Roland Hernandez: Suzy Homemaker?

By now, we've all heard about the controversial conversation between Rols and Michael Anthony. I'm not looking to dredge up all the bad feelings generated by that meeting and its aftermath, but Rols deserves a place to state his side of the story. Plus, I really want one of his guitars. The following is the text of an IM conversation I had with him last night.

Oh, and by the way, don't worry - by the time you're done reading this, the title will make sense.
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MchllWms: So Rols, tell me about meeting Michael Anthony....

rollynme: well, I went to a Bonnspeed opening, it was only about 2 miles from my house so I couldn't pass up the chance

MchllWms: naturally

rollynme: I went there just to say hi and find out about the band

MchllWms: and what did you find out?

rollynme: well I stood back from him most of the night just listening to other people ask him questions, they all asked him "the" question. and he said the same thing to each of them. then later in the night when the crowd went down I went up to him and told him I was a big fan and asked what was going on with the band

MchllWms: what did he say?

rollynme: he said the same thing to me as all the others, he said "we are gonna have a CD out in the spring and probably tour before that"

MchllWms: those were his exact words?

rollynme: yes they were, then I asked who was singing and he said "Dave is going to do it this time." also exact words. then he addded that the lawyers held everything up. you could imagine my excitment. I was ready for a new CD, ya know?

MchllWms: Is there any possibility that he was kidding? Saying what he thought people wanted to hear? Maybe he's been bothered by people asking him "the question" for so long, finally he just got fed up and said whatever came to mind? I'm grasping at straws here.....

rollynme: well I really can say he was sounding honest to me, it is a possibility though. no one that night was really hounding him. he was moving about freely

MchllWms: Did he laugh when he said it, or otherwise give any indication that maybe he wasn't serious?

rollynme: no he was very serious, he also told another person there about working with Sammy again. he said that the same way

MchllWms: Well, as it turns out, he IS working with Sammy again, isn't he?

rollynme: yes that is true isn't it. no reason to believe he was kidding, something probably fell through again

MchllWms: yeah, that would have to be the case. If they were supposedly going to tour BEFORE spring, they would have already started by now

rollynme: yes I think something happened again, I don't think he'd BS us like that

MchllWms: Nah, I don't think he would either.

rollynme: that wouldn't be funny

MchllWms: What were Brad's exact words regarding that? I don't remember. I have a theory. Well, HAD a theory anyways.....lol

rollynme: I went out on a limb to report what I heard and Brad said "Bullshit "

MchllWms: he said more than that

rollynme: well yes he did. he said Mike denied it. I doubt Brad even talked to him

MchllWms: oh he talked to him alright. my theory was this....

rollynme: well you know what I mean, standard denial

MchllWms: well, shit, never mind, my theory sucks now lol

rollynme: oh was that your theory??

MchllWms: I don't know WTF to think anymore to tell you the truth. I just don't see any of you as being the bad guy in all this

rollynme: I don't either. thanks, I appreciate that, I didn't make it up. it's frustrating being a VH fan

MchllWms: That's certainly something we can all agree on

rollynme: And I was not trying to get publicity for my Guitar Business. I don't need it

MchllWms: That would be a stupid way to get publicity anyways

rollynme: yes it would, "oh yes he's the Bullshitter"

MchllWms: hehe

rollynme: I do know that Mike kept on saying the same things even later down the road

MchllWms: This WAS my theory: Mike made it up as he went along, thinking everyone would know it was a joke. The next day, after you posted the story, Brad asked him what the deal was. Mike said, "Oh man, that was bullshit" meaning he just made it up. Brad turned around and repeated him, saying, "It's bullshit" which made it seem like he was calling you a liar

rollynme: that could be true but this is Brad we are talking about

MchllWms: I have nothing against Brad. Sorry. He's not a bad guy when you get to know him. And I'm not saying that's the way it went down. That was just my theory at the time....

rollynme: well I don't know him other than from the net since about 96' now. it's too bad he's the official dude cause he has his hands tied

MchllWms: Yep

rollynme: I honestly would not take that job. I would tell them what they need to change and if they kept doing what they are doing now I'd quit I really would. they need to change their online status badly

MchllWms: They need to do something, that's for sure. But who knows what's going on behind closed doors

rollynme: true, it could all happen tomorrow. wanna talk guitars?

MchllWms: sure. How did you get started making the replica guitars?

rollynme: well in about 95-96' ish me and a friend decided we wanted an EVH 5150 guitar so we started looking all over for one, the cheapest we came across was $2000 and I crapped my pants. So I decided to make my own. And here I am.

