My guess is that he's taking MG Ricks and doing his GG thing, then re-clearcoating them.
As to how he's getting away with it, Although Rick does protect the names Fireglo, Jetglo, Azureglo, etc; they didn't seek protection on the Greenglo name. (I wonder if Ed has?) It's a refinish job, and it's a free country as far as that goes.
I doubt, however, that Rick would warranty anybody else's refinish job, even Ed's. IMO, this is not a flattering color anyway.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
Oddly, tho you might label me as "gold guard obsessed", the gold guard vs white guard thing is something I play in my mind everytime I think of a new Rick color. Not to mention thinking about OTHER guard options.
In design terms, the contrasting guard would be called a "graphic" (short for "graphic element"). It provides an area of "breakup", i.e., it takes the large area of color on the face of the guitar and provides a smaller contrasting colored area to "break up" the expanse. The teardrop shape of the Rick guard is a strong identity element, and part of Rick's mystique and trade dress. So it is important. I've thought of silver and a bunch of other treatments and probably will try some out as time goes by on one or another of my Ricks.
White guards are a real Rick trademark; the classic-plus-industrial look of a 300 series with the black/silver knobs against the white acrylic guards is very unusual.
Pineglo, huh?
Howard, the pics on Ed's page that look like pink or purple (bottom photo) are new Fireglos. The photo was color-corrected by a seagull color manager, I think.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
Ed's a unique individual. Judging by his website and writings, he's been around the block a few times, and has zero tolerance for BS, except that which he slings. He has an opinion on nearly everything. He's earned his scars, learned his lessons and kowtows to no one.
But, man, he has some weird ideas, not to mention strange tastes. Judging from the photos (I know, photos lie) his refins are pretty good. He does seem to be a straight-shooter who has no time for wasters. We all know that in music more than in life, there is a whole range of bottom-feeders. Ed will take your money all day long, but don't waste his time with idle chatter if you are a customer. If you're a friend, well, that's a whole different matter.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
You've mentioned Ed and his ways a couple of times, Paul, and I don't question your assessment of him at all - I've never dealt with or met him.
I think the 'rants' section of his web site gives a fair indication of the sort of guy he is (straight-shooter is apt). I find a fair amount of it a 'bit over the top' - maybe that's an unfair judgement on my part.
'Wierd ideas' and 'strange tastes' pretty much says it all. Maybe he's spent too much time in Vegas and needs to get out more!!
Ed Roman stole the "Factory Shaded Green" pic from Peter's Registration Page about a year ago and did some cropping and brightness/contrast doctoring to it.