Rickenbacker vs. Gretsch vs. Hofner

[OakTea]

Having bought the Limited Edition bundle, I've only used the Hofner Bass guitar. I've since nearly fallen in love with it (as much as a man can do with a plastic guitar-shaped controller), and want to buy one of the other guitars to go with the Hofner. However, I can't exactly decide.

Aesthetically, I like the body of the Gretsch, and the neck of the Rickenbacker. But the Gretsch's neck would add some variety to them. Overall, I'm leaning towards the Gretsch.

However, there might be some other things that people want to discuss about the guitars, because playability is more important for someone who wants to use them. :p I was just wondering if there is anything I need to know about them that might make them different, and I also figured I'd create a potential discussion thread for discussing the differences between the three guitars :).

[BruceDickinson]

I have the Gretsch and it is awesome. I know thats not a mind blowing assessment and I haven't played with the Rickenbacker but you can't go wrong with the Gretsch IMO.

[StevoPhilo]

They're both really cool guitars. I liked the gretsch mainly cause of the bigsby whammy bar. They're all really cool though. I have the hofner, but if I were to buy another it'd be the gretsch.

[HeadHunter67]

While the Hofner is nice (and performs most reliably of any controller I've used), I have to cast my vote with the Gretsch. I love the look, the feel, the style of it. If ever I've loved a guitar controller, this is the one.

[FatWilma]

the Hofner is the first RB guitar i actually enjoy playing. it feels great, and looks even better. not planning on gettin any of the others, but i'm sure they feel nice. the Gretsch just looks too similar to the GH Les Paul for me to be interested. i do like the Rickenbacker and would consider getting it if i was in the market for another plastic guitar. imo, Rickenbackers are the more iconic instrument of The Beatles. they all played them at some point or another, even Paul.

[HeadHunter67]

The neck just seems a bit long for comfort on the Hofner, despite the fact that I have long arms. I know that a bass has a longer neck, of course - it's just that I get fatigued quicker with the Hofner than others.

[FatWilma]

The neck just seems a bit long for comfort on the Hofner, despite the fact that I have long arms. I know that a bass has a longer neck, of course - it's just that I get fatigued quicker with the Hofner than others.

i'm sure the Hofner is a bit too long for some people, but i also have long arms so it's a welcome change for me. when i switch to the GH Les Paul after playing the Hofner, it actually feels more strange than switching back the other way. i also play real guitar, so i think the added neck length just feels more natural for me. never thought i'd enjoy playing a RB guitar as much as the Hofner. love it! :D

[BevoTheWarrior]

I feel like I've said this a million times already, but I LOVE my Gretsch. I used to use my GH3 Les Paul controller because I didn't like the feel of the RB controllers. But that all changed with the Gretsch. My Les Paul is now collecting dust in the closet.

[CCPALACE]

quick question- don't hate. I got GH5 and was disappointed to find out my P-Bass doesn't work with it. Has anyone tried any of the new Beatles instruments with GH5? I'd love to have a real reason to buy the Gretsch or Rick.

[FatWilma]

quick question- don't hate. I got GH5 and was disappointed to find out my P-Bass doesn't work with it. Has anyone tried any of the new Beatles instruments with GH5? I'd love to have a real reason to buy the Gretsch or Rick.

that's surprising the P-Bass doesn't work. do u happen to be on PS3? then maybe a lil less surprising... ;)

i only rented GH5 and already returned it, so i don't know for sure, but my guess would be that the Beatles stuff would work with it.

[CCPALACE]

X360. ;)

[FatWilma]

X360. ;)

well then, i guess not all 3rd party RB controllers work with GH. i'd still bet that the Beatles guitars work with it.

[drag_racer]

I couldn't get any, because the bass was limited to pre-ordered bundles, and nobody around here had any PS3 standalone guitars left (they only had Xbox360 and Wii guitars left)

[HeadHunter67]

The XBox360 P-Bass didn't work with GH:WT, either.
However, the TB:RB instruments are basically RB2 guitars in new shells, so they'll surely work with GH, if that's your thing.

[nicko68]

I haven't tried the Rickenbaker, but I can tell you I LOVE the Gretsch I bought. I had assumed the jacked up price was purely because it had to do with The Beatles, but this guitar is the best feeling, most solid plastic guitar I have ever played, and worth the extra cash.

