First Act Acustic Guitar

Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect First Act Acoustic

You’ve decided to learn to play the acoustic guitar. You want to start out with an affordable, quality instrument from a trusted brand. First Act acoustic guitars aim to deliver on all counts.

With so many options to choose from, buying your first acoustic guitar can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the ideal First Act acoustic for your needs and budget.

A Brief History of First Act Guitars

First Act is an American musical instrument brand owned by JAM Industries USA. Founded in 1995, First Act aimed to make quality guitars affordable and accessible for students and beginners.

Their very first guitars were sold exclusively at Target stores. These inexpensive models quickly garnered attention for their playability and tone. Since then, First Act has expanded to sell beginner, intermediate, and professional level instruments online and in major retailers.

While First Act may not have the brand recognition of big names like Martin or Taylor, they’ve earned a reputation for excellent entry-level acoustic guitars. Keep reading to discover why First Act acoustics are great for aspiring guitarists.

First Act Acoustic Guitar Lines Explained

First Act offers acoustic guitars across three main lines:

• Discovery Line – First Act’s most affordable line with basic features perfect for absolute beginners. These cost less than $100.
• Entertainment Line – A step up with better woods and electronics for beginners to intermediate players. $100 to $300 price range.
• Pro Line – All solid wood construction and high-end features for intermediate to pro players. $400 to $1000+ range.

Within each line, you’ll find different series featuring diverse body shapes, tonewoods, and ornamentation. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of each First Act acoustic guitar line.

Discovery Line – Great Beginner Acoustics Under $100

The Discovery Line focuses on playability and cost rather than top-notch woods and components. Models include:

• Discovery Concert – Classic small-bodied concert shape. Great practice guitar.
• Discovery Folk – Dreadnought guitar with fuller sound. Ideal starter instrument.
• Discovery Cutaway – Dreadnought with cutaway for easy upper fret access.

Most Discovery models have laminated wood tops, backs, and sides. While not the most resonant, laminate stands up well to heavy use and abuse. The crisp, bright sound projects well. And the price can’t be beat!

Entertainment Line – Intermediate Features for Budding Musicians

In the $100 to $300 range, the Entertainment Line takes a step up in woods, construction, and electronics:

• DMES – Dynamic Musician’s ES models with single cutaway dreadnought bodies.
• Sheeran – Ed Sheeran signature model with hand-rubbed solid spruce top.
• DR6 – Dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar with 6-string design.

Many Entertainment models have select solid wood tops which begin to open up the guitar’s tone. Some also include built-in pickups and preamps for plugging into an amplifier. This line hits the sweet spot for student guitars.

Pro Line – All Solid Woods Make These Guitars Sing

Serious players shopping First Act’s Pro Line will appreciate all solid wood construction:

• Custom Pro Traditional – Handcrafted small-bodied parlor guitar with pro-level features.
• Custom Pro Jumbo Cutaway – Deep, booming jumbo guitar tone with easy upper fret access.
• Custom Pro Orchestra Model – Mid-size orchestra shape with balanced, nuanced tone.

Pro models exhibit expert craftsmanship and gorgeous tonewoods like mahogany, rosewood, and spruce. You’d be hard pressed to find a better made all-solid wood acoustic for under $1000.

First Act Acoustic Guitar Buying Considerations

With so many options, where do you start? Here are the key factors to think through when finding your perfect First Act acoustic:

Acoustic or Acoustic-Electric?

• Acoustic – Projects sound naturally through the guitar body. Best for beginners.
• Acoustic-Electric – Has a built-in pickup to amplify sound through a speaker. Adds flexibility at an added cost.

For your first guitar, go for a regular acoustic. Down the road, you can amplify it with an external pickup.

Body Style and Size

First Act offers a range of acoustic guitar shapes and sizes:

• Concert – Small bodied guitar with bright, focused tone perfect for fingerpicking.
• Grand Concert – Similar shape as Concert but slightly larger and louder. Provides balanced tone.
• Auditorium – Mid-size body shape with great projection suited to various playing styles.
• Dreadnought – Large body with deep, booming sound that’s perfect for strumming. Most common shape.
• Jumbo – Very large body for maximum volume and bass response. Can overpower beginners.

We recommend starting with a Concert, Grand Concert or Dreadnought body. Make sure the guitar feels comfortable held against your body.

Your Budget

As outlined above, First Act offers acoustic guitars at three main price points:

• Under $100 – Discovery Line. Basic features but very affordable.
• $100 to $300 – Entertainment Line. Better woods and electronics.
• $400 to $1000+ – Pro Line. All solid wood construction.

We suggest spending $100 to $300 for your first guitar. This provides good sound and playability without a huge investment. Go Pro once you improve and know exactly what you want and need.

Tonewoods

Tonewoods like spruce and mahogany contribute to a guitar’s unique sound:

• Spruce – Bright, responsive tone perfect for rhythm and lead playing.
• Mahogany – Deep, warm sound that highlights low-end and mids.
• Rosewood – Adds complex overtones and impressive projection.

For student guitars, look for solid spruce or laminate spruce tops with mahogany or rosewood backs and sides. Avoid basswood as it sounds flat.

