- Authentic whammy bar with chrome tip
- Fast, accurate strum bar
- Five-way toggle switch
- Auto-calibration sensor to make syncing up with any TV a breeze
- As played by John Lennon
As played by John Lennon, The Beatles: Rock Band Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller will feature an authentic whammy bar with chrome tip, a fast, accurate strum bar, five-way toggle switch, and auto-calibration sensor to make syncing up with any TV a breeze.
Rating: 
(out of 10 reviews)
List Price: $ 99.99
Price: $ 167.99
Related Wii Products
Review by J. Axelrod for The Beatles: Rock Band Wii Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller
Rating:
This is a cool piece of plastic!
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 $$ buy the Rickenbacker. Or save your dough for the DLC.
Review by Richard J. Emery for The Beatles: Rock Band Wii Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller
Rating:
I now have all three guitar controllers for Beatles Rock Band. All are so much better presented than the regular guitars associated with Rock Band / Guitar Hero.
I especially like the additional playing keys down the neck to get that real guitar solo feeling, great for While My Guitar Gently Weeps !!!!!
Review by L. Gildart for The Beatles: Rock Band Wii Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller
Rating:
I love the Beatles. I grew up loving the Beatles and have listened to their music all my life. But I was surprised, even as big a fan as I am, that it was important to me to have the premium instruments. I mean, they’re wii controllers. I barely was able to get myself to break loose for the new motion sensors.
But this was an awesome purchase. It’s a beautifully made wii controller, with some heft and good action on the frets, strummer, and bar thing.
The wireless works great, no dropping out. I couldn’t be happier.
Review by uunetbill for The Beatles: Rock Band Wii Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller
Rating:
Well, what can I say – the Rick is a nice addition to the Beatles Rock Band game. It plays about the same as the controller that came with the game, but has a little nicer feel, and the chrome trim is a nice touch. You could probably get away with just buying another Fender clone, but for a few $$ more, why not get the authentic Beatles feel??
Review by E. Barrantes for The Beatles: Rock Band Wii Wireless Rickenbacker 325 Guitar Controller
Rating:
The Beatles: Rock Band Wireless Guitar Controller
I bought this controller on october 3 and started using it around november, at first i thought it was great but now I’m glad I waited this long to review it.
It has mayor problems:
1) The auto-calibration system is bad and I mean VERY BAD, for the sound to have to put the controller right in front of the speaker and make sure there’s absolutely no noise in the room (volume must be high). For video is even worst, you have to turn off the lights, close all the curtains in the room and use the brightest configuration in your TV, then put the controller as close as posible to the tv, and even with all that the video auto-calibration will fail 50% of the time. But since you can still use manual calibration I wasn’t so mad about it until today when I notice the second problem this controller has.
2) The “Authentic whammy bar with chrome tip” is rusting after just 2 months of use. -.-
Of course seen is believing:
[...]
And if you are wondering: No it is not my fault, I hardly ever use that bar.
My advice: Buy the cheapest guitar controller you can find, there’s no point in paying [...] for something that can’t auto-calibrate half the time and it’s going to rust after 2 months.