First Act Skull Guitar

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing This Cool Electric Guitar

The First Act Skull Guitar is an awesome, affordable beginner electric guitar that will appeal to anyone looking for some rock ‘n roll edge. With its badass skull design and great sound, this axe is perfect for new guitarists who want to unleash their inner rockstar.

Before you buy the First Act Skull Guitar, there are some key factors you’ll want to consider. This detailed buying guide will walk you through the guitar’s stand-out features, price, build quality, sound, and other useful info so you can decide if this is the right ax for you. We’ll also give tips on where to find the best deals on the First Act Skull Guitar.

Overview of the First Act Skull Guitar’s Features

This wicked electric guitar comes equipped with several features that make it versatile and easy to learn on. Here are some of the highlights:

• Distinctive skull-shaped body perfect for the rocker aesthetic
• 22 frets and rosewood fretboard for great playability
• Two humbucker pickups for that bold, distorted sound
• Whammy bar for radical dives and wails
• Available in cool black and red color schemes
• Comes with an amp, strap, picks and cable so you can start shredding right away

The Skull Guitar’s ergonomic design and dual humbuckers give beginners the ability to explore heavy rock and metal styles. The 22 frets allow you to access higher notes on the fretboard. Overall, it’s designed with the new player in mind while still delivering that badass vibe.

Where to Buy the First Act Skull Guitar

The First Act Skull Guitar is carried by several major retailers, both online and in physical stores. Here are some of the best places to find it:

• Amazon: Amazon carries the Skull Guitar in both colors and offers free shipping for Prime members. They frequently run sales and deals on this model.
• Walmart: Shoppers can find the black Skull Guitar available on Walmart’s website with free 2-day shipping. Prices are competitive with other retailers.
• Target: Target sells the red variant of the Skull Guitar on their website and in select stores. Expect to pay MSRP unless they’re having a sale.
• First Act Website: You can buy the guitar directly from First Act. This is a good option if you want maximum customization.
• Musician’s Friend: The Skull Guitar can be found at Musician’s Friend along with great financing options.

Wherever you choose to purchase from, price match to find the best deal!

First Act Skull Guitar Pricing and Cost Considerations

When it comes to budget-friendly electric guitars, the First Act Skull Guitar delivers serious value. Here’s an overview of the pricing:

• MSRP: $199.99 for the guitar, amp, strap, picks and cable
• Average Sale Price: $129.99 – $149.99
• Used Price Range: $70 – $110 if buying secondhand

For a brand new super strat with two humbuckers under $200 total, the Skull Guitar is very competitively priced. Even at MSRP this axe beats out most other beginner electrics in the same price bracket.

When weighing the cost, think about these extra value adds:

• Free shipping from most major retailers
• Inclusion of a 10-watt amp in the box
• All the accessories you need are in one bundle
• No need to buy extra beginner equipment to get started

For those looking to get the most bang for their buck, the First Act Skull Guitar delivers rockstar style without breaking the bank.

Is the Skull Guitar Suitable for Beginners?

With its comfortable body shape, low action, and quality components, the First Act Skull Guitar is an excellent choice for beginners. Here’s a look at some of the key reasons it’s great for new guitarists:

• Lightweight, contoured body shape is comfortable to hold and play
• Shorter 24.75” scale length makes playing easier for small hands
• Low string action allows easy fretting without finger pain
• Humbucker pickups don’t require complex switching
• Includes useful learning tools like amp, tuner, picks and strap
• Cool style inspires you to pick up and practice more

Overall, the Skull Guitar is designed with the needs of beginners in mind. It has all the features an entry-level player needs to get started while still providing room to grow. The easy playability allows newbies to focus on proper technique without fighting the instrument.

Many guitar instructors and schools recommend the First Act Skull Guitar for students of all ages due to its quality components, fun style and affordable price. It’s a great choice for teens and adults alike who want to rock out with a guitar that looks and sounds amazing.

