Guitar Hero IV's new axe spotted: Activision goes indie

Now that we know what Guitar Hero IV's drums will look like, it seems Activision is saying "We don't need no stinkin' replicas!" for the game's guitar controller design. Spotted in Guitar Hero: World Tour's debut trailer, the new axe appears to be a black or cherry non-Gibson, non-Fender, non-anything instrument of random design. We're not surprised, as Activision is surely gun-shy after all those lawsuits and what-not.

[Nick K. @ May 21st 2008 5:27PM]

The headstock seems Schecter to me.
I could be mistaken.

[Ray @ May 21st 2008 6:14PM]

looks like an ibanez to me

http://www.ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=SZR720

the body is looking weird on that controller though

[EricR @ May 21st 2008 5:28PM]

Is that John Mayer playing it?

[Andrew @ May 21st 2008 6:36PM]

Follow the link and you'll see that it isn't Mayer.

[Matt @ May 21st 2008 6:37PM]

God i hope not!

[Godzirra!! @ May 21st 2008 5:30PM]

The headstock does look like a schecter, but the body looks like a Warwick. Body of a bass guitar?

[AMA @ May 21st 2008 5:40PM]

Looks like a bunch of guitars mixed together.

[rjinswand @ May 21st 2008 5:46PM]

I want to know what the new input method is for the guitars, Couldn't spot anything in the trailer :s

[Jomolungma @ May 21st 2008 8:18PM]

The only thing I can pick up from the screen grabs is a slight rectangle shape that extends down the fret board from just after the last button toward the strum bar. On some pics I've seen it looks like this rectangle is recessed slightly and completely smooth. It's just spec, but this could be a touch-sensitive section that either allows for the sliding of notes or complete freestyle based on where on the board you tap the rectangle (i.e. as you move closer to the strum bar your "random freestyle solo notes" would get higher).

[Charli @ May 21st 2008 5:49PM]

Just looks ugly.

[giantenemycrab @ May 21st 2008 5:54PM]

I'll wait for Rock Band 2.

[Ignatius @ May 21st 2008 6:43PM]

No kidding.

I went from Rock Band over to Guitar Hero III and it was almost a laughable experience.

Here's to Rock Band 2 and the death of Guitar Hero.

[Neebs @ May 21st 2008 9:05PM]

Yeah, bugger competition that's forcing change onto the genre!

[Les @ May 22nd 2008 3:00AM]

Yeah, I like Rock Band a lot better, for the drums. And even the party game aspect.

However RB, guitar is noticeably easier than GH3

[idl3mind @ May 21st 2008 5:55PM]

the headstock looks like one of the newer ESP headstocks like on James Hetfield's custom ESP Explorers.

[idl3mind @ May 21st 2008 5:58PM]

rather, more like the Ken Lawrence Explorer

[Low Ranked @ May 21st 2008 6:02PM]

The body immediately reminded me of an Ibanez.

[Chris @ May 21st 2008 6:41PM]

Looks eerily similar to the new ESP Ltd F-2E

[Low Ranked @ May 21st 2008 7:01PM]

I was thinking an inverted LTD B-50 but you're dead on.

[Chris @ May 21st 2008 6:43PM]

Sorry for the double post, but here is a link if anyone is interested: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-F2E-Electric-Guitar?sku=515734

[Mag13 @ May 21st 2008 6:55PM]

Lets Rock!

[Secret @ May 21st 2008 7:13PM]

Inside source says the new axes will sport touch pads for hard solos....

[Jomolungma @ May 21st 2008 8:19PM]

I kinda mentioned this above, but if you look closely at the pic and other screen grabs from the trailer, there is a rectangular shape that extends along the fretboard below the buttons. It's possible that this is a touch-sensitive pad that would allow for different functionality.

[Amirisme @ May 21st 2008 8:03PM]

Hmm.... Not bad. No comment bout the shape, but i dun like the colour

[Jeff @ May 21st 2008 8:55PM]

Activision might want to learn what the rest of the guitar industry learned long ago: it's the headstock that gets you into trouble. That's the only part of a guitar that can be legally trademarked. It's the equivalent of a logo.

That is a Schechter headstock. Lawsuit alert!

[engadget @ May 21st 2008 9:30PM]

That looks to me like a slightly stylized interpretation of a Univox Hi-Flier. I get it, Activision... skipping right over indie, you're taking it back to demographically popular Kurt Cobain grunge.

[Vault @ May 21st 2008 9:49PM]

Whatever it is, it's goddamn ugly. Gimme back my Explorer.

[Amir @ May 21st 2008 10:27PM]

It looks most like the ESP F series, headstock and all.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/2/0/9/540209.jpg


it would be interesting if ESP was now their sponsor, and if they are I'd prefer an EX, EC, or Alexi's Sig (the real one)

[amir @ May 21st 2008 10:30PM]

totally missed that last post above mine, sorry

[B-Mo @ May 21st 2008 11:27PM]

What I would like to see are some BC Rich designs. A Guitar Hero/Rock Band Warlock would rock my socks off.

[Sinnix @ May 22nd 2008 8:43AM]

Wow, that's really ugly. O_o