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Guitar Hero, On a Real Guitar, To Hit Shelves In 2009

Posted by timothy on from the it-looks-like-you're-playing-a-guitar dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Minneapolis Star Tribune features an article (with photos) about a prototype electric guitar that doubles as a Guitar Hero controller. It is not just another guitar-shaped controller with buttons: it is an actual, playable guitar, shown in-action. The startup company, Zivix, LLC, intends to bring the product to store shelves in 2009. Web searches indicate that the company may have raised around $800K for the venture. The company is also working on technology that enables finger sensing on a real guitar that would allow your computer to teach you how to play chords or evolve into a future guitar synthesizer."

7 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. It's cool, but... by Jabbrwokk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's cool, but I highly doubt it will convince many people to really learn the guitar. Guitar Hero is a game. You can pretend to be Slash or Jimmy Page with minimal effort. That's why people play it.

    I smell Christmas cash-in on parents who worry little Johnny and Susie are wasting too much time on a video game. "Now they can REALLY learn music... the FUN® way!"

    People would be better off putting that money into a month's worth of guitar lessons at the music shop down the street. That's about the amount of time it would take for someone to decide they're serious about learning to play, and also about the amount of time it would take to get sick of playing this "Headliner."

    1. Re:It's cool, but... by GMFTatsujin · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Getting "serious" about learning to play foists a lot of your hopes and dreams onto a kid who probably just wants to have a good time with tunes. "Serious" is where you live. "I'm interested enough to play with it" is where the kid lives. I say if a little extra expense might open some real doors for the kid, go for it.

      Speaking from experience, the best way to kill little Johnny's musical enthusiasm is to stick him into a cramped room with some old bastard who -- right or wrong -- makes you play scales instead of have fun with the music. "Serious" kills in the creative realm, at least until comfort, experimentation, and dedication settle in. And yeah, they're all different qualities from "serious."

      In my younger days I walked away from the viola because I hated my music teachers and the expectations that my parents shoveled onto me. I wish I'd had the sense to keep it up in my own time, but the teenage years: you know they're all about rebellion. Now I'm thirty-five and wishing I could play now like I used to. If there was a Viola Hero with a real viola, I'd zip out and get one in a moment.

    2. Re:It's cool, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I just started to learn the guitar a few months ago. The biggest hurdle by far is the lack of finger strength and flexibility. This is what will prevent casual playing. Pressing buttons is something anyone can do. Pressing hard with your pinky or ring finger is something most people can't.

  2. Re:Price by photomonkey · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Not trying to be argumentative, but those prices are a little out of touch with reality, I'm afraid.

    A quality instrument is going to start at around $700 USD these days, with lesser quality products starting at about $300.

    Like most other arts, the biggest factor is the artist, but you need an axe that will hold a tune and handle the stress of being played.

    I have never seen a $50 strat in a pawn shop or anywhere else. The cheap, Mexi-strats start at a minimum of $300, and a used one (that works) will command 80% of that price.

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  3. Re:Done by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I play guitar too. I used to be a pretentious prick like you about the games (wouldn't be caught dead using them, criticized them every chance I got). But then I tried playing one - very, very grudgingly. You know what? It was fun. I kind of sucked initially because I kept trying to translate my real guitar skills to the game, but that doesn't work. Once I got into the mindset that it was a completely different instrument with coincidental similarities to guitar, it really started to click. I kicked my friends' asses (who had been playing the game for quite a while) because my musical training helped considerably in what is essentially a rhythm game.

    Bottom line, I had a good time, and I learned not to be such a dickhead.

    You should try it too. Oh, and the drums are much closer to the real thing, so it's ok to play those if you absolutely have to maintain your precious musical integrity.

  4. Re:Lends a whole new meaning to "Electric" guitar! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Well, a real guitar too gives you immediately some unmistakable negative feedback. ;-)

  5. Re:Long time coming by tackledingleberry · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But does it tell you that YOU ROCK! if you get most of the notes right?