GH2 Controller VS Rock Band Strat

[Twisted_Salvation]

I've been a lurker for quite some time and have been reading and keeping up with the forums basically since Rock Band came out.

Like everyone else, I am disappointed in the fact that they didn't release the patch. I've also had many problems with the strum on the Strat even after trying every method of fix (some last longer than others) and replacing one guitar (second one is in the mail).

I decided to buy a PS2 version and am sure glad that I did!

I have GH1, GH2, 80's, GH3 for both the PS2 and PS3 and now Rock Band.

I know everyone has their own opinions, but I can't see how ANYONE could possibly think that ANY of the controllers are worth their weight in plastic besides the corded GH1 and 2 controllers!!!

I play mostly on hard and expert.

Last night I played on the PS2 for the first time and played through hard in one sitting and actually had fun playing! There is just no comparison between these controllers!

The Fender (even when working how it "should") is complete garbage in every sense. Strumming 16th notes is nearly impossible without missing one here and there and the "overdrive" is just pathetic.

The GH3 Les Paul is garbage because the Star Power just comes on when it feels like it unless you are playing in the perfect position.

The GH3 wireless PS2 controller, you have to smack your girlfriend, kid or dog with the guitar before it will come on.

Why mess with something if it isn't broke?

Fender fanboys need not apply.

Anyone else agree?

[phulcrum]

Opinions are like *******s...

[SSPWOLF]

I can't comment on the PS3 or PS2 versions...

But I've played GH2, GH3, and RB on Xbox 360.

Maybe playstation 2 guitar controllers are inferior?

My strat works fine. I've noticed that I don't like the lengthy feel of the whammy bar, and buttons don't feel quite "right" to me. (probably because I'm more used to the explorer/les paul buttons)

the strum actually impressed me, it's quiet and responsive.

That being said.. I think the explorer is garbage. It's obnoxiously loud, the neck is so thin that even with my fairly small hands it still feels like I'm cupping around it and not actually cupping it, the strum feels awful and makes that obnoxiously loud click sound... I can't think of anything I like about the explorer controller.

I play my GH3 les paul for everything. I can't think of a single thing I DON'T like about it.

As far as your complaint about having difficulty turning it on.. must be a PS2 thing. The 360 version comes on as quickly as any other controller, and the overdrive is calibrated perfectly so that I don't have to lift the guitar completely vertical, but it doesn't ever come on accidentally.

I"m not trying to sway people into not using the strat... because, trust me.. there are times when I wish I was more used to it. Especially for the sweet solo-frets that unfortunately only the strat has.

[MartyMcFly]

This issue had me thinking recently too. Not that I'm trashing either controller, but more a comparison of which is better.

I find myself playing much more accurately with the Xplorer, as you said, even my replacement Fender still has trouble with those 16th notes.

Yes, the Xplorer clicks and is rather loud, but it's accuracy is too much to give up.

And I also agree about the whammy bar on the Strat, it's a little too long, I can't imagine what that's like for the poor lefties :\

Overall, I am now consistently using my Xplorer as I have had zero issues with it, and can top any score I could ever do with the Strat. Maybe I need a replacement for my replacement Strat, but it's unfortunate if so, because the Strat is pretty eye candy.

[TuRDMaN]

I also love my PS2 GHII guitar. The only other guitar that I play with as accurately, is the Xplorer. I personally hate the fender (the fact that it's been sitting around my house, broken, and waiting for Canadian RMA doesn't help either).

[Podruvan]

I think I am the only person in existence who prefers the Strat. Fast sections are tricky at first without feedback, but once I got used to it it never really held me back. I do have issues with overdrive though. I have the wireless PS3 version, and sometimes tilting isn't enough to make it go off. You really have to shake it. Whereas, with all the 360 controllers I've used overdrive goes off way too easily. But I never really use overdrive anyway unless I'm playing with a full band.

[Jaz74]

I have the Xbox R.B Strat, GH3 Les Paul, 2 Different Ps2 controllers, and the Gh2 Explorer. I do the best with the Xplorer by quite a large margin.

[Royges]

I have the 3 Guitars (for Xbox 360) and the Xplorer is the Best one

http://card.mygamercard.net/ES/gelsig/ROYGES.png (http://profile.mygamercard.net/ROYGES)

[HPLabonte]

I like the Strat, the buttons are perfect, and th whammy on the other guitars is TOO SHORT!

I would like to have my SG back, though =(

[TheAntiDesiredFX]

Fender fanboys need not apply.

Anyone else agree?

Tell me I'm not the only one who sees an inherent contradiction in these questions.

Why ask for opinions if you've already excluded a group whose opinions, by definition, disagree with yours?

I happen to think the wireless Fender Strat is the best of the guitars made to date, and I felt that way even before I went through the process of getting one that wasn't defective.

I like the touch on the fret buttons, the feel of the strum bar--and, for once, I have a strum bar that actually feels like it strums accurately, particularly when alt-strumming--and the additions of the minifrets and the effects switch are fun.

