well you can't say you weren't expecting someone to say it =) I was just getting it out of the way quickly so you could continue with the discussion

The other option was "it's not a bug, it's a feature!" 

Disappointing - especially the online issues. Always a risk with a new developer. This whole crash thing sucks - bigtime. These things should never crash, that's FUBAR'd.

Time for some positive news in this thread! 

The Les Paul (the one that comes with GH3 for the Wii, 360, or PS3) is by far the best guitar controller I have played on. This thing absolutely runs circles around the Gibson SG (came with PS2 GH1/2) or the Explorer (came with GH2 for 360).

The strum bar is less noisy and clicky. It has less travel distance and requires less force to push, both of which do wonders for reducing strain on your right hand/wrist/arm. The Explorer was like this, but the Les Paul is even better, and still retains some tactile feedback that was missing in the Explorer. Also, the Les Paul is significantly heavier than the SG or Explorer. This, combined with less strumming force, means that the guitar stays put when you're strumming rapidly -- something you have to do a lot in GH3 on Hard or Expert. On Knights of Cydonia, I had a 258-note streak during a long run of 32nd notes. On Misirlou (similar song from GH2) using the SG, I was lucky to hit the x4 multiplier occasionally. I can do the 32nd notes by just flicking my wrist now; I couldn't do that on the SG for more than several seconds without getting tired.

The fret buttons are also better. They, too, have less travel distance and require less force to press than the SG, and just like the strum bar, they have more tactile feedback than the easy-to-press buttons on the Explorer. My fingers glide and dance across these buttons with ease, and I'm hitting solos that I thought I would never come close to hitting.

Basically, they looked at what was wrong with the SG (requires too much effort) when they designed the Explorer. Then they looked at what was wrong with the Explorer (sacrificed too much feedback when they made the buttons and strumming easier, and that stupid corner gets in the way of your arm) when they designed the Les Paul. The Les Paul is a fantastic guitar. I am extremely pleased that I got the Wii version with the Les Paul instead of trying to play these songs on my SG on the PS2 version. I wish I could use the Les Paul on GH1/2! I'm sure I'd do much better on the really tough songs.

My only problem with this guitar is that my whammy bar is loose and tends to fall down while I play, but I think I can stuff a bit of tape down in there where it rotates to make it stay put.

I haven't tried the Kramer (the one that comes with GH3 if you purchase the PS2 bundle), but it looks like it's basically the same as the Les Paul with a different body shape, so I'm sure it will be just as good.

Entroper, thanks for the review! 

A Gamestop near me had the game set up in a 360 with the new guitar, but the line was too long for me to wait and try it.  I noticed the whammy bar was missing, but I just assumed some idiot dropped it or stole it.  I guess they cheaped out on that part.

I own GH2/Encore on the PS2 and I would gladly buy Wii versions for the reasons stated by entroper.

Take note executives! Wii buyers want more!

I said this in another thread too, but I'll add it here since it's relevant to my thoughts on the guitar above. The Wii Remote's motion sensing is much more accurate than the tilt sensor in the SG. My SG usually fails to activate star power if I tilt it during a really fast solo, but the Les Paul with the Wii Remote always gives me instant activation. That said, I can't comment on the accuracy of the tilt sensor in the Explorer or in the Les Paul models for the 360 or PS3, which may or may not be improved over the SG.

Sometimes the buttons don't register on the wireless controller (X360) but when I use the Wired one from GHII, it works fine... I've heard a couple people have that problem. They think it's because of the fact that you can take the guitar apart at the neck.

Personally from what I've heard from multiple reviews and people talking about it is in general, the game is buggy as hell. And like each platform has its own issues apparently.

PS2 version.

It froze while playing an inbetween set FMV. Right after the boss battle with Slash.
And it didn't save.
Whee, time to fight Slash again...

Well, this is the trouble with a new developer who has to port their code across 4 platforms.