Guitar Hero World Tour features lots of brands (except Gibson!)
An Activision press release that just landed in our inbox breathlessly details every single promotional tie-in that Guitar Hero World Tour's packing. Really, it's a huge list! Here it is, straight from the release: "Ampeg, Audio-Technica, EMG Pickups, Ernie Ball, Evans Drumheads, Guitar Center, Krank Amplification, Mackie, Marshall, Orange County Drum & Percussion, Pork Pie Percussion, Regal Tip, Sabian cymbals, Vox and Zildjian drumsticks."
Notice anything missing? Considering it's busy trying to sue everyone but Activision, even retailers, it's unsurprising that guitar-maker (and patent-claimer) Gibson is nowhere to be seen. Of course, the total absence of any Gibson branding on Guitar Hero World Tour's Genericasters was our first clue but it would appear that lack of cooperation extends to the in-game experience as well. So, while you trick out your virtual drum kit with gear from the above purveyors, your axe will remain hopelessly generic. Isn't there any game in town besides Gibson and Rock Band BFF's Fender?
Notice anything missing? Considering it's busy trying to sue everyone but Activision, even retailers, it's unsurprising that guitar-maker (and patent-claimer) Gibson is nowhere to be seen. Of course, the total absence of any Gibson branding on Guitar Hero World Tour's Genericasters was our first clue but it would appear that lack of cooperation extends to the in-game experience as well. So, while you trick out your virtual drum kit with gear from the above purveyors, your axe will remain hopelessly generic. Isn't there any game in town besides Gibson and Rock Band BFF's Fender?











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh @ Aug 28th 2008 2:32AM
what about ESP...or Washburn?
come on guitar hero, pick up the ball!
Gunner McGrath @ Aug 28th 2008 8:40AM
I was coming here to mention ESP as well. They wouldn't even have to invent ANY special guitars considering all the ridiculous custom stuff ESP has to offer.
elle @ Aug 28th 2008 2:45AM
IBANEZ
The Mazda of guitars: Western styled, fake Western-sounding name, made cheaply in Japan.
Tyrannius @ Aug 28th 2008 4:48AM
ESP would be ideal. Just slap an ESP sticker on all the Gibson guitars Guitar Hero has used up to this point.
Nonhippyhippy @ Aug 28th 2008 8:00AM
Definaly Ibanez!!!
A replica RG2228 with a neck so wide nobody can get their fingers around it
Or possibly a full sized replica Dean Razorback would look pretty class...
Viridium @ Aug 28th 2008 9:00AM
Ibanez rocks. My 1984 Roadstar II is solid and sounds fantastic, carried me through several gigs back in university.
Mazda rocks too. Wouldn't want to trade my 6 hatch for anything!
JetPogi @ Aug 28th 2008 3:47AM
I'm torn between buying either the rock band or guitar hero drum.
Snowblind @ Aug 28th 2008 5:36AM
I can't speak for GHIV and Rock Band 2, but with the previous games, the Guitar Hero instruments have been far higher quality, even though I prefer Rock Band as an actual game. People who were at Liepzig seem to be saying the same thing for the sequels.
Haggard @ Aug 28th 2008 7:41AM
I prefer Guitar Hero's buttons (on the old PS2 SG's) and Rock Band's strum bar :P
As for the drums, you can plug cymbals into the RB2 drums, but the GH:WT ones seem higher quality.
Iwa @ Aug 28th 2008 3:51AM
My vote goes to Dean Guitars. Works well since they also own ddrums.
Gabriel @ Aug 28th 2008 6:30AM
Hagstrom! It's much better looking than Ibanez
Frank @ Aug 28th 2008 11:51AM
You sir, are a man with impeccable taste.
I've got a 60's Super Swede... best pawn shop discovery EVER.
capt_carl @ Aug 28th 2008 7:56AM
Pfft, Alembic Explorer bass > all others
[.sm0ke.] @ Aug 28th 2008 9:06AM
Wait, are you trying to tell me there's a brand of drum head other than Remo?
Boffo the Sock @ Aug 28th 2008 9:18AM
I didn't realize that people cared so much about which brands of instruments were featured in rhythm games.
willie @ Aug 28th 2008 11:08AM
i'm just very glad there wont be any 5 gum or axe deodorant this time around.
Jack @ Aug 28th 2008 11:48AM
Mel gibson is a singer? well its for the better, we all know what he thinks about the $$$ people.
http://www.squidoo.com/doughboy
Rootbeer @ Aug 28th 2008 2:14PM
I can't wait to spend $60 to get advertised to nonstop!!!
Tegolin @ Aug 28th 2008 4:06PM
The title should be "Guitar Hero World Tours features even more in-game advertising."
Is there going to be a 5 Gum guitar and drum set?
John @ Aug 28th 2008 7:54PM
Umm... I personally believe that no music company that serious about music should EVER endorse a music game. Think about it... At the price of these bundles, guitar companies (and drums etc.) are actually losing money that someone might've spend on you know... A real guitar.
Mabye the companies are forseeing a sad future where nobody has anymore creativity and everyone sits around playing the last 100 years of written material on clacky plastic instruments, and bragging about it.
John @ Aug 28th 2008 7:55PM
Whoops.. meant braggs
Kuuma @ Aug 30th 2008 12:38AM
I guess you could just go with...Washburn..?
Alexander Case @ Sep 11th 2008 12:05PM
Well, there's also Rickenbacker - and they have a few good "guitar heroes" (*rimshot*) who play their guitars as well. According to Wikipedia, notable "Ric" players include(d):
"Normal" Guitar:
* The Edge
* Jimi Hendrix (which would fit with Jimi's presence in Guitar Hero World Tour)
* George Harrison
* John Lennon
* Pete Townshend
Bass Guitar:
* Paul McCartney (That's right - every member of the Beatles who played a guitar, played a Rickenbacker)
* Lemmy
* Adam Clayton (of U2)
* Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd)
* Greg Lake (of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer)
* Flea
intothevoid @ Oct 14th 2008 8:46AM
"Wait, are you trying to tell me there's a brand of drum head other than Remo?"
Please tell me you are not serious. Evans Drumheads is what I use!
I think this sort of advertisement is good because it is relevant to the game. For those who have never picked up an instrument and get the urge to do so because of games like GH they don't have to go far to look up manufacturers of guitars or drumheads.