Back when he owned Eastcoast Music Mall in Danbury, CT. I went in there around 1989-1991, (not sure which year exactly) to see what he'd offer for my used guitar (Ibanez Roadstar II RS-440 I bought new in '85 or '86). I didn't have it with me because it was a spur of the moment decision to stop in and ask. So he asked what kind of guitar I had. I barely finished saying "Ibanez" when he just went "Pffft!" and then turned around and walked away. Like "Don't waste my time." I went back a month later to window shop (like all the other smart shoppers who can find the same thing elsewhere at a cheaper price) and the store was filled with Ibanez banners, posters of Steve Vai and an entire wall of Ibanez guitars. Suddenly Ibanez was THE guitar to have. Now I had even less respect for Ed (if I even had any at all). For the way he treated me and now suddenly praising the guitar brand that, just a month earlier, wasn't worth his time. Over the years, I had heard ECMM was a cocaine front. Wouldn't surprise me. Just watching him talk about the woods and sniffling and struggling to try and make up some BS stories would convince me he was snorting something before this tour began.
Ed Roman was a shyster when he owned East Coast Music Mall in Danbury CT. I shopped at legendary Mannys on Guitar Row (48th) street and Rudy’s back in the day. Now I use Wildwood Guitars and Sweetwater Music.
@@jeopardywinner8799 I'd use ECMM to window shop, and then either find something at Sam Ash in White Plains, NY (where I bought my Roadstar II) or Daddy's Junky Music in Orange, CT.
He was a jerk, his mind worked only on making money and don't waste my time attitude on the average person. He probably got people to make great guitars but was definitely a grifter.
I bought a Roman guitar that you reviewed on your channel.. I actually rang the doorbell at the shop when I was in Las Vegas (Ed Romans was a bucket list visit) so I walked there from Caesar’s Palace while my wife was shopping.. Initially the salesman was a bit grumpy because I didn’t have an appointment, but he let me in because I came all the way from Louisiana and walked from Cesar’s.. Weeks later I ordered the guitar that blew me away and still does.. It arrived packaged incredibly well in a hard case, setup was perfect and it was surprisingly in tune..
WOW, that's a Great shop tour. Boy if we could turn back time. Talk about craftsmanship & custom work. To me each guitar is a priceless work of art. I bought my White 1988 Spector NS- 2 from Ed back in 1995. Fair price and straight up honesty. A great guy. Thanks again Tone King 👑👑👑👑 that's why You Rock Sir.
Thanks Tone King. I talked to Ed on three occasions. I too went ’upstairs’ for a meeting with Ed about an invention of mine. He was nice to me. But he certainly didnt shy away from saying what he thought! At one point there was interest in a tv show about him. There is a sizzle real on UA-cam.
When they talk about a guy who knows where all the figurative bodies are buried in the guitar industry, they're pretty much talking about Ed Roman. I know next to nothing about Ed other than his name from decades past and that there's been quite a bit of controversy about Ed over the years, especially his destruction and chainsaw vids. But whatever the case, whether he's a charlatan or a genius, you have to give it up for someone who has literally spent his entire adult life focused on one specific area and industry. That's the old skool way.
I went to Ed Roman's shop 3 times in my life. The first time was his last shop next to the strip, by the In-N-Out Burger on Dean Martin Drive. I came in as a shy 13 year old wanting to see the guitars he posted on his website. When I got up the nerve to ask one of the salesmen if Ed was around, he went to the back and got him. He came out beaming, shook my hand and said, "You just missed Eddie Van Halen by 15 minutes!" He talked me through his shop, and at the end I walked away with one of his Korean import Baker Guitars. I sold it years later, but I wish I still had it. 2 years later, I went to his home where he was operating out of. He was cordial as well, but a bit brash when the subject of Gibson came up. The 3rd time I came by a few months later. He was looking a bit gaunt in the face (not in the gut though) but he still told stories of rock stars and guitar building. He was nothing but kind to me, and he was a salesman to the T. Still, I miss his rants and complaints and general hell-raising.
So much controversy around Ed, especially in the old days on JCF. I've always been fascinated with him and his business. He was one of a kind and so connected and guitar smart. Reproductions aside you can tell that only top shelf products came from those benches. That US Flag Y2KV is one of the rarest Jacksons on the planet. Jackson cancelled my order for one about a week before the Mustaine departure was announced. It was $2500 when I ordered, they're $10-$20k now if you can actually find on that Dave didn't own himself lol
Wow Chris! You said back in the JCF days! I was a very active member on JCF. My handle was SARJ. I was the guy who got Jackson to build the first limited run. It was the white Dinky with maple board, one EMG81, one volume and JT580 locking trem. Those were the days.
