New VW Equipped with Six-String Guitar

[marvins_dad]

Via SPIN (http://www.spin.com/features/news/2006/10/061003_volkswagen/)

New VW Equipped with Six-String Guitar

October 3, 2006

VW and guitar company First Act have teamed up to provide drivers with a guitar that plays through their cars' speakers.
http://www.spin.com/features/news/images/2006/10/061003_vw.jpg
First Act's custom six-string has VW knobs.

Drivers buying a new Volkswagen between Oct. 3 and Dec. 31 will get an added bonus with their purchase: An electric guitar that plays seamlessly through the car's audio system care of First Act, the up-and-coming guitar maker that has provided axes to Aerosmith, Franz Ferdinand, Maroon 5, and others.



Consumers buying or leasing a VW model from the 2007 line (including the Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle, and New Beetle Convertible) will receive a First Act GarageMaster guitar customized with the VW logo and the Vehicle Identification Number of the owner's Volkswagen. The guitar will also come with custom colored pick guards complementing the exterior of the car. John Mayer, Slash, and Christopher Guest (a.k.a. Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap) will appear in upcoming ads for the partnership. Now you can shred at a tailgate party, a traffic jam, or in your own driveway. Just please, don't shred and drive.

Talk: Will you shred responsibly? COMMENT

On the Web:
www.v-dubsrock.com
www.firstact.com

[Beetlemania]

The iPod seemed much more practical. And less dumb.

I don't get it. Okay, it's kind of cool that it's got your car's VIN on it, but I really don't see the connection, nor the point. I really thought this was a joke at first.

Eh, I guess some will be happy. I also guess we'll soon have the option of buying a guitar with someone else's VIN on it off of eBay soon. Hooray!
???

[Shay]

Eh I think it will be more of a collectors item for people and I bet alot show up on Ebay or somewhere. I dont play guitar and if i was to be getting an 07 NB i would probably put the guitar on Ebay or hang it on my wall to show my V DUB support :wink:

[manoverboard987]

Isn't First Act the brand of crappy guitars sold in Wal-mart?

Yes. My dad bought me and my siblings First Act guitars at walmart when they were on clearance for $12 dollars a piece just because they were so cheap. They're made of plywood and on the acoustics we got, you couldnt change the strings. Even the First Act picks split in half after a little normal use.

The whole playing your guitar thru your car thing is not new. Last year here at FSU, there was a band who parked their 4 pickup trucks next to each other in the parking garge on saturdays and played their instruments thru their sound systems as they stood in the beds. it was entertaining to listen to whilst i was on the roof working on my NB. All you need is the right converter plug and an Aux In jack on your radio - same setup i use for plugging my bass into my computer.

All i know is that they had better not jack up the price of the cars just because they come with a guitar. I'd rather get a Fast with my GTI anyways.

[kcfoxie]

VW has always done things like this. The Jetta Trek, that came with a bike rack and a color-matched Trek 10-speed bike, the iPod and new beetle (convertible excluded) -- which was in my opinion poor since it was the cup holder and a tape adapter and the low end ipod, and now this. They do have a niche, I know a lot of musicians that love their VWs (usually a golf, sometimes a beetles, or one of the wagons... true roadies got for the vanagon or bus). I think this will be one of those 2000 limited quantity things, and I bet you have to ask about it at the dealer. Still kind of a neat idea, but I'd never use it myself :(

[gypsy73]

I don't need a guitar.

I "drum" on the steering wheel.

[Concept1]

So is this what we got instead of a triple white convertible? :rolleyes:

[digitalputty]

*spits* ... what the!?

[jdesigns]

I heard the radio ad this morning.

Nah, the guitar isn't a good guitar.

[LadybugEwa]

it was entertaining to listen to whilst i was on the roof working on my NB.

You park your NB on the roof? :confused:

[manoverboard987]

You park your NB on the roof? :confused:

oops - top level of parking garage - the one that's open to the air. i call it the roof.

[LadybugEwa]

oops - top level of parking garage - the one that's open to the air. i call it the roof.
And here I thought you have the helicopter rotor NB mod that I have hot, sweaty daydreams about every day in traffic...

