Fender Design Change Request

[Everman]

Is anyone else having problems with the overall layout of the Strat for RB? I continue to have issues with two parts of the guitar design, no matter how many times I pick it up and tell myself I am going to give it another shot.

The first is the strum bar. Now I know that a lot of you had issues with the missing "click" but that is not actually my concern. It is more with the overall height of the strum bar.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=246&stc=1&d=1198349626

The taller bar with the added ball on the end presents a block when strumming past the strum bar (my personal style of strumming). After only a song or two my thumb goes from aching to really hurting and I quit. Very annoying.

The second is the placement and shape of the effects switch. I happen to have large hands, and when strumming past the strum bar, I hit the switch with the lower edge of my hand on almost every downstrum! Sometimes I even drag the switch back up with me on the up strum. This is not only completely annoying but also very distracting as it generates a popup on the screen every time.

I have decided that the dremel "shave it down" technique would end up working to solve both of these complaints, so I am waiting to make sure I have the last Strat replacement I am going to need before I start tearing it up.

Of course, releasing the LP patch would also solve my problem. =/

[blue_dragonzero]

Is anyone else having problems with the overall layout of the Strat for RB? I continue to have issues with two parts of the guitar design, no matter how many times I pick it up and tell myself I am going to give it another shot.

The first is the strum bar. Now I know that a lot of you had issues with the missing "click" but that is not actually my concern. It is more with the overall height of the strum bar.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=246&stc=1&d=1198349626

The taller bar with the added ball on the end presents a block when strumming past the strum bar (my personal style of strumming). After only a song or two my thumb goes from aching to really hurting and I quit. Very annoying.

The second is the placement and shape of the effects switch. I happen to have large hands, and when strumming past the strum bar, I hit the switch with the lower edge of my hand on almost every downstrum! Sometimes I even drag the switch back up with me on the up strum. This is not only completely annoying but also very distracting as it generates a popup on the screen every time.

I have decided that the dremel "shave it down" technique would end up working to solve both of these complaints, so I am waiting to make sure I have the last Strat replacement I am going to need before I start tearing it up.

Of course, releasing the LP patch would also solve my problem. =/

The problem is simply your playing style.

[erickOnasis412]

i think everybody was hitting the effects switch at first, but you just have to alter your hand position just a little bit.. if you still can't get used to it try using the GH guitars if that's more comfortable for you.. i don't think a design change is necessary

[Everman]

I guess so, I just haven't been able to do it yet. I can't get into just pressing the strumbar like a button. I want it to be a little more like the strumming action on a guitar, and the LP allowed that.

I wish I could use the LP, but Activision in their infinite wisdom is telling me that I have to buy another Stratocaster. LOL

[Bakkster]

What I've taken some time to get used to was that the bar triggers near the center of the throw, rather than the edges. The ladk of any feedback made it a bit tougher, but I'm getting 50+ note streaks on bass in RttH now, so somethings working.

As for the 5-way switch: that's the same place it is on a strat. The reason it's in the way is it's a 3/4 size.

[DesiredFX]

I don't have a problem with strumming past the bar (which is, admittedly, not an "every strum" thing for me), but when I go after the whammy bar with my ring finger and pinky, I almost always knock the effects switch from Flanger (my favorite effect) to WahWah (by far the most annoying effect).

No idea how to deal with that, except to handle whammying differently--I mean, it's not like you're strumming while you whammy...for the most part.

[Everman]

I don't have a problem with strumming past the bar (which is, admittedly, not an "every strum" thing for me), but when I go after the whammy bar with my ring finger and pinky, I almost always knock the effects switch from Flanger (my favorite effect) to WahWah (by far the most annoying effect).

No idea how to deal with that, except to handle whammying differently--I mean, it's not like you're strumming while you whammy...for the most part.

That's true. I am just hesitant to change... lol. I was really looking forward to the patch. :(

[eldoctorg]

makes sense, the problem that i have with it is were the wire comes out of, since i play left handed, its at the most akward position possible

[DesiredFX]

makes sense, the problem that i have with it is were the wire comes out of, since i play left handed, its at the most akward position possible

Sounds like you'll be first in line for the wireless model for the 360...

[eldoctorg]

Sounds like you'll be first in line for the wireless model for the 360...
most likely,well if its reasonably priced, if its sold for around 40-50 ill probably get it, but anything above that, then forget it, and id also spring for a wireless mic, if its around like 30$

[REICHLEIN]

I personally like the strum bar better on the Strat than I do the Les Paul/SG/Explorer. My problem is with the actual fret buttons. And I know I'll get over it in time with practice, but I'm used to the buttons being elevated and being able to feel where my hand is in relation to the buttons. Now that the buttons are the entire, shall we call it, "fret area" and inlayed, my hand gets lost on a lot of the faster passages, because I can't feel if I'm in half or first position, and sometimes I find my pinky to off the buttons all together.

[3Z3VH]

Everyone has their preferences, for both the fret buttons and the strum bar. I personally, like the Strat just the way it is, because the fret buttons are close enough that I can hit two with one finger, and I am a "button press" strummer, so the strat is perfect all around, but I do wish Activision would cut the carp (intentionally mis-spelled) and allow the patch, for those who prefer the Les Paul feel.