@@GCKelloch which is why i think tone wood matters, despite the heated debate. I think it being hardtail has a lot to do with it being so resonate too.
I'm one of those guys that thinks tone wood doesn't make much a diff. Perhaps when unplugged but who plays a strat unplugged? Hardly anyone that's who. This is a argument better fit for acoustic guitars honestly. That's when tone wood matters most. I could blind test you guys all day with a guitar with fresh wood vs a guitar with aged dried wood and you fuckers would fuck up A LOT and fail to tell which one is which. In my honest opinion... Strings, your skill, your amp, how well the guitar is built for tuning stability/str8 neck, and a few personal prefs like fret size, nut width, neck shape etc etc all define how well you will sound. And can't forget the pick ups. A good amp can make shit pick ups sound good but you should still want good pick ups. They last longer and are less likely to have farty buzzy noises from time to time during playing. Also some other upgrades like a tighter input jack, strap buttons that are of decent quality, pick guard that's well made to reduce noise, locking tuners, lighter parts so the guitar isn't as heavy, etc etc can all help make a guitar feel and sound better. Sometimes it doesn't do much though so it all sort of depends on the guitar type, your prefs, and your play style...
Reinhard Luntungan yes, and then there’s a guy who elicits unbelievably melodic, magical tones from a Stratocaster by the name of JEFF BECK! Have you heard of him?
The fact that norm let's literally anyone play these guitars just to let them experience them is amazing and speaks to his character. I live on the other side of the USA and have a enormous respect for him. When I can afford it it's mail order from norm! So glad there's guys like him that don't seem 100 bout money. He loves to see people smile!
Let's be realistic - he hands the guitars to a guy who will expose them to 2.4MM viewers so far in a free commercial (unless he had to pay for the service).
Norm is fully insured and playing the tax game brilliantly. He is one of the most important market manipulators in history. Everyone should learn about Tax Codes and Investments. You will be very very angry and then just angry and then very angry again then sad...ruclips.net/video/ZZ3F3zWiEmc/видео.html.... This is the same business Norm is in.
When you played the J-45 it truly brought me to tears. Your analogy of "an old guy telling the most amazing stories" could not have been more perfect. Your joy and appreciation of what you were holding in your hands certainly helped!
Absolutely incredible. That place should be called a museum not a store. It's comforting to know there are places and people like this still out there.
Bad week?...take this: look for courtney hadwin ./ old town road...you will see a beautiful es 335 and a girl with the bellyst voice on Planet earth...this should help, to bring the rest of the week in the right direction.
Part, but not all, of the reason for that is how "well set up" that guitar is too. The neck is dead straight, the frets are polished smooth with a mirror surface, there's absolutely ZERO fret buzz anywhere on the neck. When you have a classic which is set up that good, the pickups are able to do their thing and they really show off all the unexpected harmonics which get lost all too easily on a guitar which isn't set up perfectly.
The red one is much better than the sunburst... None is a match for an Excalibur Supra 1993 like mine (I own severa pckguard, one is Strat-oriented with custom handwound PUs), and it's not even my preferred guitar : the company used to do higher end ones like the Passion III or the Arpège... My two Passion III-90/10 (one 1991 , one 1992, only 48, maybe only 42 built between 1991 and 1999) are the best soid bodies I ever touched in 35 years. best Strat I tried was no pre-CBS, it was a 1970 CBS one! Near as good as the Excalibur but... ALL Strats lack the Excalibur's edge, bite and laaarge sound, the Excalibur is somewhat like a Strat but, with the same PUs onboard, the Excalibur brings more, if a great Strat was a 14-15y old high-school bully, the Excalibur would be Mike Tyson at his height... He hadn't a Strat PUs setup but... Just listen to Shawn Lane using his with a HSH 'shredder' PU set, this is not your usual Ibanez shred with DiMarzios, this is just... WOW!
I'm amazed by the fact that he picked some guitars as an "investment" and put them away. Not many people had the foresight and restraint to do that. Also, that candy apple red strat is just beautiful.
zen729 got a friend who started collecting decades ago, just for fun. He plays but not that much. He had about 100 at one time. Over time he kept the vintage ones and sold the rest. Almost a million bucks worth now. Old Gibson, Fenders, Martins, Gibson arch tops...who knew? He did. He retired years ago and sells when he needs some cash.
Maybe 1000 people have similar ideas, but only history will learn which ideas prove right. In hindsight we only interview the winners, only hindsight judges ideas good. You never know in advance.
That dark Gibson acoustic you're playing around 14:30, I don't know if it was the tone or the way you were playing, but it reminded me of War War War by Country Joe… then seconds later you said it sounded like an old man telling a story, which is exactly what that album is!
Years ago I went to Norm’s Rare Guitars and picked up a $110 Hofner acoustic guitar, it’s pretty decent for what I paid, my point is not everything there cost a fortune.
I’ve watched so many of Paul’s videos. Despite is obvious and substantial talent, he still comes across as such a funny and kind guy. And he clearly loves teaching and sharing with us lesser folks. That’s what made this video so cool - our guy just seemed so happy. He deserves it. That’s how he makes us feel.
That was quite surreal to see you in the back of Norms, standing where Lemmo usually is standing, with Norm talking about the guitars. Hopefully you jammed with Lemmo while you were there.