[PhoenixRising]

Isn't First Act the brand of crappy guitars sold in Wal-mart?
Yeah, I am afraid so.

[Pulgamovil]

Super crappo el cheappo guitar..... yuk!

VW should offer another 12 months of warranty instead of a (place bad word here) guitar...

Thanks Ill keep my Jacksons and my Ovation

[Mortville]

Now, if it were a Gibson SG...then we'd have something to talk about here!

[mgwerks]

Um, another bonehead move by a marketing "genius". However, the knobs on the guitar are kinda cool! But no thanks, it wouldn't fit in among the Washburn, Baby Taylor, Takamine and Harmony Sovereign.

[FineExampl]

If i had a VW guitar i'd never play it, just display it. Who is really going to be playing while standing next to their car let alone inside it. Just silly gimmicks.

Oddly enough...i still would like one.

[PhoenixRising]

I saw the ad with SLASH in it. At the end, the announcer says, 'now you can sound like Slash...if you are Slash.'

I wonder how many $$ did they have to pay Slash for the ad. And if there was any 'tweaking' done to the sound of the guitar.

[marvins_dad]

Guess I haven't chimed in with my opinion...
If it were cyber green - I'd keep it as a keep sake, and possibly play around with it a little, but I am a drummer so I'm not to worried about it not being the best guitar in the world.:p

[Lnzbug]

I just want the knobs. They look like they'd fit the black mirror adjustment knob in my car now.:)
If you can believe it I actually saw someone playing the guitar while driving a pickup on the highway yesterday.I swear to God it's true. Now I've seen everything! How the heck do you play and drive????

[manoverboard987]

...And if there was any 'tweaking' done to the sound of the guitar.

on the website marvins_dad posted in the beginning, http://www.vdubsrock.com/, there's music playing on the splash site and also lessons from Dweezil Zappa. the former definitely has some sort of distortion/overdrive on it. of course, the guitar is preamped, so it could just be turned up all the way and be distorting itself. In the videos, Dweezil makes many different sounds including some that are def. not distorted, so my guess is they have a pedal hooked up. i also think i hear a bit of a delay pedal, but that could be the echo in the studio. (also, i could be totally wrong. i'm no expert by any means - i've just spent a good bit of time playing around at Guitar Center.)


one other thing i found on the site is that it comes with VW guitar picks. now that's something i just might hafta search out after.

and i also take back what i said about this one's probably made of plywood - it says the body is solid poplar and the neck is maple, so it seems like first act might have truly put some effort into this one.

[mgwerks]

I *still* want some of those knobs.

[k8thegr8]

This isn't a new promo ides. In 1999, I was a part of a concert promo for Ford Mustang's 35th anniversary. Ford and Fender got together to make 2 sweet Mustangs and 35 sweet guitars.

Here's Fender's link about the promo.

http://www.edromanguitars.com/guitar/fender/mustang_fen.htm

I can't find one for the Mustang :(

The tour was also promoting the brand new Focus. hehe Here's the link to my part in the whole thing. Scroll to the middle of the page.

http://www.tattoos.com/stickon/

I wish I could find more becasue it was alot of fun and the car was awesome!

[PhoenixRising]

I saw this today at the Miami International Car Show.

It's supposed to be a amp case, so you know...

[dnyed]

How come I never buy a VW during promotions like this?

No iPod. No Trek. No guitar. :(


I did get a fleece vest, with a VW patch on the back, when we bought the TDI in 2003. It's my fave! :p



I saw the commercial with Slash. Yum! ::bowdown: :guitar: :bigthumb:

[FallinApartBoy]

anyone who wants to sell one please let me know. or if you find out where i can get a GIANT amp case for my beetle i might be interested in that too.

[marvins_dad]

I saw this today at the Miami International Car Show.

It's supposed to be a amp case, so you know...


:ha: - that's a good one!

[Maggadog]

Just what I need! a $20,000 electric guitar! OH, I forgot, and amp! Does anyone really buy a car to get a free ax?

[Pulgamovil]

I can seee Vw guitars on Ebay...bidding starts at 1....

