Additions:
A few years ago with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero.∞ I lost track a long time ago but it can be found on well over
1,000 different websites!∞
A few people have taken this image and photoshopped it and made their own versions of what has apparently become one of the iconic images of the prototypical "Guitar Hero". A dubious honor at best.
Deletions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
1,000 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind! I kept track of them initially, but it's impossible to keep up with it at this point.
A few people have taken this image and photoshopped it and made their own versions of what has apparently become one of the iconic images of the prototypical "Guitar Hero"
How do I feel about it? Something akin to how the great Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson feels about his
epic meme∞:
(video)∞
Additions:
Original
Web Creations
Additions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
1,000 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind! I kept track of them initially, but it's impossible to keep up with it at this point.
Deletions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
600 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind! I kept track of them initially, but it's impossible to keep up with it at this point.
Additions:
How do I feel about it? Something akin to how the great Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson feels about his
epic meme∞:
(video)∞
Additions:
Deletions:
Additions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
600 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind! I kept track of them initially, but it's impossible to keep up with it at this point.
Deletions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
400 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Additions:
Favorite Band:
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones∞ - They are amazing live! Benn Carr worked for HMX.
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
400 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Most recently, the picture is featured in a
new book by Kiri Miller "Playing Along: Digital Games, YouTube, and Virtual Performance".∞ There's a handful of quotes from my interview with her and a few other great pictures of my friends as well. This book is chock full of awesomesauce, you should check it out!
"I said, you know, I have this black and white guitar like everybody else. It is an integral part of my playing experience: I pick it up, I touch it, it's my interface with the game....What are the things to make this guitar special and unique, to make that game more interesting for me to play?...Having something so special in my hands does make me feel more connected to the music that I'm creating, so it does help to complete the picture for me - to help create that experience and make it whole." - One of my many quotes in the book by Kiri Miller: "Playing Along: Digital Games, YouTube, and Virtual Performance∞
Deletions:
Favorite Band:
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones∞ - They are amazing live! Benn Carr works(ed?) for HMX.
Most Famous Friend:
Where the Hell is Matt?∞ He gets paid to travel around the world and do a stupid dance. Brilliant!
Hi Reddit!
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
400 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Additions:
Age: 33
XBL Gamertag: zBriGuy
Senior Research Chemist - Screening drug compounds to make new antibiotics.
Favorite Radio Show:
Opie and Anthony∞ Hilarious show on Sirius XM satelite radio.
Favorite Band:
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones∞ - They are amazing live! Benn Carr works(ed?) for HMX.
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. For a long time it was on the 1st page of a
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
400 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Deletions:
Age: 32
XBL Gamertag: zBriGuy - You can usually find me online playing Rock Band 2. Hit me up anytime for a game!
Senior Research Chemist - Currently screening drugs to treat
bi-polar disorder∞ and
Friedreich's ataxia∞
Favorite Radio Show:
Opie and Anthony∞ Hilarious show on Sirius XM satelite radio and syndicated all over.
Favorite Band:
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones∞ - They are amazing live and they are newly reunited! Benn Carr works for HMX.
Favorite Beverage:
Yuengling Traditional Lager∞ - Inexpensive and delicious (21+ only kids!)
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
122 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Additions:
" title="Shopps" alt="RedditAlienGuitar"}} Hi Reddit!
Deletions:
" title="Shopps" alt="RedditAlienGuitar"}}
Additions:
Additions:
Deletions:
Additions:
Location: Boston, MA - Just a few miles from Harmonix! On a good day if the wind is right, I can hear them rocking!
Game |
Favorite Song |
GH1 |
Frankenstein |
GH2 |
Jessica |
GH:80s |
Play with me |
GH3 |
My Name is Jonas |
Rock Band 1 |
Won't Get Fooled Again |
Rock Band 2 |
Rock'n Me |
Rock Band 3 |
The Doors - Break on Through |
All Time DLC |
Skullcrusher Mountain* |
Deletions:
Location: Boston, MA - 2.0 miles from Harmonix! On a good day if the wind is right, I can hear them rocking!
Game |
Favorite Song |
GH1 |
Frankenstein |
GH2 |
Jessica |
GH:80s |
Play with me |
GH3 |
My Name is Jonas |
Rock Band 1 |
Won't Get Fooled Again |
Rock Band 2 |
Rock'n Me |
All Time DLC |
Skullcrusher Mountain* |
Additions:
Additions:
Bang Camaro signed guitar with some unknown but significant percentage of the band. (11 out of ??)
Deletions:
Bang Camaro signed guitar with some unknown but significant percentage of the band. (13/??)
