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myTouch 3G Fender Edition (and 3.5mm jack model) get Froyo 2.2 update

Sean Cooper — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:47:00 EST

Good news for budding rock stars -- T-Mobile's other myTouch 3G device, the Fender Edition and myTouch 3G with the 3.5mm jack, are apparently slated to get their Android 2.2 update today. New features include a fully integrated Exchange client with calendar support, GAL (Global Address List) search, remote wipe, and enhanced security. Another tweak being offered is the contact Faves Gallery, a diddy which lets you browse your top 20 contacts to see all your texts, calls, emails and the like, and Gmail app enhancements including inline image viewing and colored labels. The original myTouch 3G was serviced way back in October of last year, so we'd wager that there are a pretty good collection of folks who'll benefit from this. So with that, we'll leave you all to the refreshing you invariably started by the time you hit the first few words in this post. Good luck -- and let us know how you make out, won't you?

myTouch 3G Fender Edition (and 3.5mm jack model) get Froyo 2.2 update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW teases new Passat with Fender audio system to make driving more like rocking out (video)

Tim Stevens — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:03:00 EST

Ever wish you could bring the palpation-inducing bass, disorienting mids, and ear-rupturing highs of a concert with you whenever you drive? That your ears would still be ringing the morning after cruising home from the grocery store? That's the idea behind the Fender premium car audio system, which will be taking center stage in Volkswagen's new sub-$20k Passat -- which, by the way, is built at a new plant in Chattanooga, TN. The in-car audio system is the result of a partnership with Panasonic that was announced way back in 2007. VW hasn't quite fully unveiled the car in the flesh to the world yet (that's coming tomorrow), but it did see fit to host an event teasing the car, issuing a press release that states the system will "bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience." We've tried to capture that experience in the video below, which makes us very excited for the company's latest sedan indeed.

Gallery: Volkswagen's new Passat

Continue reading VW teases new Passat with Fender audio system to make driving more like rocking out (video)

VW teases new Passat with Fender audio system to make driving more like rocking out (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy nabs exclusive Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster

Laura June — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:57:00 EST

If you're in the market for a new Rock Band axe, it looks like you'll be heading to Best Buy very, very soon. That's right, the Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster is seemingly a BB exclusive. The $280 peripheral, which requires the MIDI PRO-Adapter to function, will hit shelves on March 1st. Until then, we'll just have to be happy with the Mustang Pro.

Best Buy nabs exclusive Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Squier Stratocaster for Rock Band 3 set to tour March 1st for $280

Ross Miller — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:35:00 EST

We've been waiting on this one for quite awhile... and well, we've got awhile longer. Fender has come clean with the price and release date of its Squier-branded Stratocaster for Rock Band 3 will hit the road on March 1st for just a penny shy of $280. The six-stringed warrior -- which also serves as a MIDI controller and a real instrument -- has far and away been our favorite method of playing the rhythm game's new pro guitar mode, and though the button-laden Mustang is available now for just over half the price, it really doesn't compare to the real thing here. Even the January 1st pre-order seems a ways off -- guess we'll be brushing up on our keytar skills in the meantime.

Squier Stratocaster for Rock Band 3 set to tour March 1st for $280 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar review

Ross Miller — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:01:00 EST

Next week's Rock Band 3 launch marks a giant step for the franchise, with the pro mode edging its gameplay closer to actual musicianship. The keyboards and drums are easier transitions to make, given what's essentially one-to-one mapping for notes and logical input solutions. But what about a guitar, arguably the genre's flagship instrument? We've seen and tried two solutions to the pro guitar input conundrum: the Squier Stratocaster, an actual guitar that's still not ready for primetime, and the Mad Catz Fender Mustang, a 102-button replica more reminiscent of peripheral than instrument. Still, with a mid-November release date, the latter's likely to be your only official option for pro guitar rocking this holiday. So, how does it fare? Read on to find out!

P.S. For all your other Rock Band 3 queries, check out Joystiq's exhaustive review!

Gallery: Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar review

Continue reading Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar review

Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3 Pro guitar preview: the guitarist vs. the guitar hero

Engadget staff — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:01:00 EST

Since our brief glimpses at E3, we've managed to pick up Rock Band 3's new Pro guitars a few times -- both live on the Engadget Show and otherwise -- and have gotten a better feel for how both the Squier Stratocaster (a.k.a. the "real guitar") and Mad Catz's 102-buttoned Fender Mustang replica play. We'll save the in-depth coverage for the final review, but what follows is two separate impressions coming from two different perspectives: one from Ross Miller, a former guitar instructor with 12 years playing experience, and one from Sean Hollister, a Guitar Hero player with no musical background whatsoever. Head on after the break for our full impressions.