MchllWms: had you ever done anything like that before?

rollynme: nope, but I'm a woodworker and I have been playing since I was ten so I knew I could do it, I got all the books and bugged the hell out of the local luthiers. my first one was crap though

MchllWms: do you still have that original guitar?

rollynme: it's actually kind of funny. I had no idea what I was doing. I sold it for $200 or something like that

MchllWms: lol...I'd love to see it

rollynme: I'll send it to ya



Compare it to this one from last year (click to see full size images)


MchllWms: How long does it take to do one?

rollynme: if I could sit down and work on nothing but that it would take about 2 weeks but..I have a real job and a family so my build times are ungodly slow (someone out there is saying "no shit"

MchllWms: So say someone orders a guitar from you.....how long before it's actually in their hands?

rollynme: right now it's 3 months or more to get one. *but* it's pretty much a clone of the real thing right down to the same scratches

MchllWms: do you actually build the guitars or just paint existing ones?

rollynme: both, if someone wants to send me one to convert I will but I prefer to build totally custom. I would also like to mention that the knowledge that I have on VH guitars comes with a lot of help from a guy named Jerry Lica

MchllWms: who's Jerry Lica?

rollynme: you can see his work on unchained world II website, he's been building these for years before me. I will have my own line out though I'm working on it now.

MchllWms: Did you have to get permission from Eddie to do these guitars?

rollynme: no I haven't, no one has permission to do them but they are all over. about ten sites do them

MchllWms: Can I have one? lol

rollynme: I don't have any to give!!! all of them are gone I need to make some for me

MchllWms: greedy bastard lol just kidding

rollynme: I used to have 12. I think now I'm down to 6

MchllWms: well I don't have ANY

rollynme: I take pride in making tham as close to the real thing as possible, want people to think they have a real one ya know.

MchllWms: Yeah

rollynme: I get kind of ridiculous sometimes though

MchllWms: how so?

rollynme: going to the bank and asking for 1971 quarters

MchllWms: HA!

rollynme: they go "huh??"
rollynme: just a handful thank you

MchllWms: lol, only a diehard VH fan would know about that

rollynme: yea and they always ask "what for?"

MchllWms: do you tell them?

rollynme: too hard to explain

MchllWms: lol, they'd probably REALLY think you're nuts then

rollynme: yes they do, or getting a turnbuckles for the shark. taking a guitar into home depot so I can get the perfect size

MchllWms: hehehe

rollynme: and it's such a piece of shit cosmetically. Just like the franky. I say I build guitars and then they see that thing...

MchllWms: lol...and they think "oh man, he sucks"

rollynme: yep, I don't know what to say

MchllWms: that's too damn funny

rollynme: cause it actually takes twice as long to purposely fuck one up

MchllWms: and you have to fuck it up right. I'd never thought about it that way

rollynme: I try to explain but it's impossible

MchllWms: No doubt. have you ever got lucky and ran into a VH fan on one of these shopping trips?

rollynme: yes but only still a select few know about the details. so anyway I offer down-to-the-scratch replicas for quite a bit less than others and that was my intention

MchllWms: cool. how much are we talking about?

rollynme: my guitars are $1100 with a hardcase , you can get them cheaper elswhere but they are nowhere near as close. I really don't make that much, each one is done by me no one else

MchllWms: nah, that's totally reasonable considering how much work you put into it and how long it takes....and what a cool finished product it is

rollynme: I also helped Musicyo (new Kramer supplier) www.musicyo.com design their new 1984 Kramer. It's a copy of Ed's 5150 without the stripes. It's coming out real soon and people will love it. They are doing a sealed body only
version so people can paint them how they want. Go to www.musicyo.com and look under "whats up doc" and you'll get all the info.

MchllWms: Can I have one of those?

rollynme: LOL

MchllWms: Hey, you can't blame me for tryin' Do you know if Eddie has seen your work?

rollynme: I think so, he didn't like me having a picture of a freind of mine holding his real guitar

MchllWms: huh? how did your friend get his hands on Ed's guitar?

rollynme: I know a guy who knows them, I had a picture of him holding Ed's striped wolfgang telling how much alike mine are to his

MchllWms: oh

rollynme: and he got a nasty gram and I had to remove it

MchllWms: yikes

rollynme: before the lawyers asked me to

MchllWms: so he didn't say anything, good or bad, about your guitars? just to remove the pic of his?

rollynme: no, I have no idea. and he had his personal manager ask

MchllWms: well, that's gotta tell you something...your guitars must be really good to have even gotten his attention

rollynme: you know actually there is no way I know if he even did see them, it could have just been his manager. but yea I'll take it as a compliment

MchllWms: is there anything else you'd like to discuss? And if you have anything in mind you'd like me to use for a title.....

rollynme: I think we did good...I can't think of a title.....suzy homemaker...I do this in my playroom and garage LOL

MchllWms: lol

rollynme: well I have to go and start another guitar

MchllWms: for me???? awww, how sweet

rollynme: lol, see ya

MchllWms: see ya, and thanks

rollynme: thank you too


www.rolsguitars.com