Patent ID: 8017857

Claim:
A method for use with a stringed game controller that comprises a guitar body, a plurality of strings extending along at least a portion of the guitar body, and at least one sensor adapted to detect movement of the strings, the method comprising acts of: (A) in response to a strike of at least one of the plurality of strings by a user of the game controller that causes vibration of the at least one of the plurality of strings, mechanically dampening the vibration through use of a retractable mechanical dampener by an amount sufficient to facilitate electronic detection of a subsequent strike of the at least one of the plurality of strings occurring within 0.5 seconds of the strike of the at least one of the plurality of strings, wherein the retractable mechanical dampener is partially recessed toward the guitar body when not engaging the at least one of the plurality of strings; and (B) producing at least one game control signal based on the strike of the at least one of the plurality of strings.