[Ghia_Roadster]

the first act guitars are cheapos because i have played one and they sound like crap. the only way that it would be plauseable is if fender got into the vw scene and not jeep (jumps everything except payments)

[woodman1200]

??? What a silly idea.

Non-musicians have no need for a guitar. Even if they want to learn to play, it requires personal investment in time and effort. Cheap instruments (cheap anything, really) make it difficult to learn and grow and can cause a premature loss of interest.

Musicians who are familiar with guitars know that a guitar is a very personal thing. The sound and playability must inspire and facilitate the creative process. That's not to say cheap instruments can't do that, but still, it must be the right cheap instrument.

The knobs are cool, but an iPod, or even a Fast is more useful.

It's my guess that many VW buyers who are young enough to learn to play a guitar are more likely to be into electronic music anyway....and does anyone look up to Slash?



Just my opinionated musician-snob opinion. Hope I didn't offend :D

[PhoenixRising]

??? What a silly idea.

Non-musicians have no need for a guitar. Even if they want to learn to play, it requires personal investment in time and effort. Cheap instruments (cheap anything, really) make it difficult to learn and grow and can cause a premature loss of interest.

Musicians who are familiar with guitars know that a guitar is a very personal thing. The sound and playability must inspire and facilitate the creative process. That's not to say cheap instruments can't do that, but still, it must be the right cheap instrument.

The knobs are cool, but an iPod, or even a Fast is more useful.

It's my guess that many VW buyers who are young enough to learn to play a guitar are more likely to be into electronic music anyway....and does anyone look up to Slash?



Just my opinionated musician-snob opinion. Hope I didn't offend :DWell, you could use the jack to plug in a iPod. And I have seen John Mayer use it in a ad now, so maybe you might look up to him. I also say Nigel Tufnel in another ad, and he pointed out how this amp has airbags.

It's a gimmick. It it is what it is.

[FineExampl]

If Nigel Tufnel has one...so must I!!

If i had one i'd make sure i had little number 11s all over it. :D

[OldSkoolVWLover]

Well, you could use the jack to plug in a iPod. And I have seen John Mayer use it in a ad now, so maybe you might look up to him. I also say Nigel Tufnel in another ad, and he pointed out how this amp has airbags.

It's a gimmick. It it is what it is.

Good points, I also think MANY people here may be missing the point. From how I take it, it is more a way of VW advertising the AUX inputs on it's newer cars. Sure as people who already own and love VW's, not the most original or greatest idea. You need to think of it as a company that is competing with the likes of Scion (where their most basic car comes with AUX inputs). Personally I am thinking it is a good idea for VW to get non-enthusiasts to think outside of the box, or get them to see some of the features.

Kinda like the person who drives a VW for a while, then gets back in the car they used to drive and realizes not having full one touch up and down windows sucks. We all know the features VW has, people who don't own VW's don't know this. And in the end remember, for businesses it is the 4th quarter and also for car companies time to sell the last of the 06's and some of the 07's. Kinda like the Trek bike, not everyone that bought one rode the bike.... but maybe at that time got some people to think of a VW as a way to cart their ish instead of buying a truck or SUV. It is what it is folks, marketing (to NEW OWNERS or leasers in this case).

[Celeste]

Very definatly a marketing gimmick to sell the fact that the new VW's have an aux jack in them.:rolleyes: I will be receiving my guitar in the mail in 4 to 6 weeks. I will make sure I take a picture of it before I give it to my teenaged daughter. She thinks it's cool, and that is what counts.:D

[jdesigns]

I was browsing Costco this afternoon and came across a First Act guitar (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11134153&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&N=4014598&Mo=8&pos=2&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=50166&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&ec=&topnav=) that doesn't seem to be a cheapie!

Or this one! (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11134155&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&N=4014598&Mo=8&pos=2&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=50166&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&ec=&topnav=)

Sure, these are one of a kind guitars, but it still proves that First Act can build a decent guitar...well...an expensive one at least! :cool:

[jdesigns]

The guitars are starting to pop up on eBay:

Here's one (http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLKSWAGEN-VW-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-w-Stand-Strap-Case_W0QQitemZ130037443675QQihZ003QQcategoryZ2384Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)


Another. (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-LIMITED-EDITION-VW-GUITAR-PROMO-GTI-JETTA-RABBIT_W0QQitemZ140041517783QQihZ004QQcategoryZ418 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) This one has a bid of over $500!

