Robben Ford Discussion

spatzi · Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 65

I'm in Canada. I don't think you can buy a Baker up here. I know Ford plays this, but what I want to know is who has the best deals on a Baker guitar? What model does Ford play exactly? Is Ed Roman in Vegas a good dealer? I see prices there for around a $1000 for a Baker stock. Anyone have any experience with these 'made by Ed Roman' Baker guitars? I would love to be able to try one out, but getting a hold of one in Vancouver is difficult. I need a new guitar, and I want to get as close to Ford's tone as possible, but don't want to spend more than $3000.

What's the weight on these guitars? The size of the neck? I prefer a Les Paul style neck, (smaller the better because my hands are small) but can't stand the weight of the guitar. I currently play a Steinberger just because it's easy to carry. No more heavy guitars for me. I was also looking into a Parker Mojo, but for the Ford tone, I'm sure the Baker will be better. The Parker costs about $3000 CAD. I like the feel of the Parker neck as well, and it's incredibly light. Any tips from you guys would be appreciated. I'm already going to order the Zen Drive pedal. Just need the guitar now.

AndyR · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:21 am Post subject: Don't do as Roman does...

Maybe you should buy an Ed Roman Steinberger copy...

Here's a couple of reviews:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Ed_Roman/GL_Steinberger_Copy-1.html

(WARNING! These reviews might be slightly "off-color")

Laughing

Andy

BlueRunner · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:47 am Post subject:

As Robben Ford continually grows and explores as a committed and hard-working musician and songwriter, it's tough to pin down any particular gear that will really help one in trying to reach one's interpretation of the "RF Sound."

For one thing, most folks who follow RF know that for the past year or more he's been getting the most on-stage mileage out of one or the other of his relatively new Les Pauls. I think it's been a while since he's played one of his Bakers on stage.

Second, the awful story about how Gene Baker went into bankruptcy and even lost his own name, and how Ed Roman bought his name from the Bankruptcy Trustee and now imports and sells these questionable "Baker" guitars, well ... if the producers of the new movie "Saw II" were worried that their film wasn't going to be scary or gory enough, they could always have gone out and gotten the rights to the Baker story.

spatzi: There are genuine Gene Baker guitars for sale out there, from lots of sources, some of them very close to the ones Robben's owned over the years. They're pricey, but for good reason. The two I've had a chance to hold were beautiful. But if you haven't already figured it out, you will soon: The "RF Sound" doesn't come from guitars, pedals, amps, cabs, etc. It comes from inside. And as none of us is actually Robben, one way to honor his music is by making it our own, with our own gear and our own voices (and in my case, in key signatures at least a full fourth lower than RF's).

Best of luck with your quest.
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- BlueRunner

bluenote · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:48 am Post subject:

check ou Johnny Z,s Baker for sale on this forum..its a beaut!!
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magic flight

spatzi · Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 65

Lol! Love that last line: "Ed Roman piss me off!" Classic. Well, that tells me all I need to know about Ed. I would never order a guitar online anyway without having a chance to try it out, but I figured there had to be a good reason they were so cheap. However, there are quite a few 'positive' reviews on harmany central regarding his 'Bakers'. What I should do is post a mp3 of myself playing a Ford track and let you guys tell me about the tone I'm getting. It's not really a Ford tone, and I would like to get closer to it. I have heard some other guy on this site who has a Baker and he sounds just like Ford, so obviously the guitar has something to do with it.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:49 am Post subject:

While the Baker I have for sale isn't a Robben Ford model, it's a true Gene Baker-built guitar. It's a California Hollowbody, one of only 8 or 9 that Gene built. Among it's many fine features is the '59 Les Paul neck which you seem to be fond of, and, it's within the price range you mentioned! Check out the photos, http://www.dhenderson.com/PhpImages/categories.php?cat_id=6, then contact me if you have further interest...
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Soul on Eleven

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:03 am Post subject:

I almost forgot to mention that if you need to have a Robben Ford model Baker, Bill Morgan has a beautiful black one for sale. You can find Bill in the latest Garth Webber thread...

A very important feature of my Baker that I almost forgot to mention is that the back of the headstock has Robben's autograph nicely signed in gold ink. And, Robben actually played it! And since, I've played it very little, so I'm sure there's plenty of Robben Residual Tone left in those strings! Very Happy

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Soul on Eleven

Michael · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

http://www.finetunedinstruments.com/html/Main_page.htm

What about ordering one up special from Gene?

Ian Hurtt · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject:

spatzi · Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 65

Thanks for that link. Good to see Gene is back in business. I really wish I could find this guitar and try it out before buying. Is there anything like it that's very similar? I can't find Bakers in Canada, and not even the Squire Esprit! No one even knows what I'm talking about when I say 'Have you heard of Baker guitars'?

So this RF model is stock? What is it going for and how long to get it once you place an order? Whats the weight?

Anyone planning on visiting Vancouver soon, who can bring their Baker along so I can at least try it? I'll buy you dinner! Smile

I really can't forsee spending 3 grand on a guitar without at least playing it first.

Ian Hurtt · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject:

spatzi · Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 65

Where is Gene located? Amazing as it seems, it may be that I actually have to fly to his shop to get a chance to even try this guitar out, but there's no way I'll just buy it without trying it first. At least I can use my airmiles.

Ian Hurtt · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject:

spatzi · Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 65

I just wrote to fineinstruments to get the details. If I have to go to California, I'll do it. Can anyone tell me how heavy the new RF model is going to be? I hope it's not Les Paul heavy, because that is too much weight for me.

I also contacted Al about ordering a Zen drive for $150. The Zen 2 is also available for $100 more. (waiting list) Does anyone know about or tested the Zen 2? Is it worth the extra hundred bucks for the tube? I already use a Tube works amp, so I'm not sure if I need to buy the Zen 2 or just stick with the Zen blues OD.

diatonicdude · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:13 am Post subject:

Hi Spatzi,

the zendrive 2 is talked about quite often on the GearPage forums, so I have posted a few links to get you started.

I personally love the ZD Blues OD, and don't need to even try the Zen 2 as it is everything I have been looking for. The only person I know (maybe our good Captain, Kirk95 too! (where are Captain, hope you are OK!!)) is Scott Lerner, who also frequents this board that has tried both. I believe he liked the Blues OD best, but had not necessarly had the last version of the Zen2 in his hands at the time.

I love the idea of selecting a valve to suit your taste, and I would think this is the only thing the Zen2 has over the ZD Blues OD?!! You wouldn't go wrong with the ZD Blues OD if you like the Dumble type tones.

Enjoy!

Cheer's,

DD

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&postid=910714&highlight=zen2#post910714

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=100793&highlight=zen2

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87457&highlight=zendrive2

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105698&highlight=zendrive2
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