NOTE TO ALL: The Fender is intended for use with a guitar pick.

[OsageCowboy]

I received my replacement model yesterday. I had sent in my original pre-ordered version because it was dropping 1/16th notes on Go With the Flow and other songs where a string of 1/16ths appeared.

After playing with the new model, the strum bar was definitely tighter and the keys now were easier to push and they have a slight "click" compared to the older version. It seems as though there is more spring in the buttons.

Anyway, the new model definitely played better, but it still dropped the occasional 1/16th note. I then started playing with one of my medium guitar picks and the difference is NIGHT and DAY. I think this guitar is best played with the pick because of the natural lack of springiness in the strum bar when compared with the GH3 guitar. Picking the strum bar allows the bar to quickly snap back into place after each strum as opposed to thumbing the bar, which naturally affects how springy the bar can be.

I just wanted to pass this helpful info along.

[Ryder35]

I agree, it also feels "right" with a pick. Won't stop it breaking though, that is a different issue.

[eeenvyyy]

i'll give this a try the next time a play guitar (when i get my replacement).

[Angry_Games]

yep, I've played with a pick since GH1, and the Fender (until it broke and I'm now on day 10 waiting for my EXPRESS return lol) rules all the previous guitars in my personal opinion (again, except for the 'it broke after 5 songs' thing).

I can't stand playing any of the GH games nor RB without a pick on the guitar.

[OsageCowboy]

I really think this model was specificully designed for use with a pick. The way the strum bar sits is ideal for strumming with the pick ala a real guitar. It seriously makes a world of difference and makes the guitar ideally responsive.

[hessonbox]

can anyone confirm this? that would be freakin cool if its intended use was with a pick

[rockst01]

I really think this model was specificully designed for use with a pick. The way the strum bar sits is ideal for strumming with the pick ala a real guitar. It seriously makes a world of difference and makes the guitar ideally responsive.

There's no way they intended for the guitar to be used with a pick. The strum bar is shaped the way it is so you can grip it LIKE a pick for easier alt strumming but if harmonix intended for people to use guitar picks with the strat they would've included some in the bundle.

[Baroo]

If that's the case thenwhy doesn't it come with a pick?

[S1ashRev]

There's no way they intended for the guitar to be used with a pick. The strum bar is shaped the way it is so you can grip it LIKE a pick for easier alt strumming but if harmonix intended for people to use guitar picks with the strat they would've included some in the bundle.

My thoughts exactly.

[mattitude]

While I disagree that the Strat was INTENDED to be used with a pick... I think it's a great idea, if it works as well as you guys claim.

I mean, c'mon... if it really was the intention from the get go, don't you think Harmonix would've supplied a pick, or at the very least, alluded to it? And after all, the reshaping of the strum bar seems to be so people's fingers can get a better grip on it. Clammy fingers were GH's enemy...

But anyway... I noticed tonight that as a strummer (i.e. strum UP, strum DOWN, repeat. Fairly hard), perhaps I'm putting an unnecessary amount of strain on the bar. I strum hard. If I were to use a pick, I'd no doubt end up putting a lot less stress on the bar. Sooo... once I get my hands on a pick, I'm gonna give it an honest shot.

One question, though. Is the "flick, flick, flick" sound of a pick against the strum bar as distracting as the "click-clack" of the old GH guitars?

[OsageCowboy]

No, not at all. Much less noisy.

[Otheradam]

I've been saying this all along. I don't know how you can not use a pick with this game, especially on songs with a long lines of repeating notes. It's almost impossible to do it without a pick. I never used a pick with GH and their guitars, but with the fender, I can't play without a pick.

[jeremiahtmckay84]

I've been saying this all along. I don't know how you can not use a pick with this game, especially on songs with a long lines of repeating notes. It's almost impossible to do it without a pick. I never used a pick with GH and their guitars, but with the fender, I can't play without a pick.

In the 6 hours I was playing the game, not once did I have a problem with repetitive notes. Long sequences of the same, fast notes are extremely easy to do without a pick. You just figure out the rhythm, and go. Simple, controlled, up's and down's. I've never played a real guitar before.... but regardless of GH or RB, I have had no problem rocking out without the use of a pick. I agree with others on this thread... if it really was intended for use with a pick, something would have been labeled or packaged with it, insinuating the use of a pick.

But just because you all have me intrigued now, I'm gonna try it out on Monday (scheduled day of my replacement, courtesy of tracking # on UPS site).

[sa_nick]

can anyone confirm this? that would be freakin cool if its intended use was with a pick

they didnt. I'm 100% certain because someone from harmonix posted about it and said that they did not design it for use with picks.

They also mentioned about the playtesters using pick's... I can't remember if they had or hadn't tried it...

[wickedbadz]

I didn't know toy guitars are designed to use a pick, what's next does my toy guitar need a $2500 Marshall Stack too?

[TekPunk182]

I didn't know toy guitars are designed to use a pick, what's next does my toy guitar need a $2500 Marshall Stack too?

Did you seriously just compare a $0.30 pick to a $2500 amp?

I remember trying to use a pick on my original PS2 GH1 Gibson SG. I remember it not working very well at all. I will have to try again on this guitar, but the shape of the strum bar makes it seem like it might work better, and some of the other posts on this topic have confirmed that. Now to wait for UPS.

[nightwounds]

I tried using a pick and didn't like the feel at all. However, the Fender makes a GREAT bass controller using two fingers and snapping the bar upwards, feels very much like a fat bass string.

[Table16]

Like they said before, if it was, they would have said something about it in like the tutorials, the manual, or somewhere else and would have included some in the bundle. I think its just a preference. Some people play better with them. I will agree that the strum bar is shaped to make "picking" easier, but I really doubt that is what it was designed for.

[imagine]

I play real guitar - I did try the guitar with a pick and found it not as responsive to play (the older model) - Now on another note, I play all the guitar games GH3 etc. without double up down strumming. Just doesn't feel natural on the plastic guitars feels better on a real guitar:)

Oh yes and I play expert songs that way as well. People are amazed I don't need to do double strumming.

[Quastor]

they didnt. I'm 100% certain because someone from harmonix posted about it and said that they did not design it for use with picks.

They also mentioned about the playtesters using pick's... I can't remember if they had or hadn't tried it...

Not quite. They certainly didn't design it to require a pick, but they certainly did keep in mind the fact that many people do play the guitar with an actual pick. And while they did indeed do some testing with a pick, thought not as much as without.

[Joke]

That's mastermind.

I'm going to go try it out now.