Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

i've heard (read) a lot about mr. roman. what's the buzz around here as to buying a rick from him?

thanks
geoff

He has everything in new Ricks, he has terrible taste (Green Glo, anyone?), his prices are a bit higher than most, he's opinionated and abrasive, he hates gambling, he likes bimbos. And he runs deep, has been there and done that. He does not suffer fools or egomaniacs gladly.

I've never met him.

We'd all love to be a fly on the wall when you do...

Geoff, I've dealt with him a few times on the phone. He is brash and he sells his stuff as if he were dealing in stocks, call him one time the price is this, call him ten minutes later and the price has changed. He likes to talk and run circles.

I understand Ed won't allow flies near the Ricks, Dane. They have to stay behind the ropes like everyone else!!

Hey, let's not knock the Green-glos. Some people like me think they are cool! He he.

Ah, I forgot! Sorry, nothing personal, Scoob.

The whole issue of "demo" guitars is an interesting one. I have seen some sad cases as relates to guitars being damaged while people are trying them out. I guess for a small outlet this is a major cost item. As well if a guitar is returned after a trial whether it is a day, week, or ? Is it really a new guitar to sell to the next person ? If such items are treated as demos and returns and sold for a lower price, then as a business expense that has to be passed on to all customers to absorb. On the other hand I realize some people just cannot contemplate purchasing an instrument without trying it first or having a trial period. Do outlets which do not allow this practise have lower prices ? Hard to say. I guess the market demands and allows for both types of retailer.

I was just in Vegas last week and stopped by his shop. I'm on a quest for a 370/12 in Montezuma Brown. He had probably two dozen Ricks in all flavours, but not the one I was after. Over all the store was nice - mostly cutom stuff, with probably equal amounts of Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker, Ibanez, and a half dozen Gretsch.

No one approached me the whole time I was there, which has it's advantages. I finally asked if they had any other Rick's besides what were displayed and recieved a gruff "nope" from a sales guy - not Ed.

I also heard a conversation between two sales guys mentioning a spending freeze at the store - things may not be going well there. As I said - they have a huge custom inventory, and there were only theree customers browsing when I was there.

When I went to Vegas I pointedly avoided even going there. If I want to talk to rude, gruff people who only want my money I'll just give the ex-wife a ring.

Paul, no problem. I can see why it would be terrible tastes... but I have weird tastes myself! While I think the green is certainly out there, it like the impossible to find Orangeglo (yes, there are a few factory ones out there according to Mr. Hall) are just so small in quantity that they are cool in that respect. Plus, green is my favorite color.

I purchased my Carl Wilson from Ed at the NAMM Show when they were being released. I saw Ed and told him I wanted one and the deal was made. Ed didn't know what they were going to be going for but he quoted me a price that he thought would be fair. Turns out I got it at his cost, but he was fair and everything went smoothly. People give Ed a bad rap, but Ed has been in business for years and in spite of his gruff exterior, I think Ed's a nice guy. We say, "Hello" to one another at every NAMM Show.

So it was a fun marriage, Bob? Sounds like mine reincarnated!!

I bought a guitar from Ed Roman's Guitars over the telephone and was pleased with the service in all aspects. I disagree with Paul's comment about his prices being a bit higher: when I was researching prices for 360's, I checked out several websites and ER's easily had the lowest price, which included a HSC.

I did not speak with ER himself, but the two staff members that I did speak with were very straight forward and courteous. You have to be prepared with your questions; I don't think they are into chit-chat as some of us might want (or expect) from someone with whom we are going to spend a chunk of money.

The only complaint that I have is that I was told that they had my color "coming any day now" when it actually took 5 months. Still, knowing what I know now, 5 months is a short time to wait. As an interested buyer I would have been just as willing to wait 5 months if told up front.