@roosternm6830 what's up Sarj?! I remember that well! I think I went by cmfl or just my name. Did a lot of lurking but was active as well. I remember Mark from Louisiana, Newc, and sully with the spam shirt flipping the bird 😂 Really miss it!
I know it's been 5 months, but I read JCF and had to comment. I was also active on that board for years, my username was maliciousteve. This video reminded me of when some one from the board kicked Ed up the butt as he approached to say Hi and make him uncomfortable at Namm (think he was called RacerX on the board). Shame that board isn't very active anymore, there were some good people there.
@@stevp372 OMG I remember that hahaha! Damn good times there. For a few years it was my first and last stop on the internet. I think I remember you as well. I went thru just about every sub-section there but because I was snatching up every KV/Mustaine model I could find I kinda lived on the classifieds and e-fraid of ebay. Hope all is well!
Spent a day with him in the Roman & Lipmann days -- he was an entertaining host, full of stories (all hilarious, some possibly even true) and he showed me around his store room in his ridiculous mansion and the luthier's shop at East Coast Music Mall. I was interested in a full custom R&L bass, but ultimately the instruments they were making were decent enough but didn't really speak to me. What's interesting is that when I ultimately ended up saying "no thanks" to ordering a bass at the end of the day, he said with no small amount of respect in his voice, "nobody's ever turned down that schtick before. Let me know if you want that 8-string Kramer I showed you before I turn it into a Gene Simmons Axe. I'll give you a good price."
I bought my Seagull S6 acoustic from Roman's when the giant store was still open to the public. They went out of their way to pull out a bunch of different guitars for me to compare against each other. I made an appointment when they reopened, after Ed passed, and ended up buying a JS1200CA (Joe Satriani) Ibanez that was in one of your walk-through videos.
Thank you so much to you TheToneKing for this "jewel" video . Here is what I remember here: honesty and the righteousness of a man who loves his job and who talks about it without compromise.
You're out of your mind. He's literally the most shady builder in America. When the only thing original on Dimebags "Dean" is the fingerboard. It ceases to be a Dean 😂
@@jonathanmosher72 The most shadiest ? So number one please : name me any "non-shady" manufacturers today with this type of quality, wherever they come from ? Then, compare their work with him , his workshop, his way of doing things and his vision of things. All this obviously in the context of the time. You're talking about Dean, whereas in the video, it's a group of hundreds or more guitars, some of which have become iconic through the ages. They were also made in different eras, and made under its own name or label or for other requests of different brands.
You walk out of there Mind Racing over What to Buy Next. So many high quality instruments and history it was mind boggling. There were only a 1/2 dozen employee's working the day we went. A must do for anyone who loves guitars.
My many hours of research led me to this place years ago when I had been searching for a neck for my acrylic mockingbird. Unfortunately I missed the boat and he was no longer alive :(
@@TimberMoto I did reach out to warmoth, they would not take on the job and were not very nice about it. I have actually reached out to them a few times in the last 10 years to no luck. Maybe someday I'll make one myself.
This is cool, he built some great stuff, to bad he did alot of shady stuff to. i love it when he says that he have stories about major companys pretending that they´ve build a model but they did not, because it came from Ed´s shop.. it makes me wonder, what brands and models could that be ?!
Ed was as they say something of a character. He wasn't a warm fuzzy person. I don't know if he ripped anyone off directly but I would like to know what exactly happened to my guitar that was in his store when he died cause it is gone now and obviously Ed and Star? are unavailable for comment.
Ed Roman's original location was the best. The showroom was huge. I used to go there every so often. And then they moved a couple more times. I knew the guy who runs it now from way back when he worked at another shop across town. Can't recall his name at the moment. Been over a decade since I lived there. Edit: His name is Scott. Super cool guy.
I bought the Roman guitar from him in person at the shop in Las Vegas.. Super cool guy.. He gave me a tour of the place and let me plug in to a SLO 100 in the shop..
He's a complete bullshit artist. "That's Dimegags guitar"..."It's a neck through body Dean" So, it's NOT a Dean anymore. If you have to build a new neck and body with pickup cavities, it ceases to be the same guitar 😅😅😅 It's like taking the transmission out of a Ferrari, putting it in a replica and saying it's still a "Ferrari"
Ed knew his stuff when it came to guitars but he did so much shady stuff.
