@@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...
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...ua-cam.com/video/ZZ3F3zWiEmc/v-deo.html.... This is the same business Norm is in.
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?
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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'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.
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
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.
@@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 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.
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...
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.
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!
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 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.
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!
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.
@@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.
I don't know if anyone cares, but I've been subscribed to this channel for a while now, I landed on this video and I realized that my guitar is about the same one as the red strat Paul plays. I paid around 100 dollars, plus some dope and some parts that I added, about 12 years ago. And its worth so much, and it sounds so similar. Not selling at all but it made my eyes pop out haha. If you want more story and context here, I bought my old stratocaster from a junkie in Austin TX where I used to live, during a party. I was around 18, I met with a guy who was high af, so was I, and we traded (dope + money) bucks for a strat. He told me it was a genuine, authentic stratocaster, that he thought maybe was from the 80s, he was unsure & quite indifferent because he wasn't into music, belonged to someone who'd sold it to him, probably stolen at some point decades ago. I payed 100 dollars and some dope. I fixed the neck, which was broken, by replacing it with a 90's (ish) us strat neck bought online, and the pickups were rusty, there was seasalt, so I refreshed the electronics and actually drove to the fender custom shop, to buy fender texas special srv pickups. I also bought knobs and whatnots, schaller mechanics, and enjoyed it. This happened 13 years ago, and I knew this guitar had value, but I didn't know the extent, because I modified it. It sounds incredible, I just love it and I never felt the need to buy any other electric guitar eversince. Few years back, I found in the original case the bill and of course the price, and the year. So I own a very modified, very old, and very lovable 64 strat with custom shop pickups, and I get why he doesn't seem to want to sell it, read another comment saying it sold, I get why it costs so much or why people in the comments seem to dig that sound. It is really something. I got a mortgage and still I won't sell it ever, that baby's been here all these years, now in Europe, it's personal worth is crazy high, more than money can buy really. I'm usually part of the silent majority but hell, I was like "hey that's close to mine, this is cool", then saw the price, eyes popped out, then remembered that when I was broke, I never sold it, and I won't ever now. I just love it too much, and yeah, that's it. Don't do drugs, if you do, quit and focus on music. Take care of your instruments & enjoy them, I don't know why but this got me so emotional haha. Take care guys, and Paul, I hope you keep it up, I've been in bad places sometimes, love your channel & your community.
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
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.
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.
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
Paul arrives at the airport for the flight back home: "I'd like to buy one economy ticket and one first class ticket please". "Who's the first class ticket for sir?". "Mr. Fender Stratocaster, dob is 1958".
Watching this again 6 months later and I can't help but think that Norm sincerely thought "this guy from Europe" was going to spend some good money there. Poor Norm.
The guitar I played that amazed me was an old Martin that had been consigned by the kids of the original owner. I was told it was 1930s era but.... The proprietors were asking everyone who came into the store to try this guitar out which was very well used - well worn with lots of dings and lights scratches and wear marks. They said "just try it" and sure enough, bits and pieces of kernels of songs came out of the thing like a waterfall. They said it had that effect on everyone who picked it up, it was like the guitar had a lifetime of stories from the original owner that was being poured out in bits and pieces of songs-to-be coming through it. Way more expensive than I could afford but I still remember it years later.
"....$300.00 in 1958....not expensive." According to the U.S. inflation calculator, that's $2712.38 in today's dollars. Actually pretty expensive for a new American Strat back then.
@@MrZachgonz That's $28, 964.10 in today's dollars (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation calculator). Love to be able to buy a new Vette for around $29,000 right now!
@@RideAcrossTheRiver I really didn't start working at summer jobs till the early sixties, I was guessing - so long ago, Maybe I was overpaid for digging fence holes with a jackhammer but no one else in the crew wanted to do it!
I like how during the playing Paul just goes “uhuh” to whatever the guy is telling him, and is clearly off in a different realm of consciousness somewhere 😅
I have played 3 genuine fender strats from the 60's and early 70's and I can tell you from personal experience that not every one of those dates is a holy grail. I believe many of these guitars at $30, 40, or $60,000 are essentially money spent for bragging rights, as far as playability and tone you can find some new fenders off the rack for under 5k that sound just as amazing.
I don't play guitar. Actually......I don't play any instrument. But to see a man captivated in awe and reduced to the humblest of simplicity is like watching humanity in it's purist form. Whether it be guitars, automobiles, boats, art, guns, beanie babies.....or whatever guilty pleasure defines you. It's inspirational.
14:55: “This guitar sounds like an old guy telling the most amazing stories.” Let me pick up that guitar and it would sound like a sun dried dog turd, lol.