Yes, it took some getting used to, as all new products do, but once I got used to it, I completely understood all the changes that had been made.

And, incidentally, if you're looking for the second-best guitar controller out there, it's not the wired SG in either color: it's RedOctane's wireless PS2 controller--the white one. It feels and performs just like the SG, but has no wire to tie you down.

[Kevhouse]

I don't know what it's like for you guys, but the fender strat beats everything on the xbox. the x-plorer was a piece of crap. the fender is way more realistic, it just takes a little bit of getting used to. i'll take my fender over it any day. plus, that awesome wah-wah effect when you're playing bass? nothing cooler than that my friend.

besides, ever try playing an x-plorer with a real guitar pick? sucks. the fender with a real pick? godly. for those of you who haven't done it yet, give it a shot. it gives a great feel to it and makes it even more realistic.

[sarahscrossing]

Anyone who has ever played a real Stratocaster, can tell that HMX did a damn good job of portraying a real guitar with their controller. It feels* like a real guitar. The Guitar Hero controllers are too toy like to my liking, and the strums...
especially on expert, are deafening. I had Guitar Hero III, it felt like Mandolin Hero due to the size of the guitar :/

[Kevhouse]

Anyone who has ever played a real Stratocaster, can tell that HMX did a damn good job of portraying a real guitar with their controller. It feels* like a real guitar. The Guitar Hero controllers are too toy like to my liking, and the strums...
especially on expert, are deafening. I had Guitar Hero III, it felt like Mandolin Hero due to the size of the guitar :/

I have a friend with a real strat. he thought my controller was a real one from a distance the first time he saw it. then he realized it had no strings, lol. but they are extremely realistic.

[meh_jb_meh]

i really havent had a problem with any of the controllers. (granted i only used the 360 versions)

[espher]

I much prefer the Strat, honestly.

I find I have an easier time alt-strumming, and it feels good in my hands. The tilt sensor is the only thing that might be iffy, but I find I had to get a bit of a feel for it like I did with my SG, and I have no problems with it.

To each his own.

[Sailor]

The Fender (even when working how it "should") is complete garbage in every sense. Strumming 16th notes is nearly impossible without missing one here and there and the "overdrive" is just pathetic.

Sorry, I don't have the game..but what's the reason you say it's impossible? I saw a vid on YouTube of some band playing Creep, and it's true that the guitarist couldn't hold the "16" consecutive notes..is it because the strum is too lose or something? :confused:

[DesiredFX]

I have a friend with a real strat. he thought my controller was a real one from a distance the first time he saw it. then he realized it had no strings, lol. but they are extremely realistic.

I've got a Fender Precision Bass, and my RB Strat looks right at home next to it...like a little brother...

[Amadeus]

I've got a Fender Precision Bass, and my RB Strat looks right at home next to it...like a little brother...

Indeed! I own a Fender Strat and the likeness is amazing. My father even asked me if I wanted to get a guitar stand for the RB Strat. :p

The white wireless GH guitar is wonderful. The tilt sensor doesn't go off the second my Star Power meter is filled sufficently enough like the GHIII guitar does, and it works when I want it to work. It's my personal favorite out of the 3 GH guitars I own (GHIII guitar, GH SG, and the wireless white one.)

That being said, I prefer the Strat. The neck feels more natural to me, though I'm getting a little worried about my strum bar, and the Overdrive seems to "stall" every now and then. :( I found it a bit akward playing a GH guitar after I spent some time with the Strat.

[Leni Pocky]

I actually prefer the 360 Strat over the Xplorer or the SG controllers from the PS2 GHs. I haven't had the chance to check out the new Les Paul controllers, so I won't comment on them. The Strat feels better in my hands, I like the whammy bar's response, and, most importantly to me, since I play bass both in Rock Band and IRL, I can upstrum constantly as many bassists actually play. I could NEVER do this with the Xplorer - the springy strum bar on it resulted in a LOT of unnecessary missed notes, as in one miss for every strum.

[Insane3]

I still don't have RB (I live in Canada and got a ps2, so i'll probably get it in february or something like that lol) but I've tried both xplorer and sg. I didn't like xplorer cause the form of the guitar was uncomfortable, the floyd was loose and the neck was too thin. I prefer sg. It's looks and sounds like a fisher price toy but at least it works perfectly. Except for star power that isnt perfect.

[King_Nuthin]

I prefer the Strat. The neck and gapless fret buttons feel much better. Although I prefer the silent strum bar of the Start, I will concede that I might be slightly more accurate with the SGs strum bar but I'm better with my fingering on the Strat so its a wash in that regard. And all things considered I like the larger size and overall feel of the Strat so it wins in my opinion.

[nicko68]

I ended up buying the standalone PS2 version just to avoid all the hassle with the strats I've been hearing about, plus I already have PS2 controllers and a USB mic which I figured I'd use.