[ShadowChaosControl]

i kinda want wither one of them, but i'm not ready to throw down $100 on a 3rd plastic guitar, i kinda hope my RB2 strat dies so i can have an excuse to get one of those

[twilight klaas]

My wife suprised me with the Rickenbacker (it's the one i wanted) for my Birthday, yeah 9/9/9. I love the look of it and the feel. It's body is quite large, so it's closer to a real guitar. The Fret Buttons are super quiet. Unfortunately the strum bar when played with a pick is a little louder than my fender sunburst (RB2). The whammy is really nice. The Rickenbacker feels a little more solid too than RB2 guitar. The back of the neck is rounded and comfy. The playablity on the fret board is super quiet and awesome, Just wish the strum bar wasn't so loud (when played with a pick, or stummed quickly).

I like how the Gretch looks and it probably plays just as well, but I have a real Les Paul, so i wanted something different and more Beatle iconic. May pick up the Hofner Bass to replace my P-bass someday after they release it separately.

Did you guys notice the strum bar being louder than the RB2 guitars when strummed quickly or w/ a pick?

[Daytripped]

I have all the guitars, and seriously, I must say, I love...

all of them. They are all equally special in their own way.

*cough*gretsh*cough*

[Shaggz]

My wife suprised me with the Rickenbacker (it's the one i wanted) for my Birthday, yeah 9/9/9. I love the look of it and the feel. It's body is quite large, so it's closer to a real guitar. The Fret Buttons are super quiet. Unfortunately the strum bar when played with a pick is a little louder than my fender sunburst (RB2). The whammy is really nice. The Rickenbacker feels a little more solid too than RB2 guitar. The back of the neck is rounded and comfy. The playablity on the fret board is super quiet and awesome, Just wish the strum bar wasn't so loud (when played with a pick, or stummed quickly).

I like how the Gretch looks and it probably plays just as well, but I have a real Les Paul, so i wanted something different and more Beatle iconic. May pick up the Hofner Bass to replace my P-bass someday after they release it separately.

Did you guys notice the strum bar being louder than the RB2 guitars when strummed quickly or w/ a pick?

I picked up the Rickenbacker as well.
I wanted the Gretsch but every place was sold out. and only one local walmart had 2 Rickys left so I snatched one up.
I like it, more than I thought I would. Can't wait to get the Gretsch to go with it.

[HeadHunter67]

That's one thing I have to agree on - these are the quietest guitars I've ever used.

[Jordashebasics]

I just started playing the game about 45 minutes ago.

The Hofner is either junk, or auto-calibration doesn't work.
It seems to drop most of the hammer on notes. It's quiet, but it requires much more force to push buttons down than it should - possibly why the hammer on notes aren't working.

If I can't get it to work well, I may trade it in for something a bit more sturdy and responsive.

I can't even enjoy the game, since it won't stop breaking combo.

[monkeyfish]

I just started playing the game about 45 minutes ago.

The Hofner is either junk, or auto-calibration doesn't work.
It seems to drop most of the hammer on notes. It's quiet, but it requires much more force to push buttons down than it should - possibly why the hammer on notes aren't working.

If I can't get it to work well, I may trade it in for something a bit more sturdy and responsive.

I can't even enjoy the game, since it won't stop breaking combo.

I have the Hofner, and it's excellent. Calibrated my game perfect (the one part I was afraid would screw up), and have had no problems other than getting used to a longer neck. The buttons are much quieter than the Strat, but they do seem to take a smidge more energy to push down, thus likely throwing off a few of the more "pro" players and their harder solos. I imagine I'll have it down in a week.

[Skeleshredder]

I love my Gretsch. The design has always been a favorite of mine, so I know I'm biased. I'm sure the Rick plays just as well. With either one, you can't go wrong. these are far and away the best plastic guitar controllers ever made!

[DerTommissar]

Go with the Rickenbacker.

Do it for Captain Eddie.

[ParkaPalFred]

I'm definitely loving the Hofner. That little extra length to make the buttons out just that bit further makes everything feel so much nicer to me. That and the indents on the yellow and orange are far more recognizable and useful to me. And of course so much less clicky sounding strum bar.

Granted, I haven't tried the Rickenbacker, as the second guitar I got was the Gretsch, but it just looks like too big a body for me.

[Skittles]

I havent used the Rickenbacker, and as I LOVE the hofner I cant use it without it bringing up the guide every 2 minutes (srsly someone help me with this!)
so Im going to go with the Gretsch

[HeadHunter67]

Is it possible your guide button is just stuck or something?

[Skittles]

Is it possible your guide button is just stuck or something?
Im positive it isnt, and its far from resting on my leg since I never sit down when playing

[DELTAsnake]

I'm getting the Rickenbacker, it's back button location is slightly better for me and since the GHWT controller got me used to hitting the back instead of tilting the guitar I'm going with the Rickenbacker.