[KittenPoker]

If (big fat IF, that is) I can talk Joe into a new Rabbit for his new car, I'll post it here :D. However, he's looking at used Accords and Jettas right now. Plus we need to unload the Mustang first!

Saw the guitar at Greenbrier VW yesterday, resting in a triple black NBC. UberBoy wanted to play it.

[callisto9]

i think it's a goofy campaign, honestly. how many VW owners also play guitar? it's just not a practical promo. it's like buying a VW and getting a...rock climbing kit or something. i don't know. i laugh every time i see the commercial. if the promo was to tout their AC inputs, i SO didn't get that. :rolleyes:

how about buy a VW and get a VW? now that would seriously ROCK. :lol:

[kcfoxie]

i know one vw driver for every indie band in the RDU area... I think VW has a market. Just saying :)

It's like the TREK edition Jetta, I see a LOT of Jettas with bikeracks...

[Beetlemania]

I saw one of the guitars plugged into a NBC at the stealership the other day, and noticed they had a bunch of the picks laid out on the dash, so I got one!

The only thing that really suprised me was the the AUX jack was so visible. I had thought it was under the passenger seat-heater switch, like on the bottom of the dash. Now I know! And knowing is half the battle!

The logo doesn't show up in the scan very well. It's actually metallic silver on both sides. But you get the idea. And I get the pick!

[marvins_dad]

mmmm...pocket lint....:wink:

[manoverboard987]

freakin sweet.

it's a shame that the VW dealership here in Tallahassee is also the Merc, BMW, and Porsche dealership. No room in the showroom for VWs, so it's unlikely i'll find some picks - btu i'm still goin tomorrow to look!

[dunno513]

So I finally saw the commercial... and I was kinda embarrased by it. I thought VW's were selling well... (compared to the US BIG 3) Why would they go and do this. Lowered my image of VW in a big way.

[kcfoxie]

Why? Because they are marketing towards a younger crowd that their internal stats say have an interest in music? The first series of "Fast" ads made me go "oh god no!" but they have turned out to be highly liked, so I think that VW has some sense of how to market (thanks to their new ad agency). I admit, I wouldn't want the guitar. But I know some folks that it would seal the deal because "thats just too sweet." Besides, it's what a 3 month promo? How many will actually be given out?

[Aussie Bug]

I want one so bad, not really a guitar player but its such a great idea! Why is VW Australia so uncool??? This is what I got when I asked them about it.


Dear Rebecca,

Re: Beetle enquiry,

Thank you for contacting us through the Volkswagen Australia Website, we appreciate it. It is fantastic to hear that you are interested in the outstanding new Beetle range and are considering one as your next vehicle.

In reply to your email enquiry, I can advise you that there are no plans for the Guitar + Car Combo for the Australian Market. In addition there are no plans for the 2.5 V5 engine option to be available for the Australian Market. However I have forwarded your enquiry onto our product managers for future considerations.

If you would like a brochure package or require any information pertaining to the current range of Beetles available here in Australia please feel free to contact our marketing department on 1 800 060 936.

I hope this helps and thank you for considering Volkswagen as your next vehicle.

Kind Regards,

Brett

Volkswagen Customer Assistance

www.volkswagen.com.au


:rant2: :rant2: :rant2:

[manoverboard987]

I want one so bad, not really a guitar player but its such a great idea! Why is VW Australia so uncool??? This is what I got when I asked them about it...


At least VW Australia writes you back. My sister's been writing VW America to see if they'll really make her a calico Rabbit (Golf V for you) from the commercial ever since it first aired.

(here's a link to the commercial since i figured out you've most likely never seen it before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b68Gm5Y6zTA you hafta watch for the calicos. (also, that's the canadian version. price is USD14,990 to start.))

[kcfoxie]

V5? It's an inline 5.... I know that's nitpicking, but I expect the regional VW offices to know these things.

[KittenPoker]

At least VW Australia writes you back. My sister's been writing VW America to see if they'll really make her a calico Rabbit (Golf V for you) from the commercial ever since it first aired.

