In much the same way that The Cure blends lovely, ageless poetry with modern alternative rock, Perry Bamonte’s First Act custom guitar is a combination of classic and contemporary elements.

The left-handed guitar is dark and curious, with the tone to play beautiful melodies and the power to spin soaring, aching leads.

Mahogany was chosen for its crisp, strong texture and ease in carving. Perry wanted an asymmetrical hollow body, which suggests both tradition and modernity. A single white binding punctuates the gorgeous black finish as it runs around the body, neck, and headstock.

The neck is also mahogany, with a rosewood fretboard and mother of pearl geometrical inlays. The six-liner headstock reveals a beautiful inlay pattern, designed by Perry himself. He says that if you look carefully, it spells his initials.

The hardware is chrome, including mini-grover machine heads and a chunky, vintage-style, tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece. There are volume and tone knobs for each of two burstbucking pickups.

Perry received his First Act Studio for Artists custom guitar in London, and put it to immediate use that evening in an MTV Icon taping.