Rock Band standalone instruments dated, priced

37 Comments by James Ransom-Wiley Jan 24th 2008 4:48PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Peripherals

The makers of Rock Band have announced dates and prices for standalone instruments for all versions of the game. The drum kit will be released on Feb. 12 for $79.99, followed by a wireless model of the Fender Stratocaster guitar on April 1 for $59.99 – a standalone Rock Band-branded mic was not detailed. The PlayStation guitar ~~(but apparently not the drums)~~ and drums will be compatible with both the PS3 and PS2 versions of the game. Currently, the Rock Band game disc can be purchased separately (without peripherals) and is compatible with various guitar controllers and USB microphones; a third-party drum set is not yet available.

Tags: ea, harmonix, mtv, rock-band, rockband

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Eric: Jan 24th 2008; 4:52PM

When is the GH III stand alone guitar coming out? I want that one for rockband.

whymog: Jan 24th 2008; 4:53PM

After playing the Endless Setlist on expert with both the Les Paul and the Stratocaster I can confirm that no, you don't. You want a Strat.

jsn: Jan 24th 2008; 5:54PM

The strat is better. It's a shame people don't give it more time to figure that out. I wish it would work with gh2..

Xanto: Jan 24th 2008; 6:09PM

I just got my replacement Strat yesterday and I've noticed a huge difference between it and the Les Paul and am starting to prefer to Strat.

Farseer (GDI): Jan 25th 2008; 10:23AM

I agree with the Strat defectors. The button design is much smoother.

whymog: Jan 24th 2008; 4:52PM

Well, the prices aren't as pleasantly surprising as the DLC, but they're certainly reasonable. Looking forward to acquiring another Strat.

Eric: Jan 24th 2008; 4:54PM

I just beat the endless setlist with the strat because my buddy hates it. so i let him have the Les paul, Why is it better?

whymog: Jan 24th 2008; 5:04PM

Eric:

Both are way better than any previous guitar for GH1 or 2, definitely. But I'd give the Strat the nod because of the precise feeling the buttons give instead of the squishy feel the Les Paul guitar seems to have. (I've only used two Les Pauls but both had that same feel.) Also, the clickless strumbar is awesome and far more comfortable in long play sessions. While it's hard to learn how to play without a clicking strumbar at first, after an hour or so I came to strongly prefer it.

Honestly, if the Les Paul was cheaper as a standalone I would say it's a toss-up. But for my money, I'd rather get another Strat. Despite that, it's obvious that RedOctane built their best guitar by far for GH3, and I've enjoyed using it.

Raikage (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992): Jan 24th 2008; 5:29PM

After playing both extensively, I would have to give the win to the GHIII guitar by a long shot.

I can hardly play expert songs on Rock Band because of the stupid guitar, I don't mind the no clicking, but those buttons are horrible. I cant play chords for anything, and single notes are not much better.

Maybe its just my big hands but I always hit more/less/wrong buttons than what I'm going for. It's not that I'm bad at the game either (I can beat probably 60% of songs on expert on GHIII)...its just that guitar...I hate that guitar with a passion.

Jeramy: Jan 24th 2008; 5:49PM

no i totally agree that the strat is way way better than any guitar hero controller. i was freaked out at first (mainly without the click strum), but after playing with it for hours, i would never go back.

jsn: Jan 24th 2008; 5:52PM

That's nonsense, the instruments are priced lower than the competitors in every respect. You want too much!

jsn: Jan 24th 2008; 5:58PM

raikage: The rb controllers buttons are sized and spaced as they would be on a real guitar. You just need to play it long enough to get used to it. It is better! Just give it time.

icehockeyhair: Jan 24th 2008; 4:54PM

ffs, single instruments on sale in the US, and still no release date in europe as they "can't make enough instruments". this blows.

Norm: Jan 24th 2008; 5:59PM

It's probably because the sh*tstorm that would happen after europeans discovered how bad the peripherals really are. I'm thinking there would be more severe legal implications for putting out crappy products that don't work. Plus, imagine having to ship your broken stuff out of the country! Hopefully the delay means EU gets better quality peripherals.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game, but I've sent my guitars and drums back a couple of times already.

Edog Lost: Jan 24th 2008; 5:10PM

Will they work? Date still pending.

omar: Jan 24th 2008; 5:15PM

they should've released the guitars first. i think people would want the bass guitar first so the can play with 4 people.

Warlord: Jan 24th 2008; 5:16PM

I'm lucky. for some reason, rock band sent me my original "broken" guitar back to me, AFTER I got the new one they sent me.

