It seems there’s a lot of confusion about this, so in the interests of clarity then – Rock Band 3 features a super-expert “Pro Guitar” mode that supports two controllers, a 102-button replica Fender Mustang, and a proper real actual 6-string Squier Stratocaster packing some controller buttons, MIDI bits, and a bunch of custom electronics to detect fretted notes. The Squier also does double-duty as a proper real actual electric guitar, and can totally be plugged into an amp and everything.

The Mustang’s been available since the game launched, while Harmonix has just announced that the Strat – priced at a formidable $279.99, with the necessary $40 MadCatz MIDI adaptor sold separately – will be coming along in March 2011. It’s also only available in a stupid right-handed model, so clever correct-handed guitarists like me are left out once again. Boo.

Playing Rock Band 3 with the Strat is pretty much exactly the same thing as playing along to a song using guitar tablature. So take that, all those guys who slagged off rhythm games for being wannabe guitar simulators for wannabe guitarists. And go buy some real guns – nobody’s impressed with your wannabe sniper simulator Call of Duty frag videos, you wannabe snipers. 

No word yet on local availability and pricing, or whether we’ll ever even get this thing over here.