I just bought an all original and functioning 1958 Fender Stratocaster that had been stored in its case since 1981. But from 1958 to 1981, it was rarely played and is in immaculate shape. Norm helped me verify that it was the real deal. The body was made in 06/58 and the neck was made in 07/58. The volume and tone pots were dated as being made in the 26th week of 1958 or mid June 1958. The case is all original and is also in immaculate condition too.
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...
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…
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...
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...ua-cam.com/video/ZZ3F3zWiEmc/v-deo.html.... This is the same business Norm is in.
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?
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!
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...
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
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 🥱
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'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.
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’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.
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. 🎃💀👻👽🎸🎃🧙♀️
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
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.
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!
64' red strat was my favorite. That guitar is a dream
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.
That 1919 Martin in the beginning sounds amazing
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.
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.
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
If I ever win the lottery I'm heading straight to Norman's Rare Guitars!
The owner talks about his guitars with such passion, it really makes you appreciate them beyond the sound
Who believes he deserves it? I mean he’s the most dad guitarist on UA-cam if not the best.
I agree
Granth Tiwari he’s the best, for sure
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
This really is the crossover I didn't know I needed so much.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
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 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.
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 welled up when you strummed that 00045. What a spectacular sound.
Dude, I had the same!
Me too😊
8:01 I definitely would be the guy who tries to play that Martin and ends losing his pick in the sound hole.
The candy apple gave me chills. The tone and attack was just heavenly.
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...
We here in Dutchland are very proud to have Paul to represent us...and he can play the guitar too.
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.
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)
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 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!
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
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.
*‘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
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.
Imagine dropping one of these guitars as he’s telling you about its story
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Norms guitars are so clean. Top level work man👍🏻
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
I could listen to Norman talk about these guitars all day
$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
8:10 you can hear how smooth it plays its insane
I don't know if anyone cares, but I've been subscribed to this channel for a while now, I landed on this video and I realized that my guitar is about the same one as the red strat Paul plays. I paid around 100 dollars, plus some dope and some parts that I added, about 12 years ago. And its worth so much, and it sounds so similar. Not selling at all but it made my eyes pop out haha.
If you want more story and context here, I bought my old stratocaster from a junkie in Austin TX where I used to live, during a party. I was around 18, I met with a guy who was high af, so was I, and we traded (dope + money) bucks for a strat. He told me it was a genuine, authentic stratocaster, that he thought maybe was from the 80s, he was unsure & quite indifferent because he wasn't into music, belonged to someone who'd sold it to him, probably stolen at some point decades ago. I payed 100 dollars and some dope. I fixed the neck, which was broken, by replacing it with a 90's (ish) us strat neck bought online, and the pickups were rusty, there was seasalt, so I refreshed the electronics and actually drove to the fender custom shop, to buy fender texas special srv pickups. I also bought knobs and whatnots, schaller mechanics, and enjoyed it. This happened 13 years ago, and I knew this guitar had value, but I didn't know the extent, because I modified it. It sounds incredible, I just love it and I never felt the need to buy any other electric guitar eversince. Few years back, I found in the original case the bill and of course the price, and the year. So I own a very modified, very old, and very lovable 64 strat with custom shop pickups, and I get why he doesn't seem to want to sell it, read another comment saying it sold, I get why it costs so much or why people in the comments seem to dig that sound. It is really something. I got a mortgage and still I won't sell it ever, that baby's been here all these years, now in Europe, it's personal worth is crazy high, more than money can buy really.
I'm usually part of the silent majority but hell, I was like "hey that's close to mine, this is cool", then saw the price, eyes popped out, then remembered that when I was broke, I never sold it, and I won't ever now. I just love it too much, and yeah, that's it. Don't do drugs, if you do, quit and focus on music. Take care of your instruments & enjoy them, I don't know why but this got me so emotional haha. Take care guys, and Paul, I hope you keep it up, I've been in bad places sometimes, love your channel & your community.
Enjoy your stay here in America brother, you're a big reason I'm still playing guitar from your lessons!
I wouldnt even touch those guitar with those price tags.
I wonder how much footfall is tourists?
When he started playing the first 18k guitar my mind just went "Don't drop it, just don't drop it!"
I’d respectfully touch it but not pick it up. Just touch it and run away.
I get the feeling, but on the other hand aren't you perfectly comfortable with parking an equally expensive car in a tight spot though ;)
Yeah if I am going to touch it had better be a 57
I love it when I get to see people enjoy something that they have passion for.
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
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!!
The candy apple red 64 is absolutely exquisite
The tone of that '64 Strat came through the mic as being much better than the '58 to my ears.
Norman's were so cool giving you the access you had, big ups to them!
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.
