Beatles fanatics will be able to add these authentic looking guitars to their collection of plastic instruments soon.
With its release rapidly approaching, it isn’t a surprise that Harmonix and MTV Games are teasing us with new information on The Beatles: Rock Band. When the title was originally announced, they revealed that this iteration's gear would receive a complete makeover. The drums, guitar, and bass will all model the equipment played by the famous band. Earlier this week, Harmonix and MTV Games revealed two of the official controllers: the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet, both most frequently played by John Lennon and George Harrison.
According to Harmonix and MTV Games, the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet guitars will be made available as standalone products when the game launches. They will be fully wireless and carry an MSRP of $99.99. The instruments will join the already announced Ringo Starr inspired Ludwig drums and the Paul McCartney custom Höfner violin bass controller.
Rickenbacker 325
Gretsh Duo Jet
MTV GAMES, HARMONIX AND EA UNVEIL REPLICA RICKENBACKER AND GRETSCH GUITAR INSTRUMENT CONTROLLERS FOR THE BEATLES™: ROCK BAND™
The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club Goes Live Today, May 5th
New York – May 5, 2009 – Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that replica Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet™ guitars will be made available as standalone music peripheral controllers for The Beatles: Rock Band. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club also goes live today in the U.S. and Canada[1] giving fans exclusive news and access to exclusive game elements from the eagerly awaited game set for release worldwide on 9/9/09.
The Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars are hailed as two of the signature, most celebrated instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers, respectively. They will be made available for MSRP $99.99 in the U.S. and in continental Europe for MSRP €99.99 and for MSRP £89.99 in the UK. These wireless instrument controllers join the previously announced Höfner bass controller, a large-scale replica of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney, and the Ringo Starr inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head. All controllers will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION® 3, Wii™ and will be compatible with all Rock Band titles.
Also announced, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club officially goes live today. North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the The Beatles: Rock Band at a participating retailer will be given an access code to officially join the Pre-Order Club. After entry of the code, consumers will gain access to breaking news and exclusive behind the scenes elements[2]. For a list of participating retailers or to learn more about The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club, please visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com.
The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ system from Nintendo on Sept. 9, 2009, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.
For The Beatles: Rock Band standalone guitar front of box art, please visit www.mtvpress.com
