StarPex wooden guitar controller adds a little heft to your rock

Sure, Guitar Hero and Rock Band have fake plastic Gibson and Fender controllers, but cheap plastic ain't exactly rock'n'roll -- which is why this new StarPex PS2 / PS3 guitar controller looks pretty sweet. The ersatz Strat features a hardwood body and neck crafted by "a leading guitar manufacturer" (we'd bet $100 it's made by Samick), as well as solo buttons, an Overdrive / Star Power button in addition to the tilt sensor, and both wired and wireless capabilities. On top of that, the electronics are modular, so you'll eventually be able to swap parts and build your own custom axe. Sounds great -- but you better start singing in the subway, since this thing'll set you back $179 when it goes on sale late next month. Yeah, maybe we'll stick with the plastic axes after all.

[Ignatius @ Jul 16th 2008 12:01AM]

I think the only real drawback besides price is weight. It'll feel pretty heavy after the Endless Setlist on Rock Band.

[Flashpoint @ Jul 16th 2008 12:04AM]

Only drawback is its existence.

Now I can be a PROFESSIONAL BUTTON PUSHER :-/

[K9Rescue @ Jul 16th 2008 12:42AM]

I wanted to be a PROFESSIONAL BUTTON PUSHER but I am a blogger instead. :-\

[Ace b @ Jul 16th 2008 12:57AM]

well,if it works for guitar hero and rock band for the ps2 and the ps3,it just might be worth it.it's better than buying 4 guitars.

[Andrew H. @ Jul 16th 2008 11:59AM]

@Flashpoint...
only drawback is your existence

[Joe @ Jul 16th 2008 12:03AM]

Or you could pick up a Squire Strat for $30 less.

[tuna @ Jul 16th 2008 9:15AM]

*exactly* what i was going to say. that price is ridiculous when you consider the quality of *real* guitar you can get for the same (or less) money. they must think that anyone who cares enough about their guitar hero to want a 'premium' guitar will pay anything to have it.

[Rocketboy @ Jul 16th 2008 10:20AM]

Or, someone could spend their own money any way they want without some random person bitching about it.

[Tony C @ Jul 16th 2008 1:06PM]

Ahh, except then you have to factor in the cost of cannibalizing a working GH/RB controller and modifying that real Squire guitar to include all the necessary electronics.

Not to mention your time, aggravation and energy and hopefully getting everything right so it still works!

$179 is a small price to pay for a more realistic controller.

[CraigJ @ Jul 16th 2008 12:06AM]

These are cool games, but really? A $180 wooden replica to play Simon air guitar? Chrome metal tuning pegs? To tune what? Seems a bit much to me, but hey, if that's the way you roll more power to you.

[CraigJ @ Jul 16th 2008 12:14AM]

Wrong on both counts. Are you stoned or just stupid? Or perhaps both?

[Alex @ Jul 16th 2008 12:37AM]

...wat?

I fail to see the relevancy/accuracy of either of those comments.

[Flashpoint @ Jul 16th 2008 12:39AM]

Isn't "first" spelled "FAIL"???

[hurricane @ Jul 16th 2008 12:45AM]

o.O & Epic FAIL

[mike @ Jul 16th 2008 12:49AM]

I'd be happy if they just made the tilt function work with the Fender controller (Rock Band) or the whammy didn't break (GH2).

Drum pedal's about busted, too! Thank goodness they give us a 60 day warranty.

[Rick @ Jul 16th 2008 1:03AM]

In Soviet Russia, Phone i's you.

[Zorque @ Jul 16th 2008 1:28AM]

Is it wrong that I want one?

[hiko36 @ Jul 16th 2008 2:23AM]

Is it wrong that I don't?

[hiko36 @ Jul 16th 2008 2:25AM]

I love how they incorporated the inlays but put them in the wrong spots...

[JMMGoalster @ Jul 16th 2008 12:24PM]

hahaha yea, apparently the 12th fret is right at the body....

[Peter @ Jul 16th 2008 3:07AM]

That guitar is cool.

[Woody @ Jul 16th 2008 8:54AM]

You're a total douchebag if you buy this. You would seriously need to get a fricken life if this is how you spend your money.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 16th 2008 12:25PM]

I bought two, and I'm shipping one directly to your doorstep as you're reading this.

[slowerpig81 @ Jul 16th 2008 12:21PM]

You cant call it a Strat unless it has the Fender headstock. It is only strat-style

[josh @ Jul 16th 2008 1:56PM]

What?!?!


'Sure, Guitar Hero and Rock Band have fake plastic Gibson and Fender controllers, but cheap plastic ain't exactly rock'n'rol'

Rock band isnt exactly rocknroll! its an imatation! it doesnt matter what peice of plastic you play on your still playing the same thing, other peoples music on a game console

[Nosmo King @ Jul 16th 2008 3:44PM]

You cant call it a Strat unless it has the Fender headstock. It is only strat-style

That's why they called it an "ersatz Strat" - ersatz means "inferior imitation"