Helped a old friend out. He needed $500 to help pay his property taxes. I borrowed him the $500 and he gave me his 57 strat as collateral. Told me he didn’t pay me back in a month the guitar was mine. Didn’t see him again for ten years. I knew it was worth more than the 5 bills I borrowed him. But it had been heavily modded. Aluminum nut, different pick guard, custom car paint job on it. Also had a couple of ridges built up with bondo which all looked cool but of course devalued the guitar. A couple years after having it I looked into having restored to original. Quoted $2500 from a reputable guy here in town. Which of course I didn’t have. Stupidly decided to sell it as I didn’t even play. Just always wanted to. Anyway, let it go for $2200.00 ! Since then I’ve learned how to play and also learned it was a huge mistake to let it go. On a side note my friend big Eddie passed away. Told me he had bought that guitar when he was 15 years old from a high school friend of his. His friend wanted a telecaster and wanted $50 for the strat. Ed had $40 on him and told him he would get the rest and Darrell, his friend said $40’s good. His high school friend was and is Darrell Stuermer! At one time guitarist for Genesis. Yes, I’m officially classified an idiot. Still kick myself.
I think it's great to see you playing. Most of the time when I see musicians with such skill playing I feel intimidated, but, when I see you playing I feel inspired to get better!! keep up the good work
That's total BS and you know it. It's the same like with expensive wines. It's mojo and a lot of wishful thinking. Just age doesn't make a good instrument better. At least it would have to be used a lot. But even then.... I doubt you would be able to tell what's what in a blind test.
@@bille77 that's true. That guitars looks like they never seen a smoky bluesclub or been played a lot. I kept my guitars clean, but on the fretboard you'll see the traces of playing a lot. Shine on and happy tuesday. Greets Alex ☺☺🎸🎸
@@bille77 I never said it sounds better with age, just pointing out that in the hands of a good player it sounds great more than half a century old now.
That is the most enjoyment out of hearing someone jam in a music store I've ever had. Totally felt I lived vicariously through you then, almost felt teary...
My favorite Acoustic that I ever played was a Gibson J-185 VS. For me it was an incredible guitar, but I could not get the seller to lower his price. It was a little out of my range at the time. I still regret missing out.
I live maybe 10 minutes from Norm’s Going there is very humbling It’s more of a lesson in what guitars used to be Gorgeous stuff...big money Norm is a legend
Rich F pretty much anything out in the floor you could pick up and play. I’m a lefty so Norm always ribs me about being “wrong handed”. I bought a lefty 2000 Martin D16 from him a few years ago and he gave me a really fair deal. All around great store with affordable stuff too for those of us aren’t rock stars
Watching this, and thinking about low action, spanky strings and warm tone, I felt like I was experiencing this with you, transcendentally, Paul. Plus SUCH lovely playing to top it off. Love seeing you having a great time. This was my favourite Norm's Rare Guitars video.
Well I have high action stiff strings (11s) and frets that cut me like I own them money. Figured out the solution for my problem my guitar sucks and I'm saving up for a new one as we speak
I can't stress how happy the feeling you portrayed through the music made me. It just feels like you just had a dream come true and that's amazing, thank you for sharing.
I never get sick of listening to Paul's playing. He is the guy that doesn't have a unique playing style where you instantly recognize the player. hat is testimony to how versatile he is. When you hear Mark Knophler or David Gilmour, you instantly know who it is, within a couple of notes. That can be a good thing, or it can be limiting. I really appreciate Paul's ability to sound unrecognizable. It is a hard thing to do.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! That candy apple red strat, wooooaaaaaah. Also, I'm currently in Asia, far away from home, scared to death from this entire virus thingy, and watching your videos every night before going home helps me sooo much to relieve my stress and get a bit more positive about life. So yeah, i wanted to thank you for that! Stay awesome!
I got in the initial run of the course... EVERYONE, I recommend it. I'm a different guitar player today than I was a few months ago, and it's, honestly, thanks to this course.
Awesome video Paul, sorry i used you surname in a previous post, was just so amazed at the video content, it must have been a dream day, always enjoy you nice quiet calm measured treatment of guitars
Two nicest Strats I've ever played were a '63 and a '54 Hardtail...each ones played a lot and gigged regularly by their owners. It amazed me just how open and warm they sounded, with effortless sustain. Best way I can describe is that rather than banging away with your typical SRV licks, they made you want to play slower and just enjoy the notes. I finally realized the difference.
Am I the only one who just LOVES the chord progression when he does the Travis picking on the 1919 martin? I could listen to that a 1000 times and still love it.
This is such a great video, I almost didn’t notice the “Home Of The Guitarded” on the wall above the exit to Norman’s Rare Guitars. What an awkward thing to have written on the wall...
@@slobodandespinic1224 He also probably didn't smoke cigs all day and come home to a 12 pack every night in addition to not being a 40 year factory rat. (I'm a 30 yr factory rat myself).