Skull Guitar Reviews: What Players and Critics Are Saying

Across guitar forums and websites, the First Act Skull Guitar earns consistent 4+ star reviews from users. Here’s a look at the positives players and critics highlight:

• Great value for the price thanks to inclusion of amp and accessories
• Lightweight and comfortable super strat body gets thumbs up for playability
• Cool skull style receives lots of love for looking awesome and inspiring practice
• Quality components like rosewood fretboard and diecast tuners impress at this price
• Surprisingly good sound for a budget guitar thanks to dual humbuckers
• Whammy bar is a fun addition for newbies to experiment with effects
• Makes a fantastic beginner guitar due to easy playability and rock looks

Some negatives mentioned include cheap tuners that may need upgrading and action that benefits from a professional setup. Overall though, most users agree the First Act Skull Guitar punches far above its weight class in terms of value. For new rockers, it’s hard to beat.

Skull Guitar Construction and Materials

First Act delivers quality craftsmanship with the Skull Guitar by using these materials:

• Body: Poplar body with polyurethane finish
• Neck: Maple neck and rosewood fretboard
• Frets: 22 medium frets for great playability
• Pickups: 2 humbuckers for that bold rock tone
• Hardware: Diecast tuners, fixed bridge and whammy bar

The poplar body with polyurethane finish gives the guitar a smooth, fast feel and balanced tone. Poplar is a dense hardwood that offers great resonance and sustain.

The maple neck provides stability under string tension while the rosewood fingerboard brings out warm, rich tones. Together they make soloing smooth and comfortable.

Robust diecast tuners keep the Skull Guitar in tune through heavy riffing while the dual humbuckers deliver everything from glassy cleans to distorted crunch. Overall, exceptional materials for this price range.

What’s Included with the First Act Skull Guitar Package?

The Skull Guitar combo comes with everything a newbie needs to start playing electric guitar. Here’s what’s in the box:

• First Act Skull Guitar in black or red
• First Act 10-watt amp with 6.5” speaker
• Padded gig bag for safe storage and transport
• Adjustable shoulder strap for playing standing up
• Guitar cable for plugging into the amp
• 3 picks to start strumming and picking
• Spare strings in case one breaks
• Basic tuner for keeping the guitar in tune

Having the amp, strap, cable, picks and tuner included makes this bundle an incredible value. You don’t have to spend extra to get set up – just open the box and start rocking.

Some optional add-ons to consider down the road:

• Distortion or overdrive pedal to shape your tone
• Guitar stand for displaying your ax when not playing
• Extra sets of strings for quick changes
• Guitar cleaning kit to keep it looking shiny and new

How to Tune and Care for the Skull Guitar

Tuning: The First Act Skull Guitar stays relatively in tune thanks to the quality diecast tuners. However, you’ll want to check tuning every time you pick it up or switch strings. Here are some tips:

• Use the included tuner or a tuner app to get in tune
• Turn tuning keys slowly – avoid sharp turns that can break strings
• Tune up to pitch, not down, to reduce string slack
• Stretch strings with your fingers before locking tuners
• If string slips, wind tuner 2 extra turns and re-tune

Cleaning: Keeping your guitar clean optimizes tone and lifespan. Be sure to:

• Wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth after each use to remove grime
• Polish the frets every few weeks with a specialty fret polishing cloth
• Use guitar cleaner sparingly on the body to remove dirt and oils
• Avoid getting liquids or cleaner on the fretboard or electronics
• Check neck straightness and adjust truss rod as needed

With proper care, your Skull Guitar will last many years and provide hours of play time. Treat it well so you can keep rocking!

Skull Guitar Size Specs

The First Act Skull Guitar features a comfortable, contoured body shape built for smaller players or anyone looking for an easy-playing electric. Here are the specs:

• Body Shape: Double cutaway super strat
• Body Wood: Poplar
• Body Finish: Polyurethane
• Color Options: Black, Red
• Bridge: Fixed bridge
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Fretboard: Rosewood, 22 frets
• Neck wood: Maple
• Nut width: 1 11/16”
• Overall length: 40″
• Weight: approx. 8 lbs

The lighter weight and shorter 24.75” scale length reduce fatigue and make the Skull Guitar ideal for younger beginners or players with smaller hands. It feels fast and smooth right away before you develop calluses.

