Of course we weren’t so sure of that when we did an engineering change to the string couplings the month before that. People said they should be easy to replace. But when we received this last batch of units the sensitivity was affected. We had to change them and we lost time again on this last bunch of units. We are sorry to all of you who have been patiently awaiting for your orders to arrive. Soon. We’ll know about when the next batch arriving.

“We’re so sorry, Uncle Quality” – Paul McCartney
We’d like to say we’re really sorry about the delays and we should be sorry, but we never want to regret the attention we are giving to quality.

“Money” – by Pink Floyd
We must however apologize for the PayPal payment issue. When we set up the credit card system it said no one would be charged until we shipped to them. That way you can easily get on the pre-sale list and voila, we only charge when we ship. We found out PayPal was immediately deducting from your accounts. If you would like off the pre-sale list and an immediate refund, please let us know at: info@inspired.com

“Glory Days” – Bruce Springsteen
As I draft this post, Cliff is on his way to China. Glory Days of full production ahead. The bump in the road that is Chinese New Year is over and everyone is anxious to get these babies out the door. Everything is final testing and changes.

“Hit me with your best shot” – Pat Benetar
We are in a very limited supply of units that are trickling out from February’s shipment. Many have to go to Reps for sales samples and product placements, so I know everyone wants to know the exact date their order will be shipping. give us another week to see when the next batch arrive. OK?

“American Midiots” – Green Daze
Guitarists, teachers, MIDI guys, rockin’ gamers who might want to help us in the testing and/or SDK dev side of things, we need you. Obviously, if you are on the pre-sale list, you’ll move to the head of the class. just let us know if you would be interested, we need about 10 more people: info@inspired.com

Digital Kodachrome momets – check out some shots from last weeks photoshoot, new guitars, new accessories, new models. P.S. Were looking for 18-27 year olds in Orange County or LA who play guitar and can model with the You Rock Guitar.

We understand that everyone is anxious to see where they are on the back-order list. Give us a couple of days to get it sorted out from the original pre-sale list on the www.YouRockGuitar.com site and also on the www.InspiredInstrumentsinc.com e-commerce site. We have many more orders than we have guitars for this month and the next.

That being said, the release must be approved by the Chief Technology Officer and the President of our company, so we await his keen eye, ears and scrutiny. He aims high, you’ll be glad for that.

I can’t tell you how much we appreciate all of comments from those on the pre-sale list. We are rocking as fast as we can. All of the delays over the last few months have been due to us making both hardware and software improvements. Even though the You Rock Guitar is an amazing value at $199 retail, we’re treating it like it’s 10X that. When you get your guitar and you start going through all of the features and the sounds, we can only hope that the delays of a week here or even a month there will soon be forgotten with years of enjoyment.

Thanks again for your kind support. We’ll send some pictures, hopefully tomorrow… if we didn’t lose another day due to President’s Day.

P.S. We are still looking for some smart MIDI musicians who might help provide real input on the SDK were developing for the guitar and bass. If you have a technical, programming or development background and don’t mind flexing some brain cells, please feel free to contact me directly. It will in fact help your place in line.

Kevin Kent
info@inspired.com

Pitch bend is handled with the whammy bar, up and down. Muting is on the bridge. Sliding has two modes. An extensive MIDI implementation far outweighs it’s “Toy or Game market Price” It is meant to be very affordable, very portable and very flexible. It was not designed to replace your beloved wooden axe., so please do no compare it to your ‘79 Strat. That is an unsophisticated argument. The You Rock Guitar is a high speed MIDI Guitar that is the best in class…the fact that it never needs tuning and doesn’t hurt the un-calloused hands of a beginner is great for new to guitar gamers, but again, don’t let that confuse you with what a stunning MIDI controller this is.

We liked the idea someone mentioned about using it to trigger Ableton, we’ll have to do that. We’ll look for that MIDI map later. When asked about Guitar tunings. (Since our guitar never needs tuning) We responded with more alternate tunings than most thought possible… OK, except maybe Michael Hedges… but we thank him for the 10-15 of the very cool tunings we put in just from him, and of course we included digital capos, why not?