Charles Patrick not true. They’re prices are high but that’s ridiculous. At least they don’t treat people like shit. Norm’s aware Paul has a utube channel with several million views. Don’t fool yourself. Yelp reviews are pretty much true. You tubers, celebrities, people he knows are rich or “look” rich get treated better than your average customer. Oh or if your a little kid that can play a little bit better than average. FYI John Mayer bought a 63 fiesta red strat for $20,000 at emerald city. I think you may have it backwards at least regarding Norm’s being less money. In L.A. you’re better off at GC. It’s a high tier GC with better stuff than the average GC.
I’m happy for you and your meeting with “Norm”. Love your guitar chops, a man worthy to play what he has tucked away, good job! Must be the vintage collection in the world, you’ll be back!
GREAT VID! I was born in 1958. Back in the 70’s when these were just “used guitars” I thought it was cool to have my fav things (guitars, cars, guns) that were made in the year of my birth! Was I lucky? was I smart? Or was I just a quirky kid? - I was just quirky. I like “old” things, even as a young man. I never made a lot of money, but, boy did I buy the right things! My retirement will be cozy. Peace
Chaplin Plus if the relationship doesn’t work out it can cost you more than all your old guitars, cars, and guns are worth not to mention all money that you would have spent buying more of all of them.
I began feeling incredibly anxious when you were in the back room, as if I were holding those guitars myself. I would love to have a vintage strat some day.
Hi,Paul.my favourite guitar that I have used playing in semi pro bands since I bought it in 1987 is my 86 fender squier Japan E series stratocaster lefthanded mod St 62,I have american strats,and gibson sg standard, flying V,not to mention all the guitars I have tried in my guitar playing years,nothing comes close to it.Just thought I would tell you this,having just watched a couple of your great videos,I think without going to Norman's I will not find my USA.strat that I also dream of !
Nearing the end of the vid I kept wanting the camera to pan left into the back seat to show a tweed case... oh well you had fun checking them out. I love to watch normans rare guitars on youtube too! I really like the music theory vids you made, thanks!
That 1964 Candy Apple Red Strat SSS HT, that was my favorite of the electrics. The heel truss rod, the clay dots. Makes me appreciate the 2005 Bullet SSS HT even more that I can reach for in the music room when the mood strikes me.
That 58” Strat looks and sounds gorgeous! The sunburst is beautiful and the pickups are so bright and crisp! Even not plugged in it sounds amazing! Wish it was mine!
I think this is the single best advertisement video for norms rare guitars. More views than his own whole channel combined :-) that CAR start looked amazing
I remember my first guitar lesson almost two decades ago, and I was noodling on the guitar (playing random stuff) while the teacher was talking. He told me to never do that, and always hear out what he had to say without playing over him, even at quiet levels. This video brought back that memory somehow.
I can understand why your teacher said that. The noodling , at that point, kept 90-100% of your brains busy so you wouldn’t be able to process what your teacher said. I‘m sure ( I hope) that changed after 20 years.
@@belacickekl7579 I used to go there a lot when I was first starting. I actually bought a few guitars there and a keyboard from them over the years. My comment was half joking. But what I meant was I'd rather support a smaller buisness than some big commercial buisness like guitar center. And they screwed me over on an amp once, that sucked.
Dude I feel like I’d pick up a really smooth and light semi hollow body Gibson, and start playing. As soon as I’d go to put it back, my shoelace would be untied and I’d fall, a bunch of grenades would fall out of my pocket, a the guitar would catch fire, some random person would kick down the door and start shooting, the entire building would catch fire, and I’ll break the guitar.
I used to live in Boulder CO and I had a friend and his personality was essentially Eeyore. Just a miserable and depressed all the time. At that time I was the new car lot attendant at Fischer Chevrolet. I convinced a sales rep that my friend was a graduate student at CU and his father was going to purchase him a BMW (lie). In the end I got him a test drive in an 1986 Vette from Boulder to Denver and back. I'd never seen him so happy after that. Thanks Norm for letting him test drive your collection.
@@airgliderz Dude have you played a vintage guitar? I'm not saying they were made better, it's probably time that has done it, but they do have a noticeably more airy ring to them so to speak.
That 59 sounded super resonant unplugged.
Norm starts talking, Paul is like...whatev I'm still playing.
@@GCKelloch which is why i think tone wood matters, despite the heated debate. I think it being hardtail has a lot to do with it being so resonate too.
Norm on a bad day is still making $15K. He couldn't care less. Play away.
I'm one of those guys that thinks tone wood doesn't make much a diff. Perhaps when unplugged but who plays a strat unplugged? Hardly anyone that's who. This is a argument better fit for acoustic guitars honestly. That's when tone wood matters most. I could blind test you guys all day with a guitar with fresh wood vs a guitar with aged dried wood and you fuckers would fuck up A LOT and fail to tell which one is which.
In my honest opinion...
Strings, your skill, your amp, how well the guitar is built for tuning stability/str8 neck, and a few personal prefs like fret size, nut width, neck shape etc etc all define how well you will sound. And can't forget the pick ups. A good amp can make shit pick ups sound good but you should still want good pick ups. They last longer and are less likely to have farty buzzy noises from time to time during playing.
Also some other upgrades like a tighter input jack, strap buttons that are of decent quality, pick guard that's well made to reduce noise, locking tuners, lighter parts so the guitar isn't as heavy, etc etc can all help make a guitar feel and sound better. Sometimes it doesn't do much though so it all sort of depends on the guitar type, your prefs, and your play style...
