Hidden Gems: Meet Roman Bulakhov of Epic Axes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Bulakhov.

Roman, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a guitarist originally from Ukraine, now based in Los Angeles. I’m a member of the well-known Ukrainian band Nervy and also a solo jazz/fusuon artist releasing instrumental music. Over the years I’ve toured extensively across Europe and the United States and have been involved in some projects within the LA music scene.

Being a working musician, guitars have always been a huge part of my life. Over time I developed a deep appreciation for vintage instruments, especially Japanese guitars from the 70s–90s. I’ve always been fascinated by their craftsmanship, character, and the stories behind them.

That passion eventually grew into something bigger. I started importing instruments from Japan and reselling them to other musicians and collectors. What began as a small operation quickly grew as more people became interested in these unique guitars.

Today that project has evolved into Epic Axes is a vintage guitar shop focused on carefully curated instruments that are not only collectible but also inspiring to play. As a musician myself, I approach every instrument from a player’s perspective. I care about every guitar the way a guitarist would, making sure each one is properly set up and ready for the stage or studio.

In many ways Epic Axes isn’t just a business, it’s my personal men’s cave that I get to share with other musicians.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was having to start over after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Before that I had already opened a guitar shop, but the war forced me to leave everything behind and begin a new chapter.

Moving to the United States meant rebuilding everything from scratch, new connections, new suppliers, and a completely new environment. Starting a business in a different country always comes with challenges, especially in the beginning.

When I first arrived, I started very small, importing guitars from Japan and reselling them from home. There were a lot of uncertainties at that stage, figuring out logistics, building trust with customers, and slowly growing inventory.

But those challenges also shaped the direction of the business. Step by step the project grew, and eventually it became what Epic Axes is today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Epic Axes is a vintage guitar shop based in Los Angeles focused on carefully curated instruments, with a strong emphasis on Japanese guitars from the 1970s–90s, a period many players consider the golden era of Japanese guitar manufacturing.

The shop itself is more than just a traditional guitar store. It’s an atmospheric private showroom where musicians can come in, spend time with the instruments, and really experience them. Visitors can play and test guitars through vintage amplifiers and explore instruments in a relaxed environment.

Behind the showroom we also have a workshop where we repair, restore, and professionally set up every instrument that comes through the shop. A big part of what we do is bringing great guitars back to life and making sure they are truly ready to be played.

The space also includes my personal studio where I practice, record, and work on new music. Because of that, Epic Axes is not just a store, it’s more like a guitar laboratory where instruments are constantly being played, tested, restored, and appreciated by musicians.

Epic Axes is a family project that my wife Maryna and I run together. While I focus on sourcing instruments, restoration, and the musical side of the shop, Marina handles the accounting, inventory organization, and photography of the guitars, and her support is a huge part of making everything work.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in a musical family, both of my parents are musicians, so music was always around me from a very early age. Naturally I started playing guitar and later went on to study music formally, graduating from a music college.

Like many musicians, I began by playing in cover bands and working as a session guitarist. Over time that led me to larger stages, performing and collaborating with some of the most popular artists in Ukraine. Those experiences helped shape me as a musician and gave me a lot of real-world stage experience.

Eventually I joined the band Nervy, where I’ve now been playing for over 12 years. Throughout that time I’ve continued touring, recording music, and developing my own voice as a guitarist.

Looking back, growing up surrounded by music and instruments naturally shaped the path I’m on today, both as a musician and as someone deeply connected to guitars themselves.

Pricing:

• Vintage guitars typically range from $900–$4,000 depending on model and condition
• Rare collectible instruments can go higher
• Professional setup included with every guitar
• Repair, restoration and maintenance services available
• Private showroom appointments available in Los Angeles

Contact Info:

• Website: https://epicaxes.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicaxes.us?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits
Tetiana Dudko @photodudka