Mad-Catz-Rock-Band-Fender

By Chris Scott Barr

E3 is already feeling like a distant memory, however, there were some things that I just couldn’t talk about right after the show. Well now that Mad Catz is shipping their Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar for the Xbox 360, I thought it would be a good time to mention that I did get a little hands-on time with that very thing.

As you might have noted by the name, this this is a real Fender Strat. I don’t mean that Mad Catz bought a bunch of them and then modded them with electronic parts. Rather, they worked together with Fender to create the perfect guitar controller. Once they worked out how to build the guitar, Fender built each and every one of these in their factory. You seriously aren’t going to find a more authentic guitar controller anywhere.

I know what a Fender feels like, and this thing is the real deal. If you play guitar, or even hope to learn one day, you’re going to love this thing. Unfortunately I can’t comment on how well it plays, as I was unable to do more than hold it. Hopefully I can get my hands on one for some real testing. It is wireless, and includes a jack for a headset, as well as a ΒΌ inch jack that can be used with a Rock Band Electro-Harmonix Overdrive Pedal. This separate accessory is worth its weight in gold. It’s basically a stomp box that activates Overdrive. No more tilting the neck or trying to hit Select, just a quick tap of the foot and you’re rocking at 11.

Mad-Catz-Stomp-Box

The Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster (that’s seriously a mouthful) is certainly a pricey accessory, coming in at $299. If you’re a huge Rock Band and Fender aficionado, then you’ll no doubt find it worth the dough. However, most will likely find it to be too salty for their tastes. I do still recommend the Stomp Box, which is only $29 and well worth it. The Stomp Box is available now, and the Fender will be on sale later this month. Both are fully compatible with all Rock Band titles, including the upcoming Beatles game. (It should likely be compatible with Guitar Hero games as well, but we’ll have to wait and see for sure.)

[ Mad Catz ]

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

2 COMMENTS

  1. So this is a $300 guitar with buttons and a paddle. You cannot play any real music with it and you cannot do anything any different than than with a $50 button and paddle guitar.

    I think perhaps a better option would be a new experience whereby you can use a new controller, play real guitar, learn chords and solos, jam to 50 preset guitar sounds, and plug into your Mac or PC with MIDI/USB and even use it with your iPod…and still play Guitar Hero or Rock Band for about half that price… mmm…

    http://www.youtube.com/user/YouRockGuitar

  2. So this is a $300 guitar with buttons and a paddle. You cannot play any real music with it and you cannot do anything any different than than with a $50 button and paddle guitar.

    I think perhaps a better option would be a new experience whereby you can use a new controller, play real guitar, learn chords and solos, jam to 50 preset guitar sounds, and plug into your Mac or PC with MIDI/USB and even use it with your iPod…and still play Guitar Hero or Rock Band for about half that price… mmm…

    http://www.youtube.com/user/YouRockGuitar

LEAVE A REPLY