Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary

[bluesky636]

Streaming now on Netflix.

 

[Arch D. Bunker]

Great to finally see this - thanks for the tip!

JB as successor? - well, the passion and character are there, but why give up playing for big enthusiastic crowds for running a store.

Besides, don't know if Joe has the dough to buy out Norm - that warehouse alone could contain tens of millions worth of guitars.

 

[bluesky636]

Great to finally see this - thanks for the tip!

JB as successor? - well, the passion and character are there, but why give up playing for big enthusiastic crowds for running a store.

Besides, don't know if Joe has the dough to buy out Norm - that warehouse alone could contain tens of millions worth of guitars.

Sadly, it will probably just all go up for auction at an estate sale. I don't see any way the business could be sold or anybody who could/would buy it. His son and daughter have fond memories of the various stores growing up but have no interest in running it. His wife helped Norm as the business grew but probably could not take over running it now. Norm could leave it to someone like Joe in his will, but as you said, why would Joe want it? I'm afraid the business will die when Norm does.

 

[jb_abides]

Yeah, I think the days of a Mom & Pop keep a vintage stash afloat by wheelin' and dealin' is probably past us now.

Norm's collection could be acquired by a corporation interested in the inventory for archival reasons e.g. Gibson or Fender or Martin to gain examples to scan and reproduce; doubtful it'd be Guitar Center given current state, yet I mention them to recall what was done with Clapton's 335... monetizing the actual guitar to recoup investment and gain sales differentiation.

If not acquired by one of these, they could form a collaborative joint venture to do so, with other entities. It could take on the form of a non-profit foundation or a profit making venture with some non-profit 'leave-behind'... would they divide and conquer the stash? Hmm.

Or, enlist a group of interested investors, maybe Joe, Ismay, raise funds via a platform backed by credible experts, and so forth. Akin to the coalitions we see in professional sports.

Even better if any such entity works towards the following:

• Preserve pristine examples and sell players, position the keepers to be maintained by the entity, categorized for lending to professional musicians for special occaistions, schools, scholars, other worthy institutions such as museums, with revenue streams being generated to share and maintain them.
• Commision 'reproductions' and license ancillary collateral such as designs and artwork to support the mission.
• If there's excess ROI after long-term stability is achieved, divert funds to worthy causes: music educations programs, grants, and the like.

Maybe overblown for a small footprint of instruments in the grand scheme of things... but the vector of intent remains.

If I had the dosh... that's what I'd do.

 

[bluesky636]

I met Norm when I went there for the first time in 2014. It was my 60th birthday. Got my picture taken with Norm and bought his book which he had everyone in the shop sign. Went there several more times whenever I was TDY in LA.

https://flic.kr/p/mNuQfF

https://flic.kr/p/mNuNQr