Gamertell

I swear to Jimi Hendrix this was my initial reaction when a Peak Products’ PR rep told me they are producing the first ever full-size, all wood guitar game controller:

1. About friggin’ time!
2. Won’t that be heavy?
3. Well, duh, real guitarists hold those things for hours at a time. And that’s what a guitar strap is for.”

Here was the email response I received from a rep at Max Borges Agency, the PR company representing Peak:

1. Seriously.
2 [and 3]. Not that heavy at all.  Lighter than a real guitar of the same size. Held one when they demoed it at our office

Dubbed the Starpex, the controller will be compatible with both the PS2 and PS3, can be used to play both Guitar Hero or Rock Band and can be used as a wired or wireless controller.

The exact release date has not been announced (August 2008) but that price has, retailing for $179.95. The controllers will, according to the company press release, feature “an instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish with a hardwood body, neck, and headstock handcrafted by a leading guitar manufacturer.”

It will also include the toggle switch and solo button, a Star Power/Overdrive button, an “optimized” whammy bar and a ten fret buttons. Yeah, ten fret buttons so you can run your phalanges all along that axe for an even more immersive experience. The strum bar has also been tweaked.

Each Stardex can either be connected via either a 15 in. wire or 2.4 Ghz wireless capabilities. It also has a modular design “to easily separate the
electronic components from the body of the guitar which will allow for further customization including new guitar bodies, pick guards, and more.”

Site [Peak Products]

Check out the gallery: Peak Products' Starpex guitar controller