Bass shops in Las Vegas

B String · #1 02-11-2006, 10:22 AM

I'm headed to Las Vegas next week. Not too much into
gambling. Any good places to check out basses in Las Vegas?

pulseczar · #2 02-11-2006, 10:27 AM

There's Ed Roman's place.

B String · #3 02-11-2006, 01:16 PM

I thought there were some problems with Ed Roman. Am
I wrong here, or mixing him up with someone else?

bassksun · #4 02-11-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B String

I thought there were some problems with Ed Roman. Am
I wrong here, or mixing him up with someone else?

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad VooDoo at Ed's !!!!

But they got the more unique stuff.

Pat's Desert Music-Personal Favorite
Rainbow and Lake Mead - Northwest Side
They are swell guys in there. Ibanez and a crap load of Fenders in there now. SWR amps and stuff.

Guitar Center and Sam Ash. Closer to the strip. Pawn Shop shopping is a fun alternative. You are likely to find better deals at the pawns. Of course there are 100's of them in Vegas.

I think TBer Adrian Garcia is playing in one of the shows on the strip.

Watcha lookin fer?

Dbassmon · #5 02-11-2006, 01:35 PM

Ed Roman is a very opinionated guy. Go to his site and read his rants. Is that a problem? Not for me. I appreciate somebody that has strong convictions and can articulate why he feels as he does on so many issues. He is the self proclaimed know-it-all on everything musical. I find him amusing. If that type of personality bothers you, don't pay attention to him. Besides that, he has quite a store. Tones of instruments to check out. Thats ideal when trying to search for a bass or amplification or whatever. I'll bet you have a blast in that store. Check it out and report back what a nut case Ed really is.

BurningSkies · #6 02-11-2006, 01:40 PM

I don't have a problem with Ed either. But then, I've never dealt with him on a personal level. I've ordered a few small things from his place and they came quickly and were fine.

He does have more stuff than most other shops, and he does talk a good game.

I believe that Ed could be difficult to bargain with, as he's a 'businessman' in the ultimate sense.

bassksun · #7 02-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbassmon

Ed Roman is a very opinionated guy. Go to his site and read his rants. Is that a problem? Not for me. I appreciate somebody that has strong convictions and can articulate why he feels as he does on so many issues. He is the self proclaimed know-it-all on everything musical. I find him amusing. If that type of personality bothers you, don't pay attention to him. Besides that, he has quite a store. Tones of instruments to check out. Thats ideal when trying to search for a bass or amplification or whatever. I'll bet you have a blast in that store. Check it out and report back what a nut case Ed really is.

I sincerely hope he has a better experience in there than I've had. Yes, Ed rants in real life too. At his employees, at his customers but not at Rock Stars and folks with lotsa loot.

alanbass1 · #8 02-11-2006, 01:48 PM

I read in the Univalve forum that someone went along to Ed's store when he was in Vegas and was turned away as he did not have an appointment. I can't vouch as to whether the story was true, but it might not be a bad idea to call ahead just in case.

Dbassmon · #9 02-11-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassksun

I sincerely hope he has a better experience in there than I've had. Yes, Ed rants in real life too. At his employees, at his customers but not at Rock Stars and folks with lotsa loot.

You know this going into his place... He's a ranter. But he does have quite a esoteric collection of instruments and after all, you are there to check out the bass porn not have polite conversation with Ed.

bassksun · #10 02-11-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbassmon

You know this going into his place... He's a ranter. But he does have quite a esoteric collection of instruments and after all, you are there to check out the bass porn not have polite conversation with Ed.

True. He has one of everything. It is like going to guitar heaven.

Unless you are as lucky as I was to get there when Eddy was on one of his *shotgun* rants. No one was safe. Maybe he dropped his Harley that day or something. Or the way I am consistently treated for asking questions by the salesmen....

Also, this a *local's* perspective. A little skewed maybe. Other local players and I have shared bad stories. I can take or leave Ed, his instruments, his rants and his store. So, to be fair Db, someone else's one time visit may be great and I hope it is. Also, to be fair, there are other stores Vegas where folks are willing to negotiate, let you play whatever they have in stock and are downright friendly.

Peace

Edwcdc · #11 02-11-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanbass1

I read in the Univalve forum that someone went along to Ed's store when he was in Vegas and was turned away as he did not have an appointment. I can't vouch as to whether the story was true, but it might not be a bad idea to call ahead just in case.

When I was there I walked right in with no appointment and I'm nobody.

ArwinH · #12 02-11-2006, 02:58 PM

I walked in to ed's store without an appointment as well.
When I was there he had a few basses out in the showroom, one of his model j basses, a refinished 60's p bass, ksd jazz, and jerry jones, some others as well.
However, he mentioned a showroom in the back that held the majority of their high end bass stock. There was a $100 dollar charge to check the stuff out, refundable if you bought an instrument. I didn't check it out because although I could have maed a purchase, I wasn't that interested because I was in search of an amp mroe than a bass at that point. I believe he has moved to a new location since then though, so I don't know if it's the same deal. The reason they had that charge was because, as a business that deals mroe on the internet, they wanted to keep the gear in tip top shape.
If I had to do it again, I'd rather take the opportunity to hear Adrian Garcia play in hairspray

Dave Hill · #13 02-11-2006, 03:29 PM

I went into Ed Romans and put my hands on Alembics, Ritters, Lincs, King uprights, and a bunch of other stuff (100 Fenders). Every one of them had dead strings and poor setups. But, I did not have to make an apointment, and no one charged me at the door. No one ranted at me either.

ArwinH · #14 02-11-2006, 03:49 PM

Dave, did you go recently?
As I said, I went right before they moved into a new location. It was two years ago, so i assume they've dropped that charge since moving based on your account.

Dave Hill · #15 02-11-2006, 04:08 PM

I just went last Oct.

adrian garcia · #16 02-11-2006, 04:16 PM

you will be fine if you to to Ed Roman's- i have been a customer there myself and no issues.
I am sorry I don't have much in the way of things to check out, recent issues and being busy gigging have kept from being more active in the bass selling business, but hey, if you get suckered ( er, i mean, if you are fortunate enough ) I can be heard and briefly seen playing in "Hairspray" at the Luxor. have a great trip and great time in Vegas!

angelboy · #17 02-21-2006, 07:14 AM

I've just been and to be honest I don't think I'd ever buy anything from them.
I've personally had a pretty poor experience with them and when you're talking spending $5000-$6000 I'd have expected the man himself to make an appearance instead of hiding in his office and passing messages back and forth between the sales guy.
He was pretty rude to me on the phone when I called up but I put it down to him having an off day. Obviously not!

Needless to say my business and my $6000 went elsewhere.