[xsoulbrothax]

I took some pictures of the Strat next to the Les Paul next to the Xplorer. The weird color you see on the Strat in the second photo is a reflection of people playing RB on a TV across the room. :P

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2300/img0062pv0.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0062pv0.jpg)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8820/img0064ni5.th.jpg (http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0064ni5.jpg)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7439/img0056wb1.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0056wb1.jpg)

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7744/img0057cl6.th.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0057cl6.jpg)

[Twisted_Salvation]

Tell me I'm not the only one who sees an inherent contradiction in these questions.

Why ask for opinions if you've already excluded a group whose opinions, by definition, disagree with yours?

I don't mind others that disagree with my opinions. What I meant by that was the people that see the name Fender and say, "Oh, it must be great because it says Fender on it."

I've seen a lot of that and, like all "fan boyism" is just immature and annoying.

I wish there was a best of all worlds, but I haven't seen it.

If I could combine all of these guitars into one, that would be ideal. I like the size of the strat (since I've played a real guitar myself for 15+ years, it's the most realistic when it comes to size) it feels the most natural.

Even though both of the Strats that I have are currently defective, I doubt I'll ever be able to play as well as I can on the wired SG.

It's just a shame that such a perfect game (in so many regards) can cause so much frustration because of hardware incompatability.

Should it really be necessary for me to own 5 plastic guitars ???

[Syd]

I generally use the Xplorer. When I originally played GH1, 2, and 80's edition on the PS2 I had no complaints with the SG controller. When I upgraded to the 360 for GH3 and switched to the Xplorer I hated it! (Curse you Wal-Mart for bundling GH3 with the Xplorer instead of the Les Paul). Its so big and awkward. I eventually got used to it though. When I got Rockband I was stoked to get the Strat and be rid of that cumbersome Xplorer for a while. Aesthetically its no contest, the Strat looks like it is made of win. Sadly, looks alone won't help you play the game. I agree with some opinions above that the whammy bar feels a bit long. The strum was the deal breaker for me though. Its so damn temperamental. Half the time I think its malfunctioning (mostly from reading so many horror stories on here) and then it seems to work alright the next time I play with it. I play much more consistently using the Xplorer. But my heart breaks for the trade-off of those solo buttons, especially while playing GG&HT. :p

[teh_roc]

X-Plorer fan here. There's so many things I dont like about the Strat. The feedbackless strum bar breaks note streaks too often. The neck is too thin and the fret buttons have a sharp edge that bites into my thumb during more intense situations. While using the Strat I would rather just use the solo buttons all the time if they werent so small (the size really messes up my chord work).

[DesiredFX]

Should it really be necessary for me to own 5 plastic guitars ???Definitely not. I've got five, myself, and that's after giving one away.

It's good to know, though, that Harmonix at least made sure the instruments for the PS3 work for the PS2, as well. I'm sure a lot of PS3 owners will find their fourth instrument that way.

[xsoulbrothax]

Oh yeah, and for what it's worth, I'm at about a wash on the two guitars. I don't really have a preference, though I think I like the Strat for guitar and the LP for bass. The LP's clicky bar is easier to keep a steady rhythm with, and the frets on the Strat are so much better for HO/PO for me.

I basically like everything about the Strat better except for its strum bar, which is lame enough that even though the strum bar is the only thing I like about the LP... they end up about even. I'm wondering if Harmonix is going to eventually put out some super-revision of the Strat when they make a wireless one with the best of both worlds or something.

I do like that the Strat's bar is quiet, though... I kinda recognize that the good tactile 'click' feedback probably comes with the territory of the bad audible 'click' feedback.

[DirrtyBird]

I actually like both. It took me a while to get used to the Strat on my friends Rock Band after ysing the X-plorer so much.

Anyways i think both of them are awesome guitars for the games.

[Insane3]

Prefer the Strat. I'm better at it anyway. I like the struming and I LOVE the higher neck buttons, it's easier on solo. Hard thing is coming back lol, but anyway. I don't think there is a better guitar, it's just how you feel with your guitar. They're all made of plastic lol...

[Convertables_10]

Heres my feelings on the subject. I modify all he plastic guitars for all systems. Meaning i have to play test each one before i ship it back to the customer. For the 360 I love my strat but the explorer is darn near bullet proof. The bytearts.com strummer fixed my main complaint with it and add the reliabilty the rivals the explorer.

The explorer has the annoying loud click from the strum bar but the silent frets are awesome. I see alot of the rubber contact pieces broke for the explorer. The strat can either have silent frets or loud frets depending on the gen you get. I have 1 of each except gen 4. The gen 1 needs a strum fix and it would be perfect imho. I dont tilt my guitars to activate star power i use the select button.

The gh3 les paul is close to the explorer and suffers from the worst issue of all a detachable neck. Im looking into turning it into a project maybe a gh3 strat. The sg from the ps is another near bulletproof guitar. My fiance is ripping hers apart so i can paint and add leds to it. Some guitars need some work to be perfect. Perfect to me is not perfect to someone else.

Overall ill use anything you put infront of me and maje it work. If i have my kprefrence between strat and explorer ill take the un modded explorer. If the strat is modded ill take it anyday. This is my opinion and does not reflect the view of the members of Scenic City Custom Guitars.