Games
StarPex Full-Size Wooden Guitar For the PS2 and PS3
Posted by Sean Fallon at 4:32 AM on July 17, 2008
Playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band might make the average Joe feel more like a rock star--but the fact that you are playing on a tiny plastic guitar kind of ruins the fantasy. That's where the StarPex comes in. It is the first full-sized wooden guitar for the PS2/PS3 and it features a 10-button design with solo-buttons and an Overdrive/Star Power button, chrome plated tuning pegs, a wired/wireless connectivity option and a modular design that will allow users to trick out their guitar. The StarPex will be available in late August for US$179.95.
Peak Products Unleashes Starpex™, the First-Ever Full-Size, Wood, Playstation®2 and Playstation 3 Guitar Controller with the Authentic Look and Feel of a Real Guitar
For those about to rock...Peak salutes you!
Boston, MA- July 16th, 2008 - Peak Products, a gaming peripheral company dedicated to providing the best in instrument quality gaming controllers, announces Starpex, the first-ever full-size, wood, PS2™ / PS3™ Guitar controller with the look and feel of an actual guitar. Starpex boasts an instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish with a hardwood body, neck, and headstock handcrafted by a leading guitar manufacturer giving the authentic guitar experience that Guitar Hero™ and Rock Band™ enthusiasts crave. Other unique features include...
* Full Guitar Hero and Rockband Functionality for PS2 and PS3 - Starpex is compatible with both PS2 and PS3, and allows users to experience the full list of game play features in both Guitar Hero and Rockband, including toggle effects switch and solo button functionality.
* Unique Speed Star Power / Overdrive Button provides the fastest and most accurate access to Star Power and Overdrive. Additionally, built in tilt sensor technology allows users to access Star Power and Overdrive in a more traditional way.
* Optimised Whammy Bar maximizes comfort, provides better feel, reduces fatigue and provides a higher level of durability.
* High Quality Ten Fret Button Design features optimal button travel for enhanced feel, reduced fatigue, and higher score potential. Ten fret buttons means that players have the option of using traditionally positioned fret buttons, or rock out with solo buttons high up on the neck which also provide critical soloing capabilities in Rockband.
* Enhanced Strum Bar gives the perfect balance of tactile and audible feedback to maximize enjoyment and scoring.
* Connectivity Options - Dual wired / wireless capabilities allow players to use a 15' wired cable or a 2.4 Ghz wireless connection (both included).
* Forward - Thinking Compatibility - Starpex's modular design allows users to easily separate the electronic components from the body of the guitar which will allow for further customisation including new guitar bodies, pick guards, and more.
"With well over 11 million copies of Guitar Hero/Rock Band sold on the PlayStation consoles, we see a tremendous opportunity in bringing Starpex to market" says Jamie Leece, Vice President for Peak Products. "Never before have Guitar Hero/Rock Band enthusiasts been able to shred with a hardwood, handcrafted authentic guitar controller that's built with the look and feel of a real guitar. This will change the way the games are played."
The Starpex will be available in Circuit City and various retailers with an MSRP of $179.95 in late August. For more information on Peak Products, please visit www.Go-Peak.com coming on line in August
About Peak Products
Peak Products is a gaming peripheral company dedicated to providing gamers of the music genre with the very best in instrument quality gaming controllers. Evolving out of a passion for both music and gaming, Peak Products understands the level of precision and quality that both musicians and gamers demand from their equipment. By fusing together the style and craftsmanship of professional grade musical instruments with the comfort and performance of gaming controllers, Peak Products is able to provide the user with an enhanced musical gaming experience. Designed by leading engineers and tested by gamers, Peak Products delivers the look of authentic musical equipment, the feel expected out of any precision instrument, and the score demanded by any serious gamer. Peak Products: Look. Feel. Score.™
Tags: games | gaming | guitar hero | guitars | ps2 | ps3 | rock band | starpex

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Jon
Posted July 17, 2008 11:30 AM
The Peavey controllers kick this things ass: http://www.peavey.com/controller/
Robert Settler
Posted July 19, 2008 2:07 AM
The Rock Axe is much better than both the Peavey and Starpex. Better looking, better function and cheaper! Google Rock Axe
Hectorvex
Posted 5:26 AM 17/7/08
@DozeUser: Yeah, but a real guitar plugged into a video game is a little different. You're playing a REAL guitar, not a fake one with five colored buttons. (Again, don't get me wrong - I love GH3 - fun as hell.) The game would change, it would be more instructional I suppose.
Hectorvex
Player4
Posted 5:26 AM 17/7/08
@DozeUser: [www.toolmonger.com]
Player4
Player4
Posted 5:25 AM 17/7/08
@DozeUser: People have made real guitars into controllers, but I don't have a link for you. I'm sure google does. I think in most cases people wouldn't butcher a true strat or les paul into a controller, but I believe there was a contest that had one as a prize.
