However, buyers should be aware that many of the Rickenbacker and Gretsch guitars make a “twangy” noise when moved due to the metal balls inside the body used for the tilt overdrive sensor. According to a Rep @ EA not all the guitars have that issue but most do. It doesn’t affect gameplay.

When I received my shipment I was unaware of this and so, thinking it was defective I ordered a replacement from Amazon (which arrived three days later – thanks Amazon!) Of course the replacement also had the “twangy” noise so back it went.

My previous guitar is a GH3. I realize there have been a lot of improvements with the GHWT guitar but with the GH3 the strum bar clicks too much. The Rickenbacker’s strum bar is silent and smoother.

I seem to be in the minority of preferring the RB frets over the GH frets. On the Rickenbacker the frets are more realistic, not raised like on the GH guitar. For me, the Rickenbacker is a more realistic gaming experience. Playing the GH3 guitar feels cheap.

The Rickenbacker is also 4 inches longer than the GH3 so it looks and feels like a real guitar. Unlike the GH controller, the Rickenbacker (and all RB guitars) do not need a Wiimote. The guitar comes with a dongle that is plugged into the USB port on the back of the Wii which recognizes the guitar once the guitar is turned on. That explains the slightly higher price of RB guitars vs GH guitars. Without needing to insert a Wiimote into the body, the Rickenbacker is a lighter guitar and easier to hold. A Wiimote is still needed to begin the game but once it is running all menus can be accessed via the RB guitar.

Manually set the calibration to “0″ for both audio and video. Syncing automatically produced less than favorable results.

There is a 5 way toggle switch on the Rickenbacker supposedly useful in producing special effects in solo mode but not used in TBRB.

Unfortunately the RB guitars do not work with GH software whereas GH guitars work with RB software so take that into consideration.

Overall I like the Rickenbacker a lot – a leather strap rather than included nylon one would have been a nice touch. If you have the $$ buy the Rickenbacker. Or save your dough for the DLC.
Rating: 5 / 5

But this was an awesome purchase. It’s a beautifully made wii controller, with some heft and good action on the frets, strummer, and bar thing.

The wireless works great, no dropping out. I couldn’t be happier.
Rating: 5 / 5