It’s like listening to the soul of every guitarist who ever played a strat singing out.
Hendrix, Clapton, Gilmour, etc...
Reinhard Luntungan yes, and then there’s a guy who elicits unbelievably melodic, magical tones from a Stratocaster by the name of JEFF BECK! Have you heard of him?
The fact that norm let's literally anyone play these guitars just to let them experience them is amazing and speaks to his character. I live on the other side of the USA and have a enormous respect for him. When I can afford it it's mail order from norm! So glad there's guys like him that don't seem 100 bout money. He loves to see people smile!
Paul isn't just anyone
Lol, Paul David, 2.6mm subscribers, "anyone"
Let's be realistic - he hands the guitars to a guy who will expose them to 2.4MM viewers so far in a free commercial (unless he had to pay for the service).
Norm is fully insured and playing the tax game brilliantly. He is one of the most important market manipulators in history. Everyone should learn about Tax Codes and Investments. You will be very very angry and then just angry and then very angry again then sad...ruclips.net/video/ZZ3F3zWiEmc/видео.html.... This is the same business Norm is in.
This guy is the Ollivander for guitars..!
This comment needs more likes 👍
I guess people don’t get the reference..
The guitar chooses the player, Mr. Davids
excatly what i thaught XD
Anybody that does get that reference probably doesn’t belong in a guitar channel…
Guy hands me a $40k guitar and starts telling its story as I slowly begin playing seven nation army
Todd Gray dude I sat here and died for two hours straight from this comment
No, smoke on the water
stairway to heaven
sweet child o mine
HAHAH
When you played the J-45 it truly brought me to tears. Your analogy of "an old guy telling the most amazing stories" could not have been more perfect. Your joy and appreciation of what you were holding in your hands certainly helped!
Absolutely incredible. That place should be called a museum not a store. It's comforting to know there are places and people like this still out there.
oh yes a museum for special cheap garbage...........
I’ve been having the shittiest week and just seeing you hyped to play some amazing guitars made it a little better
mousekill82 hope you get some peace and things get better my men!
Take care bud!
Hope it gets better bro. Things usually do.
sending you some positive energy, hang in there!
Bad week?...take this: look for courtney hadwin ./ old town road...you will see a beautiful es 335 and a girl with the bellyst voice on Planet earth...this should help, to bring the rest of the week in the right direction.
That red one is one of the best sounding strats I've ever heard silky buttery smooth
Part, but not all, of the reason for that is how "well set up" that guitar is too. The neck is dead straight, the frets are polished smooth with a mirror surface, there's absolutely ZERO fret buzz anywhere on the neck. When you have a classic which is set up that good, the pickups are able to do their thing and they really show off all the unexpected harmonics which get lost all too easily on a guitar which isn't set up perfectly.
For once I can really hear a difference. Usually I can't tell one from another on film but that red one....mmmm
@@ivanjulian2532 : any good luthier can do such setup.
The red one is much better than the sunburst... None is a match for an Excalibur Supra 1993 like mine (I own severa pckguard, one is Strat-oriented with custom handwound PUs), and it's not even my preferred guitar : the company used to do higher end ones like the Passion III or the Arpège... My two Passion III-90/10 (one 1991 , one 1992, only 48, maybe only 42 built between 1991 and 1999) are the best soid bodies I ever touched in 35 years.
best Strat I tried was no pre-CBS, it was a 1970 CBS one! Near as good as the Excalibur but... ALL Strats lack the Excalibur's edge, bite and laaarge sound, the Excalibur is somewhat like a Strat but, with the same PUs onboard, the Excalibur brings more, if a great Strat was a 14-15y old high-school bully, the Excalibur would be Mike Tyson at his height...
He hadn't a Strat PUs setup but... Just listen to Shawn Lane using his with a HSH 'shredder' PU set, this is not your usual Ibanez shred with DiMarzios, this is just... WOW!
@@Haroun-El-Poussah 🥱
That candy apple strat is one of the sweetest tones I’ve heard. The Gibson following it is so nice too
Seriously, has anybody ever heard a clean Strat sound that good elsewhere???
@@FakingANervejust like mine.
I'm amazed by the fact that he picked some guitars as an "investment" and put them away. Not many people had the foresight and restraint to do that.
Also, that candy apple red strat is just beautiful.
zen729 got a friend who started collecting decades ago, just for fun. He plays but not that much. He had about 100 at one time. Over time he kept the vintage ones and sold the rest. Almost a million bucks worth now. Old Gibson, Fenders, Martins, Gibson arch tops...who knew? He did. He retired years ago and sells when he needs some cash.
Maybe 1000 people have similar ideas, but only history will learn which ideas prove right. In hindsight we only interview the winners, only hindsight judges ideas good. You never know in advance.
Frits van Zanten thank you Aristotle
@@fritsvanzanten3573Drivel. Stating the obvious - like you just tried to do.
zen729 worth reading his book- fascinating and amazing just how hard this guy worked to Huke his business.
That dark Gibson acoustic you're playing around 14:30, I don't know if it was the tone or the way you were playing, but it reminded me of War War War by Country Joe… then seconds later you said it sounded like an old man telling a story, which is exactly what that album is!