Love how the surface of the '58 Strat has become slightly crazed with age, like an old master oil painting.
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
It makes me so happy that your 90s guitar makes you so happy. It doesn't have to be antique to be amazing
That chair's armrest gave the chills through my spine because of a thought it will scratch guitars you played in it.
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 !"
that candy apple red strat was beautiful and sounded amazing.
Paul arrives at the airport for the flight back home: "I'd like to buy one economy ticket and one first class ticket please". "Who's the first class ticket for sir?". "Mr. Fender Stratocaster, dob is 1958".
"Please enter the lane for privat jets, Sir!"
What about his girlfriend lol
@@HiskOhh She had to take another flight. No room on this one.
@@tonepilot cargo hold...
Probably cut off the video , I'm pretty sure he did it off cam heheheh
Watching this again 6 months later and I can't help but think that Norm sincerely thought "this guy from Europe" was going to spend some good money there. Poor Norm.
Wouldn't be surprised if a couple went home with him. You don't advertised that you dropped $20-30K in a guitar store on UA-cam
@@joehanna_ why not? That's content
He might have
@@joehanna_ im pretty sure he hasn’t. He is Dutch ( so am I ) :-)
The guitar I played that amazed me was an old Martin that had been consigned by the kids of the original owner. I was told it was 1930s era but.... The proprietors were asking everyone who came into the store to try this guitar out which was very well used - well worn with lots of dings and lights scratches and wear marks. They said "just try it" and sure enough, bits and pieces of kernels of songs came out of the thing like a waterfall. They said it had that effect on everyone who picked it up, it was like the guitar had a lifetime of stories from the original owner that was being poured out in bits and pieces of songs-to-be coming through it. Way more expensive than I could afford but I still remember it years later.
It’s funny, guys will say; “the guitar sings”, when, the guitar is just doing what it is.
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.
1928 Martin........... most beautiful.... I have ever beheld... hands are shaking
"This is USD 30,000 because it's in such great condition."
* Paul drops guitar in shock *
"....$300.00 in 1958....not expensive." According to the U.S. inflation calculator, that's $2712.38 in today's dollars. Actually pretty expensive for a new American Strat back then.
A 1958 Corvette was $3200 NEW.
@@MrZachgonz That's $28, 964.10 in today's dollars (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation calculator). Love to be able to buy a new Vette for around $29,000 right now!
300 bucks was real money back then. Summer jobs paid like 70 bucks a week, and less.
@@rideon6140 Until 2015, summer jobs here paid the 1958 equivalent of $45 a week.
@@RideAcrossTheRiver I really didn't start working at summer jobs till the early sixties, I was guessing - so long ago, Maybe I was overpaid for digging fence holes with a jackhammer but no one else in the crew wanted to do it!
I like how during the playing Paul just goes “uhuh” to whatever the guy is telling him, and is clearly off in a different realm of consciousness somewhere 😅
You know it's getting serious when Norm takes you into the back room and starts showing you guitars.
14:53 honestly perfect description
I have played 3 genuine fender strats from the 60's and early 70's and I can tell you from personal experience that not every one of those dates is a holy grail. I believe many of these guitars at $30, 40, or $60,000 are essentially money spent for bragging rights, as far as playability and tone you can find some new fenders off the rack for under 5k that sound just as amazing.
"this guitar sounds like an old guy telling the most amazing stories" 14:51
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
I don't play guitar. Actually......I don't play any instrument. But to see a man captivated in awe and reduced to the humblest of simplicity is like watching humanity in it's purist form. Whether it be guitars, automobiles, boats, art, guns, beanie babies.....or whatever guilty pleasure defines you. It's inspirational.
14:55: “This guitar sounds like an old guy telling the most amazing stories.”
Let me pick up that guitar and it would sound like a sun dried dog turd, lol.
... So it wouldn't make a sound? lmfao
right as i saw this comment, the video reached this sentence.
i want to know what song he is playing in that part!
Its sounds the same. Just BIAS bc the “rarely” condition
dLzzz. Judas Ezekiel r/wooosh
One of my favorite UA-cam videos. So great to see someone of your talent breath life into those beautiful guitars from another era . Cheers.
It's incredible how a simple object and it's value will intimidate everyone who touches it.
This guy literally has the same voice as Penn Gillette. It's wild.
Wow. The 64 sounds incredible.
I just bought an all original and functioning 1958 Fender Stratocaster that had been stored in its case since 1981. But from 1958 to 1981, it was rarely played and is in immaculate shape. Norm helped me verify that it was the real deal. The body was made in 06/58 and the neck was made in 07/58. The volume and tone pots were dated as being made in the 26th week of 1958 or mid June 1958. The case is all original and is also in immaculate condition too.
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