New Ed Roman Bakers

[Senor Skanky]

I've been checking out the new Baker line at Ed Roman's website. They are made in Japan and are about half the cost of the USA Bakers (which are no longer made).

Does anyone own one of these new Ed Roman models or heard anything about them?

I know the subject of Mr Roman can be a bit volatile, but has anyone here had any dealing with him/his store?

 

[aleclee]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

There are some first-hand accounts of ER's business practices on this page. I make no claim that it's unbiased but it is at least first-hand. I'll be the first guy to admit that there are folks out there who have had satisfactory experience with ER but why take the risk that you'll be the next person he pisses off?

I have no experience with the ER Bakers but my understanding is that all he purchased was the brand name. Gene was never involved with Ed's shop, going to EB/MM shortly after his shop got liquidated. Thus, I wouldn't expect the ER Bakers to have more than a cosmetic resemblence to Gene's creations.

 

[Curly]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

it's a shame the EB deal didn't work out .. seems like it should have benefited both parties

 

[Bluzboy66]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

.......I know the subject of Mr Roman can be a bit volatile, but has anyone here had any dealing with him/his store?

I knew 'of' Ed Roman back when he lived in the N.E. He was at many of the guitar shows I attended throughout the '90s. I didn't get to know him personally, but over the years we had MANY coversations about guitar repair, customizing, and building. From what I recall his customized guitars looked great. He always displayed a couple of retopped, and custom inlayed Gibsons, and PRS guitars on his show table. Some folks claim that he denies ever retopping brand name guitars.......that would definately be a lie. He admitted it to me personally, and even bragged that his finishes were far superior to the factory............heck, his website used to have a special section dedicated to his customized guitars. Not sure whether it's still up. Again, his stuff looks very nice, I gotta admit.

The last guitar show I saw him at was in NYC back in January of 2000. He was showing some custom basses that were still under construction. he didn't have ANY name brand guitars at that show, which led me to believe that maybe he was going full time with his own 100% custom line.

I've never purchased a guitar from him, so I can't really say anything about his business ethic, only what I've seen and heard.

Mike

 

[mrid, too]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

Ed just bought the rights to the Baker name AFAIK, so it's a Baker in name only.

 

[aleclee]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

Just to let you know, the link to the PRS price list does not work.

:headbang:

Doh! Thanks, I fixed the link.

It's about time to update things but I won't be going to NAMM this year. Hopefully one of my buds will hook me up with the info.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: New Ed Roman Bakers

Just to set the record straight: The Baker name (and yes, that´s all it was)was NOT bought for Ed but by him for someone else not present at the auction. I think Rodney something or other IIRC ...

Does that make me trust the new Bakers any more? No, at least not as long as ER seems to be the sole distributor