First Act

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First Act is an American company that produces musical instruments. They are also heavily involved in creating products which support the role of music in enhancing children's development.

The company's current chairman is Bernard Chiu. Chiu founded the company after leaving Duracraft.

First Act has a guitar studio located on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts. This studio has been home to performances by major artists such as Jason Mraz, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hoobastank, Death Cab for Cutie, Rob Thomas, and many more.

Notable First Act clients include Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Mike Scaccia of Ministry (who had a guitar painted in his own blood), Perry Bamonte of The Cure and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode.

First Act's line of products includes guitars, guitar accessories (picks, straps, etc.) drum sets, percussion instruments, amplifiers as well as reeds and valve oil for instruments such as the clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet.

The company also makes limited edition guitars, which are handcrafted by luthiers in Boston. Currently, there are three guitars in the First Act Limited Edition Guitar Series: the "Lola", the "Sheena", and the "Delia".

First Act instruments filed a lawsuit against Brook Mays in 2002, and was recently awarded 20.7 million in damages. The suit claimed that Brook Mays launched a smear campaign when it sent out alert notices to school band instructors indicating that the inexpensive instruments were inferior and recommending immediate returns.

Volkswagen initiated a campaign in 2006 in which the company gave away special edition First Act guitars along with a special series car. The stereos in these Volkswagens could be used as an amplifier for the guitar. An accompanying ad campaign featured guitarists Slash, John Mayer, and Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap playing First Act guitars through the sound systems of Volkswagens.