JET and Jaros

[soulsoothin]

Hi all,

Wondered if anyone would like to weigh in on JET guitars and Jaros Guitars. While I have heard great things about JET guitars the hype is usually carried on by Ed Roman -- whom I read positve and very negative comments about. On the other hand the Jaros Guitar has a long 3/4 neck tenon which aids in the overall sound of the guitar -- an option not found on the JET. Just wondered if anyone has any thoughts to share on these boutique guitars. Thanks.

[carson072]

Both look like very high quality guitars, I'd like to hear what some owners think as well. Shame that everyone lumps anything on the Ed Roman site into the crap category, I've always respected his site and really he's been a very innovative seller in terms of using the internet and supporting small builders.

[fearhk213]

I haven't played a Jaros, but I have a Jet. The Jet is amazing and is most definitely not hype. It's in that league of guitars where one isn't better than the other just suited to ones tastes better. It's a very loud, resonant guitar with an overall very even tone (though a slight lean towards the bright side). As far as its tone goes, I imagine there isn't much it couldn't do extremely well. It also has some of the best upper fret access. Definitely worth your time checking out.

[Fredrocks]

I've never played a Jaros, but I too own a JET. Everytime I play it I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. My face always hurts after a while too: I can't stop smiling like an idiot. I know this sounds like crap, but this guitar is just amazing. You can play just about any style on it too. It may be a little bright sounding for some, but all you have to do is turn the tone knob a little: problem solved. Seriously, you can't go wrong with a JET. Try it, you'll LOVE it. By the way, I bought mine from Ed, and I didn't have any problems with him at all.
:RoCkIn

[Jet149]

Just thought I should chime in and back what the other Jet owners are saying. fearhk213 was right about them not being all hype, these guitars are the best I've ever tried. I own a Earlewood and Caldera, now all of my other guitars just stay in the case. I used to be afraid to play them due to fear of dinging or scratching a very exspensive guitar. Not anymore, these babies were made to be played and not kept in a glass case. If you've got the $$$ do yourself favor and pick one up. New they are quite pricey but they do pop on ebay for a fair price at times. I bought one from Ed also and he was cool with me. I've never played a Jaros either so I can't comment.
Good Luck!

Randy @ infinityguitars has a new Caldera (#325) that is just killing me!
http://infinityguitars.com/jet_inventory.html

[gbnguitars]

I heard a lot of bad things about Ed Roman but I played his Quicksilver model when I was in Vegas.

I have never been that into PRS guitars but the Quicksilver was pretty amazing, although not my type of guitar. Also, I found Ed to be a pretty decent guy. I was honest about being a small builder and he was hospitable and asked me to play a bunch of his stuff.

People online are sometimes hash and I expected the worst when I went to the store and was really surprised at how cool everyone was.

[Marty s Horne]

I played a Jaros once, I think it was called a Bluesman or something like that. It was well made and had a nice tone similar to a PRS Custom.

[robbph37]

I sure you all may have had a good experience with Ed but most of the positive comments I see are from fairly new members. Many long time mebers on this site have had much different experiences. I am sure he does a good deal once in awhile. Almost forgot I do agree that Jet is a quality guitar. I hear great things about them and yes that single cut is very nice! He does great finish work and has some of the best color choices available!

[Fredrocks]

Originally Posted by robbph37

I sure you all may have had a good experience with Ed but most of the positive comments I see are from fairly new members. Many long time mebers on this site have had much different experiences. I am sure he does a good deal once in awhile. Almost forgot I do agree that Jet is a quality guitar. I hear great things about them and yes that single cut is very nice! He does great finish work and has some of the best color choices available!

I have some very nice high-end guitars, and I bought my best from Ed Roman, my JET, with no problems. You state that "Many long time members on this site have had much different experiences." I have seen nothing but rumor and inuendo in my readings thus far. As an example: Kalalau Hiker spoke ill of Ed and stated that "he has too many friends that have been ripped off by" Ed. He said one of his friend's was ripped off when he bought a Jaros from Ed, because Ed's "guy's" built it and Ed did not inform him of this. (Ed stated this in his website, so I don't know how he missed it.) Later, though, Kalalau Hiker admits that he has never even dealt with Ed, and his friend loves the Jaros. I wonder how many of his friends were "ripped off " by Ed before they devloped a consensus? Then there is singlemania that bought his JET from Ed also:"a tremendous guitar." Singlemania says that Ed "is a little bit of a douche" and "to be careful if you deal with him." However, in the same post he states that "he didn't deal with [Ed] all that much." Further, he states that since there is so much crap on the internet "there must be some truth behind the rumors." Now that is wonderful logic: if there is enough crap on the internet it must be true.
I think if you look, you will find that there are those that are quite pleased with Ed's products as well. For instance PanamaCZ, a long time member, who has purchased at least 7 high end guitars from Ed, and like me, he likes them very much.
I don't know if you got "ripped off" by Ed, but so far the vast majority of the people complaining about him either haven't even dealt with him or are like the guy that complained about JET necks being too narrow: he couldn't do bends on the high and low e strings, because the strings came off the fret board. Hmmmm. I bet he's a great guitar player.