Gallery: Rock Band 3 pro guitar screens

Gallery: Mad Catz' Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar, hands-on

Continue reading Rock Band 3 Pro guitar preview: the guitarist vs. the guitar hero

Rock Band 3 Pro guitar preview: the guitarist vs. the guitar hero originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar controller and MIDI-Pro adapter eyes-on

Ross Miller — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:08:00 EST

We still can't get time with the Fender Mustang Pro guitar controller while actually playing Rock Band 3, but the gang at the Mad Catz booth were fine enough with us letting us toy around on its own, sans game. So, how does it feel just silently going through chords and scales? Sturdy as can be, sure, and the 100-plus buttons for the neck feel like they'll stand up for a good bit of time. That said, it felt harder than a real guitar locating the strings and frets -- especially a pain for faster chord changing. Also a burden? No ability to bend strings -- not that you'll be able to bend on the Squier Stratocaster either, as it turns out, but that's a whole 'nother issue. We also got some eyes on the MIDI Pro Adapter for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii; there isn't much to look at for now, but if you get your kicks from plastic dongles, hey, we've got all the photos you need below.

Gallery: Fender Mustang Pro Guitar Controller hands-on

Gallery: Mad Catz's Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro Adapter

Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar controller and MIDI-Pro adapter eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster plays both real and virtual guitar... at the same time (video)

Ross Miller — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:21:00 EST

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).

Gallery: Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro and Squier Stratocaster guitars, up close and impersonal

Continue reading Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster plays both real and virtual guitar... at the same time (video)

Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster plays both real and virtual guitar... at the same time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3's gear priced: keytar and Pro guitar sport MIDI out, adapter lets you use any keyboard / electronic drum set

Ross Miller — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:41:00 EST

Has your head cooled from all that rock news this morning? Nope? Well, we'd hate to rile you up again, but Mad Catz -- now the official provider of all Rock Band 3 equipment -- has priced its latest arsenal for the upcoming rhythm revival title. There's also a few new details on each instrument, so without further ado:

Wireless Keyboard: That MIDI port many of you spotted is for output, letting you plug the two-octave (C3 to C5) velocity-sensitive keytar directly into MIDI sequencers for non-gaming use. It'll set you back $80, with an optional stand to be sold separately (no price given) alongside the game's launch. Buying the keyboard / game bundle will be $130, or about $10 off individual purchases. Oh, and if you want to feel a bit more techno, this puppy can be used as the guitar / bass input.
MIDI PRO-Adapter: Want to use your own keyboard or electronic drum set? Here's the mediator you need, from MIDI to USB to console, and it sports the D-pad and other necessary gamepad buttons as well as velocity sensitivity adjustment controls. Asking price is $40.
Pro Cymbals Expansion kit: three cymbals, apparently rejiggered from RB2's offerings for quieter play and a pre-defined 10 degree angle. It's $40 for this hi-hat, crash, and ride pack.
Wireless Fender Mustang Pro Guitar Controller: Not the Squier hybrid we saw, this one actually sports a multitude of buttons for each string, spanning 17 frets (102 buttons in all). Actual strings are used for the plucking and strumming, and here's something interesting -- the axe has a MIDI output for software sequencers. This behemoth is $150, or approximately 1.5 Benjamins in your local currency.

Pictures of each instrument -- and the yet-to-be-priced Squier -- in the gallery below, as well as a few screen caps of Pro mode so you can get an idea how exactly it'll "correct you" on proper Bohemian Rhapsody finger picking.

Gallery: Rock Band 3 hardware and screenshots

Continue reading Rock Band 3's gear priced: keytar and Pro guitar sport MIDI out, adapter lets you use any keyboard / electronic drum set

Rock Band 3's gear priced: keytar and Pro guitar sport MIDI out, adapter lets you use any keyboard / electronic drum set originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile says myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition now 'making its final encore'

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:08:00 EST

Greener pastures are likely on T-Mobile's Android horizon, but let's be real -- this is probably the first, last, and only opportunity you'll ever have to own a Fender-branded phone, which might just be enough of a draw to give you pause. T-Mobile's official Twitter account just belted out a tweet saying that the most unusual version of HTC's Magic to launch anywhere in the world, the myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition, is "making its final encore" right now in "limited quantities," so interested parties probably want to high-tail it down to their local store -- especially since it's still showing out of stock online. Any takers?