My partner and I I did a MIDI guitar in the 1980’s, called the Photon Guitar, we sold that to Gibson and as all too often they dropped the ball. It was pitch to MIDI. A technology, like the steam locomotive who’s time has come and gone. If you are using a Pitch to MIDI guitar you are always late for the party. If you think an attachment that costs more than

Yes, our thoroughly Mobile guitar was designed from the ground up to be economical to buy, but don’t confuse its price with its functionality. Gaming device, MIDI device, iPod device, USB device, BlueTooth, soon WiFi, built-in sounds, built-in jam loops, You Rock Mode for the learner. built-in sequencer for recording, we ain’t messin’ around. We’ve been doing MIDI since 1979 (when it was invented) We did a MIDI guitar 25 years ago. We’ve taken all that knowledge and a thorough understanding of gaming from the best companies int he business and we created the You Rock Guitar.

During last nights flight home, I took out my very portable You Rock Guitar, slid the neck into the body, plugged in my headphones and started jamming, the whole way practicing my G and D blues, the sound tracks of course built into the guitar. Sorry but that’s not happening on my Strat, not happening on any other guitar device on a crowded plane anywhere else. We are mobile music. We rock mobile MIDI. The You Rock Guitar is a true game changer… real innovation at every opportunity.

That all being said, we are smart enough to know that many of the greatest ideas come from the outside. So if you have any MIDI implementation ideas or features let us know. Our operating software, sounds, loops and MIDI programs are all easily updatable via USB on a Mac or PC… The rising tide of technology… floats all rockers.

Kevin Kent
CEO
Inspired Instruments

P.S. Yes, tapping and sliding, and the whammy bar all work great in spite of rumors by people who have not played the You Rock Guitar. We will do more videos, but we’re still recovering from back-to-back CES and NAMM shows and final production details. And yes, we are in production now. We will start shipping in February… currently backordered till April. Now let’s get rocking!

“>video. Check it out.

http://www.gearwire.com/inspiredinstruments-yourockguitar-wnamm2010.html

Print/Web Coverage

Tues., Jan. 12, 2010

USA Today, Sound, motion and nostalgia get their video-game licks in

(print content and online video feature)

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2010-01-11-cesvidgames11_ST_N.htm

SDRNews.com/Geekazine.com (podcast, JR interview; Techpodcast Network at NBC Universal Show #2, begins around 21:30)

http://www.sdrnews.com/

Gaming Nexus, You Rock Guitar @ CES 2010

1/7/2010

http://www.gamingnexus.com/FullNews/You-Rock-Guitar–CES-2010/Item15760.aspx

PC World, CES 2010 Rewind: A Look Back at the Gadgets (slide #14 of 41)

1/11/2010

http://www.pcworld.com/article/186592/ces_2010_rewind_a_look_back_at_the_gadgets.html

Appletell.com

http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/ces-2010-the-yourock-electronic-guitar-midi-and-game-controller-will-rock-y/

Gamertell.com, CES 2010: Inspired Instruments to show off You Rock Guitar usb string guitar controller

1/4/2010

http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/ces-2010-inspired-instruments-to-show-off-you-rock-guitar-usb-string-guitar/

GamePro, You Rock Guitar is hybrid of real guitar and controller

1/8/2010

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213504/you-rock-guitar-is-hybrid-of-real-guitar-and-controller/

The Adrenaline Vault, CES 2010 Highlights a “real” guitar

1/12/2010

http://www.avault.com/news/ces-2010-highlights-real-guitar/

N4G.com

http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-452303.aspx

Nasdaq.com

http://www.nasdaq.com//aspxcontent/newsstory.aspx?symbol=MSFT&selected=MSFT&textpath=20100107%5CACQRTT201001071711RTTRADERUSEQUITY_1404.htm&cdtime=01%2F07%2F2010+5%3A11PM

Ars Technica, Guitar Hero gets real: the hidden genius of the “You Rock”

1/10/2010

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/01/guitar-hero-gets-real-hidden-of-genius-of-you-rock-ready.ars

The Tech Herald, You Rock Guitar offers gamers genuine musical greatness

1/11/2010

http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/201002/5056/You-Rock-Guitar-offers-gamers-genuine-musical-greatness

