Guitar Hero: World Tour's new axe spotted in trailer

35 Comments by Randy Nelson May 21st 2008 3:01PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Peripherals, Rhythm

click to rocker-size

Those guitar controllers in the Guitar Hero: World Tour debut trailer? They're not GH3's wireless Gibson Les Pauls. Upon closer peep-age of the footage, the new controller doesn't bear a likeness to any current Gibson design, nor anything to come out of Fender's axe factory. More than likely, it's an in-house design, what with Gibson's lawsuit against Activision and all. Two color schemes – black and cherry – are also shown, implying the return of custom ~~face~~ guitar-plates. We're checking with Activision on more details, as well as specs (wireless?) for its much ballyhooed drum kit.

Gallery: Guitar Hero: World Tour Peripherals

Tags: activision, guitar-hero, guitar-hero-world-tour, neversoft

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!): May 21st 2008; 3:05PM

Looks as good as a plastic guitar can I guess...

Danny: Jun 8th 2008; 1:52PM

On guitar hero.com, There is a picture of the guitar. look at the bottom of the fret board more near the strum bar, it seems the bottom keys are like touch sensitive.

Daniel: May 21st 2008; 3:07PM

Why is that emo gentleman shitting himself while playing faux-guitar?

tmacairjordan87: May 21st 2008; 3:08PM

Seeing that douchey-looking nirvana wannabe guy holding the guitar and the amazing innovation of their 4th guitar just makes me want to spend another $150 on a whole new batch of instruments just to play what pretty much is rock band 1.5

LeChuck: May 21st 2008; 3:08PM

"as well as specs (wireless?)"

In Game Informer they already said the peripherals are wireless.

Christopher Grant: May 21st 2008; 3:16PM

all of them, including the drums and microphone?

meledeo: May 21st 2008; 4:16PM

They said the drums were... I don't recall concerning the microphone.

LeChuck: May 21st 2008; 5:45PM

They said all but they also said the mic was USB. So I don't know if it's using a dongle or they meant all except the mic were wireless.

shadowchaoscontrol: May 21st 2008; 3:10PM

i just hope i can still use my les paul, i'm just getting the game and drums for GH4

4.5: May 21st 2008; 3:12PM

How amazing would it be if activision makes all guitars from the previous versions obsolete by adding another button or something?

Tiptup300: May 21st 2008; 3:25PM

Knowing Activision, they probably will.

Cyph3r: May 21st 2008; 6:45PM

actually activision said in one statement they had some new input on the guitar's that would "revolutionize" the series. Did anyone else notice the long flat strip on the neck under the buttons? Touch strip for slides perhaps?

ark_keeper: May 22nd 2008; 9:23AM

Yeah I can definitely see it in the 3rd pic. Based on the Game Informer article, it's almost definitely for slides, I bet. Or tapping/improv solos? Instead of solo keys, you can just tap all over that area of the neck maybe?

EMaster: May 21st 2008; 3:21PM

Did anyone notice they`re wired too?

Sam Earl: May 21st 2008; 3:22PM

When GH starts their "FREE STORAGE SPACE WITH EVERY GAME" offer, I will buy their new plastic wonders...until then...

Alex: May 21st 2008; 3:25PM

Look cool, but I won't be getting a new guitar since well my GH3 guitars will still be good and I mean if I have to buy drums too, I'm not buying a new guitar and a drum set for this game.

[.sm0ke.]: May 21st 2008; 3:41PM

The headstock reminds me of the Ibanez headstock... just a little bit. The top end is too slanted though.

I was actually really hoping the new guitar would be an Iceman.

koehler83: May 21st 2008; 3:44PM

I dont see the point of using licensed designs for peripherals. It just adds legal complications and tacks on additional cost to the consumer.

How much would Rock Band customers have saved if they didnt have to pay for a Fender decal?

LionheartAce: May 21st 2008; 5:30PM

They look very Ibanez. I have to agree with you.

