When seriously dedicated Guitar Hero and Rock Band gamers had just about given up ALL hope on the invention of a compatibility patch that would allow for interoperability for both music games, Peak saves the day with a masterpiece. The Starpex Obsidian is hands-down the most aesthetically realistic guitar controller to date, with optimal features that blow the dinky guitar controllers that accompany GH and RB out of the water.
While Activision and Harmonix/MTV, publishers for GH and RB respectively, refused to agree on the release of a Sony-created software patch that supported third-party peripherals back in December, the folks over at Peak heard the cry from musical gaming worshipers who simply wished to experience the full songlists and gameplay on both. Peak then goes a step further by creating the first full-size controller with the look, feel and weight of an actual guitar.
 
The Starpex makes the standard, flimsy-feeling guitar that accompanies Guitar Hero appear almost ridiculous. The Rock Band guitar controller makes for a decent substitute should any band possess only one Starpex, but upon switching back and forth between the two there simply was no comparison. Peak's premium quality instrument made me feel like a true authentic rocker due to its size and feel; the accompanying features were the icing on the cake. A more flexible whammy bar, a sensitively tactile strum bar and a 10-fret button design (as opposed to the standard five) maximizes comfort while also allowing for higher scoring potential, creating a more pleasurable and challenging experience for both beginning and hardcore gaming enthusiasts.
The Starpex's only downfall is its weight. Upon initially strapping on the guitar and playing two songs, both my wrists were a bit tender. I easily remedied this problem by substituting a thicker, more durable guitar strap for the standard one that accompanied it. After half an hour of trying out the various controllers, there was simply no way I was going to go back to the cheap-feeling instruments that accompany either game -- I was hooked.
Indeed, once our makeshift "band" had agreed to stick to Rock Band so as to avoid interrupting "sets," it was officially ON for five hours of truly orgasmic play, where we all channeled our inner rock stars. The Peak team delivers an extremely well-crafted instrument that should soon have serious musical gamers tossing aside the tiny guitars that accompany both games. 
If you don't feel like you're ready to purchase and learn to play an actual Les Paul or Gibson, the Starpex is the way to go. After playing Guitar Hero 2 and 3 obsessively for several months, I made the foolish mistake of purchasing a flaming red Gibson Junior, thinking I was ready to transfer my musical gaming skills from guitar controller to actual guitar. Like a beautiful work of art, the Gibson now sits perched on my wall. But thanks to Peak's Starpex Obsidian, I still officially feel like a true rock star.
--Miss November 2008 Grace Kim

Greetings from Busan, South Korea! While my physical presence might be overseas far, far away-- my heart will undoubtedly be with the rest of my family and comrades back home with you, in the good ole U.S. of A., on the historically exciting day of January 20th, 2009. My ancestral roots might originate from the Muthaland, 'tis true. But on this particular day, I'm damn proud to be an American. Without a doubt, along with Obama's official oath into office comes some extremely high expectations of him and what he can deliver. Bush leaves the Oval Office with some major "baggage" left for our new president to handle-- an economic crisis so bad everyone and their momma down to Skid Row felt it, the aftermath of war, and the loss of national confidence, overall, from west- to east-coast. Current American society is undeniably, well...a tad more impatient than that of FDR's reign back in the early '30's, when the economy was hurrrrtin' post-market crash. Ridin' high from Obama's victory over ("doh!") McCain, while taking in the sweet solutions the genuinely honest politican has offered with utmost integrity and practicality in mind, the American public, including myself, should rest assured that while deliverance from the Bush administration's mistakes won't be immediate, it will certainly come in due time if we don't falter from faith and Obama's principles of nonpartisanship. How lucky are we to be ALIVE during such an amazing era, to witness history-in-the-making from an unstoppable campaign, to shockingly victorious poll results (thus restoring my own personal faith in the American public, admittedly), to an historic inaugural day- and beyond? Yeah, I know it sounds corny-- and to some, perhaps too idealistic considering the reality of our nation's "sitch," but so what? I'm still floatin' from damn-near elation that I was elected Miss November '08 when Obama was elected Mr. President during the same exact month and year-- a coincidental synapse I get to claim and dance about like an overjoyed American civilian if I desire to. A month back, while awaiting yet another delayed flight from JFK to LAX, I dilly-dallied at one of the terminal bookstores, purchasing Obama's "The Audacity of Hope." Sincerity and practicality again prove to be his strong points, as he delivers honest answers to a host of issues while relating to people like you and me, with humorous asides about his personal/political encounters. :) And he does this while staying true to non-divisional lines amongst all classes, races, religions, what have you. Obama never fails in tying everything he substantiates and supports together, under one unfailing theme-- that what unites all Americans together is that unspoken, common feeling of national camaraderie, united under commonality and agreement of America's principles as set forth by our Founding Fathers: equal liberties across all sects and the rebirth of "The American Dream" (achieved by the man himself!! *pounding chest twice with bound fist "givin' props where props is due!"*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RFH7C3vkK4&feature=related
 
