One of the more intriguing fake plastic guitars is finally hitting the market — the Mad Catz Fender Precision Bass Replica, for $70.

One thing is immediately noticeable. See if you can tell what it is from this picture of someone’s complete fake plastic guitar collection. The new Mad Catz Fender Precision Bass Replica is on the far right.

Yep, it’s enormous! (insert that’s what she said joke here.)

Short of the oddball actual guitar conversions, this has to be the nearest to actual size fake plastic guitar released yet. Here’s another shot of it next to someone’s rather cool looking Van Halen customized Rock Band stratocaster controller:

Bear in mind that the strat is much bigger than the old Guitar Hero III Les Paul, too.

A few other interesting items about this controller:

• Xbox 360 only.
• Wired only (a wireless version will arrive next year).
• No whammy bar — real bass guitars don’t have a whammy! Instead, there is a “whammy knob”.
• Split strum bar for “authentic” two finger bass strumming action. I’m not a bass guitarist so I don’t entirely know what this means, but supposedly it’s more realistic.
• Strum bar is clicky, like the Guitar Hero controllers.

Beyond that, it has the same effects switch and dual fret button setup of a typical Rock Band Stratocaster. Reviews have been somewhat mixed, with some reporting strum registering problems on fast note sections, and some issues with star power tilt activation. However, it is generally rated about the same in “feel” as the newer Rock Band 2 Stratocasters, which is definitely a good thing.

Overall I’d say the emphasis on realism and size is impressive. I am all for premium fake plastic guitars. It’s great to see the bass position get some love, too. But unless you’re a bassaholic, I’d wait for the second revision next year — it’ll be wireless, and hopefully by then they’ll have all the kinks worked out.