The double cutaway body style allows easy upper fret access while still providing that wicked rock look. If you’re seeking your first guitar with attitude, the Skull Guitar has the right vibe and measurements.

Comparing the Skull Guitar to Other Budget Electrics

How does the First Act Skull Guitar stack up against other beginner-friendly axes? Here’s a brief brand comparison:

• Squier Affinity Series: Similar quality and components. Skull Guitar has more rock visual appeal.
• Epiphone Les Paul: LP has a more midrange tone. Skull Guitar better for metal/hard rock.
• Jackson JS Series: Jackson great for shredding. Skull Guitar better value at lower cost.
• Ibanez Gio: Ibanez offers quick playability. Skull Guitar has superior style.
• Yamaha Pacifica: Yamaha known for reliability. Skull Guitar more inspiring for newbies.

While alternatives like Squier and Epiphone make fantastic beginner electrics, the First Act Skull Guitar provides an equally well-made option with bundle extras for only $130-$150. It holds its own sound and playability-wise while offering far more attitude.

First Act Skull Guitar Warranty Information

The First Act Skull Guitar is backed by a limited manufacturer’s warranty:

• Warranty period: 1 year from original purchase date
• Coverage: Defects in materials and craftsmanship
• Exclusions: Normal wear and tear, abuse, modifications
• Coverage: Repair or replacement of defective parts
• Claim process: Contact First Act customer service

Make sure to register your warranty within 10 days of purchase at FirstAct.com. Save your receipt in case you need to file a claim within the first year.

Many retailers like Amazon and Musician’s Friend also offer extended return protection and product guarantees for extra peace of mind. Consider registering multiple warranties for maximum coverage.

Finding Replacement Parts for the Skull Guitar

Since the First Act Skull Guitar uses widely available standard electric guitar components, replacement parts are easy to come by both online and locally:

• Strings: Grab a standard 10-46 gauge 6-string pack from Ernie Ball, D’addario or Fender
• Tuning keys: Quality machine heads are easy to find from guitar parts sites
• Pickups: Many drop-in humbucker replacements exist from Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMGs and others
• Pots, switches and electronics: Upgrade components are plentiful for under the hood mods

Don’t be afraid to swap out stock parts like the pickups down the line to customize your tone. There are lots of quick fixes to tweak the Skull Guitar to your playing style. It’s meant to be upgraded over time.

You can also contact First Act directly for OEM replacement parts as needed. Their customer service team is very helpful.

Restringing the First Act Skull Guitar

Changing your strings regularly keeps your guitar sounding its best. Here are some tips for restringing the Skull Guitar:

• Tools needed: wire cutters, tuner, string winder
• Frequency: Change electric guitar strings every 1-3 months
• Remove old strings: Clip at bridge pin and unwind from tuner
• Insert new string: Thread through bridge pin hole and into tuning peg
• Wind and tune: Crank tuner to pull string taut, tune up to pitch
• Stretch and re-tune: Give the strings a few hard tugs, re-tune as needed
• Trim excess: Wind strings around tuning posts, trim any excess string length

Take it slow when restringing and be careful not to overturn the brittle tuning pegs. Keep extra string sets handy so you always have a fresh set ready to rock.

Is the Skull Guitar Durable for Heavy Riffing?

While any electric guitar can be delicate, First Act builds the Skull Guitar to last through enthusiastic beginner playing. Here’s why it holds up well:

• Solid poplar body is dense and resilient to dings
• Polyurethane finish resists nicks and scratches
• Skull shape avoids headstock breaks associated with tuning issues
• Reinforced neck joint provides stability under string tension
• Diecast tuners hold tuning through heavy picking
• Quality fretwork stands up to riff repeaters
• Includes padded gig bag to protect the guitar in storage and transport

The Skull Guitar is designed to be a player’s first ax they can really beat up on as they learn. The materials and construction quality allow it to hold its own when learning the basics of soloing, palm muting and crushing power chords. It can keep up with rigorous practice sessions and stand strong.