5:06 Paul is trying SO HARD to resist the Slow Dancing riff lmao
I heard it, too haha
Hahahaha yeah. That martin sounds so beautiful.
Hahaha I thought the same
I was like oh he diverted it ....😄
He should play it as long as its not forbidden in guitarstores :D :D :D
Me after playing every single guitar in this store: "So, I guess I'm buying just that guitar pick today..."
Not until you've played Stairway to Heaven and Smoke on the Water, mate.
Giving a discount?,picks sorta worn😁
Years ago I went to Norm’s Rare Guitars and picked up a $110 Hofner acoustic guitar, it’s pretty decent for what I paid, my point is not everything there cost a fortune.
Tinha q ser BR Memo kkk
@@lennywright5655 Probably anything worth traveling there to buy is...
I’ve watched so many of Paul’s videos. Despite is obvious and substantial talent, he still comes across as such a funny and kind guy. And he clearly loves teaching and sharing with us lesser folks. That’s what made this video so cool - our guy just seemed so happy. He deserves it. That’s how he makes us feel.
That 1919 Martin in the beginning sounds amazing
That was quite surreal to see you in the back of Norms, standing where Lemmo usually is standing, with Norm talking about the guitars.
Hopefully you jammed with Lemmo while you were there.
With all EQ at noon, just a little bit of reverb.
Guilherme Aroeira goin through that fender pro reverb !
@@rikkousa He can play guitar. I've seen him get around some chords.
When I was younger I played in a couple of bands. I just missed out by one week of buying a LP 57 sunburst,,,,, $150. I still cry to this day.
$150?? Wow!!
Helped a old friend out. He needed $500 to help pay his property taxes. I borrowed him the $500 and he gave me his 57 strat as collateral. Told me he didn’t pay me back in a month the guitar was mine. Didn’t see him again for ten years. I knew it was worth more than the 5 bills I borrowed him. But it had been heavily modded. Aluminum nut, different pick guard, custom car paint job on it. Also had a couple of ridges built up with bondo which all looked cool but of course devalued the guitar. A couple years after having it I looked into having restored to original. Quoted $2500 from a reputable guy here in town. Which of course I didn’t have. Stupidly decided to sell it as I didn’t even play. Just always wanted to. Anyway, let it go for $2200.00 ! Since then I’ve learned how to play and also learned it was a huge mistake to let it go. On a side note my friend big Eddie passed away. Told me he had bought that guitar when he was 15 years old from a high school friend of his. His friend wanted a telecaster and wanted $50 for the strat. Ed had $40 on him and told him he would get the rest and Darrell, his friend said $40’s good. His high school friend was and is Darrell Stuermer! At one time guitarist for Genesis. Yes, I’m officially classified an idiot. Still kick myself.
@@garywood5604 wow cool and sad story. I can’t imagine
I welled up when you strummed that 00045. What a spectacular sound.
Dude, I had the same!
Me too😊
I love that hardtail '64 Strat!
I think joe bo bought it the week after lol
yes the red one is the best, though the question is, if you would´t get a nice sounding guitar much cheaper ?!
When i Saw it i thought; that is my dream guitar
,
,
.,.
,.
,
,. .
,,
I thought he was going to plug them in! Thats what I was waiting for. 🎃💀👻👽🎸🎃🧙♀️
I think it's great to see you playing. Most of the time when I see musicians with such skill playing I feel intimidated, but, when I see you playing I feel inspired to get better!! keep up the good work
58 guitars, and vintage in general, sound just the most pristine and beautiful even 50 years later! Really awesome and happy for you
its 62 years, wouldnt normally nitpick but thats over a decade off
What you on about, the 50s were like 40 years ago. 😉
That's total BS and you know it. It's the same like with expensive wines. It's mojo and a lot of wishful thinking. Just age doesn't make a good instrument better. At least it would have to be used a lot. But even then.... I doubt you would be able to tell what's what in a blind test.
@@bille77 that's true. That guitars looks like they never seen a smoky bluesclub or been played a lot. I kept my guitars clean, but on the fretboard you'll see the traces of playing a lot. Shine on and happy tuesday. Greets Alex ☺☺🎸🎸
@@bille77 I never said it sounds better with age, just pointing out that in the hands of a good player it sounds great more than half a century old now.
The owner talks about his guitars with such passion, it really makes you appreciate them beyond the sound
Wasn't expecting Norman's Rare Guitars to be in a strip mall. I thought it would be in a castle on a hill or something.
Lol I thought the same
Norm probably sold his castle
This really is the crossover I didn't know I needed so much.
That is the most enjoyment out of hearing someone jam in a music store I've ever had. Totally felt I lived vicariously through you then, almost felt teary...
Utterly FANTASTIC! My favorite was the old Gibson. What a perfectly beautiful, raw-sounding instrument. Just damn cool!
My favorite Acoustic that I ever played was a Gibson J-185 VS. For me it was an incredible guitar, but I could not get the seller to lower his price. It was a little out of my range at the time. I still regret missing out.
The 64 red Strat looked brand new. Insane how well the guitars in this shop have been kept and maintained.
Insane how the pre owners took care of them.
