Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster plays both real and virtual guitar... at the same time (video)
By Ross Miller 
posted June 16th 2010 1:21AM
posted June 16th 2010 1:21AM
As unfair as it is, what initially gave us hesitation about Mad Catz and Squier's Stratocaster Pro guitar controller was that, well, it's Fender's second-tier brand. Despite these prejudices from our youth, Harmonix pretty much sold us on it with one pretty badass trick: the ability to simultaneously play Rock Band 3 on Pro Expert and rock the same tune through an amplifier. Bonus: in the presentation we saw, extra notes and added fills didn't seem to affect score. So, that just about turns the uncanny valley of plastic peripherals on its head. Just make sure you crank your TV's sound system to 11 to not be drowned out from what's likely an even worse screw-up sound. See for yourself in the video after the break (caution: a few naughty words contained within).
HAHA, guitar hero and rock band are officially pointless
@gschier Is it opposite day? If anything this has turned them into tools rather than games.
@DustbinK -- Yea I do agree with you now that I think about it. Although (as a guitar player) I do wonder if it is realistic enough to be able to not teach bad habits. (doubt it)
@gschier
This will undoubtedly get more young'ns to be interested in playing a real instrument, which is a very good thing.
But take away the TV and score system, and they become just as uninterested as before. The trick is to keep them interested even when there's no notes to follow and no score to rack up.
@gschier
Id rather learn how to play a real guitar while learning some bad habits rather than spending hours playing a plastic one and not being able to play a real guitar at all.
@maddawg579
True but how many kids are in band and orchestra while in school and can only play off sheet music. And take away getting a grade for it and they wont play at all.
@gschier
I disagree completely. As a guitarist who always found the games a silly ploy to create landfills full of fake instruments for aliens to find later and mock our culture, this is the first time I've felt compelled to want to play the game. Future releases could allow the slowing of a song, a longer view of the fretboard, full blown instructional versions of the "game", an awesome transcription tool, MIDI compatibility that doesn't suck and the list goes on.
This is seriously cool.
PS: Tune your guitar before you go play a demo on a beginner level guitar that people are going to be skeptical of already.
@maddawg579
Tell them it'll get them laid
@James I was in the school orchestra. The kids weren't there for the grade. Orchestra class was our favorite class because playing music is soothing and meditating: we weren't there to play instruments but to make music.
@maddawg579 I think your wrong. Most kids these days are already interested in music. And yes they like to play video games. But once they are tired of the games this one will have taught them how to play so they can continue playing the songs they love. The love of music runs deep and long. So I wouldn't worry of boredom too much.
@gschier
This rocks. I play guitar and wouldn't play guitar hero because is bore no relation to playing the songs on guitar. Imagine the kudos if you play whole lotta love at a party. All of the other losers pressing buttons on a plastic Les Paul and you rocking out on the real strat. Finally, a way of showing of your guitar skills without having to play crappy accoustic all the time.
@ash chapman My thoughts exactly, the first games we're kinda lame, but this is really going in the right direction :)
@DustbinK
Why can't it be both?
@gschier
I think this is going to improve sales tremendously. Not only does is support fake plastic guitars but now real instruments which is what I had been waiting for all along, and I am sure a few others have as well.
@gschier : why do people with giant heads wear those tiny hats?
@maddawg579 yeah...I really hope this turns into an excellent learning tool to help new players learn to play better. It also makes practicing a lot more fun!
@Kristofir
I agree about playing in the band. I don't think I learned any music theory though. I learned how to read sheet music, how to play notes, but not what made music sound the way it did. I couldn't play a single song improv because I don't really understand the theory.
@ash chapman
I'm just scared that those little sensors in the frets are going to be susceptible to fret buzz and register as the wrong notes. That, or the neck action is going to be so high that the strings are going to be a huge pain to press.
@gsc
Guitar Hero just got owned, Man this is what I always wanted on a music game, being able to learn how to play, Rock band almost got it with the drum set, but this is awsome, Hope that guitar isnt to expensive.
@gschier Hey now, all the d-bags, like you, that have been saying "just play a real guitar" can STFU.
Double Rock On! *plays imaginary solo*
What does the guy in the video say at :11...?
@Teerim
It's a real Frakking guitar
-BSG
Now I might have to buy Rockband
@Nvtwist
Me too, going to have to see how this works but if it could actually teach me how to play guitar I might finally buy my first music since when DDR was all the rage. Sadly those dance moves never seem to catch on in the clubs *jumps around spastically*
@reallynotnick LOLs! Awesome comment.
OMFG..frickin cool..
Yeah, I'm buying this. Screw all my real guitars!
@Nilay Patel what guitars you got?!?! :P I would love to see your gear!
@Nilay Patel
*sigh* me too, looks like i'm getting another squire.
@Nilay Patel I have a Fender Squire that I picked up in a starter kit. I've been playing with it and learning some cords and tabs, but this new guitar is very tempting. It seems like this would be an easier and fun way to really get into it.
That is cool. Would be even cooler if I could play with any 'ol guitar instead of having to buy this special Squier Strat.
@einhanderkiller But then it wouldn't have the sensors in the neck that allow the game to register where your fingers are.
@einhanderkiller
I think he meant you could get the sensors on whatever one you want.
In the mean time my stratocaster will continue to gather dust.
@einhanderkiller
Now announcing Official Warmoth Rock Band Guitar Necks!
@einhanderkiller
Oh there will be hacks... Just you wait... It will come...
Rock Band 6: Record Contract
@klondikebar
lol and the first person to beat it on expert wins a record contract?
@klondikebar
Rock Band: Record Contract will utilize Microsoft Kinect's amazing camera technology to put you right in the high-back executive chair as the record company representative, Mondo Rondo. You'll simply move your hand in a pen-like fashion to write up contracts for good or evil. Will you use the musician befuddling "confusing legalese" move combined with a "no royalties" 1-2 punch on your fictitious contracts to financially fuck fictitious bands? Will you assist in writing the most bitchin' contract rider to ensure your band has only STD-free groupies and red M&M's? The choice is yours!
Combine with Rock Band: Hungry Musicians VS Justin Bieber add-on pack and see if you can successfully walk the soul crushing tightrope of pushing musically vacuous crap for grand fortunes while preserving a 100% exclusively horse shit radio station by keeping actually brilliant musicians off of all airwaves! NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!
I hope this does not put me out of business. I am a real paid musician... Gonna just start putting kids that are good at rock band in bars now..
How much?
@justosac How much you got? :-P
Looks like I might be buying Rock Band now. Will the price be right?
"Just make sure you crank your TV's sound system to 11 to not be drowned out from what's likely an even worse screw-up sound."
oh hell yes... day one purchase
So what happens when the strings break? Will you have to stop playing and get new ones before you can play more?
@walbuyarget
If you're any good, you can replace them before the song is over ;).
opens new World of Entertainment, your investment is fully utilized, Play Guitar as a Pro, Play the Game or Learn how to Play the Guitar, it will suite different people.
@KMGLOBAL
Suite Home Alabama!
Win. That is all.
This game just actually got interesting.