(here's a link to the commercial since i figured out you've most likely never seen it before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b68Gm5Y6zTA you hafta watch for the calicos. (also, that's the canadian version. price is USD14,990 to start.))

Way cool! And I'm such a dork...I have 3 versions of "The Birds and the Bees." There's a reprise instrumental, a remix, and full version.

[Breez]

I just want John Mayer to come with my New New Beetle lol.

I saw the guitar in person last week while BB was getting an oil change, it was hooked up to a rabbit, pretty cool.

[Lona]

Well I just bought a 2006.5 3 days ago, and it came with the First Act guitar. I honestly wasn't excited about it, I'm 22 y/o, but my 50 y/o dad was thrilled over it. He can't play a guitar, I can't play a guitar, but I actually think that instead of the younger beetle owners getting hyped up over it, it's more appealing to our parents (if your parents are ex-hippies it really helps). I didn't get to take the guitar home with me, they actually ship it to your house a few weeks after your purchase. The guitar comes color coordinated with your car, with the VIN number emblazoned on the back of the guitar. That was the part I thought was neat. Anywhoo, I'll post some pictures of it when I get it, we'll see how it looks.

[OldSkoolVWLover]

At least VW Australia writes you back. My sister's been writing VW America to see if they'll really make her a calico Rabbit (Golf V for you) from the commercial ever since it first aired.

(here's a link to the commercial since i figured out you've most likely never seen it before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b68Gm5Y6zTA you hafta watch for the calicos. (also, that's the canadian version. price is USD14,990 to start.))

it's better known as a Harlequin..... and from all the people I know (actually work at VW) it's still not really in the works. Buy a damn cheap ass rabbit and make one, really doesn't cost that much money. Also if done like the Harlequin it will be very limited (especially with the lake of sales with the MK3 version).

[spdbump2001]

it's better known as a Harlequin..... and from all the people I know (actually work at VW) it's still not really in the works. Buy a damn cheap ass rabbit and make one, really doesn't cost that much money. Also if done like the Harlequin it will be very limited (especially with the lake of sales with the MK3 version).

Yes, I remember those! But they were brightly colored, unlike the ones in the commercial.

Here's a registry http://www.rossvw.com/harlequin/

http://www.rossvw.com/harlequin/pics/92684.jpg

[Dorado]

I love to play the guitar, but this VW marketing campaing makes no sense to me. It's lilke giving people a free set of movies in the Chinese language. Come on!:)

If VWoA can't work it out and give new vehicle owners at least the choice of a promo gift, how can we expect them to give prospective customers what they want in terms of actual vehicle options (colors, combos, stripes, radios, DVD's, engines, Lupo's, minivans, twin-chargers, etc.)?

[kaiimac]

Am I the only one that thinks its really cool and unique for them to do this? I mean, it is free.

[marvins_dad]

Am I the only one that thinks its really cool and unique for them to do this? I mean, it is free.

I think it's cool...hey, I didn't get anything but a good deal when I got my bug. Sumptin' is better than nuttin'! :wink:

[jdesigns]

I would hope that the guitars aren't of the same caliber of guitars that they sell at Walmart. I think it would hurt VW"s reputation more than help.

That said, I wouldn't mind having one, but I am not going to run out and buy a new VW just to get one though. :D

[Dorado]

Am I the only one that thinks its really cool and unique for them to do this? I mean, it is free.

Yep, it's free so there is no harm. But if people were given a choice of a promo gift, how many would choose the guitar? If they offered a special edition VW hoola-hoop, I bet more people would get one of those!:)

[Beetlemania]

As for the free-ness, I think I'd prefer, rather than getting a guitar, that they just knock the guitar's price off of the car.

But the knobs and VIN sure do make in somewhat interesting, quality notwithstanding.

[Celeste]

Am I the only one that thinks its really cool and unique for them to do this? I mean, it is free.

I agree! At least they are giving me something. That makes up for the fact that there was absolutly nothing in my bud-vase. :rolleyes:

[PhoenixRising]

Am I the only one that thinks its really cool and unique for them to do this? I mean, it is free.I wish I could buy that guitar, if for nothing else because it's cool. I played one today, at the VW dealer. That was fun.