[chumsicles]

I'm surprised the Hofner isn't winning this soundly

[Cpt. Overkill]

The XBox360 P-Bass didn't work with GH:WT, either.


It worked just fine for me.:confused::confused::confused:

[HeadHunter67]

Really? How did you manage that? Because nobody I know has gotten the P-Bass to work on World Tour.

Are you talking about the wired one, or the wireless?

[Cpt. Overkill]

Really? How did you manage that? Because nobody I know has gotten the P-Bass to work on World Tour.

Are you talking about the wired one, or the wireless?

The wired one. If I remember correctly, we had a few problems at first where it kept picking up the P-Bass as a vocalist, but it worked after a few tries.

Anyways, I'm gonna have to go with the Hofner here. I don't have any of the others, and I'm in love with the Hofner. For a fake guitar, it's beautiful.

[Metallichris71]

To get the P-bass, either wired or wireless, to work with GHWT, you have to put the switch on the back to "RB1" before starting the game up. It works on Metallica too. No idea about GH5, as I have no interest in it at all.

[losttourist]

I do plan on getting the Rickenbacker, cos it was John's guitar. However with all the positive comments about the Gretsch I may have to break down and get that one as well at some point. I love the way the rec room looks with the Beatles setup now, adding all the guitars with stands etc, itll just complete the look.

[Ultrace]

We bought all three of these on launch day. Since then I've deduced that

The Gretsch:
- Looks really, really nice, the closest controller yet to resemble a "real" guitar.
- Has a very smooth bigsby whammy
- Has great, unobtrusive button and effect layout (awesome effects knob)

The Rickenbacker
- Also looks really nice (but is based on a less beautiful guitar IMO)
- Has a handy knobbed whammy bar for those who like to pinky-whammy
- Has a button layout more like the Strat for those who want that

The Hofner:
- Is an exquisite representation of an absolutely ugly bass (IMO)
- Has a longer neck like an actual bass would
- Has out-of-the-way buttons but a whammy bar like the Strat's

My wife (our designated guitarist) prefers the Rickenbacker and I (who normally play bass) the Gretsch. Neither of us has really used the Hofner much, but when I tried it at PAX I found it quite unwieldy -- but I normally use a Les Paul and the combination of the longer neck, Strat-style frets and trying to harmonize at the same time may have just been too much then. We'll see as time goes on whether my initial impressions change.

[ACeZ83]

What about lefty players? Any other fellow southpaw guitarists?

I follow what Paul plays 95% of the time. For Birthday and Back in the USSR, I switch to my Strat. I love Gretsch and wouldn't mind getting it, but I was hoping to hear from others that have played it lefty,

That's another reason I love the Hofner. No matter what dexterity you play, you use the same strap hookup.

[HeadHunter67]

Indeed, it's easy to flip. I only wish they'd made the TB:RB whammy bars removable (like real ones can).

[BriGuy]

While all 3 are fantasically beautiful and functional guitars, I found the Hofner Bass neck to be too long and a bit uncomfortable. The Rick and Gretsch are equally as comfortable, but I like the style of the Gretsch a bit better. So I went out and bought the G Duo Jet and played through the story mode today and I LOVE IT. I've owned almost all of the GH and RB guitars and this might just be my favorite yet. The whammy needs a bit of lube and cushioning on the spring back, but other than that, it is fantastic.

Well done HMX! It's hard to say about a piece of plastic, but $100 well spend. I can't wait to paint it!!

[solidsnakejt]

i kinda want wither one of them, but i'm not ready to throw down $100 on a 3rd plastic guitar, i kinda hope my RB2 strat dies so i can have an excuse to get one of those

well lay it on the floor, and forget about it....go outside and when you come back home walk on the guitar by accident :P

now you'll have an excuse to buy the gretsch:)

[JS999]

Had a Gretsch for 2 days - after the first 20 minutes the whammy started emitting a high pitched squeak. tried to fix with lube, to no avail, and I didn't want to open it to get to the spring. I really loved the look of the Gretsch. Best ever. Lamented at the store about trying another.

But picked up the Rick instead. Just played 2 tunes and high scored them both on the first time with the new Rick. Action great. Back button right where I want it. And happy to have the effects switch within reach.

Mourning the loss of the Gretsch no more!! :D

(Only concern with the Rickenbacker is that my guitar strap button, the one closest to the neck, feels flimsy...pushed into the guitar when I first attached the strap but I was able to pull it back up. Anyone else?)