[.sm0ke.]: May 21st 2008; 8:28PM

@ koehler83
If you do away with the licenses for the controllers, what about the guitars used in-game? It does add to the sense of immersion to have your character using a Les Paul or a Flying V.

green11420: May 21st 2008; 3:47PM

Regarding the new axe, I heard of a new feature that they are trying to patent. I'm thinking and hoping that that is string bending.

Joystick Hero: May 21st 2008; 3:52PM

As cool as that could be, wouldn't that be pretty much the same as the whammy bar?

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120): May 21st 2008; 3:49PM

On a side note, I was all geeked out for the Amazon gold box specials, the hint for the one counting down to open was something like 'getting the band back together' and I knew a discounted Rock Band special was coming...

But it turned out it was the PS2 version... Eew...

notwen: May 21st 2008; 3:58PM

not excited. rock band ftw

Jhongerkong: May 21st 2008; 4:00PM

Didn't GH3 JUST come out?

I was saving for the 3rd game but I might as well wait for this; barring any 5th game announcements.

GoonieGooGoo: May 21st 2008; 4:00PM

I am not getting anymore instruments.....

They should make Guitar hero compatible with ROCK BAND Drums, guitars, and mic.

Sorry Activision....its that or nothing.
Don't mess with HARMONIX....

Devo Jones: May 21st 2008; 4:51PM

Looks like a PRS to me.

http://www.prsguitars.com/standardsatin/index.html

Delgado: May 21st 2008; 5:12PM

I have a PRS and love it.
I was thinking the same thing though.

Jomolungma: May 21st 2008; 4:52PM

The Game Informer article said Activision was hush-hush on the new guitar because it included a new feature. If you look closely at the first and third pic above, you can see a long rectangle just below the orange (last) button on the fret board. This is just spec, but it could be some touch-sensitive strip that allows the incorporation of sliding notes, or some kind of freestyle area that allows you to make up riffs on the go. The GI article did mention there were some interesting "clear" notes on the demo they saw that Neversoft hinted were related to the new guitar functionality.

Raitei: May 21st 2008; 6:25PM

HRm, looks like im in for GH4 and drums. Hope they do instrument bundles (ie drums and game)

JohnHeist: May 21st 2008; 9:47PM

It looks more like a Shecter C-1 than a PRS...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schecter-C1-Hellraiser-FR-Electric-Guitar?sku=518471
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schecter-GRYPHON-Limited-Edition-Flametop?sku=518483

Note on the pictures (second one is best for comparison) the GH4 controller has a longer bottom horn, the PRS is really small

Judd: May 22nd 2008; 1:40AM

Looks like an ESP guitar to me.

Judd: May 22nd 2008; 1:41AM

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_fm408.html

Judd: May 22nd 2008; 1:42AM

But then again they usually use the triangle shaped head, atleast thats what my LTD has

ark_keeper: May 22nd 2008; 9:34AM

http://www.schecterguitars.com/spec.asp?id=61#

Closest I've found so far. Still not right though.

Fun postcards with everything you need to know about LittleBigPlanet Dead Space is dated for October 24th in the UK, 21st in the US The Japanese Resistance 2 trailer	[1.Local]: Reader comments from this week The Care and Feeding of Warriors: The Climb to 80 Skill Mastery: Master's Call
PAX 08: Witness a Bungie and The Behemoth booth construction Watch Left 4 Dead running on 360 Here's the Halo 3 tribute song "Thank You Bungie"	Japanese VC releases next month: Square Enix shares a Secret Nintendo shares on the rise again Point/Counterpoint: Does Clone Wars need MotionPlus to succeed?
New tilt-controlled Tony Hawk game revealed Taito producers talk Exit DS, The Legend of Kage 2 DS Daily: Add-ons	New Disgaea platformer coming to PSP PSP Brite battery life will decrease by 20-30 minutes Jecht, Tidus pure gameplay Dissidia trailer
Far Cry 2 video gets immersive PAX East Coast 2010 to be held in Boston Original C&C: Red Alert to be available for free download Sunday	Hardwood Pundits: NBA Players Weigh In On Obama vs. McCain John McCain's VP Used to Erin Andrews It Up Julie Coin Beats Ana Ivanovic at U.S. Open, Biggest Upset in History

Breaking News »