Hands-on with the incredibly luxurious Starpex guitar
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 26th 2008 at 9:15PM }
Click for high-resolution image.
One of these guitars is a real guitar, and one of them is a video game controller. It's hard to tell at first -- which is exactly what the Starpex is going for. Unlike other Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers on the market, this is meant to emulate the experience of playing on a real guitar. The construction of the guitar is a testament to that: this is a hefty device, weighing almost as much as a real guitar. Its full size makes the Guitar Hero controller look even more like the toy it is. The solid wood finish looks fantastic, and feels absolutely great to the touch. Even the strap that's included with the controller is well-made: the thicker fabric made it far more comfortable to wear.
Of course, what good is a guitar if it can't play as well as its competitors? In spite of its large size, we found the buttons to be as familiar as ever. The guitar may be larger, but the buttons are located in the exact same place. The strum bar is infinitely improved over the Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars -- gone are the days where you'll hear your guitar instead of the music. The noise of hitting the strum button has been considerably muted. The tilt sensor is also responsive, and the addition of the easy-to-hit Star Power button near the strum bar is much appreciated.
Gallery: Starpex Guitar
While concerns about compatibility will be a thing of the past, this controller was designed for use on both Guitar Hero and Rock Band. In fact, the controller will support all of Rock Band's added bells and whistles. PlayStation fans may want to pay attention to this, if only because this is a guitar that's exclusively ours -- at least for now. The Starpex guitars are only available on PS2 and PS3, although a Wii version will be in the works later.
It's easy to praise such a well-made, beautiful product that adds so much aesthetic beauty to the videogame rocking experience. However, the price is going to make more than a few people shy away. At $180, this not meant for everyone. In fact, it's meant for the hardcore -- the ones that are probably eyeing the equally expensive Ion Drum Kit for Rock Band. In spite of its almost inaccessible price point, retailers seem to have quite a bit of confidence in it: you'll be able to find it at major retailers, like Circuit City and J&R, in just a few weeks time. You can also pick one up directly from the Peak people.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mywhitenoise @ Aug 26th 2008 9:22PM
That doesn't look like a real guitar. I'd say the Rock Band guitar looks more "real" than this one.
borst @ Aug 26th 2008 9:24PM
Uh its hard to tell at first? For who, a monkey?
kevin @ Aug 26th 2008 9:51PM
i almost choked reading your comment lolol
Lars @ Aug 27th 2008 1:14PM
Hehe, I thought that exact same thing too. I was thinking "hard to tell? what're you, blind?"
The buttons don't look like they're as good as the RB buttons, which is a shame because that's where the RB Strat really outshines all other guitrollers. I love that easily accessible select button though.
What I'd really like is a controller that works with all consoles. Why do they have to be specifically for PS3/PS2, 360, or Wii? I'd like to bring my PS3 strat to my friend's house and use it on his 360 instead of that stupid GH controller he has.
STIEN @ Aug 26th 2008 9:29PM
thats the strap i have on my guitar!
ThinkIcouldburn @ Aug 26th 2008 9:32PM
Can I have it?
Imperitor @ Aug 26th 2008 9:33PM
For must of the STRINGS gave it away after about a tenth of a second.
shortyvs @ Aug 26th 2008 10:07PM
For that price I'd buy a real guitar and lessons!
Bigman73 @ Aug 27th 2008 4:08AM
For that price I actually bought a real guitar, Epiphone SG-310, in guitar center!
And you know what - it is much more challenging and fun..(Not that Rock Band isn't fun)
#28 @ Aug 29th 2008 1:06AM
310s are under powered, pick up wise. I'd say you overpaid, they're about 150 everywhere else. That said, SGs are really fun to play.
What color did you get?
LatinoLA1 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:14PM
it makes the guitar hero guitar look like the toy it is? this guitar looks like the same as the rock band guitar just some little things added to it and weight apperently also, and you can see the reflection of the people taking the pic on the guitars and 1 is apperently laughing..
chimaera9 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:15PM
I'm just looking forward to when technology has advanced to the point that a true MIDI guitar can be played in music games. Pressing buttons isn't quite the same as playing a real guitar, of course!
If you're interested in some unusual guitar music, there are audio clips and sheet music at this site:
www.andymitchellguitar.com
chimaera9 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:17PM
oops, here's a clickable link:
http://www.andymitchellguitar.com
Mike @ Aug 27th 2008 12:45AM
180=200 w tax and no D-pad???? (where is it?) I see the little start button and the "easy over drive button" is just select cmon ppl This Piece = FAIL.
Your paying for the added weight and the metal, instead of chrome painted plastic useless tuners, and the padded strap. Its a rip off, but if your rich hey go get one!
Mike @ Aug 27th 2008 12:56AM
ohh also .... YOU CAN JUST GET THE DAMN GAME WITH EVERYTHING FOR THE SAME PRICE!
John-Paul-Jones @ Aug 27th 2008 10:00AM
Luxurious my ass. I'd take the Fender Telecaster any day over some toy and at $180, you can get a cheap beginner's guitar which you can play any song (with experience!) over some 75 song set list. You can also get the Guitar Hero or Rock Band set at almost the same price. I guess if you're rich and/or a big Guitar Hero/Rock Band fan this should be for you. Don't get me wrong, I like Guitar Hero and Rock Band games and they're fun for parties and such, but I think if you want more out of these games you might want to buy a real guitar, but that shouldn't be a no brainer for all of us.
By the way, are there any guitarists out there? Any favourite or hard songs you like to play?
anthonyjh @ Aug 27th 2008 10:00AM
I bought my first bass and amp for just over three hundred dollars. Sooner or later, people are just going to move on to the real thing.
Ptrack_Git @ Aug 27th 2008 2:10AM
Well considering I spent over a thousand dollars a piece on my two main electric guitars (Dean DFH and Razorback) 200 doesn't sound too bad for a real wood periferal, but that comment about being able to get the whole set up for the same price is dead on.
koehler83 @ Aug 27th 2008 5:28AM
How the hell did it not get mentioned whether its corded or wireless?
wilboss @ Aug 27th 2008 7:17AM
From the Peak website:
* High speed 2.4 ghz wireless technology
* Optional cable for wired connectivity (included)
Joerendous @ Aug 27th 2008 6:49AM
one has strings... the other prints money!
Fred @ Aug 27th 2008 5:30PM
People that buy these do realize they're not actually capable of playing a real guitar, don't they? It's still just PONG.
KJ @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:51AM
oh man. This looks sweeet. but wait, are those raised buttons like GH instead of the nice RB type that are flat? what a bummer. One of my guitars is going bad and was considering picking this up, but may have to just pick up the new RB2 guitar instead if those are raised buttons.