Norm, absolutely LOVE the videos you do of your work at the Vintage Guitar shows throughout the country!! You're a class act, legend, and the best guitar scholar!
Probably one of the best reasons to buy from Norm vs going straight to the guitar shows is that with Norm you will get a genuine product (1:55 - 3:09) instead of taking the chance at a guitar show (unless of course you know and trust the seller already). Not to mention, just visiting his store and chatting with Norm and his staff. If the pro's go to him, that says enough.
Timmy was a sales guy at Guitar Trader in Red Bank,NJ when I was a teenager. Timmy loved my brother-in-law’s playing so when I would sell the “Fake Books” that money would go into great guitars. I purchased a 1958 and 59 from Guitar Trader then a 61’ SG Les Paul that I later sold to Tommy Doyle.
To the people bad mouthing Norm. Either you have never met the man, believe others or have never tried to make a deal. I've met him at the Dallas and Arlington guitar shows and he's very cordial as well as knowledgeable. Been to his store and on line. Don't see where his prices are high. The only thing I see high is the quality and inventory. He's a dealer so make a deal. If you don't like the price, go somewhere else.
Some beautiful guitars in the background. I was looking for a vintage SG custom... there a beautiful white Firebird at one point though. Lots of nice Rickie's too.
I've known Norman since he first came to California years ago. Of course all of these videos bring all the memories back as I now live on the East Coast in Maine. IMHO Norman IS a really good guy...........it simply is a matter of if you have the $$$$$ when you go into his shop really. Actually the incredibly cool guitars are not even seen at his shop. If you are in the rhealm (sp?) of the super connected and/or super wealthy his secret super super super stash is held at at a different location that is never disclosed to mortals like us. No it is NOT the secret stash that is listed on his website. Is it fair? In the world of the Hollywood elite I guess one could say that it is fair. And this is coming from somebody who lived in California for years and years and years and years..............WHICH IS WHY I don't live there anymore.............if you do give Norman a call and tell him ' hey you don't know me but I have this amount of $$$$$$ CASH right now AND I want this particular guitar he most likely does have it however YOU have to tell him that you HAVE the $$$$$ right at the moment you call him...........Norman IS honest however he is from Florida originally, had ALOT of bucks in the beginning from family money HOWEVER he IS a good guy to deal with IF and I SAY IF YOU HAVE THE $$$$$ as simple as that..............jim in Maine
He "doesn't know why he doesn't sign them" !! He doesn't sign them (the cheques) so he can sell them before he has to pay for them, that's why ! Where ever he can get away with it! Deft little businessman trick, there. That, along with being so lovely to each of them, reminding them how far they go back...and doing it all on camera is a nice touch, too, it keeps them on their best behaviour. But they are all seasoned business men there....a den of sharks...sharks with big toothy smiles from ear-to-ear ! (meant with no ill-feeling at all. Love ya, Norm! A legend!).
I've heard of Norman's, although I haven't been there yet. My only issue with some shops like that is they pay YOU nothing for your treasured guitar, and then you find out later they sold it for thousands. I liked it better in the old days, when they would sell it for you and just take a 20% commission. I understand why the pros shop there - they can afford it and when you can afford the best, why shouldn't you? It's the tools of your trade, and when you do something for a living, you should always get the best tools you can afford!
I too have never been to Normans, but I've heard about them since the 70's. He's a business man. Business is business. Sucks for us who can't afford it. Went to a Gibson show that was selling new, I said NEW, Gibsons for 30 grand. Talk about attempted rape!
I completely agree - no excuse for trying to get $30k for a new guitar unless it's something incredibly rare and special. I doubt that it is the case. I've heard a lot of people saying the Robert Johnson Gibson's (USA made) had shoddy craftsmanship with excessive glue oozing out of joints - stuff that should NOT be happening with a $3k NEW guitar!
Love Gibson. The highest of quality, except on rare occasion. Not even sure which multi-national conglamoration owns them now. My opinion is that they are going to price themselves out of the market. Most folks just can't afford it.
@6:05 they said they know nothing about that Bigsby guitar. if its an original, that guitar is a piece of history, the first ones preceded even the Esquire, i believe
I wish I was one of those lucky kids who got to inherit a '59 or '60 sunburst Les Paul, or a Hummingbird, maybe a 50's Telecaster, but, I'm not that fortunate. I'm 16 and the only musician in my family
Snake Plissken You're joking right? It's like an airplane hangar.There are people moving shit around, setting up stuff. Crashing and banging in that big echoey fucking space. You can't hear that going on?
