Rage Wireless Guitars being recalled

Burn baby burn!
Burn baby burn!

Everybody wants to burn on the guitar. Unfortunately, the Rage wireless guitar system controllers burn in a way the company didn't intend, and so, they're being recalled.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall for the popular video game peripheral because of a potentially defective circuit board that may cause chemical burns from improperly installed batteries.

Which is another way of saying, "Yikes!"

One gamer already injured

The game controller is compatible with Nintendo's Wii game system version of Guitar Hero, and is sold by Performance Designed Products, Inc. The company reported that at least one gamer has been injured as a result of leaking battery chemicals.

The recall notice was issued 22 October and covers all Rage Wireless Guitars sold between June and September 2008 - approximately 57,000 units. The Chinese-made peripherals are about 30 inches long and retail between $40-$60 US. Owners are being asked to take the controllers to the original place of purchase for a full refund.

Anyone seeking more information regarding this recall should call PDP directly at 1-800-331-3844, or visit the official Performance Designed Products website.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.