HES A DEAD LIL CONMAN
Back when he owned Eastcoast Music Mall in Danbury, CT. I went in there around 1989-1991, (not sure which year exactly) to see what he'd offer for my used guitar (Ibanez Roadstar II RS-440 I bought new in '85 or '86). I didn't have it with me because it was a spur of the moment decision to stop in and ask. So he asked what kind of guitar I had. I barely finished saying "Ibanez" when he just went "Pffft!" and then turned around and walked away. Like "Don't waste my time." I went back a month later to window shop (like all the other smart shoppers who can find the same thing elsewhere at a cheaper price) and the store was filled with Ibanez banners, posters of Steve Vai and an entire wall of Ibanez guitars. Suddenly Ibanez was THE guitar to have. Now I had even less respect for Ed (if I even had any at all). For the way he treated me and now suddenly praising the guitar brand that, just a month earlier, wasn't worth his time. Over the years, I had heard ECMM was a cocaine front. Wouldn't surprise me. Just watching him talk about the woods and sniffling and struggling to try and make up some BS stories would convince me he was snorting something before this tour began.
Ed Roman was a shyster when he owned East Coast Music Mall in Danbury CT. I shopped at legendary Mannys on Guitar Row (48th) street and Rudy’s back in the day. Now I use Wildwood Guitars and Sweetwater Music.
@@jeopardywinner8799 I'd use ECMM to window shop, and then either find something at Sam Ash in White Plains, NY (where I bought my Roadstar II) or Daddy's Junky Music in Orange, CT.
He was a jerk, his mind worked only on making money and don't waste my time attitude on the average person. He probably got people to make great guitars but was definitely a grifter.
He sucked balls and isn’t doing too good currently.
I worked for Ed in the mid '80s. He was good to work for, he treated his guys well. It was a fun place to work.
I bought a Roman guitar that you reviewed on your channel..
I actually rang the doorbell at the shop when I was in Las Vegas (Ed Romans was a bucket list visit) so I walked there from Caesar’s Palace while my wife was shopping..
Initially the salesman was a bit grumpy because I didn’t have an appointment, but he let me in because I came all the way from Louisiana and walked from Cesar’s.. Weeks later I ordered the guitar that blew me away and still does.. It arrived packaged incredibly well in a hard case, setup was perfect and it was surprisingly in tune..
You know he sells fakes don't you
ua-cam.com/video/ERmzF7zmpvw/v-deo.htmlsi=L96Kxe15CUxn4ZpK
If you don't mind me asking, what kind of guitar was it, and how much did it cost?
WOW, that's a Great shop tour. Boy if we could turn back time. Talk about craftsmanship & custom work. To me each guitar is a priceless work of art. I bought my White 1988 Spector NS- 2 from Ed back in 1995. Fair price and straight up honesty. A great guy. Thanks again Tone King 👑👑👑👑 that's why You Rock Sir.
Are you sure it was actually a Spector though 🤣
Gary Jacobs worked for Ed Roman behind the scenes and didn't get credit. It killed Gary's love of guitar making.
Ed was great. Bought several guitars from him, which I still own till this day.
Ed had a lot of great ideas and builders in his shop. He was always nice to me when I went to his CT shop.
Ed Roman oozing charm as always.
lol
Looks like sweat to me
Wow. Quite a guitar treat. Thank you TK.
I always loved looking through Ed's old website way back when.
man some of those guitar bodies are awesome
Nice Louis. Thanks for the tour.
This is excellent! Thanks for sharing.
@𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞_𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦👉@𝐓𝐡𝐞_𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐞_𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 you betcha! Can I only pay for shipping? I can only pay in gift cards or cash.
Thanks Tone King. I talked to Ed on three occasions. I too went ’upstairs’ for a meeting with Ed about an invention of mine. He was nice to me. But he certainly didnt shy away from saying what he thought!
At one point there was interest in a tv show about him. There is a sizzle real on UA-cam.
That was really cool. Thanks for sharing
When they talk about a guy who knows where all the figurative bodies are buried in the guitar industry, they're pretty much talking about Ed Roman. I know next to nothing about Ed other than his name from decades past and that there's been quite a bit of controversy about Ed over the years, especially his destruction and chainsaw vids. But whatever the case, whether he's a charlatan or a genius, you have to give it up for someone who has literally spent his entire adult life focused on one specific area and industry.
That's the old skool way.