Andy Dempster you realize he's a dealer that's payed for a booth, but left it empty, so he can get round and makes all the deals before the public are even allowed in, hence all the noise of the moving and setting up. Imagine the noise if the public were in there.
Some people can ignore things they don't give a shit about. Guess you are the type who can't efficiently process thought with extra noises. Lucky for the rest of us, it's like house noise or a fan and easy to ignore
+krusher74 Thanks for pointing that out; I was too busy looking at the guitars in the background to even clue in to that, lol. Sneaky old git, ain't he? That's actually rather brilliant, to pay for the booth just to get deals... he's probably working the cost of it into the prices he's paying. After the deals he makes the booth will have probably been free, lol
I realize Norm is one of highest profile dealers of great vintage guitars and must certainly have deep expertise in this area but this video shows absolutely nothing of interest . He imparts no specific info on any guitars, he doesn't talk specifics on pricing/buying / selling or market trends. All we see is him walking through the facility and saying hi to a few guys. It was about as interesting as watching him brush his teeth.
5:17 priceless smile right there.
I bought a couple of guitars from Norm's Rare Guitars in Reseda in the 80's. I know he's a drop dead honest guy.
I can watch norm doing his thing all day long...jeeez I wish I was at that guitar show...
Norm, absolutely LOVE the videos you do of your work at the Vintage Guitar shows throughout the country!! You're a class act, legend, and the best guitar scholar!
I much appreciate seeing this side of the trade thank you Norm you are a National Treasure sir
Probably one of the best reasons to buy from Norm vs going straight to the guitar shows is that with Norm you will get a genuine product (1:55 - 3:09) instead of taking the chance at a guitar show (unless of course you know and trust the seller already). Not to mention, just visiting his store and chatting with Norm and his staff. If the pro's go to him, that says enough.
Timmy was a sales guy at Guitar Trader in Red Bank,NJ when I was a teenager. Timmy loved my brother-in-law’s playing so when I would sell the “Fake Books” that money would go into great guitars. I purchased a 1958 and 59 from Guitar Trader then a 61’ SG Les Paul that I later sold to Tommy Doyle.
To the people bad mouthing Norm. Either you have never met the man, believe others or have never tried to make a deal. I've met him at the Dallas and Arlington guitar shows and he's very cordial as well as knowledgeable. Been to his store and on line. Don't see where his prices are high. The only thing I see high is the quality and inventory. He's a dealer so make a deal. If you don't like the price, go somewhere else.
you guys in the u.s are really lucky you can just go to a show like this and find all these old guitars there to buy!
Some beautiful guitars in the background. I was looking for a vintage SG custom... there a beautiful white Firebird at one point though. Lots of nice Rickie's too.
When I am in CA and when I am rich, I am gonna come there and pick up one of your 60s Stratocasters!!
Norm is the guitar GOAT .
When Norman goes for buy old guitars he takes with him two things.. except the blue shirt ! checkbook and a charming smile. both working .
The Bigsby pictured is one of the reissues authorized by Gretsch a few years back. Not nearly as rare as an original, but still pretty scarce.
I've known Norman since he first came to California years ago. Of course all of these videos bring all the memories back as I now live on the East Coast in Maine. IMHO Norman IS a really good guy...........it simply is a matter of if you have the $$$$$ when you go into his shop really. Actually the incredibly cool guitars are not even seen at his shop. If you are in the rhealm (sp?) of the super connected and/or super wealthy his secret super super super stash is held at at a different location that is never disclosed to mortals like us. No it is NOT the secret stash that is listed on his website. Is it fair? In the world of the Hollywood elite I guess one could say that it is fair. And this is coming from somebody who lived in California for years and years and years and years..............WHICH IS WHY I don't live there anymore.............if you do give Norman a call and tell him ' hey you don't know me but I have this amount of $$$$$$ CASH right now AND I want this particular guitar he most likely does have it however YOU have to tell him that you HAVE the $$$$$ right at the moment you call him...........Norman IS honest however he is from Florida originally, had ALOT of bucks in the beginning from family money HOWEVER he IS a good guy to deal with IF and I SAY IF YOU HAVE THE $$$$$ as simple as that..............jim in Maine
beautiful guitars at normans rare guitars!!
..enjoy your passion for guitars...
He "doesn't know why he doesn't sign them" !!
He doesn't sign them (the cheques) so he can sell them before he has to pay for them, that's why ! Where ever he can get away with it! Deft little businessman trick, there.