Quality Hardware

From tuners to bridge pins, hardware impacts playability and tone. Prioritize:

• Die-cast tuners – Hold tune reliably.
• Compensated saddle – Improves intonation across strings.
• Rosewood bridge – Contributes to full, rich tone.
• Bone nut and saddle – Enhances resonance for better sustain.

Crisp, Low Action

Action refers to string height above the frets. Look for:

• Comfortable action – Clear fretting without buzzing. Harder to press strings means higher action.
• Adjustable truss rod – Lets you fine-tune string height as needed.

Trying out the guitar to feel the action is the best test.

Where To Buy First Act Acoustics

You can find First Act acoustic guitars from these top retailers:

• Online – Sweetwater, Musician’s Friend, Guitar Center, Amazon
• Stores – Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, Target (Discovery only)

We suggest buying in person so you can test drive multiple models. Bring picks and a capo to get a true sense of playability. Develop a relationship with your local music shop for future sales and setup services.

First Act Acoustic Guitar Costs

Here are some average price ranges for First Act acoustics:

• Discovery – $50 to $100. Great ultra-budget choice.
• Entertainment – $100 to $300. Ideal student guitars.
• Pro – $400 to $1,000+. All solid wood models.

Remember that you often get what you pay for. Spending a bit more can get better tonewoods, electronics, and craftsmanship. Set a max budget then get the best guitar you can afford.

Used guitars provide excellent value if you inspect carefully for damage. Include a setup in your budget to get a used guitar playing great.

First Act Acoustic Guitar Reviews

Positive reviews praise First Act acoustics for their:

• Playability – Low action and slim necks make learning easy.
• Tone – Clear, balanced sound across all models.
• Value – Quality woods and components at affordable prices.
• Reliability – Consistency and durability even in Discovery models.

Critical reviews mention:

• Cheap hardware – Tuners and bridge pins may need upgrading over time.
• Laminate – Base models lack solid wood tops for complex sound.
• Electronics – Acoustic-electric models have basic pickups and preamps.

Overall, if you stay realistic for the price, First Act acoustics deliver great bang for your buck.

Getting Started with Your First Act Guitar

Once you’ve purchased your First Act acoustic, it’s time for the fun part – learning to play! Here are some beginner tips:

Tuning Your Guitar

Invest in a clip-on tuner and learn to tune your guitar daily. Tune to standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning. Tuning takes some practice but is a critical skill.

Trying Basic Chords

With a tunerclip, try simple chords like G, C, D, A, E, Em, and Am. Press strings down firmly and strum evenly. Listen for notes ringing clearly.

Strumming and Picking Patterns

Try basic strumming down and up across strings. Add some simple fingerpicking patterns. Finding rhythms is just as key as fretting chords.

Seeking Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Take lessons, watch YouTube tutorials, join online forums. Connecting with teachers and other students will keep you motivated.

Learning guitar takes dedication but pays off enormously. Be patient with yourself. You’ll be fingerpicking like Ed Sheeran before you know it!

Maintaining and Caring for a First Act Acoustic

With proper care, a First Act acoustic can last many years and retain excellent tone. Here are some tips:

Storage and Handling

• Store guitar in hard case when not playing.
• Keep in an area with 40-60% humidity to prevent drying out.
• Handle guitar carefully when tuning, changing strings, etc.
• Invest in a humidifier and regularly check action and neck relief.
• Wipe down strings after playing to remove skin oils and grime.

Setup Tweaks

• Adjust truss rod to match string gauge and playing style.
• File nut slots if strings bind.
• Sand down saddle height slightly if strings are too high.
• Clean frets with lemon oil and condition fretboard 1-2 times per year.

Taking time with proper storage, maintenance and setup will keep a First Act acoustic sounding its very best. Consider professional setups ever year or two.

First Act Acoustic Guitar Accessories

Some handy accessories can improve your playing experience:

Essentials

• Extra strings – Elixir or D’Addario are quality brands.
• Digital tuner – Clip-on chromatic tuner like Snark SN-2.
• Picks – Try different sizes and thicknesses to find what you like.
• Guitar strap – For standing up with guitar. Get comfortable 2-3 inch wide strap.
• Capo – Clamp capo helps change key of songs.

Nice Upgrades

• Humidifier – Protect guitar from drying out. Planet Waves makes good ones.
• Hard case – Sturdy case for safe transport and storage.
• Guitar stand – Display and easily access guitar while home practicing.
• Wood polish/cleaner – Keep your guitar looking its best.

Prioritize a tuner, extra strings, picks, and strap to start. Building your accessory arsenal over time helps maximize budgets.

Bottom Line on First Act Acoustics

Looking for your first guitar? A First Act acoustic should undoubtedly be on your shopping list. With outstanding playability right out of the box and impressive sound rivaling more expensive brands, a First Act is perfect for aspiring guitarists.

Take your time considering different body shapes, tonewoods and prices to pick the right model for you. Visit a store to test options. And prepare for a fun musical journey ahead! With commitment and care, your First Act will remain your partner in song for many years to come.