T-Mobile says myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition now 'making its final encore' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition sells out, next batch not due for a while

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:31:00 EST

As much gentle ribbing as the Fender rebranding of T-Mobile's myTouch 3G has gotten, someone's obviously buying the blasted things because the carrier's been wiped clean of them -- all 17,250 units, according to TmoNews. Sure enough, a quick check of T-Mobile's site confirms that the device is listed as "temporarily out of stock," but the problem is that "temporarily" might be a hell of a wait -- it's being claimed that we won't see a fresh batch of these until April. Why the huge gap? It seems T-Mobile had to go back to HTC and place a second order for the phone, possibly a sign that even the carrier is shocked at the success of a year-old, warmed-over device with some fake wood and a corporate tie-in. Amazing what a little rock 'n roll can do, isn't it?

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition sells out, next batch not due for a while originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition impressions

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST

Last October, we would've never guessed that T-Mobile would bother to circle back with HTC on the myTouch 3G to craft a slightly modified version that fixes everyone's single biggest complaint -- the lack of an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack -- but here we are now in January with that very product resting in our hands. Even crazier, though, is that the only version of the modified phone (or, at least, the only version announced so far) is a limited edition tie-up with Fender and pitchman Eric Clapton. Strange bedfellows, indeed -- maybe just strange enough to work. Seriously, who doesn't want a phone endorsed by one of the hippest, most storied brands of the 20th century?

Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition impressions

Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition UI walkthrough

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DoubleTwist partnering with T-Mobile for Android music management

Darren Murph — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:31:00 EST

As the late, great Rodney Dangerfield would attest, DoubleTwist has been jonesing for some respect for quite some time. For those unaware, said software essentially acts as an iTunes for everything else, giving users of all those non-Apple devices a somewhat familiar interface and portal to sync media, playlists, etc (video demonstration is after the break). Up until now, Android users have been forced to figure out content management on their own, and while geeks have obviously had no issue, those expecting iTunes to take the wheel have found themselves in an uncomfortable position. Reportedly, T-Mobile USA has decided to partner with the company and pre-load the software onto a number of new Android devices -- not just the Fender myTouch 3G. The only real pitfall here is that Amazon's MP3 Store integration is missing, but we should learn more as T-Mob goes official with the details later today. Is this the big break DoubleTwist has been waiting for? Time shall tell.

Continue reading DoubleTwist partnering with T-Mobile for Android music management

DoubleTwist partnering with T-Mobile for Android music management originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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myTouch 3G Fender Edition subs for G1 on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'

Paul Miller — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:40:00 EST

We knew the when and the what, but now we know the whom: Eric Clapton will be touting the new Fender Limited Edition of T-Mobile's myTouch 3G on national TV, and a few of his hits will be pre-loaded onto the phone. The faux-wood handset goes on sale January 20th, and packs a 16GB microSD card for cramming in some of Clapton's lesser-known jams from your own catalog, along with a long-awaited 3.5mm headphone jack so you can actually get some enjoyment out of them. There are also a few guitar-related apps preloaded, a new doubleTwist partnership for music syncing, and Fender will be selling a few accessories of its own to really kit the thing out. At launch the $180 phone will be running Android 1.6, but it's supposed to get a 2.1 update this spring. Hit up the source link for the ad, featuring a very weathered Eric Clapton tolerating his new handset.

myTouch 3G Fender Edition subs for G1 on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Fender MyTouch 3G in the wild, due for launch January 20

Nilay Patel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:34:00 EST

A lot's happened since T-Mobile first announced the myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition, but if you're looking for last-gen Android hardware in the sweetest case around, your wait is almost up: test units are going our to T-Mobile reps, and that formal launch will occur on January 20th. No word on pricing, but we can't imagine it'll be cheaper than the current myTouch 3G, especially since it adds a much-needed 3.5mm headphone jack and has that fancy woodgrain finish, bundled 16GB microSD card, and preloaded music. Yeah, we'll still take the Nexus One, although we'd bet the myTouch 3G actually has... 3G.