Does the Skull Guitar Come with a Case?

While some beginner electric guitars only include a gig bag, the First Act Skull Guitar package features a high quality padded nylon gig bag to keep your new ax safe.

The included black bag has thick padding, strong zippers, and both shoulder and handle straps for easy carrying. An exterior pocket provides extra storage space for small accessories and gear.

The Skull Guitar gig bag allows you to:

• Safely transport your guitar to rehearsals or shows
• Protect your gear from bumps, dings and bad weather
• Keep your instrument secure when not playing
• Avoid putting your new guitar in harm’s way

The included bag saves you $40+ that you’d normally spend buying a basic gig bag separately. It’s way better than a cheap freebie gig bag – this one is built to actually protect your guitar for the long haul.

Down the road, consider upgrading to a hardshell case for maximum protection. But the included padded bag keeps your Skull Guitar safe in most scenarios.

Tips for Learning to Play the Skull Guitar

Once you get your First Act Skull Guitar, it’s time for the really fun part – learning to play it! Here are some tips to get started:

• Master open chords like E, A, D and G to build finger dexterity
• Learn power chords to get that classic punk and metal sound
• Practice picking techniques – alternate picking, downstrokes, palm muting
• Work on fretting hand form – use light touch with fingertips on strings
• Take it slow – only increase speed after technique is solid
• Use the amp’s overdrive to get used to playing with distortion
• Jam along to songs you love to improve timing and playing
• Take lessons either online or with a local instructor

Be patient with yourself as you build new skills. Take it one step at a time mastering chords, scales, songs and riffs. The Skull Guitar is the perfect practice tool to have fun with as you gain confidence in your playing abilities.

Finding Beginner Lessons for the Skull Guitar

One of the best ways to improve quickly on the First Act Skull Guitar is to take some lessons tailored to beginners. Here are some great instructional resources:

• YouTube: There are tons of free YouTube guitar lessons for everything from chords to metal soloing.
• Guitar Instructor: This website has structured video courses for beginners to advanced players.
• ArtistWorks: Legendary rockers like Paul Gilbert and Tony McManus teach detailed video guitar lessons here.
• Fender Play: Fender offers an entire course for newbies with step-by-step lessons. Free trial available.
• Live Teachers: Search local music shops, Craigslist or bulletin boards for in-person instructors.

Having structured guitar lessons along with your own regular practice times will accelerate your skills exponentially. You’ll be soloing like a pro rocker in no time!

Using the Skull Guitar with an Amp

While you can play the Skull Guitar acoustically, you’ll really want to plug it into an amp to achieve iconic electric guitar tones. Here’s how to get set up:

• Use the included 10-watt amp – it has gain and volume controls to shape tone
• Experiment with overdrive – turn gain up slowly to get that distorted sound
• Adjust amplifier tone controls – bass, mid, treble to taste
• Add effects pedals – distortion, chorus, delay and reverb to take it up a notch
• Consider upgrading amps – down the road, upgrade to a tube amp for organic tone

Learning to dial in different amplifier sounds is part of the fun of playing electric versus acoustic. The bundled 10-watt First Act amp is perfect for beginners to get a feel for those belt-it-out rock tones!

Conclusion

With its wicked skull styling and impressive components for the price, the First Act Skull Guitar rocks as a fantastic beginner electric. It has all the features newbies need to start their guitar journey off right, inspiring you to pick up and practice every day.

For amateur players seeking their first guitar with some edge and attitude, it delivers on all fronts. Before you lock in power chords and wail away on those wicked solo licks, make sure to bookmark this buying guide to get the most out of your Skull Guitar purchase!