Five fun facts about that giant Hard Rock Casino Rockford guitar

As officials prepare to open Hard Rock Casino Rockford, construction crews this week are busy assembling a giant replica of Cheap Trick legend Rick Nielsen's signature checkerboard guitar at the entrance.

The casino, 7801 E. State St., is expected to open at 3 p.m. on Aug. 29, pending final approval by the Illinois Gaming Board. The temporary Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act on Bell School Road closed its doors for the last time on Monday morning for the transition to the permanent location.

Here are five facts about the new sign.

What kind of guitar does the sign emulate?

The giant marquee guitar is a replica of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Nielsen's famous checkerboard Hamer electric guitar. A similar checkerboard Hamer 1978 Explorer guitar he used as a backup instrument was on display at the temporary casino. Although the Cheap Trick rocker is known for sometimes using a five-neck custom job, the replica guitar is more traditional looking.

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How tall is the guitar?

To conform to the city of Rockford's zoning parameters, the guitar is expected to be installed so that it stands 62-feet, 10-inches tall and 38-feet, 6-inches wide.

How much does it weigh?

The guitar replica weighs in at 7 tons or 14,000 pounds.

Who made the sign?

It was custom crafted over five months by workers from Baltimore-based Gable, a sign and visual communications company.

How was it delivered?

It was delivered in four sections by truck wrapped in plastic to the casino that will feature 175,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space with nearly 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games, poker room and a sportsbook.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Hard Rock Casino Rockford Rick Nielsen guitar replica weighs 7 tons