He's an adeptly fast ducker but the fear

in his eyes is priceless...

When's February coming, dang it?
 
For those who liked Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country," click here:

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=12832
 

It was an extremely hectic day- I was to see my issue for the very first time, pick up the Peak Starpex Obsidian guitar controller (!) which I hadn't purchased yet although I'd heard great reviews (hey, I think us gamers were alllllll used to the GH and RB controllers already accompanying the kits that we were so over the fact that a compatible patch or REAL-looking-and-feeling-like-a-real-Les-Paul-or-Kramer controller that would allow interoperability between both games would EVER come to fruition). AND the VP debate was being aired and many of us knew how entertaining that verbal smackdown was going to be. I cried as soon as I saw my pre-released issue, btw- another blog to be posted about that experience soon! Anyway, here is my review of Peak's awesome creation:

All hail Peak Products! When seriously dedicated Guitar Hero and Rock Band gamers had given up ALL hope on the invention of a compatibility patch that would allow for interoperability for both music games, Peak saves the day with the ultimate masterpiece in premium gaming instruments. The Starpex Obsidian is hands-down THE most aesthetically realistic guitar controller to date, with optimal features that blow the dinky guitar controllers that accompany GH and RB out of the water!

While Activision and Harmonix/MTV, publishers for GH and RB respectively, refused to agree on the release of a Sony-created software patch that supported third party peripherals back in December, the folks over at Peak heard the cry from musical gaming worshipers who simply wished to experience the full songlists and gameplay on both. Peak then goes a step further by creating the first full-size controller that actually weighs and looks like an actual guitar.

The Starpex undoubtedly makes the standard, flimsy-feeling guitar that accompanies Guitar Hero appear almost ridiculous (see images 10 and 11 for comparison shots). The Rock Band guitar controller makes for a decent substitute should any "band" possess only one Starpex, but upon switching back and forth between the two, there simply was no comparison. Peak's premium quality instrument made me feel like a true authentic rocker due to its size and feel; the accompanying features were the icing on the cake. A more flexible whammy bar, a sensitively tactile strum bar, and a TEN-fret button design (as opposed to the standard five) maximizes comfort while also allowing for higher scoring potential, creating a more pleasurable and challenging experience for both beginning and hardcore gaming enthusiasts.

The Starpex's only downfall is its weight; upon initially strapping on the guitar and playing two songs, both my wrists were a bit tender. I easily remedied this problem by substituting a thicker, more durable guitar strap for the standard one that accompanied it. After half an hour of trying out the various controllers, there was simply no way I was going to go back to the cheap-feeling instruments that accompany either game...I was hooked.

Indeed, once our makeshift "band" had agreed to stick to Rock Band so as to avoid interrupting "sets," it was officially ON for five hours of truly orgasmic play, where we all channeled our inner rock stars. The Peak team delivers an extremely well-crafted instrument that will soon have all musical gamers tossing the junky dwarf-like guitars that accompany both games to the wayside, collecting dust.

If you don't feel like you're ready to purchase and learn to play an actual Les Paul or Gibson, the Starpex is the way to go. After playing Guitar Hero 2 and 3 obsessively for several months, I made the foolish mistake of purchasing a flaming red Gibson Junior, thinking I was ready to transfer my musical gaming skills from guitar controller to actual guitar. Like a beautiful work of art, the Gibson now sits perched on my wall. Seemingly out of nowhere, Peak Products delivers the ultimate gaming experience with the ingenious invention of the Starpex Obsidian...I now officially feel like a true rockstar.