I have a ‘94 custom shop BC Rich gunslinger with a Brazilian Rosewood cap. Wouldn’t surprise me if it came out of Ed’s shop
ua-cam.com/video/ERmzF7zmpvw/v-deo.html
I went to Ed Roman's shop 3 times in my life. The first time was his last shop next to the strip, by the In-N-Out Burger on Dean Martin Drive. I came in as a shy 13 year old wanting to see the guitars he posted on his website. When I got up the nerve to ask one of the salesmen if Ed was around, he went to the back and got him. He came out beaming, shook my hand and said, "You just missed Eddie Van Halen by 15 minutes!" He talked me through his shop, and at the end I walked away with one of his Korean import Baker Guitars. I sold it years later, but I wish I still had it.
2 years later, I went to his home where he was operating out of. He was cordial as well, but a bit brash when the subject of Gibson came up.
The 3rd time I came by a few months later. He was looking a bit gaunt in the face (not in the gut though) but he still told stories of rock stars and guitar building.
He was nothing but kind to me, and he was a salesman to the T. Still, I miss his rants and complaints and general hell-raising.
So much controversy around Ed, especially in the old days on JCF. I've always been fascinated with him and his business. He was one of a kind and so connected and guitar smart. Reproductions aside you can tell that only top shelf products came from those benches. That US Flag Y2KV is one of the rarest Jacksons on the planet. Jackson cancelled my order for one about a week before the Mustaine departure was announced. It was $2500 when I ordered, they're $10-$20k now if you can actually find on that Dave didn't own himself lol
Wow Chris! You said back in the JCF days! I was a very active member on JCF. My handle was SARJ. I was the guy who got Jackson to build the first limited run. It was the white Dinky with maple board, one EMG81, one volume and JT580 locking trem. Those were the days.
@roosternm6830 what's up Sarj?! I remember that well! I think I went by cmfl or just my name. Did a lot of lurking but was active as well. I remember Mark from Louisiana, Newc, and sully with the spam shirt flipping the bird 😂 Really miss it!
I know it's been 5 months, but I read JCF and had to comment. I was also active on that board for years, my username was maliciousteve. This video reminded me of when some one from the board kicked Ed up the butt as he approached to say Hi and make him uncomfortable at Namm (think he was called RacerX on the board). Shame that board isn't very active anymore, there were some good people there.
@@stevp372 OMG I remember that hahaha! Damn good times there. For a few years it was my first and last stop on the internet. I think I remember you as well. I went thru just about every sub-section there but because I was snatching up every KV/Mustaine model I could find I kinda lived on the classifieds and e-fraid of ebay. Hope all is well!
Out of the original 10 that were made, there's only 40 left in the market today 😅 He notoriously called guitars "originals" that absolutely were not.
He forgot to mention that he counterfeits guitars along with ghost building, custom work, etc.
@official_JennaEzarik Is the "prize" a stab in the vocal cords? I don't like that kind.
very cool..... thanks for sharing
Spent a day with him in the Roman & Lipmann days -- he was an entertaining host, full of stories (all hilarious, some possibly even true) and he showed me around his store room in his ridiculous mansion and the luthier's shop at East Coast Music Mall. I was interested in a full custom R&L bass, but ultimately the instruments they were making were decent enough but didn't really speak to me. What's interesting is that when I ultimately ended up saying "no thanks" to ordering a bass at the end of the day, he said with no small amount of respect in his voice, "nobody's ever turned down that schtick before. Let me know if you want that 8-string Kramer I showed you before I turn it into a Gene Simmons Axe. I'll give you a good price."
he seems like he was very smart. What a great memory. What a gem Lewis thanks a ton for sharing this.
Wow. I just noticed the natural satin medium brown Stealth copy......It gave me wood....
I bought my Seagull S6 acoustic from Roman's when the giant store was still open to the public. They went out of their way to pull out a bunch of different guitars for me to compare against each other. I made an appointment when they reopened, after Ed passed, and ended up buying a JS1200CA (Joe Satriani) Ibanez that was in one of your walk-through videos.
Ed was a very very shady person! And I am talking of a personal experience. One of the worst people I have ever dealt with!!
That's a fact. I'll agree 💯 percent.
He was a crook but doesn’t look like he can rip anyone off no mo
East Coast Music Mall was always a highlight to visit every year during Guitar Camp!!!
what about the forgery guitars he created ?
hush lol
Thank you so much to you TheToneKing for this "jewel" video . Here is what I remember here: honesty and the righteousness of a man who loves his job and who talks about it without compromise.