[trainspotted2]

Am I the only one curious as to how eactly this works and if the AUX in is different in these new models? How exactly does the electric guitar get power from the AUX in to generate the signal or do you plug it into the 12V separately?

[Beetlemania]

I don't think you need power-in on an electric guitar, do you? From what I understand, the vibrating of the strings generates its own electrical field at the pickup, which is what's transmitted to the amp. The power to the amplifier is only to, well, amplify the signal to one you can hear.

And they said at my local dealership that it's actually built with a smaller plug, iPod (or headphone) sized, rather than the usual bigger plug for an instrument, and that there is an adapter available so it'll still work with regular musical equipment.

[manoverboard987]

Am I the only one curious as to how eactly this works and if the AUX in is different in these new models? How exactly does the electric guitar get power from the AUX in to generate the signal or do you plug it into the 12V separately?

guitars don't need power to send signals. the strings vibrating thru the magnetic field sends a wave (not sound wave but electromagnetic) out the jack via Faraday's Law of Induction (the same thing that makes those shake-to-charge flashlights work). the only place you need electricity is in making that electro magnetic wave audible.

normally, the amplifier you plug into takes the wave and bumps up the amplitude, and the wave is sent to a speaker where it's made into sound. the higher the amplitude of the wave going into the speaker, the louder the sound that comes out.

in the case of these guitars, the radio in the V-Dub does not act as the amplifier.

built into this guitar (and others like it) is something called a preamp. normally, it's used to make the waves even more amplified before they get to the amplifier, allowing for even louder sounds and even some overdrive (the loud metal sound that sounds nothing like regular guitar). since the preamp is used to amplify the signal, it does need power. on the back of the guitar is a panel that gets removed and under it is a 9-volt battery.

therefore, the signal coming from this particular guitar into the Aux In jack is already amplified, and the jack provides no power. if the guitar had no preamp, you'd hafta turn your radio up to 50 before you heard much.

[Celeste]

Yup, it plugs into the little iPod jack.

[trainspotted2]

in the case of these guitars, the radio in the V-Dub does not act as the amplifier.

built into this guitar (and others like it) is something called a preamp. normally, it's used to make the waves even more amplified before they get to the amplifier, allowing for even louder sounds and even some overdrive (the loud metal sound that sounds nothing like regular guitar). since the preamp is used to amplify the signal, it does need power. on the back of the guitar is a panel that gets removed and under it is a 9-volt battery.

therefore, the signal coming from this particular guitar into the Aux In jack is already amplified, and the jack provides no power. if the guitar had no preamp, you'd hafta turn your radio up to 50 before you heard much.

Ah ha! Great answer! I knew that the AUX input in the older NB head units didn't have a preamp because I have to crank both the stereo and my iPod to get decent volume when using the AUX in. So I suspected that there had to be a powered amp in the guitar, just didn't know how it was powered.

[Moviequill]

If any guitarists want to submit themselves rocking out like Slash they can enter to win a Jetta lease

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061107/ENT01/611070375/1033

[Celeste]

I finaly got mine in the mail yesterday. Of coarse my daughter took imediate possesion of it. That's OK though, it's going to be easy to buy her a Christmas present this year. I am just going to pre-pay for a series of guitar lessons at the local music shop. :D

Oh, unfortunatly the guitar is not the color of my NB (like VW said it was supposed to be). They ended up sending me a white one.

[Pulgamovil]

T.J. I can lend you one of my axes:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/redbarchetta54/jackson1.jpg

http://www.auto-mania.com.mx/airliners/guitars.jpg

[neko]

Am I the only one curious as to how eactly this works and if the AUX in is different in these new models? How exactly does the electric guitar get power from the AUX in to generate the signal or do you plug it into the 12V separately?

Here you go:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=vw+first+act+electric+guitar&category0=&submitSearch=Search

look at the prices tough, it seems taking a bit adavantage of VW fans considering that a similar search without the "VW" returns prices about 1/4 of the original :

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=first+act+electric+guitar&category0=&submitSearch=Search