The price for the Squier controller is an impressive $US279.99, according to the company’s official website. Pre-orders for the expert-class controller open January 1, 2011, with the Stratocaster shipping March 1. A new video at the official Fender site shows off just how the thing works.
Peripheral maker Mad Catz has already released the Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar Controller, an option that features 102 buttons on the guitar neck and six string sensors. It lists for $US149.99.
Rock Band 3 competitor Power Gig: Rise of the SixString was released earlier this month with its own guitar/controller combo. Here’s what we thought of that effort.
If you’re looking for a new way to challenge yourself in Rock Band 3, the Squier Stratocaster controller may be your best bet – especially if you’re serious about actually playing music with the thing.
Rock Band 3 [Fender - Thanks Nick and David!]
MILDLY IRATE VIDEO GAME GUY
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 10:30 AMDude, I can’t find diddley-squat about Rock Band 3 online at EB or JB. Nothing about instrument bundles. Yet whenever another Guitar Hero trundles along, BLAM! Advertisements galore.
Munky
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 12:07 PMThere are no bundled packs for RB3 from the publisher. Keyboard and other instruments are a separate purchase from the game. Probably due to the fact that RB3 will work with all guitar controllers previously released.
Instruments can be imported from the US pretty cheap at the moment due to the exchange rate. I got my keyboard in 5 days from Barnes and Noble in the US for $112. The full drum kit EB are selling for $288 is only about $165 if you import as well…
Guitar Hero need to advertise – their games have been rubbish since Harmonix left to make Rock Band.
Peter Richards
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 12:04 PMThat is actually cheaper than I thought it would be. A pretty good price for a real guitar that is also a midi guitar and comes from Fender.
I just wish it was out now, damnit!
Tyris
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 2:11 PMSo what… $600AUD if we get a release…?
Can’t wait to import one of these :)
doubleDizz
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 12:47 PMWho knows if it will even be available in AUS though. I emailed Fender Australia about it and they think that retailers will be selling it. But I highly doubt retailers will choose to sell an actual, non-plastic guitar…
Karachi King
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 12:53 PMEven if they do stock it, the RRP over here will probably be close to $500.
Denaz
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 1:39 PMWith the dollar the way it is at the moment, this might just be affordable.
jason
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 5:44 PMi was expecting $300-$400 usd
so this is really nice.
plus shipping we should get it for $350ish
much better than the $600 i was dreading (though still likely for aus)
Matt
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 5:59 PMMight as well learn to play the real thing, rip-off and a half, and also consider, when you do buy it, whats the chances you will be able to play with GH?
Tanka
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 8:31 PMIt is the real thing. It’s a fully functioning guitar.
Karachi King
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 2:49 PMWell, yeah, that’s kind of the point. As Tanka says, it IS a real guitar, and the game teaches you how to play it.
Stephen Rushbrook
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 6:32 PMDue to delays in shops getting stock of the PS3 instruments, horrendous price gouging and the like. I now have the keyboard, midi interface and Mustang Pro on order from Amazon.Com
Even including priority post all these things are FAR cheaper that the ‘off the self’ prices here.
I hope music stores like Allen’s will stock the Fender, but i expect it will make more sense to grab this from the states too.
Also EB doesn’t stock any of these items ( special order only) yet for the midi interface and the guitar they have an exclusive deal?? What is the point of securing an exclusive deal if you are not interested in selling those items?
matt
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 8:19 PMcan you use a real guitar? the guitar they are talking about only costs about $199AU
Karachi King
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 2:48 PMNo you can’t.
The reason it’s more expensive is that it’s basically the real guitar, but then with fancy technology added, allowing the game to determine what strings you have held down, when you strum, etc.
Plus it has to interface with the console.