Additions:
Bang Camaro signed guitar with some unknown but significant percentage of the band. (13/??)
And some Motivational/Demotivational posters too. Some are a lot more
De than others. (facepalm)
This last one was a great discovery. I stumbled across this daily comic called
www.changedagain.com∞ and it features the recurring character on the left who is a mutated Bart Simpson headed, one bone armed dude who is on a neverending search for change for a dollar (for what, I don't know). This guy walks around meeting a bunch of strange characters (including me I guess), says something to them, and then asks, "Do you have change for a dollar?" I thought it was really ridiculous at first, but then the more I read, the more silly it got and it started to get (a little) funny. Regardless, I really like his interpretation of me with the smiley face and ripped jeans and now use it as my avatar:
Deletions:
And some Motivational/Demotivational posters too (facepalm)
That last one really tickles me. It is from a daily comic called
www.changedagain.com∞ and it features the recurring character on the left who is a mutated Bart Simpson headed, one bone armed dude who is on a neverending search for change for a dollar (for what, I don't know). This guy walks around meeting a bunch of strange characters (including me I guess), says something to them, and then asks, "Do you have change for a dollar?" I thought it was really stupid and ridiculous at first, but then the more I read, the more silly it got and it started to get (a little) funny. Regardless, I really like his interpretation of me with the smiley face and ripped jeans and now use it as my avatar:
Additions:
Deletions:
Additions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
122 different sites!!∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Deletions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
95! different sites∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Additions:
Deletions:
Age: 31
Event Coordinator,
www.NightlyGigs.com∞ - Host Rock Band 2 and Wii games at Boston area bars. Come out and play!
In addition to the Hardware forurm, I also try to to make it out to every local Guitar Hero and Rock Band event that I can. Here are a few that I regularly attend:
- This is my newest stickied thread that I have created to support my newest part time job. I'm really not in this for the money and I'm paid whether or not anyone shows up to these events. As shown above, bars make for the perfect environment for people to make complete fools of themselves playing a rock 'n roll video game in front of strangers. If you can make it out to any of these events (not just one of the ones that I personally run) I highly recommend bringing friends and you will have a great time!
I also own an unpainted wired Strat with a
bytearts strum bar∞ and
solo button selector switch∞, a hardwired Les Paul with an
improved tilt mechanism∞, an unmodded (for now) wired Strat, a Beatles RB Rickenbacker, a GH:WT Schecter, and my unmodded Xplorer that has the signatures of 11 Bang Camaro members!.
Additions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
95! different sites∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Deletions:
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
78! different sites∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
Contents
General Info
Random Facts
Achievements
My Scorehero Threads
My Guitars
Original Mods
On the Interwebs
My Guitar Heros
Quotes
Name: Brian
Age: 31
Relationship Status: Married (sorry ladies!)
Location: Boston, MA - 2.0 miles from Harmonix! On a good day if the wind is right, I can hear them rocking!
ScoreHero UserID# 348! (Joined March 6, 2006)
XBL Gamertag: zBriGuy - You can usually find me online playing Rock Band 2. Hit me up anytime for a game!
Rock Band 2 Band: The Pyro Patrol (named after an actual Boy Scout patrol I was in, training me for future pyromania) (see below)
Occupations:
Senior Research Chemist - Currently screening drugs to treat
bi-polar disorder∞ and
Friedreich's ataxia∞
Event Coordinator,
www.NightlyGigs.com∞ - Host Rock Band 2 and Wii games at Boston area bars. Come out and play!
Forum Moderator, ScoreHero - Specializing in hardware repairs, modifications, and other crazy projects.
Former Jobs:
Starbucks Barista: Voted one of the top 16 Baristas in the country (I won a fucking pen!)
Mad Scientist∞: Science edutainment parties for kids. Indoor fireworks, dangerous chemicals, rocket launches, MILFs.
Mosquito Control Entomologist: Drove a Jeep all around the county collecting and counting mosquitos. (they suck!)
Food Scientist for Mars (M&Ms): Researched heart healthy compounds in peanuts, tasted experimental candy Willy Wonka style!
Game |
Favorite Song |
GH1 |
Frankenstein |
GH2 |
Jessica |
GH:80s |
Play with me |
GH3 |
My Name is Jonas |
Rock Band 1 |
Won't Get Fooled Again |
Rock Band 2 |
Rock'n Me |
All Time DLC |
Skullcrusher Mountain* |
*You might be surprised by a "joke" song as my top all time DLC, but it holds a special place in my heart since for years now my wife and I have several running inside jokes about monkeys and ponies and this song makes her laugh every time.
That makes it a winner in my book.