[Tommy Tourbus]

i've dealt w/ed and can vouch for the fact that he is indeed a douche

[dookie]

I've owned a Jaros that I thought was the shiz... It just came down to the fact that I needed to thin the herd and I have guitars that I favored more...

I actually stopped wanting to play it because I thought it was just too pretty... I did have problems at first when selling it due to the fact that Ed Roman was involved with it... Otherwise, I thought the guitar itself was great...

[johnnybrulez]

Originally Posted by Fredrocks

I have some very nice high-end guitars, and I bought my best from Ed Roman, my JET, with no problems. You state that "Many long time members on this site have had much different experiences." I have seen nothing but rumor and inuendo in my readings thus far. As an example: Kalalau Hiker spoke ill of Ed and stated that "he has too many friends that have been ripped off by" Ed. He said one of his friend's was ripped off when he bought a Jaros from Ed, because Ed's "guy's" built it and Ed did not inform him of this. (Ed stated this in his website, so I don't know how he missed it.) Later, though, Kalalau Hiker admits that he has never even dealt with Ed, and his friend loves the Jaros. I wonder how many of his friends were "ripped off " by Ed before they devloped a consensus? Then there is singlemania that bought his JET from Ed also:"a tremendous guitar." Singlemania says that Ed "is a little bit of a douche" and "to be careful if you deal with him." However, in the same post he states that "he didn't deal with [Ed] all that much." Further, he states that since there is so much crap on the internet "there must be some truth behind the rumors." Now that is wonderful logic: if there is enough crap on the internet it must be true.
I think if you look, you will find that there are those that are quite pleased with Ed's products as well. For instance PanamaCZ, a long time member, who has purchased at least 7 high end guitars from Ed, and like me, he likes them very much.
I don't know if you got "ripped off" by Ed, but so far the vast majority of the people complaining about him either haven't even dealt with him or are like the guy that complained about JET necks being too narrow: he couldn't do bends on the high and low e strings, because the strings came off the fret board. Hmmmm. I bet he's a great guitar player.

I agree. Ed gets a bad rap because of his big mouth and that he insults the big 3 constantly (PRS, GIBBY, AND FENDER) so you're gonna get some bad press. I am sure most of those who deal w/ him come away happy regardless of how much he talks. I own a J Frog and I think its pretty damn sweet.

I played a Quicksilver and it was a great great great player. The JET guitars looked amazing too. Almost too amazing.

I do think he is kinda pricey though. (PRS and Gibby are too...) And his resale value.. as some have stated is shit because of his reputation. I think he prices ridiculously and its not the best bang for the buck... but there's some quality stuff coming out of his store for sure.

[Fredrocks]

The price list for the JETs is the same. It isn't ER. If you go to Infinity Guitars you'll see the same prices. http://www.infinityguitars.com/jet_price_list.html
Actually the price list Ed has on his site is last year's, but the funny thing is when you price them out they are about the same. I think that the arrogance displayed by many of those that are very knowlegable in their field can be annoying, but if they can back it up I guess you have to put up with it. I think Eddie Van Halen would be a good example of this individual: have you seen some of the stuff he has said in guitar magazine articles. Humility definately ain't one of his virtues. Like you said, Ed has some killer guitars, and I'd say his attitude is a small price to pay for the what you can get from his shop: many of the guitars can't be found anywhere else. I guess those that don't like him can be thankful that he doesn't come with the guitars he sells.

[BIGGERSTAFF]

What about talking up a builder as the best thing since sliced bread, but when that builder didn't kow tow, or put a feature that Ed wanted, then they mysteriously transformed into crap in his estimation.

[Fredrocks]

I would say the ego could come into play on that one. However, if it were a builder that ER helped out when he was small and unheard of, such as a Paul Reed Smith, and or someone that sold a large volume of guitars because of ER, then it would simply make good business sense to kowtow to him: at least to some degree. Like they say, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. Could you be more specific as to whom you are referring? This really has no bearing on buying a quality guitar from his store anyway does it?