Ask Engadget: Best Guitar Hero / Rock Band axe?

Are you ready for this? No, seriously -- can you handle yet another episode of Ask Engadget? Considering that our omnipresent intern bots are recording your head nodding up and down this very moment, we'll just cut straight to Chad's question:

"After viewing the special edition bass for Rock Band: Beatles (and longing for a true lefty guitar), I noticed that no one has asked which aftermarket guitar for either (or both) game(s) works better than the standard -- especially for those of us who play like Hendrix. So I put it to you, which is the best RB or GH axe out there with price being no issue?"

First off, big ups to the fellow southpaws out there. Secondly, which third-party axe really is the best to rock out with? Don't be afraid to place your modded Squier at the top of the charts, either.

[Joey @ May 15th 2009 12:59AM]

I've always preferred the X-plorer. My favorite by far.

[loonix @ May 15th 2009 8:46AM]

Seconded. Those buttons are just so clicky and perfect.

[SONYEDDIE @ May 15th 2009 1:00AM]

Rock Band

These guys know what they are doing. I've loved Harmonix ever since their Playstation2 FreQuency and Amplitude games. Kason Crooker's(a member of FreezePop) Symbion Project band, ohh and Freezepop. the Freezepop!!!!!!

[pekosROB @ May 15th 2009 1:43PM]

Did you even read the post, much less the title? It says axe, not game. Meaning which third party controller is the best? Some just said what guitar controller was their favorite, but I digress...

I at first liked the RB Stratocaster because it was quiet but it broke and failed on me... ever since then I just used the black Gibson with Guitar Hero 3 (Les Paul?).

But yeah, Freezepop is AWESOME!! +1 for pointing that out!

[Hafkie @ May 15th 2009 1:01AM]

The Guitar Hero 1/2 SG.

Sure, it looks like a toy, but It didn't break at all. Other than the whammy bar, and that is fixable with a rubber band.

I have gone though so many Rock Band Strats, so many WT and Les Paul guitars.

But I have only gone through two SGs. Player one and Player two. One Black and White, one Red and Black.

And that black and white one that I got Christmas 2005 STILL works just as well as it did when it came out of the box. I am surprised the rubber on the inside of the fret buttons hasn't worn out by now.

If the PS2 games didn't suck in comparison to their bigger brothers (Which is impossible at this point, due to DLC), I would exclusively play on them.

[Hafkie @ May 15th 2009 1:18AM]

My second favorite stock gutiar is the X-Plorer. I remember cursing the thing when it came out, but it is the most reliable controller for the 360.

However, my second favorite non-stock guitar is my Modified Les Paul. I removed the detachable neck "feature" and hardwired those buttons. The Les Paul then becomes as reliable as the SG.

With the World Tour guitar, the detachable neck was much better designed. Too bad they fucking cheeped out on the strum switches. I don't see why they changed them. They had been using the same switches for all controllers until this point.

The Rock Band controller's necks are too thin. If the neck was as thick as a GH controller, I could take the guitars more seriously.

[Jitaroo @ May 15th 2009 1:02AM]

Rock Band 2 Stratocaster
Buttons are easy to press, not too far from each other, cool colour, and the wireless and calibrations sensors are just icing on the cake.

[Hafkie @ May 15th 2009 1:07AM]

Best guitar controller, not best game.

Unless you meant Rock Band controllers. Then you must be joking. I don't know how people can play on a neck that is so damn thing. There's nothing to hold onto. Then again, I have giant hands.

[Hafkie @ May 15th 2009 1:11AM]

Was meant to be a reply to SONYEDDIE. Also was meant to say "so damn thin."

[TheSuburbanWhiteBoy @ May 15th 2009 1:09AM]

Guitar Hero World Tour Xbox 360 Controller... it's a bit bigger and doesn't feel quite as awkward if you play REAL guitar

[gril @ May 15th 2009 1:12AM]

i think i've used every rb/gh guitar ever

and by far, the x-plorer from gh2 is the best. something about the buttons makes that thing awesome.

[silentace @ May 15th 2009 1:16AM]

I don't know if this happens to everyone but my biggest complaint about the xplorer is the back side has the angle that comes and gets in the way. I regularly activate star power by accident when my elbow or arm pushed down on the back part of the guitar, in turn raising it to activate star power.

I enjoy the original Rock band guitar the best out of everything, no gap between the buttons is what sells it for me.

[jitters333 @ May 15th 2009 1:15AM]

hate RB guitars they suck gh guitars ftw, The wii gibson is the only one I really enjoy playing with

[lawyer bird @ May 15th 2009 5:06AM]

Agreed. The RB guitars do suck. The strum bar feels awful and mushy and my wrist always gets sore because there's nothing to tell you when you push it hard enough.

And the Wii Les Paul is by far the best. It feels solid and has good tactile response. The X-plorer is 2nd.

[Kyle @ May 15th 2009 1:17AM]

I love the Xbox360 GH3 Les paul. People say they break, but Ive had mine for a year and had 0 problems. IDK if they all do this, but its cool how you can take the neck off, to put it in a backpack.I play Frets on Fire anyway, so...cant comment on GH or RB themselves.