@@sergiomozdzenskijr.9246 Never took them on the road.
These guitars were virtually never played , but bought and stored it seems. Some of them bought by Norm himself when he was young probably.
I had a physical reaction when Paul played the 1928 Martin acoustic. That is a truly beautiful sounding instrument.
Same, gave me shivver!
Same here! What a sound!
64' red strat was my favorite. That guitar is a dream
The candy apple gave me chills. The tone and attack was just heavenly.
I live maybe 10 minutes from Norm’s
Going there is very humbling
It’s more of a lesson in what guitars used to be
Gorgeous stuff...big money
Norm is a legend
My wife has family in Woodland Hills and we come out every year. Gotta make at least 1 or 2 trips to Norms every time.
Does he have basses too?
How are they about you trying out guitars ? Do they only let you if you have a You Tube channel with thousands of subscribers ?
Rich F pretty much anything out in the floor you could pick up and play. I’m a lefty so Norm always ribs me about being “wrong handed”. I bought a lefty 2000 Martin D16 from him a few years ago and he gave me a really fair deal. All around great store with affordable stuff too for those of us aren’t rock stars
Jul Pra yes
Paul in "Wonderland"! Love it and someone needs to tell Norm if no one is lining up to buy it. It's just a number written on a tag.
Watching this, and thinking about low action, spanky strings and warm tone, I felt like I was experiencing this with you, transcendentally, Paul. Plus SUCH lovely playing to top it off. Love seeing you having a great time. This was my favourite Norm's Rare Guitars video.
Well I have high action stiff strings (11s) and frets that cut me like I own them money.
Figured out the solution for my problem my guitar sucks and I'm saving up for a new one as we speak
I can't stress how happy the feeling you portrayed through the music made me. It just feels like you just had a dream come true and that's amazing, thank you for sharing.
I never get sick of listening to Paul's playing. He is the guy that doesn't have a unique playing style where you instantly recognize the player. hat is testimony to how versatile he is. When you hear Mark Knophler or David Gilmour, you instantly know who it is, within a couple of notes. That can be a good thing, or it can be limiting. I really appreciate Paul's ability to sound unrecognizable. It is a hard thing to do.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! That candy apple red strat, wooooaaaaaah.
Also,
I'm currently in Asia, far away from home, scared to death from this entire virus thingy, and watching your videos every night before going home helps me sooo much to relieve my stress and get a bit more positive about life. So yeah, i wanted to thank you for that! Stay awesome!
Yasmine R. I pray for you
Can someone fill me in, what virus thing is going on and where?
@@StoicTrader- look up coronavirus wuhan
@@rickc2102 thank you
Red Comet Gus how is it a scam lmao
The owner’s like a backing track and he just played solo on him..
tru
Haha
Ha ha ha, so funny ha ha, ahhh I love it.
That sunburst was awesome, but the candy apple red strat was just on a whole other level IMHO
That guitar should have been bought. Make a deal and sell all that you have for that one.
I was literally scared when Paul did the neck bending vibrato thing with the 1928 Martin!
Yeah that was a bit of a no no lol
Arkadeep Mukherjee then again he was very gentle with it so it was not a big deal
I was scared the whole video and I don't think I'll ever try an expensive guitar like thay. Just in case
I’m like, “Be careful!”
Why? (I just started playing the guitar so I still don't know much)
In other news: My guitar course Next Level Playing is now opened! 🥳 www.nextlevelplaying.com
I got in the initial run of the course... EVERYONE, I recommend it. I'm a different guitar player today than I was a few months ago, and it's, honestly, thanks to this course.
hello, don't you play some Julian Lage stuff at 5'18 ?
Awesome video Paul, sorry i used you surname in a previous post, was just so amazed at the video content, it must have been a dream day, always enjoy you nice quiet calm measured treatment of guitars
link?
I'm at a loss for words on the Red Strat - Unreal!
One of my favorite RUclips videos. So great to see someone of your talent breath life into those beautiful guitars from another era . Cheers.
Paul's next video: "I took out a loan against my mortgage to buy vintage guitars"
Haha! Good one!
Hello...I will ask a grant of 1 million Euro to create The New Museum of guitars... good idea !!!
Awesome!! That cracked me up thanks!!
He should have bought the 64 strat. It is the best guitar I have ever seen.
Who believes he deserves it? I mean he’s the most dad guitarist on RUclips if not the best.
I agree
Granth Tiwari he’s the best, for sure
Must be a pretty good feeling walking into a store of that caliber and being able to do those guitars justice with your playing skills - kudos!
I know - imagine not embarrasing yourself every time you go into one of those places!
The smoothness of the nitro finish of the '58 makes me cry. It's actually... moving. I can almost feel it by the video. Amazing.
Two nicest Strats I've ever played were a '63 and a '54 Hardtail...each ones played a lot and gigged regularly by their owners. It amazed me just how open and warm they sounded, with effortless sustain. Best way I can describe is that rather than banging away with your typical SRV licks, they made you want to play slower and just enjoy the notes. I finally realized the difference.
If I ever win the lottery I'm heading straight to Norman's Rare Guitars!
Am I the only one who just LOVES the chord progression when he does the Travis picking on the 1919 martin? I could listen to that a 1000 times and still love it.