Favorite TV Show:
BattleBots∞ - All too brief show about fighting robots. Coming back soon!!!
Favorite Movie:
Waking Life∞ - Visually stunning and a mind bending trip
Favorite Radio Show:
Opie and Anthony∞ Hilarious show on Sirius XM satelite radio and syndicated all over.
Favorite Band:
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones∞ - They are amazing live and they are newly reunited! Benn Carr works for HMX.
Favorite Beverage:
Yuengling Traditional Lager∞ - Inexpensive and delicious (21+ only kids!)
Favorite Food:
Hamburger Fatty Melt∞ (A hamburger with 2 grilled cheese sandwiches for buns + toppings) IN...SANE!
Most Famous Friend:
Where the Hell is Matt?∞ He gets paid to travel around the world and do a stupid dance. Brilliant!
Favorite non-video games: Texas Hold'em, Chess, and
Magic: The Gathering TCG∞
Amazed my friends by beating
Bark at the Moon on Medium∞ the first time I played the game. WoW! -Prize: Bragging rights for a whole week!
Won two
Gamestop Guitar Hero 2 tournaments∞ in one day (including an epic sqeaker over
TheRidGE)∞-Prize: Two t-shirts! (one too many)
Won and placed many times at Guitar Hero night at the
Alchemist Bar in Jamaica Plain, MA∞-Prize: $100 (not enough to pay for my tab!)
Won the first
Rock Band tournament∞ at
Game Universe in Framingham, MA∞ along with Garra72 and abarre1234 and our incredible drummer. -Prize: $40 each. (Not too shabby)
As you can probably tell, my primary interest is in the hardware of these games. It is the intimate connection that bonds a player to the game, and without it, these games would not exist. Do you think you would love these games as much if you could only play them with a handheld controller? Me neither. I love seeing all of the beautiful creations people make and all of the completely insane mods that people come up with. Although I am an educated and trained scientist, I am a self taught electrician and engineer. For me, this game has been a portal to knowledge and creativity that I don't know if I would ever have pursured otherwise. If you have any interest in this kind of stuff at all, please feel free to ask questions and post your ideas, no matter how crazy. There are NO stupid questions.
- This thread has been my baby for a while now. Ever since I got interested in this aspect of the game, I started to keep track of all of the fixes for common problems and also the crazy mods that people came up with to play the game in unique ways. If you haven't already, take some time out to look over this thread and think about which mods you would like to do to either fix a broken guitar or construct something crazy.
- Although originally started by dcos15, I have also contributed a lot to keeping this thread as updated as possible with the as much of the drum modding links that I can find (and understand.) This thread is indeed a work in progress as we catch up with the countless mods that some very smart people have developed (see below for DocSoCal's modding forum)
- The original painting guide was posted by GTJem (one of my Guitar Heros, see below). This thread covers almost every aspect of what you need to know if you wanted to go the extra mile and personalize your guitar with something other than lightning bolt stickers. I have personally used this guide to paint several of my guitars (see below) and am very knowledgeable on the basics of this craft. Again, I am a self-taught craftsman in this area and realize when it comes to art, there is still much to be learned such as airbrushing, etc. I urge you to use this resource to create a one of a kind guitar that is worthy of our
Custom Painted Guitar Index.∞
In addition to the Hardware forurm, I also try to to make it out to every local Guitar Hero and Rock Band event that I can. Here are a few that I regularly attend:
- This is my newest stickied thread that I have created to support my newest part time job. I'm really not in this for the money and I'm paid whether or not anyone shows up to these events. As shown above, bars make for the perfect environment for people to make complete fools of themselves playing a rock 'n roll video game in front of strangers. If you can make it out to any of these events (not just one of the ones that I personally run) I highly recommend bringing friends and you will have a great time!
Over the years, I've spent countless hours and money modifying my guitars. In addition to the custom paint/fur/vinyl skin finishes you can see, I've added all sorts of hidden stuff that gives me advantage against everyone with unmodded controllers. Of course, all the time that I've spent researching and soldering has left me little time to practice, so you can probably still kick my butt.
Fire and Ice guitars∞
ZZ Top wireless∞ (with spinner belt! ala
ZZ Top "Legs" video)∞
"The One" - Strat/LP/LP hybrid∞
Mustang Blue Gretsch Duo Jet∞
I also own an unpainted wired Strat with a
bytearts strum bar∞ and
solo button selector switch∞, a hardwired Les Paul with an
improved tilt mechanism∞, an unmodded (for now) wired Strat, a Beatles RB Rickenbacker, a GH:WT Schecter, and my unmodded Xplorer that has the signatures of 11 Bang Camaro members!.
