SOLD - Ed Roman Quicksilver – PRS Style – USA 2004

SOLD

Ed Roman was an American luthier and retailer who built a reputation as a larger than life figure in the music industry, initially as go-to man for professional studio gear and later for the one-stop rock 'n' roll shop he ran, which stocked everything from rare guitars, to pyrotechnics and stage props.

Originally a musician and motorcycle mechanic, Roman got his start in the guitar world in 1975, when he lent a friend who owned a guitar shop $15,000 and received a large stock of Fenders and Gibsons in exchange. His friend couldn't pay him back, so Roman started selling the instruments off by mail order.

In the years that followed Roman built a mini-empire for himself, and eventually launching his own guitar brands. It was fairly common knowledge that Ed designed his Quicksilver guitars to compete with Paul Reed Smith’s Custom 24. And there is no doubt that compete he did, often promoting his guitars as “PRS Beaters”. Mr Roman left us a few years ago, but the legacy of his desire to build “the world’s best guitars” continues.

Over the years Ed built instruments for an impressive list of guitarists including Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, Leslie West, Keith Urban and Denny Laine of Wings.
 
From Roman Guitars – “Quicksilvers are all custom guitars - no two of them are alike. The Quicksilver comes stock with premium tonewoods, electronics, hardware, fingerboard woods and masterbuilt workmanship. Our Directly Coupled Neck and pickup construction is standard on every Quicksilver, though you have a choice of set-neck construction at no extra charge. Quicksilver's most popular competitor does not offer binding anywhere while we offer full binding and purfling. The Quicksilver will easily stand up to any guitar on the market to within 3 times its price. The Ed Roman Quicksilver model is a complex and rich sounding instrument that produces unique (but familiar) timbres. Because of the switching and coil splitting it can do glassy Stratocaster like parts and also scream like a great Les Paul. The Roman Quicksilver is a guitar with its own personality.”

This Quicksilver features a solid contoured Korina body with solid carved Spalted Maple top with gorgeous wood grain in natural finish.

Features –
Body: Korina with Spalted Maple Cap
Neck: Macassar Ebony
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony

Inlays: Dots
Neck Thickness: .80" @ 1st /.91″ @ 12th
Nut Width: 1 11/16″
Scale: 25″
Frets: Med Jumbo
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
Tuners: Sperzel Locking
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Black Backs
Controls: Vol (Push/Pull Split), Tone (Push/Pull Split), 3-Way Toggle
Colour: Natural
Hardware: Gold

Weight: 8.5 lbs

This guitar feels like substantial piece of gear – the materials are high quality, the fit and finish is excellent, the controls & switches feel strong, the neck has a great feel with a fast, low action. The frets are dressed beautifully, and remain in great condition. All Quicksilvers are hand finished, and this one certainly feels that way.

The pickups are sweet, and the switching options present plenty of tonal opportunities – all very useable. The sound resonates beautifully through the body with plenty of sustain and an overall richness to the sound. The neck is extremely comfortable and suitable for any playing style.

This Roman Quicksilver was bought new as a special one-off order by its one owner in 2004. It has lived most of its life in its substantial flight case and left the house only a few times.

It remains in excellent, as new condition. Anyone considering a top end PRS, Fender/Gibson Custom Shop, or Super Strat style guitar would be well advised to consider this instrument.

Comes in its original (very expensive) Grundorf aluminium case in new condition.