This is such a great video, I almost didn’t notice the “Home Of The Guitarded” on the wall above the exit to Norman’s Rare Guitars. What an awkward thing to have written on the wall...
Hah
We here in Dutchland are very proud to have Paul to represent us...and he can play the guitar too.
I'm surprised that the owner was 71. He looks like at 50
The energy in there keeps him young.
@@EODReddFox Absolutely Norms a super solid guy!!!
Ha ha, he didn't work in factory for last 40 years, he sells guitars . That's why he looks good and he's 71.
Its LA
@@slobodandespinic1224 He also probably didn't smoke cigs all day and come home to a 12 pack every night in addition to not being a 40 year factory rat. (I'm a 30 yr factory rat myself).
Norms guitars are so clean. Top level work man👍🏻
Norm is an awesome dude. So are you! How cool to go in the back room with Norm! I love your music and videos!
These are all such beautiful instruments. Love seeing the joy on Paul's face when he plays them too.
I've visited Norm's. It's a fantastic shop with so much to take in. I'm really glad you got to visit.
8:01 I definitely would be the guy who tries to play that Martin and ends losing his pick in the sound hole.
Norman's were so cool giving you the access you had, big ups to them!
Enjoy your stay here in America brother, you're a big reason I'm still playing guitar from your lessons!
that candy apple red strat was beautiful and sounded amazing.
You stopped listening to him the moment you started playing didn’t you
Shaun Pang i think he did too lmao
I do this to my mom sometimes lol
anyone can't listen him when play theese guitars dude it's just like hangin on heaven :D
Boy, this guy can play a guitar. Seriously good. Liked how he actually appreciated what he was holding.. No hype... No expletives.
Rude
Normans Rare Guitars is the real deal when it comes to guitar stores
Sure looks like a real cool guitar store! I’m not even that into vintage stuff but this video still makes me want to try some of these old guitars.
@Louis Sanderson Yeah, because nobody leaving a review on Yelp has an agenda...
Elijah Batz makes a certain emerald store's vintage prices look ridiculous, that $35k mint red Strat would be $300k at that place
Charles Patrick not true. They’re prices are high but that’s ridiculous. At least they don’t treat people like shit. Norm’s aware Paul has a utube channel with several million views. Don’t fool yourself. Yelp reviews are pretty much true. You tubers, celebrities, people he knows are rich or “look” rich get treated better than your average customer. Oh or if your a little kid that can play a little bit better than average. FYI John Mayer bought a 63 fiesta red strat for $20,000 at emerald city. I think you may have it backwards at least regarding Norm’s being less money. In L.A. you’re better off at GC. It’s a high tier GC with better stuff than the average GC.
Rsls Lsrs yes, I exaggerated, and I'd trust EC over NRG if I had that kind of money to spend, but EC IS overpriced
I love it when I get to see people enjoy something that they have passion for.
That chair's armrest gave the chills through my spine because of a thought it will scratch guitars you played in it.
The '64 CAR for me. That's exactly the tone I expect to come out of a Strat. The '58 is a monster, no doubt.
The '58 Strat sounds awesome. By the way, I was born 1958. This Strat has the same age like me ☺☺
Seriously, I could play the red one for hours and never even want for trem.
@@rickc2102 I too long for a hardtail 60's. Too bad Custom Shop replicas are so expensive :(
Alexander Walther - I’ve always wanted a 1963, which is my birth year. I could easily go for that ‘64 though, lol.
I’m happy for you and your meeting with “Norm”. Love your guitar chops, a man worthy to play what he has tucked away, good job! Must be the vintage collection in the world, you’ll be back!
Why you got Norms name in parentheses for?
GREAT VID! I was born in 1958. Back in the 70’s when these were just “used guitars” I thought it was cool to have my fav things (guitars, cars, guns) that were made in the year of my birth! Was I lucky? was I smart? Or was I just a quirky kid? - I was just quirky. I like “old” things, even as a young man.
I never made a lot of money, but, boy did I buy the right things! My retirement will be cozy.
Peace
@occamsrager - they don't age as well :)
Chaplin
Plus if the relationship doesn’t work out it can cost you more than all your old guitars, cars, and guns are worth not to mention all money that you would have spent buying more of all of them.
Come on tell us what you bought!! Cause I did the same thing!!
I began feeling incredibly anxious when you were in the back room, as if I were holding those guitars myself. I would love to have a vintage strat some day.
Hi,Paul.my favourite guitar that I have used playing in semi pro bands since I bought it in 1987 is my 86 fender squier Japan E series stratocaster lefthanded mod St 62,I have american strats,and gibson sg standard, flying V,not to mention all the guitars I have tried in my guitar playing years,nothing comes close to it.Just thought I would tell you this,having just watched a couple of your great videos,I think without going to Norman's I will not find my USA.strat that I also dream of !
8:10 you can hear how smooth it plays its insane
Its like the harry potter scene when he's finding the perfect wand for him
the guitar chooses the guitarist
Smokes Chill no it’s not
pretty sure he didn't pay $40k for his wand though...
@@yeetboidalydaly8555 Yes it is.
"Your a guitarist paul !"
Nearing the end of the vid I kept wanting the camera to pan left into the back seat to show a tweed case... oh well you had fun checking them out. I love to watch normans rare guitars on youtube too!