"The One" - Stratocaster/Les Paul/Les Paul Hybrid Guitar∞
Stratocaster - Solo button swap selector switch∞
Stratocaster - Mute button for song selection screen∞
Strum bar wiggle fix∞
Limp whammy bar fix∞
Rock Band drum mat and anchor∞
MadCatz cymbal mod for RB1 kit∞
A few years ago, with the completion of my flamethrowing custom painted guitar, I posted a picture of me in only two places; the original GH forum, and Scorehero. I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into!! This picture has made it's way around the interwebs to an extent I could have never imagined. It is consistantly within the first 15 hits on
Google Image search for Guitar Hero∞, and I have found it on no less than
78! different sites∞ including MTV multiplayer, G4TV, a bunch of blogs and a couple other ones that blow my mind!
A few people have taken this image and photoshopped it and made their own versions of what has apparently become one of the iconic images of the prototypical "Guitar Hero"
And some Motivational/Demotivational posters too (facepalm)
That last one really tickles me. It is from a daily comic called
www.changedagain.com∞ and it features the recurring character on the left who is a mutated Bart Simpson headed, one bone armed dude who is on a neverending search for change for a dollar (for what, I don't know). This guy walks around meeting a bunch of strange characters (including me I guess), says something to them, and then asks, "Do you have change for a dollar?" I thought it was really stupid and ridiculous at first, but then the more I read, the more silly it got and it started to get (a little) funny. Regardless, I really like his interpretation of me with the smiley face and ripped jeans and now use it as my avatar:
Most people would consider the top players who can FC songs I can't even beat to be their "Guitar Heros." Although I totally respect the playing ability and accomplishments of these players, I find myself more drawn to the people that have inspired me with their technical ability and creativity. The following people have gone above and beyond the standard 'slap some stickers on it and call it a day' mentality of most players. They have spent the time and energy to create something unique that elevates their instruments beyond a mere toy plastic guitar controller, and in my opinion, are directly responsible for a lot of the creative energy that sustains the community.
In short, they are my Guitar Heros.
John Tam - This former employee of
RedOctane created the first custom guitar ever and started the legendary "Pimp Your SG" thread on the original GH forum. Hundreds of people submitted their custom painted guitars to this thread and honestly, without it, I probably wouldn't be here today.
Phrank-E - He created the first custom made Flying-V wooden body for GH and used to be everywhere helping out the fledgling modders with his guidance and awesome mustache.
Netonex - In addition to first creating practical and accessible mods that are accepted as commonplace today such as tilt sensor adjustments, cardboard fret button backing and even suggesting a second set of buttons for solos (sound familiar?) he hacked his kids toy Elmo guitar for use in Guitar Hero. Good stuff all around.
GTJem - He is a talented craftsman and artist who has helped out countless people with his
comprehensive painting guide.∞ He even continued to answer people's questions after he started up his own custom vinyl guitar skin company at
www.HeroGear.net∞ In addition to the tons of designs that are available, you can do like I did with my Matrix guitar, and create and upload a high resolution to create a custom made skin.
Mr. Peetza - If you haven't already, check out
"The best Guitar Hero video ever."∞ Mr. Peetza plays a fantastic doubleneck SG with a player control foot pedal....in a giant pizza costume. It doesn't get much better than this folks.
DocSoCal - Not just content with wowing his adoring fans on the official Rock Band forum with his amazing modded hardware knowledge, Doc went ahead and created his own forum dedicated to hardware mods. He is as talented and hardcore as it gets and continues to pump out outrageous mods, each one better than the last. Click on his pic for a link to his forum and learn a thing or three about how to mod your equipment!
He's (I'm) one of the people who play Rock Band the hardest, a serious gamer who posts on Internet forums devoted to the game. -Billy Baker from The Boston Globe∞
Brian Shandra, a research scientist at a Boston pharmaceutical company who customizes and rebuilds his own experimental “Guitar Hero” instruments, is an avowed enemy of air guitar.
“Everyone hates mimes and that’s all they really are,” he said. “Rock ’n’ roll mimes.”
Then he produces a photo showing his doomsday weapon: a “Guitar Hero” controller that literally shoots flames.
“I can set people on fire with this,” Shandra bragged. “I can cause some bad-ass destruction with this instrument of rock. You show me someone that can shoot fire out of their fingertips and then maybe I’ll be impressed.” -David Wildman from The Boston Herald∞
The blacksmith and the artist reflect it in their art.
They forge their creativity closer to the heart
-Rush, Closer to the Heart
"If you don't have the right equipment for the job, you just have to make it yourself." - MacGyver
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