[Hafkie @ May 15th 2009 1:19AM]

That detachable neck is the flaw. You're one of the lucky ones. I had to hardwire mine.

[Martin @ May 15th 2009 2:33AM]

I agree. The GH3 Les Paul is my favorite guitar out there. As far as I know, all the aftermarket guitars are shit. At the very least, there is no ION equivalent for guitars as there are for drums.

[Stu L Tissimus @ May 15th 2009 1:25AM]

Xplorer for sure. Clickiness feels just right.

[daniel @ May 15th 2009 8:29AM]

+1 for Xplorer. I can't stand mushy buttons, whether on keyboards, phones, or fake guitars. Plus, I like the look of it.
Most of my friends use the GH3 Les Paul, though, and I don't think any of them really like the Xplorer.

[Matthew @ May 15th 2009 2:18AM]

I like the Les Paul. Feels very solid and has a nice click when you strum.

[B3astofthe3ast @ May 15th 2009 1:34AM]

As a GH/RB enthusiast, I'd say go with WT guitar.

[Mario @ May 15th 2009 1:35AM]

The wired GH3 Les Paul, like the ones they have at the displays at electronic/gaming stores. You can find them on ebay (well, you could, not sure if people are still selling them).

[Chird @ May 15th 2009 1:48AM]

I WOULD say the WT guitar, if not for the fact that my strum bar makes this annoying high pitched squeeking and the paint on the face of it flakes off something fierce.

In light of these 2 things, I would have to say my fav is still the GH3 Kramer for the PS2. Sure it may be because I learned on that one, but also because, even though it didn't have the semi-realistic size of the WT guitar, it had a really nice feel to it. I think it just fit my frame well or something...

[Steve Wallen @ May 15th 2009 2:41AM]

WT guitar. Worth it for the manual SP deploy.

[Jitaroo @ May 15th 2009 3:30AM]

Actually, all guitars have manual star power, all you have to do is press the back button (on the 360, I belive its the select button on the PS3, but don't quote me on that). Its pretty easy to reach on the Rock Band Stratocasters, and the GH3 Les paul.

[KeegdnaB @ May 15th 2009 2:41AM]

I always preferred the GH controllers because they felt sturdier than the RB ones, but since I got RB2 i've reversed that opinion. I like the strat alot better. I thought the buttons being flush with the neck would make it harder to feel them, but it didn't and ended up making it easier to slide up and down.

[KeegdnaB @ May 15th 2009 2:43AM]

also, I used to like the "click" of the GH strum bar, but now that I'm used to not having it, I don't miss it at all

[Alex @ May 15th 2009 2:45AM]

PRS Tremonti II

Learn a video game - get good at a video game. Learn a real guitar - be a rock star.

http://www.prsguitars.com/tremonti/index.html

[nickr @ May 15th 2009 9:50AM]

Yeah and learn to suck at making music just like Mark Tremonti...

[Antipode @ May 15th 2009 3:09AM]

I'm a fan of the Hofner bass, but maybe I'm a bit biased. You'll see :)

[zerosozha @ May 15th 2009 3:53AM]

For me, the Rock Band 2 Strats are the best.

- Great feel to the buttons
- Stum bar that has just enough response without the "clack" of the GH instruments.
- Auto-calibrating camera

[Delanoche @ May 15th 2009 8:07AM]

gh3 guitar for ps2, the strum bar of guitar hero kills that weak strum bar on rock band

[Leak @ May 15th 2009 9:17AM]

The xplorer control is the most reliable.
It's lasted me forever, even through TTFAF attempts during the late nights.
I'd whack it on the couches, and it still serves me.

[jzduncan @ May 15th 2009 9:38AM]

Rock Band Guitars are crap. The strum bar doesn't click or make sound when you strum it which makes it feel awkward and the buttons are too stiff, clicky, and uncomfortable to play.

Guitar Hero has a much better guitar, the buttons are so much easier to play and the strum bar actually feels like its working.

People complain about the loudness of the GH strum bar. Well just turn up your volume. If you want to have a silent strum bar then you have to sacrifice playability.

[Brad, The @ May 15th 2009 10:35AM]

Agreed. I like having that satisfying "click" when I strum.

[Yukeake @ May 15th 2009 10:26AM]

What I'd love is a well-built full-size controller for the 360. The little guitars have had their novelty, but I'd really prefer something more authentic.

I'm half tempted to find a cheap guitar at a yard sale and try wiring one up myself, but I'm afraid my woodworking skills aren't up to the task.

[Brad, The @ May 15th 2009 10:34AM]

The only console I have is the Wii (shut up, I'm a PC gamer), and the best guitar IMO is the WT. The RB2 guitar is pretty good as well, but the strum bar feels like it's connected to a sponge. The Wii Les Paul just sucked outright.

[Adam @ May 15th 2009 10:50AM]

The original X-Plorer that came with Guitar Hero 2 on the Xbox 360. Hands. Down.

