Features & Specifications
The Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller works with the PS2 as a wired controller for Rock Band or Guitar Hero. It is also compatible with the PS3 as a wireless guitar controller. Wireless connectivity uses 2.4GHz technology and in a pinch, the controller can be used with a long cable. The whammy bar is improved and offers better feel and more durability. The design of the guitar is modular so the body can be changed for a new style. Construction of the guitar is real wood and a sensor is built in for activating starpower or overdrive by tilting or the press of a button.

In Use
All you need to do is look at the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller and you know it's something special. The construction is simply top notch with real wood and deep black paint on the body. The fret buttons are beefy and offer great tactile feel. Button response is perfect, not so hard that you lose time pressing them in fast sections, but not so soft that a slip as you move up and down the neck during play presses buttons accidentally.

One of the weak points for me with the stock Rock Band guitars is the strum bar. I have two stock controllers and both strum bars will only strum one way due to shoddy construction. The Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller will never have that problem. The strum bar is thick and protrudes perfectly for great feel and fast action.

The whammy bar is positioned well and offers more resistance and better feel than stock Rock Band controllers offer. The lower fret buttons are good for those with smaller hands and kids who like to get their jam on.

I had no problems with either wired or wireless connectivity when playing with the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller on Rock Band. The wireless receiver the Starpex controller uses is much larger than the stock guitar controller's receiver is. The USB cable that connects the Starpex receiver to the PS3 is plenty long so crowding of the USB ports is not an issue. The cable that comes with the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller is very long so if you even need to play with the wire connected you have lots of room to roam.

After playing for a year now with the stock Rock Band guitar, the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller has a bit of a learning curve. I had a bit of an issue with placement on the larger fret buttons at the top of the neck. On the stock Rock Band guitar controller the top fret button is right under the neck. When playing I would slide my hand up until I felt the neck to help get in position after hitting the blue or orange buttons.

On the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller there is space equivalent to a couple frets below the neck before the first green fret button is reached. While getting used to the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller I would often end up with my hand misplaced resulting in lots of missed notes and having to look down at the guitar while playing. After a few hours of use, I was back to my stock controller form.

The Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller is much larger than the Rock Band guitar. Stock guitar controllers are in the area of 3/4 scale whereas the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller is full size. The weight of the controller was not an issue for me or any other guys that tried it out. However, the weight was an issue for a few smaller ladies that used the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller. People with short arms may find the reach from the top fret buttons to the strum bar a bit long, though the lower fret buttons are there for this reason.

After getting used to the new layout of the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller compared to my stock controllers, I was able to play notes more accurately and faster in most songs. I always had a problem playing some tracks where you needed to hit the same two or three notes repeatedly. I was much more accurate with the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller thanks to the improved fret bar and button feel.

Final Thoughts
If you are a big Rock Band or Guitar Hero fan that is tired of toy guitar controllers, stepping up to the Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller is a huge improvement. This could be the last guitar controller you ever buy for the PS2 or PS3. The last you will buy until your bassist gets jealous and you have to buy a second Starpex Obsidian Guitar Controller anyway.