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Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250

Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin' (pending Stratocaster launch plans), but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn't photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future -- a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there's no telling how many will be produced. We'd also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak.%Gallery-105816%

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LIMITED EDITION HANDMADE FULL-SIZE GUITAR AVAILABLE NOW FOR POWER GIG: RISE OF THE SIXSTRING

Seven45 Studios Provides More Guitar Options on PowerGig.com as First Music Video Game Using Real Guitar as Controller Ships to Retail


Boston - October 21, 2010 - Seven45 Studios, the new video game publisher, developer and hardware manufacturer that is a sister company to musical instrument manufacturing giant First Act, has made a limited edition full-size guitar controller for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString available for purchase at PowerGig.com. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is the first band videogame for which the guitar controller is a fully functioning six-string electric guitar. The game is now available at retail bundled with a real electric guitar, and gamers can now purchase additional full-size guitars for the game on PowerGig.com. The limited edition guitars available on the site are handmade at First Act's custom shop, and feature a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, all for only $249.99. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is now available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system.

"Power Gig: Rise of the SixString allows everyone to elevate their band video game playing to a true rock 'n' roll experience," said Seven45 Studios Chairman and CEO, Bernard Chiu. "We wanted to give our players even more options to rock it real in the style most suited to them, so we have made available a new selection of handmade full-size guitars that anyone can pick up and play."

Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is the true evolution of the band videogame experience. Its genuine six string guitar functions as a wireless game controller, and features Seven45's proprietary technology that can distinguish and recognize gamers' input all along the guitar, making the guitars as easy to pick up and play as any other band game button controllers. The unique dual-functionality of the SixString allows for use in-game as well as with any standard guitar amplifier. In addition to traditional beat-matching that will be familiar to fans of the band game genre, Power Gig also introduces the option to switch on chording, which presents the added challenge of playing the game using chords that require specific finger placement on the neck. As players progress through the game, becoming more comfortable with a genuine guitar and challenging themselves to play real power chords, they will find the byproduct of playing the game is coming away from it with real-life guitar skills.

Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band and Kid Rock have each entered into exclusive agreements with Seven45 Studios to provide songs for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString. These deals mark the first time ever that songs from each of the three artists will appear as part of a music videogame. Additional songs were secured by multi-platinum artists John Mayer, No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, and many others. Seven45 Studios also plans to continue building Power Gig's track list with continued downloadable content (DLC) after the game's release.

For more information, please visit http://www.powergig.com.