I really like the music theory vids you made, thanks!
That red 64 strat is just stellar, no wonder why Joe. B. bought that thing.
Reminds me of Mr. Knopfler’s
@@asdljfwew Yes! I could hear _Local Hero_ in it
I could listen to Norman talk about these guitars all day
This video has some of the best guitar tones on RUclips. Great playing, Paul! Whatever mic you’re using, you chose wisely. Keep it up.
*‘I’ve always wanted to play guitar but the beginning seems so frustrating......’*
DONT STOP BELIEVING ! Find variety and just keep going. It will be hard.
joe jitsu its a joke about
the yousician ad
Nobody asked but I wonder if stevie t knows his name is on the back of ernie ball strings
Bro just get a $40 000 guitar easy
and the peice
2:41 "I can't say no"
is the new
"yes, please!". lol
11:30 that red one sounds really nice. really really really nice.
That 1964 Candy Apple Red Strat SSS HT, that was my favorite of the electrics. The heel truss rod, the clay dots. Makes me appreciate the 2005 Bullet SSS HT even more that I can reach for in the music room when the mood strikes me.
The candy apple red 64 is absolutely exquisite
Love how the surface of the '58 Strat has become slightly crazed with age, like an old master oil painting.
That 58” Strat looks and sounds gorgeous! The sunburst is beautiful and the pickups are so bright and crisp! Even not plugged in it sounds amazing! Wish it was mine!
The tone of that '64 Strat came through the mic as being much better than the '58 to my ears.
Lol my dad has a vintage 58 Fender stratocaster wit a treble arm, still shreds it today, mint condition and with the case too...
Inherited a well played and worn 61 sunburst jazzmaster, all original, and it sounds great.
I think this is the single best advertisement video for norms rare guitars. More views than his own whole channel combined :-) that CAR start looked amazing
Paul “I’m goin to keep playing while Norman tries to speak” Davids. Lol love your channel!
I remember my first guitar lesson almost two decades ago, and I was noodling on the guitar (playing random stuff) while the teacher was talking. He told me to never do that, and always hear out what he had to say without playing over him, even at quiet levels. This video brought back that memory somehow.
I can understand why your teacher said that. The noodling , at that point, kept 90-100% of your brains busy so you wouldn’t be able to process what your teacher said. I‘m sure ( I hope) that changed after 20 years.
@@Johnsormani I never did it again while somebody was talking. Lol, so the lesson stuck.
It makes me so happy that your 90s guitar makes you so happy. It doesn't have to be antique to be amazing
Anyone else fell in love with that 1943 J45's sound? (13:40) It felt as if it was speaking to my soul.
Best of them all
$18,000 guitars on the floor level. This ain't Guitar Center, lol.
Guitar Center is rubbish!
@@jegr3398 it's perfectly fine for most musicians, honestly, and a lot of really great musicians have gotten their starts there, I bet.
@@belacickekl7579 I used to go there a lot when I was first starting. I actually bought a few guitars there and a keyboard from them over the years. My comment was half joking. But what I meant was I'd rather support a smaller buisness than some big commercial buisness like guitar center. And they screwed me over on an amp once, that sucked.
@@jegr3398 completely understandable. Bummer about being screwed over on the amp. What kind was it?
@@belacickekl7579 Fender Cyber Twin
“The way it projects what I feel” ~ great description 😌
Dude I feel like I’d pick up a really smooth and light semi hollow body Gibson, and start playing. As soon as I’d go to put it back, my shoelace would be untied and I’d fall, a bunch of grenades would fall out of my pocket, a the guitar would catch fire, some random person would kick down the door and start shooting, the entire building would catch fire, and I’ll break the guitar.
lmaoo
He deserves that red guitar. His heart was out there on that string. I wish he could have it. A real wizard doesn't need a whammy.
I used to live in Boulder CO and I had a friend and his personality was essentially Eeyore. Just a miserable and depressed all the time. At that time I was the new car lot attendant at Fischer Chevrolet. I convinced a sales rep that my friend was a graduate student at CU and his father was going to purchase him a BMW (lie). In the end I got him a test drive in an 1986 Vette from Boulder to Denver and back. I'd never seen him so happy after that. Thanks Norm for letting him test drive your collection.
Those 50's guitars are so resonant unamped. I wished he played that white tele thru an amp.
Almost as good as today's guitars
@@airgliderz Dude have you played a vintage guitar? I'm not saying they were made better, it's probably time that has done it, but they do have a noticeably more airy ring to them so to speak.
@@illuminati10yearsago80 some sound good as they did when they were new.
lets talk about this 71 YEARS OLD dude that looks like mid 50s, he aged just like his guitars it seems
paul is 71? what?
He does not look mid-fifties lol
His love of music and guitars has kept him young.
Huh? He looks his age.
He is 33 yrs old, i already checked it on google
That Candy Apple Strat sounded sweet! What an experience that must of been. 👍🏼🎸🎸
Imagine dropping one of these guitars as he’s telling you about its story
"this guitar sounds like an old guy telling the most amazing stories" 14:51
I love watching you play and see your genuine respect and appreciation.
14:53 honestly perfect description