Newton, MA (June 21, 2004) - First Act, a Newton, Massachusetts-based company that makes quality, custom, high-end guitars (as well as a complete line of children's, band, and guitars through retail stores) will open its Manhattan Studio Lounge this summer-a dedicated space where professional musicians can come in, view exclusive First Act one-of-a-kind guitars, and discuss their own custom styling and design options with First Act's guitar and music experts. The 1100-square-foot Lounge, located on Broadway between 26th and 27th Avenues is run by guitar and music industry expert Jimmy Archey, First Act's artist relations manager.
"We wanted to support and endorse the thousands of professional and up-and-coming musicians living in and around New York City and offer them qualified, professional staff to help them create the guitar of their dreams," said Archey. Archey is also responsible for expanding First Act's current endorsement program by attracting both mainstream national artists and independent musicians, marketing initiatives, celebrity interviews, concert engagements, and media releases and articles. "New York City is the music capital of America," adds Archey. "It's also the jumping off point for every European band tour. And there are so many labels and studios in New York-it's crucial First Act have a presence here."
First Act's New York Studio Lounge was built on the success of their Newton, MA Artist Relations Studio Lounge, where custom guitars are conceived and crafted with the artist's input-from the shape, wood, finish, all the way down to the electronics. "We make sure the musicians are deeply involved in the guitar-making process so they get exactly what they had envisioned," says Kelly Butler, studio manager and master luthier. "To musicians, their guitar is their art-a virtual extension of themselves-it has to be perfect. It has to look, feel, and sound fantastic."
First Act opened their Artist Relations Studio Lounge in 2001 and hired the industry's best luthier to design and hand craft unique, one-of-a-kind guitars. The glassed-in workshop allows artists to watch guitars being carved and finished, and the studio's luxurious state-of-the-art sound room lets the musicians fine-tune their guitars in elegant surroundings. "The First Act Studio Lounge is the only showroom in New York City where you can completely design your own custom guitar," adds Archey. "First Act is unique-No one else is offering musicians such a rare opportunity to create high-end instruments like these."
"Our goal is to offer musicians a creative atmosphere and artistic, musical space to create their instrument-and the guitars we're making are receiving lots of positive attention," adds Butler. In fact, First Act made its national television debut on NBC's The Late Show with Conan O'Brien in April. Ryan Sinn, bassist for the notorious punk rock band The Distillers, played his hand-crafted First Act guitar while performing to millions of viewers. "Having one of our guitars played by a prominent bassist on The Late Show was significant-musicians, fans, the industry-people are really taking notice," Butler said.
The Distillers are the most recent band to pick up and professionally play First Act guitars. The long list of rockers includes the Donnas, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mindless Self Indulgence, Revis, the Enemies, the Oranges Band, Waltham, the Pattern, Jon Butcher, Oliver's Army, and Cannae.
In June, First Act took part in Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, an event created to bridge musicians and fans. First Act felt a remarkable synergy between the festival's vision and its' own goal of bringing music to more people. "Crossroads was a great venue for First Act to build relationships with musicians," said Archey. "It was amazing to see Mike Scaccia of Ministry plug his First Act guitar, which he's nicknamed the White Rhino, into an amp and jam for 20 minutes. He drew a crowd and everybody knew he was playing a First Act."
About First Act:
First Act Inc., based in Boston, MA, is a premier musical products Company. First Act's entrepreneurs, musicians, and artisans develop superior musical instruments that are made to be heard and crafted to last.
First Act's Studio for Artists designs and builds custom guitars for professional musicians in a progressive, sophisticated in-house studio. First Act's Concert Series(tm) offers band students a comprehensive range of instrument choices while First Act's line for teens and adults includes a wide range of guitars, drums, hand percussion, and accessories. First Act's Discovery(tm) line of instruments gives young children a musical head start.