[atx1980 @ May 15th 2009 11:02AM]

rockband 2 for sure! i can't stand the click click click

[jasonr11 @ May 15th 2009 11:36AM]

1. X-Box white explorer wired
1a. PS2 original SG wired guitars (red/black and black/white models)

everything else is a way distant third.

The newer wireless GH controllers are pretty disappointing, the strum bars aren't bad but the buttons are not as good and are too stiff. Never liked the Rock Band strum bar or buttons. I prefer the old school wired guitars with the strum bar click.

[cliff @ May 15th 2009 12:33PM]

I agree. I can hammer-on/pull-off like nobody's business on this guitar because the neck is thin (and easy to fly up and down) and the buttons are large and easy to press with confidence. The strum bar reacts consistently when you're strumming up and down on those really fast bits (it was difficult to do this on the RB1 guitars).

Although I learned how to play on the GH guitars, I find that the neck is too thick and the buttons too small to play for a really long period of time. Also, the strum bars never played consistently when going up and down for those fast, long sections. They have good feedback but the consistency isn't there.

You should go to Best Buy and try out both RB and GH (and hog them for an hour) and find what you like.

[hi675 @ May 15th 2009 3:25PM]

Les Paul that came with the GH3 bundle (same as Aerosmith guitar, different face plate). Rock Band and World Tour guitars give too little tactile feedback for me. Les Paul guitars make an excellent clicking sound and feel sturdy, have good battery life and work with all flavors of Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

[Eric Umbarger @ May 15th 2009 3:52PM]

my all time favorite is the cherry gibson from GH2, although i have put many hundreds of hours learning to love the RB2 controller. those 2 are my favs by far.

[Mr Awesomer @ May 15th 2009 5:06PM]

"After viewing the special edition bass for Rock Band: Beatles (and longing for a true lefty guitar), I noticed that no one has asked which aftermarket guitar for either (or both) game(s) works better than the standard -- especially for those of us who play like Hendrix."

You long to a true left handed guitar, then say you play like Hendrix. Hendrix played left handed on a right handed guitar. So quit longing for a left handed guitar, and keep rockin' out left handed on these right handed guitars.... like I do. :)

[strangemobius @ May 16th 2009 4:03PM]

My personal tastes lean toward the original Guitar Hero SG... it's small, light, feels good sitting down or standing up, and has just the right button feel and clickiness. If I'm playing on 360, I'll always pick the GH3 Les Paul over the RB Strat, I just can't stand the wobbly Strat strum bar and the lack of space between the buttons. By far the worst, though, has to be the wireless "Kramer" bundled with the PS2 editions of Guitar Hero 3, that thing is just a nightmare.

[Chad @ May 19th 2009 12:06AM]

Cheers to all for your comments and suggestions. I've been reading as much as I can while still managing to increase my trophy count on WipEout HD and actually maintain a job. Playing RB/GH has taken a back seat whilst I waited to see what all suggestions were made. Again, I thank you and take all into consideration.

@Mr Awesomer: That was my point. I play with a right-handed guitar flipped for a lefty. It simply was a statement to help those suggesting a controller make an informed suggestion. While I'd love it if the Beatles instruments were truly replicas, I'll suffer with a right-hander. So until a southpaw axe hits the market I and others like me will play like Hendrix. Somewhat - he played with a right-hand cut guitar strung as if it were left-handed. So I'd say he was a lefty more than me at the moment.

[Ryan @ May 19th 2009 2:18PM]

The world tour guitsr for 360 is the best... The strum bar gives you a click you can feel, but it's not real loud. Plus I love switching from tapping to strumming... Makes it a bit interesting when this type of game is stating to age a bit.

[evensonthomas @ Jun 12th 2009 12:47AM]

Gene Simmon Axe Guitar hero is the best for me

http://savercheaper.com/video-games/cheap-gene-simmons-axe-guitar-hero.html

[Devin @ Jun 24th 2009 4:48AM]

No love for the officially licensed bass for Rock Band 1+2? It's THE peripheral that PROVES Mad Catz doesn't make crap anymore (well this and those Street Fighter 4 sticks, but not really into fighting games anymore, so can't comment on those). Look I just play for fun - I know, I know the post asked for EXPERT players to give thier opinion, sorry.

But really, seriously, has ANYONE who IS an expert player regretted their purchase of the Wired Mad Catz Officially licenced Fender Precision Bass Replica???

If I had to pick one over the other the dual strumm bar I think is a better improvement on guitar/bass controllers then the GHWT's guitar controller slider, at least that's what I think.

I think a lot of people will say Mad Catz? - NO NO NO to buying anything from them ever again, but really they have changed, they are the only ones making the cymbals for the Rock Band 2 Drums (which work great BTW) if that tells you anything.

Also just so you know there is the Wireless version of the Bass now available, but Amazon says "ships in 1 to 2 months" and the Gameshark store is the only other place I've been able to find a listing for them, but I will probably buy the "Hot Rod Red" one the next time i'm in a Best Buy or Fry's Electronics and they get them in (if they ever will - the single and triple cymbal packs BB still doesn't sell in stores as far as I know).