Following multiple delays, CRKD’s officially licensed Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controllers are available now. Well, not all of them. The Pro and Encore versions of the multiplatform model launched today, August 8, but Amazon doesn’t have an estimated delivery date listed. The $125 Blueberry Burst Pro model is “temporarily out of stock,” so you may want to order one before Amazon stops taking orders. The Tribal Black Encore edition is in stock for $115, though it also doesn’t have an estimated delivery date.
The multiplatform versions are compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Android, and PS3 in wireless and wired modes. The Pro and Encore editions of the multiplatform controller also sport a unique feature that allows players to use the guitar for Fortnite Festival with a wired connection on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Officially licensed versions of the Pro and Encore editions for Xbox are currently slated to release August 29 and cost 10 bucks more than the multiplatform edition. Preorders for CRKD’s guitar controllers initially opened in February. If you reserved one early, you may have gotten lucky with the price. Each model has increased by five bucks in the months since–likely due to tariffs.
Multiplatform Edition is available now.
Buy Multiplatform Edition:
Multiplatform Edition Compatibility:
- Wireless & Wired: PC, Switch 1/2, Android, PS3, Smart TVs, Cloud Gaming apps
- Wired: Fortnite Festival on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Preorder Xbox Edition:
Xbox Edition Compatibility:
- Wireless & Wired: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, Smart TVs, Cloud Gaming apps
Take a closer look at all four CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controllers below.
For Switch 1/2, PC, PS3, Android, Fortnite Festival on all platforms
The multiplatform editions of CRKD’s new guitar controller is compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Android, and PS3. It supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, and wired connections. All of the models are compatible with CRKD’s mobile companion app, which lets you configure and customize the controls.
Though it doesn’t have full compatibility for modern platforms, the multiplatform editions have a unique mode called KEYJAM. With this mode activated, the controller is registered as a mouse and keyboard, allowing you to use it for Fortnite Festival on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. KEYJAM Mode is plug-and-play, but it’s only available in wired mode with the included 8.2-foot detachable cable.
The Pro edition of CRKD’s Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller has some upgraded features beyond the Blueberry Burst color scheme. The Hall Effect strum bar has built-in haptic feedback with customizable sensitivity and multiple actuation points. Additionally, the fret buttons on the Pro models utilize mechanical switches to promote fast movements and input recognition. Mechanical buttons have more tactile feedback, and some find that these mouse-like buttons on controllers increase precision.
The sticks and and whammy bar are also activated by Hall Effect sensors, which will prevent drifting issues from popping up and prevent the internal mechanisms from wearing down over time.
One of the analog sticks is surrounded by a ring of buttons you’d find on a normal controller: ABXY, RB/LB, and RT/LT. It also has a mode dial and input switch on the lower right-hand portion of the body next to the second analog stick. A tilt sensor activates Star Power in games like Guitar Hero and Clone Hero. A D-pad is located on the back of the headstock, and there’s a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones.
The neck has RGB lighting effects and and a modular design. You can detach it from the body, which should when traveling, and allows you to upgrade your setup in the future. You can replace the neck entirely with an upgraded model with five additional solo buttons–located closer to the body–or replace individual buttons.
Beyond Fortnite Festival, the multiplatform edition will be ideal for those who want to play Clone Hero and YARG on PC or Guitar Hero and Rock Band games on PS3.
For Switch 1/2, PC, PS3, Android, Fortnite Festival on all platforms
The Encore version of the multiplatform edition uses CRKD’s Black Tribal has a decorative pattern on the lower half of the body. It has all of the same core features and platform support as the Pro, but the strum bar and frets aim for the classic Guitar Hero and Rock Band feel. The Encore moniker is fitting here.
The strum bar is still activated via a Hall Effect sensor, but it drops the haptic feedback in favor of the “clicking” sound and feel anyone who played the old Guitar Hero controllers will be familiar with. The frets have rubber membranes instead of mechanical switches in order to replicate the feel and sound of the classic controllers.
The Pro edition is more technologically advanced and costs 10 bucks more, but some players will prefer to return to the original style.
For Xbox, PC, Android | Releases August 29
The Xbox edition of the Blueberry Burst Pro is officially licensed and supports Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Android. It costs 10 bucks more than the multiplatform edition of the Pro model–likely due to the licensing.
The CRKD button is replaced by the Xbox Guide button. Notably, the Xbox version does not have KEYJAM Mode, so you won’t be able to use this one at all on PlayStation consoles. That said, you do get wireless support for Xbox consoles, so Rock Band 4 players on console will want to opt for this one.
Beyond those differences, the Xbox edition has the same feature set, including the strum bar with haptic feedback and mechanical frets.
The Les Paul is CRKD’s first traditional guitar controller, but it’s technically not the brand’s first guitar controller. CRKD partnered with Epic Games late last year to release the Fortnite Festival Edition of the Neo S Wireless Controller for Switch consoles and PC. The Neo S is compact conventional controller with a detachable five-fret module. Reminiscent of the attachment for Guitar Hero games on Nintendo DS, the placement of the buttons provides a more natural feel compared to standard face buttons. The Neo S Fortnite Festival Edition costs $56 (was $60) and is compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mobile. If you’re not a fan of the wavy purple color scheme, there’s a Black Tribal Edition of the Neo S with the fret attachment.
CRKD’s Gibson Les Paul is the second officially licensed guitar controller to release for modern platforms. Last spring, PDP released Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller in PlayStation and Xbox models for $130 each. Earlier this year, PDP increased the price of the Riffmaster to $150, but Amazon has the PlayStation and Xbox editions of the PDP Riffmaster discounted to $120 right now. If you want to play Fortnite Festival with a wireless guitar controller, you’ll want to go with the Riffmaster. For Switch and Switch 2 players, the multiplatform CRKD controller is the choice by default, because neither Riffmaster model works on Nintendo consoles.
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