The Best Buck I Ever Spent....

[BigB]

I recently did business with Roman Rist over at Rist guitars and i wanted to share the experience with you all. I have a Gibson LP Standard that i wanted to do some mods to. At the time the only thing i had in mind was to replace the pickups and was still up in the air about anything beyond that. I spoke to Roman and he told to come on down and see him and we would discuss the possibilities. So the journey begins...When i arrive I notice a funny sign I though you'd all get a kick out of.


After spending about an hour with Roman and hearing his suggestions I chose the following Mods......

This is what i started with....


First Roman did a complete set up on the neck working his magic on the fretboard. Every one is so smooth. You can literally run your fingers across the entire board and not find a ripple/flaw anywhere. He also rounded the edge of the binding on the neck (this is my favorite mod of all). When i tried to play a "D" chord and mute the low "E" I would end up muting the high "E" at the same time and HATED that. Totally gone gone now. He also suggested changing out the plastic nut with a bone nut as it would add to the tone and well...Just make it that much more custom.


Next we decided to switch out the bridge for Romans "Ultimate Bridge". He explained to me how much stronger it was and how much more sustain it would add. I was sold.


Finally the last mod we made came from Will Boggs over at WB Pickups. I wasn't real happy with "Busrtbucker Pros". The highs we're just too high for me. We went with Wills ********** and I gotta tell ya that I couldn't be happier. Will nailed the sound I was looking for with nothing more than my description of what sound I wanted over the phone.


To conclude this review I must say that I am overwhelmed by the outcome. The skill of Roman Rist is simply amazing. The feel of the guitar, the way it plays and most importantly the tone is incredible. The WB pickups we're exactly what I was looking for. In talking to Roman i couldn't help myself and had to ask. "So how does this compare to a Gibson Custom Roman?"...His reply was...."it's better". Now i won't step on his toes by discussing his prices but I can tell you this. If you buy a Gibson LP Standard and take it to Rist Guitars you will have a guitar that is better than a custom and save loads of money.


Roman Rist....Will Boggs......

[Roman]

Just putting in the love that Gibson "forgot". Glad you are pleased!

Roman

[Roman]

Guess who this is.

[61LPSG]

Originally Posted by RFR

Guess who this is.

[diceman]

Very cool. I can't wait until my guitars and I get back to that part of the country!

[bildozr]

That sounds like a beast of a guitar.
Roman, Do you have a bridge with a rolling saddle setup?
Because mine is a real piece and never returns to pitch when i use my bigsby because the saddles stick.
I'd use it a lot more if not for that. Its more like a fancy ornament.
Someone told me to lube it and it did not do a thing.

[Harpozep]

Glad to hear this. An expert luthier is worth whatever he wants. Pricless in many ways.

Plus you take some fine photos there. Glad yer diggin' yer axe!

Originally Posted by BigB

Roman Rist....Will Boggs......

Roman Rocks! I just roll....... I am glad you like!

[shotgunlew]

Originally Posted by *********

Roman Rocks! I just roll....... I am glad you like!

Will my brother, Hows things goin man? I havent talked to you in a few weeks, Gimme a call man if ya wanna talk bro! I miss our heavy metal conversations!


As far as roman goes, hes building my guitar right now, you should check out the thread! hes the best in the bussiness, between Will , Roman and greg, You wont find better people anywhere in the world!

chris

[Dr-Mike]

I have been going to Roman since the hair band days.

He has built a bunch of instruments for me, including my last Korina V.

Recently he set up my Murphy R9, and wow it does make a difference having him set up your guitar.

I thought my Murphy played great untill he last came over the house.

He was trying out one of my new amps and I gave him the Murphy to use.

He only played it for 5 minutes then picked up another guitar.

I asked him, you don't like the les Paul? He said no, it plays like shit.

All this time I thought it was great!

So I gave it to him and he did a bone nut, fret dress and rolled the binding.........OMG, what a difference!!

He truly puts in the love that Gibson doesn't!!

Mike

[loaded six string]

We need to convince roman to start making house calls

[BCRGreg]

Roman is the brother I never knew that I had.

[Wolf Child]

This might be the first, no, second time I wish I lived back east instead of California as I'm starting to realize my "luthier" set my VOS up like shit!

[BCRGreg]

Roman's in Ellay.

[Roman]

Awww shucks. guys.

Seriously though, all I do is pay attention to detail, something the factories do not have the luxury of time to do.


Most, no, ALL of the of the new factory LPs I have seen are in need of love. the frets are not level, and they are most certainly not close to being round.

They tend to be a bit more square in shape.


As far as the fingerboards, inlays and binding, they are scraped at the factory. This leaves plenty of scraper marks that look like ridges.

The rosewood is very dry as a general rule and not smooth.

The binding edges are sharp.

It is stuff like this that gets addressed..............and what ever else the instrument needs. I just do what the factory doesn't.

Roman

[Wolf Child]

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

Roman's in Ellay.

How bout that. I thought you two worked together.

Be calling him soon. Thanks for catching my mistake.

BTW, great youtube vids.

[decoy205]

Originally Posted by RFR

Awww shucks. guys.

Seriously though, all I do is pay attention to detail, something the factories do not have the luxury of time to do.


Most, no, ALL of the of the new factory LPs I have seen are in need of love. the frets are not level, and they are most certainly not close to being round.

They tend to be a bit more square in shape.


As far as the fingerboards, inlays and binding, they are scraped at the factory. This leaves plenty of scraper marks that look like ridges.

The rosewood is very dry as a general rule and not smooth.

The binding edges are sharp.

It is stuff like this that gets addressed..............and what ever else the instrument needs. I just do what the factory doesn't.

Roman

I think even my plek'd guitar the frets are very square and not smooth. It makes sliding kind hurt after a while.