Mistake on their end I guess, I called up and, not letting them know I got the "broken" one back, asked if I was all squared away. They said yes. :D

vidGuy: Jan 24th 2008; 6:03PM

Are you sure you didn't display your address instead of the RB warranty program's address on the return box? I know that the slip of paper I was given had TO: MY ADDRESS FROM:RB on one side and TO:RB FROM:MY ADDRESS on the other.

Warlord: Jan 24th 2008; 10:41PM

as tempting as it may be to blame it the label, but I did send it to them. But for some reason, they sent it back out to me.

lladnar: Jan 24th 2008; 5:34PM

Great, so if I buy the drums and game thats 140. I might as well buy the whole game, get the crappy guitar and microphone for the 30 extra dollars.

whymog: Jan 24th 2008; 6:32PM

If you're pissed off about having the ability to play with four people and a well-designed guitar peripheral, maybe this game isn't for you.

Randall: Jan 24th 2008; 6:37PM

I really hate the Rock band guitar. Sorry if you disagree.

gore on the floor: Jan 24th 2008; 5:40PM

We've already got the Rock Band branded mics at Best Buy. Didn't check the price, though..

Jason: Jan 24th 2008; 6:00PM

Any word on buying just the kick-drum pedal? I'm worried about my "iron footed" friends breaking mine.

whymog: Jan 24th 2008; 6:33PM

If it breaks, just RMA it. I'm pretty sure the 60 day warranty is going to extend pretty much indefinitely. I got my replacement kick pedal and it's much better designed than the original; I wouldn't worry about it breaking.

vidGuy: Jan 24th 2008; 6:01PM

Hmmm, so you can get the game ($60) + drums ($80) for $140... or you can get game+drums+guitar+mic for $170, $150 at some stores.

I think the Special Edition (full) pack is still the smart move.

Saneless: Jan 24th 2008; 6:40PM

I still feel bad for PS3 owners.. Sure Activision are a bunch of pricks but at this point who looks stupid now? The company can't even make it so people who buy the game can't have 2 guitars or if people JUST buy the game they get 0 guitars.

Just happy my Les Paul works. And for the record I hated the RB guitar, then didn't mind it, now if I play RB I'll use it everytime. Most days I like it more, I dont' know why.

rothgar: Jan 24th 2008; 6:41PM

well this sucks, I am not buying rock band on the ps3 till the extra guitars are available. Guess I will have to keep my hands busy with burnout.

OTAM: Jan 24th 2008; 7:16PM

And after 10 guitars later still not one will work with GH1 and 2 for the PS2 via PS3 backwards compatibility.

Way to go on shafting your PS2 players Harmonix,way to go.

kotton247: Jan 24th 2008; 7:35PM

I'm on my 4th Rock Band guitar. The 1st one had a broken strum. Now all of the rest have horrible sounding fret buttons that make a louder than anything I have ever heard clicking noise. The guy from EA said that he didn't feel it was a big problem and that they don't care about fixing that at the moment. He basically, told me to get over it. I am extremely pissed. He said if you want a guitar like you had at the beginning with the quiet fret buttons, try again in a few months. Screw them, I'm done with Rockband and that crappy guitar they keep sending me. I just want one that works :(.

jsn: Jan 24th 2008; 7:49PM

what are you, a woman?

Scotto: Jan 24th 2008; 8:33PM

Loud fret buttons do not constitute a "broken" guitar. I'm with the other guy - what kind of a sally are you?

- Scott

Steve: Jan 25th 2008; 7:21AM

While Guitar Hero III may be selling a whole lot more, and may have peripherals that work, Rock Band at least appeals to dicks. (Judging from the comments here.) I guess that's something, right? The fratboy market needs pandering too, right?

Steve: Jan 25th 2008; 7:21AM

Stick Nutzman: Jan 25th 2008; 8:41AM

The stupidity of your comment is solidified by the double-post.

Andy M: Jan 25th 2008; 9:15AM

Think you got the wireless guitar cost wrong. It's $20 more for the Xbox 360 version- due to proprietary software rights blah, blah, blah...

OldKingCole: Jan 25th 2008; 3:29PM

I think it's funny that after 10 guitars made, the first one (the PS2 SG) is still probably the best. I trashed that thing Hardcore and the the only thing that broke was the Whammy Bar (and that was fixed with an Elastic band).

I tried the Strat, and I knew I was sticking with my Les Paul. It feels nice to hold, but those buttons are useless, and after so many years of "clickly clickity clack" that slience throws me off hardcore. Also, I think my strum bar is already broken, and used it for like 4 god damn songs.

Red Octane Makes the SG, it lasts for 4 years with minor problems. EA Makes the Strat, and it last for 4 songs and it's already broken.

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