You're out of your mind. He's literally the most shady builder in America. When the only thing original on Dimebags "Dean" is the fingerboard. It ceases to be a Dean 😂
ua-cam.com/video/ERmzF7zmpvw/v-deo.htmlsi=L96Kxe15CUxn4ZpK
@@jonathanmosher72 The most shadiest ? So number one please : name me any "non-shady" manufacturers today with this type of quality, wherever they come from ? Then, compare their work with him , his workshop, his way of doing things and his vision of things. All this obviously in the context of the time. You're talking about Dean, whereas in the video, it's a group of hundreds or more guitars, some of which have become iconic through the ages. They were also made in different eras, and made under its own name or label or for other requests of different brands.
I bought a Firebird body from them after Ed was gone and they were selling off stock. Built a nice Jackson Firebird with it. It is a decent body.
You walk out of there Mind Racing over What to Buy Next. So many high quality instruments and history it was mind boggling. There were only a 1/2 dozen employee's working the day we went. A must do for anyone who loves guitars.
ua-cam.com/video/ERmzF7zmpvw/v-deo.htmlsi=L96Kxe15CUxn4ZpK
wish this vid showed more bc rich stuff! still good none the less.
Some things bother me about certain aspects of his guitars but all said and done, I'd buy one!
You'd think twice if Harmony-Central was still around so you could read user reviews of his guitars.
Cool. I went there once.
Thanks for sharing this TK ....I have an older Squier M 80 with an Ed Roman sticker on it , always wondered if they made them for Fender ?
My many hours of research led me to this place years ago when I had been searching for a neck for my acrylic mockingbird. Unfortunately I missed the boat and he was no longer alive :(
The shop still exists. You could always give them a call.
@@TimberMoto I have tried, never get a call back:(
@@chrisdigital Bummer. Have you checked sites like Warmoth? Always a chance you might find what you're looking for.
@@TimberMoto I did reach out to warmoth, they would not take on the job and were not very nice about it. I have actually reached out to them a few times in the last 10 years to no luck. Maybe someday I'll make one myself.
This is cool, he built some great stuff, to bad he did alot of shady stuff to. i love it when he says that he have stories about major companys pretending that they´ve build a model but they did not, because it came from Ed´s shop.. it makes me wonder, what brands and models could that be ?!
Is there a date for this video?
He was one of a kind. LOL
Looked strikingly like Kerry kings ear wig Dean hanging up there at first.
How old was this footage?
He was a something .. Do we know what happened to neck though dime guitar?
Maybe a follow up vid on what happened after he died
Ed was as they say something of a character. He wasn't a warm fuzzy person. I don't know if he ripped anyone off directly but I would like to know what exactly happened to my guitar that was in his store when he died cause it is gone now and obviously Ed and Star? are unavailable for comment.
Ed Roman was a scam artist.
Did they ever find out what happened to his daughter Lindsey?
I heard that, even though she inherited Ed's money, she was still hooking for drugs.
KDH told the truth about Ed.
How’s he doing?
Hes dead
@@Dillybar777 guess he didn’t want to sell guitars no mo
@@wilburwokeii8298 yup he cashed out lmao
Ed Roman died in December 2010, not long after this was filmed.
Ed Roman's original location was the best. The showroom was huge. I used to go there every so often. And then they moved a couple more times. I knew the guy who runs it now from way back when he worked at another shop across town. Can't recall his name at the moment. Been over a decade since I lived there.
Edit: His name is Scott. Super cool guy.
I remember when the Showroom was on Dean Martin Blvd. That is about 15 years ago.
@@claypoole702 Pretty sure that was the original one. Went there in the late 90s the first time.
I bought the Roman guitar from him in person at the shop in Las Vegas.. Super cool guy.. He gave me a tour of the place and let me plug in to a SLO 100 in the shop..
“The Ed Roman I have “
I wonder what became of the guys that ran Cinnamon Ridge Guitars...(pre-1990)
Most made in TJ Mexico
🤣😂😅
His business model was silly.
Ed Roman was the ultimate wannabe
Knock off BC Rich Guitars
He's a complete bullshit artist. "That's Dimegags guitar"..."It's a neck through body Dean" So, it's NOT a Dean anymore. If you have to build a new neck and body with pickup cavities, it ceases to be the same guitar 😅😅😅 It's like taking the transmission out of a Ferrari, putting it in a replica and saying it's still a "Ferrari"
Ed should be in prison for fraud
Scammer of scammers. A man that chopped 1958 Flying V in half and saw nothing wrong with it saying that it's still a '58...