Gallery: T-Mobile Fender MyTouch 3G in the wild, due for launch January 20

T-Mobile Fender MyTouch 3G in the wild, due for launch January 20 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:46:00 EST

We'd just assumed that T-Mobile would've written off the myTouch 3G and moved on to other Android-powered endeavors before outright re-engineering the thing, so color us shocked to find out that the carrier has gone back and added a desperately-desired feature -- a genuine 3.5mm headphone jack -- for a new version of the phone later this year. That's just the beginning, though: the new myTouch is actually being released as a special edition in partnership with the guitar experts at Fender, sporting a woodgrain finish (maybe a little too much inspiration from the Ply and Touch Wood over in Japan?), bundled 16GB microSD card, and preloaded music content. There's no word on an exact release date or pricing yet, but the gap between this and the Hero just got a whole lot smaller, didn't it? Check out a shot of the slightly less-interesting front after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:46:00 EST

Continue reading T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, T-Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Android

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition adds 3.5mm jack, fake wood originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz ships $300 Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar, disgraces real musicians everywhere

Darren Murph — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST

We always knew something like this was a realistic possibility, but we had high hopes that it'd never really come to fruition. Today, what little hope we had left in humanity has been thoroughly crushed, as the introduction of a guitar controller that costs far more than many actual guitars has occurred. In an effort to truly milk the sector for all it's worth, Mad Catz has begun to ship the sunburst-colored Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster, which is a 1:1 replica of the iconic axe that is constructed from genuine Stratocaster wooden blanks. Heck, even the tuning keys and bridge are built from genuine Fender metal parts and fittings. There's also a wireless module designed to function with Microsoft's Xbox 360, and just so you know you're getting your money's worth, the $299.99 asking price also includes a Fender guitar strap and a headset socket for online play. So, who out there is brazen enough to admit that they're buying one (or two)?

[Via OhGizmo]

Gallery: Mad Catz Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Mad Catz ships $300 Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar, disgraces real musicians everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz's wireless Fender Rock Band bass to ship soon

Darren Murph — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:41:00 EST

Just when you'd given up all hope that Mad Catz would ever ship its Fender Precision Bass for Rock Band, in flies this. If you'll recall, said axe was originally introduced to the world in September of last year, and with a certain Beatles-inspired bass set to ship in the ninth month of this year, Mad Catz obviously felt the time was right to cease its dilly-dallying. According to company CEO Darren Richardson, the wireless Fender bass for Rock Band will ship "later this month," which should mean that it'll be hitting store shelves over the weekend. In related news, the company has inked a multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft that will allow it to "manufacture, market and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless specialty videogame controllers." Fun for them, yeah?

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Mad Catz's wireless Fender Rock Band bass to ship soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz intros Fender Precision Bass for Rock Band

Donald Melanson — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:55:00 EST

Just in case you didn't have enough fake instruments cluttering up your living room, Mad Catz has now let loose its Fender Precision Bass for Rock Band, which it helpfully reminds us is the first ever bass guitar for the game. Among other things, this one drops the whammy bar normally found on Rock Band / Guitar Hero guitars (the volume knob does the job instead), and it incorporates a new Split Strum Bar, which promises to let you strum and pluck notes faster than a standard strum bar. Unfortunately, it's only available for the Xbox 360 at the moment, but at least the $70 price tag isn't quite as excessive as some of the other "premium" guitars out there. Now, if only someone would offer a Neil Peart-style drum kit, we'd really be able to do Rush justice, or at least out-do their now infamous performance on The Colbert Report.

Filed under: Gaming

Mad Catz intros Fender Precision Bass for Rock Band originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 2 special edition Ion drum kit and real Fender Stratocaster guitar controllers coming

Joshua Fruhlinger — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:34:00 EST

Playing Rock Band sometimes feels like the real thing, but what if it looked like the real thing? Ion, who make real drum kits, have announced that they will release a premium Rock Band 2 drum kit that will not only have realistic pads and cymbals (which you can custom-assign), but it will also be possible to plug the thing into a drum brain to turn the kit into a real electronic drum kit. If that craziness wasn't enough, Harmonix plans to gut some actual Fender Stratocasters and turn them into Rock Band guitars, which is either amazing or complete sacrilege depending on your musical religion.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Filed under: Gaming

Rock Band 2 special edition Ion drum kit and real Fender Stratocaster guitar controllers coming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band now available for pre-order

Donald Melanson — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:34:00 EST

While prices and release dates for Rock Band have been floating for a while now, it looks like things may have finally settled down, with the entire kit now available for pre-order at a couple of retailers. If you're ready to go all out, you can snag a bundle for either the 360 or PS3 that includes the game, guitar, microphone, and drum set for $199, although you'll still have to wait until November 20th to actually get it. The whole lot is also available individually, with the game running $60, the microphone $30, and the drum set $80. Somewhat curiously, the 360 version of the wireless guitar is listed at $80 on both Amazon and GameStop, while the PS3 version only costs $50, although GameStop still says that the prices are "subject to change."

