Founded in 1997, First Act is well known as the perfect choice for learning how to play guitar. In addition to guitars, First Act offers a full line of musical instruments including bass guitars, amplifiers, guitar accessories, drum sets and percussion instruments. First Act is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. A custom shop in nearby Somerville, MA produces several well-known limited edition guitars including

A culmination of his inherent passion for music, guitars and a drive to re-create what was seen as a dull, lifeless guitar market, Dean Guitar Company was founded in 1976 by seventeen year old Dean Zelinsky. At its inception, the company was much more than a way to sell instruments, it was a culmination of passion and a desire to live through music. Unwilling to accept the status-quo, Dean Guitar Company has continuously produced superior, innovative models that spark musical inspiration and break the mold of traditional guitar design. Whether a player is just starting out or a seasoned pro, there is a Dean guitar to perfectly suit each one.

From 1976-86, Dean Zelinsky hand-crafted what are now considered the Golden-Era Guitars, in the attic of his boyhood home, which served as his Chicago shop. Widely recognized Dean models include, the Cadillac, V, Splittail, MZ and Soltero electric guitars. The iconic inverted V headstock design was unlike anything else of the time and remains a distinguished mark of Zelinsky

After moving to Houston in the mid 1970s, Bill Collings began moonlighting as a guitar builder. By day, Collings worked as a petroleum engineer on nearby pipelines. Driven by a passion for his trade, he decided to head further west into California. Ever the wandering musician, Collings made it only as far as Austin, before setting up a shop of his own. Despite the humble surroundings of the tiny wooden garage, Bill quickly built a solid and trustworthy reputation through his business. Known for superior quality and astute craftsmanship, it wasn

Founded in 1883 by George Washburn, Washburn Guitars has an illustrious past, deeply interwoven with countless musical icons that shaped American history. The success of the company cannot be separated from that of the artists who brought their name to fame, each assuming unique roles in laying the foundation for what has become an American music legend.

With the first factory in Chicago, located only blocks from the infamous Maxwell Street, Washburn was at the heart of the Delta Blues revolution that flourished throughout the country in the 1920s. The surge in popularity of Blues during this time was a fabulous juncture for Washburn, resulting in a huge surge in business.

When hard rock entered the scene in the early 1980s, Washburn rose to the challenge and worked to create an new kind of instrument to serve modern musicians. Soon they introduced the Wing Series, Stage Series and Festival Series of electric guitars and basses, combining Washburn tradition with the wonders of modern innovation.

Thinking outside the box and daringly bold, Washburn exudes an aura of confidence and unmatched experience in designing and manufacturing stringed instruments. Artists across all genres of music can fine tune and put a one-of-a-kind spin

The history of Takamine guitars begins in the serene foothills of the Takamine mountains in Sakashita, Japan. In 1962, after being in business for three years, the owners of the small shop decided to expand. In honor of the surrounding mountains, the company became known as Takamine.

By 1968, renowned luthier, Mass Hirade joined Takamine, bringing with him keen attention to detail and breathtaking talent. Hirade proved invaluable to the success of the company and contributed greatly to the improvement of design and quality of Takamine guitars. Many of his contributions remain integral features of present day Takamine models.

Consistently striving to bring positive change through innovation and improvement, Takamine became a pioneer of acoustic-electric guitar design with the release of the PT-007S, in 1978. Much of the success of the original model can be attributed to the engineers and luthiers who collaborated on its revolutionary design. Brilliant minds, stunning talent and persistence have been the cornerstone of Takamine since its inception.

Takamine is also known for invention of the Palathetic pickup, a feature that remains the core of their electronic guitar components, today. The unique design completely isolates the pickup from feedback and vibrations produced by the body, resulting

The story of Rickenbacker is a nostalgic illustration of the vibrant spirit that permeated musical circles during the post WWII era. With a burning desire to create, inspire and improve, Rickenbacker was the result of collaboration, innovation and determination. Rickenbacker was born of passion and desire for a more pervasive instrument.

Rickenbacker International Corporation was established in 1931 by entertainer and guitarist, George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker. Formed as a means to market, manufacture and sell the newly designed A-25 Hawaiian guitar, Rickenbacker was the first company in the world to produce electric guitars as they are known today. With string-driven electro-magnetic pickups, the A-25 was the first of its kind.

After moving from Texas to Los Angeles in the early 1920s, Beauchamp quickly became immersed in the vibrant musical culture that would come to symbolize Southern California. Shortly after his arrival in LA, he began to seek out a ways to enhance the performance capacity of the contemporary pre-electric guitars of the time.

Beauchamp collaborated with inventor and violinist, John Dopyera to create a prototype. After a short period of trial and error, the team brought forth a design consisting of three conical aluminum resonators attached to the bridge

Ovation tradition is where science and music converge to create a stunning instrument design, in both performance and quality. In 1965 Charles Kaman founded Ovation, driven by the desire to create an innovative guitar design with improved acoustics.

Based in New Hartford, Connecticut, Ovation guitars are known for their slender necks and composite construction. Charles Kaman is widely known for designing record breaking helicopters, beginning in the late-1940s. After several years of working to create state-of-the art rotor designs and introducing the world’s first gas turbine helicopter, Kaman decided to expand to pursue his passion for guitar playing.

Ovation was born of Kaman

Bohemian Guitars‘ mission is to build funky, unique and functional guitars out of oil cans and lunchboxes for real, everyday use. According to Adam Lee, one of the company’s founders, “Bohemian Guitars is passionate about art, music and community outreach.”  Lee and the Bohemian team uses their altruistic focus to put a creative spin on […]

Known for a slashing performance and eccentric style, Jackson guitars embody the fiery enthusiasm of heavy metal and hard rock. Throughout the 80s and 90s Grover Jackson and his wildly talented team worked to create high performance guitars that came to define the slash metal music of the era. Bold designs such as King V, Soloist and Kelly were also introduced during this time, helping Jackson write heavy metal history.

Jackson guitar company was born in southern California, in the late 1970s, inside Charvels Guitar Repair shop. Shop owner, Grover Jackson had recently gained ownership of the modest shop and was determined to make it a success. His dreams were soon realized when the now iconic guitarist Randy Rhoads approached him with an idea. Rhoads had just joined Ozzy Osbourne’s new band and was envisioning a unique, individualized guitar design and he wanted Jacksons support in bringing it to life. The collaborative effort that followed resulted in the Concorde V electric guitar which Rhoads used in the performance of classic American rock such as Revelation. Shortly before Rhoads