr 24th 2008 9:06AM]

Im confused... did 360's RB come with a wired guitar? PS3s came with wireless...

Also how come I can post on here but I can never reply once I get an answer?

[Ghoti @ Apr 24th 2008 11:23AM]

Yes, the 360 version has all wired instruments. So, if you had two of those guitars, a singer, and a drummer, you'd need 4 USB ports. You can buy a USB hub (Rock Band branded if you want) which allows 4 things to hook to it.

This new guitar would alleviate that problem since it's wireless. Though, you'd still need 3 USB connections for a band using the initial kit plus this wireless one.

[brianguy16 @ Apr 24th 2008 5:13PM]

this has been in stores for awhile now.

[lhfan04 @ Apr 30th 2008 2:06PM]

Question is... why would anyone want this when the GHII Xplorer or GHIII Les Paul is much better and probably a lot cheaper. Backwards Compatibility ftw!

[hedgehogaj @ Jun 10th 2008 12:12PM]

A. Not everyone wants to play guitar hero.
B. The GH guitar lacks the "tap" fret buttons.
C. The GH guitar lacks the tone changer.
D. The RB guitar is close to the size of a real guitar. The GH guitar feels (and looks) like a Ukulele.
E. In the game bundle the GHG is cheaper. Individually the RBG is cheaper. And the Explorer is wired.

If you don't have an interest in guitar hero, the only reason to get the GHG is if you prefer the smaller instrument or need to hear the strum bar click. It's also likely easier to find used.