mats at the movies

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Back in the day, Paul Westerberg was lucky if his guitars were even in tune. As of this month, the Minneapolis rock legend is hoping his guitars will be in stock.
Boston-based six-string manufacturer First Act -- whose $159 instruments caught Westerberg's eye in a Wal-Mart a couple years ago -- recently recruited the former Replacements frontman to design his own guitar for retail.

Featuring a slim body and "punk-rock plaid" pattern on its pick guard, the PW580 is already on sale at Amazon.com and will soon be available in Wal-Mart stores. Retail price: $159.

"You're not going to sound like your guitar hero on this thing, unless that hero is you," Westerberg promises in the promotional materials.

Already having an unusual autumn with the release of his "Open Season" animated soundtrack, Westerberg joins a list of other First Act celebrity guitar designers that includes Aerosmith's Brad Whitford and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen. And it's not just a money-making endorsement for him: He did actually use his Wal-Mart-bought First Act guitar during much of his last tour.