• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

First Act Basses?

#3
Oh I'm sure it's night and day I guess I should be a little more specific. When I say has any one played the Wal-Mart stuff. I get asked alot by parents if they would be a first good guitar or bass for their kid and I really can't say because I've never heard or played one, or seen one out side the box for that matter
 
#5
I played one of their guitars briefly several years ago; a friend's little sister had gotten it for Christmas I believe. It didn't feel terrible, but I also didn't play it for more than a few minutes. The price is pretty attractive though, especially as a starter.
 
#7
I'm a teacher with around 20 students on average. I've seen a few entry-level First Act guitars. Surprisingly good at that price point. My critieria for entry-level instruments are (1) they can be set-up for ease of playability, (2) they tune up and intonate properly, and (3) they stay in tune for a reasonable length of time, and (4) the electronics function properly. That's it. That gets the beginner a ways down the road.

And the entry level First Acts I've seen have fit the bill.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tennesseemick
#8
electracoyote said:
I'm a teacher with around 20 students on average. I've seen a few entry-level First Act guitars. Surprisingly good at that price point. My critieria for entry-level instruments are (1) they can be set-up for ease of playability, (2) they tune up and intonate properly, and (3) they stay in tune for a reasonable length of time. That's it. That gets the beginner a ways down the road.

And the entry level First Acts I've seen have fit the bill.
Click to expand...

Awesome thats all I really wanted to know as well. I've seen some kids with pawn shop no name basses that the action was so high you could stick a deck of cards between the strings and fretboard and they come to me asking my their bass sounds like crap and why they have a hard time playing it. Then they tell me what they paid and I about crap a cat at some of the prices they payed.
 
#9
A friend of mine has a First Act P-Bass... The neck has bowed so much its hardly playable, I tried fixing it up for him but the truss rod hardly has any effect its bowed so much. Also, the frets are really sharp and I can see potential for a nasty hand wound happening. Not to say every one of these is like this, but its definitely a temporary instrument. The instrument allowed my buddy to learn bass and that's really what counts, he plays a MM Stingray now.
 
#11
robbotbass said:
Awesome thats all I really wanted to know as well. I've seen some kids with pawn shop no name basses that the action was so high you could stick a deck of cards between the strings and fretboard and they come to me asking my their bass sounds like crap and why they have a hard time playing it. Then they tell me what they paid and I about crap a cat at some of the prices they payed.
Click to expand...

There used to be a small guitar shop in my town that sold instruments like that. Utter crap, and they charged premium prices for them. Of course they also maintained that acoustic bass guitars were incredibly rare and super expensive. I guess its no surprise they shut down. :rollno:
 
#13
robbotbass said:
Awesome thats all I really wanted to know as well. I've seen some kids with pawn shop no name basses that the action was so high you could stick a deck of cards between the strings and fretboard and they come to me asking my their bass sounds like crap and why they have a hard time playing it. Then they tell me what they paid and I about crap a cat at some of the prices they payed.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I prefer my students consult me before buying their first instrument.

Are you teaching?

I usually offer a basic set-up free of charge for my new students. I like to ensure the instrument plays well and won't impede them learning what I'm trying to teach them, and it's a goodwill gesture for selling my teaching services. If I can't get the guitar to set up correctly without a trip to one of my techs, it's time to return it and try something else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ZedLepp
#14
I've played two of them and did a setup on one. They are priced appropriately.
They are not quality, but at the same time, there is nothing specifically wrong with them.

Good for a student exploring a new hobby planning to buy a better instrument later.
Not good for anyone wanting to invest in an instrument to use and rely on.
 
#15
electracoyote said:
Yeah, I prefer my students consult me before buying their first instrument.

Are you teaching?

I usually offer a basic set-up free of charge for my new students. I like to ensure the instrument plays well and won't impede them learning what I'm trying to teach them, and it's a goodwill gesture for selling my teaching services. If I can't get the guitar to set up correctly without a trip to one of my techs, it's time to return it and try something else.
Click to expand...

I don't teach (bass) but I'm active in the High School as a substitute teacher and everyone knows I play so I have students (not bass students) ask me to look at their basses to see what I think.
 
#17
Joe Nerve said:
Where do they sell their better basses? I'm digging the looks of the Delgada, but in a quick search couldn't find any prices or availablility.
Click to expand...

Joe, I'm not sure where they are stocked, if anywhere at all. I've never seen a retailer for the high-end stuff and I always assumed it was custom-shop only.

The Delgada is way cool. There are tons of custom options from guts to finish. I have seen some incredible First Act guitars and basses.

The price is, of course, reflective of this.
 
#18
Joe Nerve said:
Where do they sell their better basses? I'm digging the looks of the Delgada, but in a quick search couldn't find any prices or availablility.
Click to expand...

The Delgada is a Gibson RD Artist copy. For the price they're asking for their custom series basses, I'd get the original.

First act is endorsing a lot of artists in the hardcore/metal scene lately. I suppose their stuff is pretty popular with touring bands that will go through a lot of instruments due to all the stagediving and trashiness going on during these shows. Just look of for the band "The Chariot"

I played as an opening act for Cancer Bats last year and their bassist snapped the neck off of his Delgada in the middle of a song. I've never seen anything like it and by the look on his face, neither did he.

I bet they're great for touring artists. Inexpensive and disposable instruments.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back