Read- Amazon.com
Read- Gamestop.com

[Thanks, PacoDG]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Rock Band now available for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band Stratocaster controller revealed

Darren Murph — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:55:00 EST

It's always comforting to put a face to a name, and for those who have been raucously awaiting more details on the elusive Rock Band controller, dig in. According to a purported GameStop newsletter, the ten-button axe does indeed favor a Fender Stratocaster, and while the frets appear fairly subtle head-on, those looking down on the device will notice the colorful labels (shown after the jump) that they've grown used to. Additionally, the tidbit also divulged that the instrument "would allow players to manipulate sound through reverb, flange, wah, delay and more," but there was no mention of the presumably lofty pricetag that this thing would eventually sport. Looks like the Fender fanboys will soon be able to really duel it out with the Gibson purists, eh?

Continue reading Rock Band Stratocaster controller revealed

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Rock Band Stratocaster controller revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fender's modeling VG Stratocaster gets inspected

Darren Murph — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:06:00 EST

A legend in the guitar industry pairing up with a heralded name in the modeling biz? No, it's not too good to be true, as Fender and Roland have teamed up to create the first modeling stratocaster. Just weeks after Gibson's own digital axe finally went on sale, the VG Stratocaster is built to look, feel, and play exactly like the strats of old always have, but a few subtle (albeit substantial) alterations open up a whole new world of riff creations. The six-string gurus over at GuitarGearCentral have taken the time to carefully inspect the changes, and it looks to us that even the purists could find something here to love. The thin Roland GK pickup mounted at the bridge provides the ability to emulate "37 Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, humbucking, 12-string, and acoustic sounds,"while a pair of LED status lights provide a bit of flash and a new duo of knobs (Mode Control and Tuning Function) are used to further dictate the sounds. Dubbed a "Swiss Army knife of tone," this instrument allows you to dial-in alternate sounds and tunings on the fly, giving players the ability to add some chunk with Drop D tuning sans fiddling with the tuning head. Although the crew admired the simplicity Fender somehow managed to achieve with all the complex features that have been added, they still would test out a few more guitars to make sure this is your bag before throwing down the (admittedly reasonable) $1,699 required to take one home.

Filed under: Portable Audio

Fender's modeling VG Stratocaster gets inspected originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NES Paul, the Gibson for gamers

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:37:00 EST

Guitars plus game consoles equals Guitar Hero, right? Wrong, at least if the person behind the NES Paul project has anything to say about it. No, your eyes are not deceiving you: what you're looking at here is really one man's original Nintendo console modded into a working electric guitar. Strangely, you sometimes have to blow into the cartridge bay to get it working, but we'd still take it over a Fender any day -- sharp NES-edges be damned!

[Via MAKE]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

NES Paul, the Gibson for gamers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hello Kitty Stratocaster goes high-end

Evan Blass — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:51:00 EST

Oh Hello Kitty, you adorable little tease -- usually the items graced with your lovely visage are priced with the budget-conscious Japanese schoolgirl in mind, but frankly we're a bit surprised to see you endorsing a product that's going for an eye-popping $21,625. That's right, for the same cost as almost a hundred of those regular Kittycaster guitars, Sanrio and renowned retailer Mitsukoshi are offering a super-limited-edition Stratocaster from Fender that features an over-sized homage to the frisky feline on the pick-guard along with a blown-up version of her famous signature on the neck. Surprisingly, your twenty grand doesn't even seem to buy the usual gold-plated, jewel-encrusted gaudiness found on most products in this price range, but what you're really paying for here is exclusivity -- Mitsukosh apparently has one of the only three models that were manufactured. Sure, we love us some Hello Kitty, but for this kind of loot we'd rather buy a ticket to Japan and camp out in one of the Sanrio stores for a few weeks, using hundreds of plush Kitties as a mattress.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Hello Kitty Stratocaster goes high-end originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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