Player4
DozeUser
Posted 5:15 AM 17/7/08
@Hectorvex: I agree that this is in a way overkill but i dunno there is still so much further they can go, i mean this is bad but as of yet (and i haven't been looking so if this does exist leave a link) I have not seen someone try to turn a real guitar (like i mean they go out and buy a strat or a les paul or a warlock or an RG depending on their preference) into a guitar hero or rockband controller. On another note i am really glad that it is a strat that all of their designs seem to be based on as i wouldn't be able to look at my Les Paul the same if something like this but a les paul was created. (and i am aware that the GH 3 controller was a les paul that doesn't count they weren't going for realism.
DozeUser
Hiphopopotamus
Posted 5:14 AM 17/7/08
No 'Infinite Sustain' mode? This is the worst fake guitar ever!
(Only like 5 people will get this joke... apologies to everyone else)
Hiphopopotamus
Hectorvex
Posted 5:11 AM 17/7/08
@IndustrialJones: Ok fine. How about it's like making a custom controller for Leisure Suit Larry...
Hectorvex
IndustrialJones
Posted 5:03 AM 17/7/08
@Hectorvex: "This is OVERKILL. It's like making a real gun to control GTA IV..."
What a great idea!
IndustrialJones
DozeUser
Posted 5:02 AM 17/7/08
@Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!: Hendrix forgives you. Seriously though everytime i see someone playing guitar hero that is going to pop into my head and i won't be able to keep a straight face, and that probably isn't good considering the mall down the street from my house holds competitions every wednesday.
DozeUser
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
Posted 4:58 AM 17/7/08
@DozeUser: Damn I completely forgot about the flames!
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
deadsylent
Posted 4:56 AM 17/7/08
This is pretty awesome. No way I'd be able to buy it though.
deadsylent
Hectorvex
Posted 4:56 AM 17/7/08
@kwicherbichin: Not only that, but they will fancy themselves actual guitar players. Kids will start to talk like they can actually play guitar. It will usher in a new era of un-creative fat kids.
Or it will inspire them to go out and actually get a real guitar and learn an actual skill.
This is OVERKILL. It's like making a real gun to control GTA IV...
Hectorvex
Player4
Posted 4:56 AM 17/7/08
I'd say paying as much for a fake guitar as a real one kind of ruins the fantasy.
Player4
DozeUser
Posted 4:55 AM 17/7/08
@kwicherbichin: people will buy anything look at bottled water
DozeUser
DozeUser
Posted 4:54 AM 17/7/08
@Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!: Nice that's all i can say nice, well maybe the guitar/controller abomination should like burst into flames too but nice.
DozeUser
kwicherbichin
Posted 4:53 AM 17/7/08
People will actually buy this thing?
kwicherbichin
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
Posted 4:53 AM 17/7/08
As little Billy Smith turned on his Starplex wooden guitar controller, a cold draft made its way about his room. Suddenly, his electric guitar controller pulled away from his hands, and levitated in space.
*CRACK!*
As the guitar rained blows upon little Billy's head, the faint, but menacing grin of Jimmi Hendrix could be made in the still air of the room.
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
enchantedgoose
Posted 4:43 AM 17/7/08
@jp182: @enchantedduck: no no no. labeled as the best thing i've ever seen
enchantedgoose
jp182
Posted 4:40 AM 17/7/08
@enchantedduck: i would say labeled under a waste of money
jp182
enchantedduck
Posted 4:38 AM 17/7/08
I think this should be labeled as overkill
enchantedduck
SuppleMonkey
Posted 5:50 AM 17/7/08
How is that Gizmodo is providing better coverage of video game / E3 stuff than Kotaku?
I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised. Gizmodo has run with photos and articles nowhere to be found on Kotaku.
SuppleMonkey
ezman
Posted 5:33 AM 17/7/08
This guy seems to have done it...
And I faintly remember something along these lines on Giz quite a while back... but I can't seem to find it.
[toolmonger.com]
ezman
Player4
Posted 6:27 AM 17/7/08
@SuppleMonkey: There must be lots of game cakes there.
Player4
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
Posted 6:21 AM 17/7/08
@Hiphopopotamus: Oh...OOOOOH ha ha...sorry, I tried.
Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!
DozeUser
Posted 2:02 PM 17/7/08
@Player4: @ezman: Man that hurts my soul sooo much and it was already fairly dead to begin with :(
DozeUser
Bokusatsu_Tenshi
Posted 6:52 AM 22/7/08
Overkill. Awesome for the rich though, and the price is not that bad. For the rich though.
Bokusatsu_Tenshi