MWD Technology News, CES Showed Brand New “You Rock” Guitar for Guitar Hero or Rock Band Coming in February

1/10/2010

http://www.mwd.com/2010/01/ces-showed-brand-new-you-rock-guitar-for-guitar-hero-or-rock-band-coming-in-february/

Gadget Review, CES 2010: You Rock Guitar Hands On
1/9/2010

http://www.gadgetreview.com/2010/01/ces-2010-you-rock-guitar-hands-on.html

Gearlog, You Rock Guitar: Like Guitar Hero, Only Less Fake

1/8/2010

http://www.gearlog.com/2010/01/you_rock_guitar_like_guitar_he.php

The Money Times, ‘You Rock Guitar’ to better gaming experience!

1/11/2010

http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20100111/you-rock-guitar-better-gaming-experience-id-1096656.html

Geek Sugar, You Rock Guitar Brings Your Gaming to Life

1/11/2010

http://www.geeksugar.com/6994504

Gearwire, You Rock Guitar: Six “String” Controller Is A Gaming Device AND A Real Instrument (NAMM)

1/6/2010

http://www.gearwire.com/yourockguitar.html

Fretbase, A Real Guitar and a Guitar Hero Controller in One

1/12/2010

http://www.fretbase.com/blog/2010/1/a-real-guitar-and-a-guitar-hero-controller-in-one/

SmartHouse, Real Guitar Controller For Guitar Hero

1/5/2010

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/CES_2010/S3E7B9G3

ChannelNews, Real Guitar Controller For Guitar Hero

1/5/2010

http://www.channelnews.com.au/Events_And_Associations/CES_2010/S3E7B9G3

GameBetties, Rock Out For Real: You Rock Guitar

1/11/2010

http://www.gamebetties.com/?p=1317

GameCulture, It’s a Game Controller, No It’s a Real Guitar: You Rock Wants to Do It All

1/11/2010

http://www.gameculture.com/2010/01/11/it039s-game-controller-no-it039s-real-guitar-you-rock-wants-do-it-all

Portfolio, Taking Guitar Hero To Another Level

1/11/2010

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/the-tech-observer/2010/01/11/inspired-instruments-you-rock-guitair-takes-popular-video-games-to-new-level/

TrustedReviews.com

http://www.trustedreviews.com/video-games/news/2010/01/08/CES-2010–YouRock-Guitar-Rocks-Out/p1

2d-x.com

http://www.2d-x.com/ces-2010-you-rock-guitar-feels-like-an-instrument-madd-skills-not-needed/

GearDiary.com

http://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/04/ces-2010-hot-product-you-rock-guitar-digital-guitarguitar-hero-controller/

GuitarInfoZone

http://www.guitarinfozone.net/ces-2010-you-rock-guitar-hands-on-gadget-review-blog/

Though not our major strategy it is a great way for us to stay close to some select customers while we grow the product and the line throughout the world. If you buy direct from us, we may ask for some comments from time to time and suggestions on how to improve on this wonderful and versatile instrument, the You Rock Guitar.

If you use a credit card you will not be charged until we ship in February. Shipping and Tax is all calculated for you. Welcome to our family of rockers and gamers.

inspiredInstrumentsInc.com

Also see what Berklee performance grad, author, teacher Karl Aranjo has to say.

Go to the e-commerce site to open an affiliate account.

100 Guitar & Synth Presets – blends, mix sounds, levels, tunings, capos, tap mode, open mode.
25 Sampled Real Guitars – Strats, Les Pauls, Acoustics, Nylons, 12-strings, Telly’s all 16 bit long samples.
25 You Rock Mode™ Tracks – just the rocking start to learning all the progressions that changes the world
50 Alternate Tunings – From Hendrix and Hutchins, Mitchell and Hedges plus the classics.
Digital Capo – No need to tune a single string.
Tap Mode – When you’re felling like Eddie, we ready to deliver
Whammy Bar – pitch bend up or down.
Vibrato Joystick – for that mushroom sustained amp feedback effect.
1/4” and stereo mini output – Yeah we got that.
On-board recorder – take the You Rock Guitar anywhere and still save your creations
MIDI & USB – the fastest and easiest, all 16 channels plus Mono modes on Channels 1-6 or 11-16