That, along with being so lovely to each of them, reminding them how far they go back...and doing it all on camera is a nice touch, too, it keeps them on their best behaviour.
But they are all seasoned business men there....a den of sharks...sharks with big toothy smiles from ear-to-ear ! (meant with no ill-feeling at all. Love ya, Norm! A legend!).
Guitar Heaven !
I grew up with Timm Kummer. Great guy and a true expert!
I've heard of Norman's, although I haven't been there yet. My only issue with some shops like that is they pay YOU nothing for your treasured guitar, and then you find out later they sold it for thousands. I liked it better in the old days, when they would sell it for you and just take a 20% commission.
I understand why the pros shop there - they can afford it and when you can afford the best, why shouldn't you? It's the tools of your trade, and when you do something for a living, you should always get the best tools you can afford!
I too have never been to Normans, but I've heard about them since the 70's. He's a business man. Business is business. Sucks for us who can't afford it. Went to a Gibson show that was selling new, I said NEW, Gibsons for 30 grand. Talk about attempted rape!
I completely agree - no excuse for trying to get $30k for a new guitar unless it's something incredibly rare and special. I doubt that it is the case. I've heard a lot of people saying the Robert Johnson Gibson's (USA made) had shoddy craftsmanship with excessive glue oozing out of joints - stuff that should NOT be happening with a $3k NEW guitar!
Love Gibson. The highest of quality, except on rare occasion. Not even sure which multi-national conglamoration owns them now. My opinion is that they are going to price themselves out of the market. Most folks just can't afford it.
Keep the videos coming!
Nice! Here's a nice 57 blond strat :
1957 Blond Strat - Sultans Of Swing - Mark Lovett
I like the old 56 accustic guitar. i was born born 56.. i like also Cadillac 56..
The "fair prices" comedy bit was fun
: / Its a miracle he wasn't struck by lightening
@6:05 they said they know nothing about that Bigsby guitar. if its an original, that guitar is a piece of history, the first ones preceded even the Esquire, i believe
I wish I was one of those lucky kids who got to inherit a '59 or '60 sunburst Les Paul, or a Hummingbird, maybe a 50's Telecaster, but, I'm not that fortunate. I'm 16 and the only musician in my family
Gibson please bring back the blanket , that was a cool functional little thing you used to do inside your cases , please bring it back .
I drooled the whole video is that a bad thing?
Norm, buy a microphone: can't hear shit except loud noise
First! Awesome job guys!
What was the guitar at 628?
Buy the Bigsby
4:47 Martin 0-15!?
Car boot sale ?
Norm's got a big bag of money around his neck in that bag
Should be re-named Norms rip-off guitars, have been to his shop you can get quality old guitars at most guitar shops at half the price!!
arknarton amazing how he is still in business!
The dude at 3:40 looks like Yngwie Malmstein. lol
3:14 can someone please tell me the name of that guitar?
It's a Gibson L5 custom.
Can't believe that no one else has mentioned the irritating background noise going on. So annoying and distracting, it was hard for me to watch.
what background noise?
Snake Plissken You're joking right? It's like an airplane hangar.There are people moving shit around, setting up stuff. Crashing and banging in that big echoey fucking space. You can't hear that going on?
Andy Dempster you realize he's a dealer that's payed for a booth, but left it empty, so he can get round and makes all the deals before the public are even allowed in, hence all the noise of the moving and setting up. Imagine the noise if the public were in there.
Some people can ignore things they don't give a shit about. Guess you are the type who can't efficiently process thought with extra noises. Lucky for the rest of us, it's like house noise or a fan and easy to ignore
+krusher74 Thanks for pointing that out; I was too busy looking at the guitars in the background to even clue in to that, lol.
Sneaky old git, ain't he? That's actually rather brilliant, to pay for the booth just to get deals... he's probably working the cost of it into the prices he's paying. After the deals he makes the booth will have probably been free, lol
I like blue shirts.. and places where evry man wears a blue shirt.. haha.. no problems if there are a view old and outdated guitars around..
I realize Norm is one of highest profile dealers of great vintage guitars and must certainly have deep expertise in this area but this video shows absolutely nothing of interest . He imparts no specific info on any guitars, he doesn't talk specifics on pricing/buying / selling or market trends. All we see is him walking through the facility and saying hi to a few guys. It was about as interesting as watching him brush his teeth.
Annoying wen he just hap hazardly handles those pieces.....I can smell the cheep cologne and cigarettes
Very true
Might not smell very good , but i doubt its cheap lol
Don't scratch the guitars with you man bag!!