Confessions of a Vintage Guitar Dealer: The Memoirs of Norman Harris

by Norman Harris

Overview

(Book). In Confessions of a Vintage Guitar Dealer , Norman Harris tells how he became the world's leading seller of vintage guitars. As founder and owner of the legendary store Norman's Rare Guitars, he has sold some of the finest fretted string instruments to the biggest stars in the world, including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and many others. In 1970 Harris moved to Los Angeles in hopes of hitting the big time in music. His first plan was performing, but plan B was buying and selling guitars, and he had no idea how much opportunity for this there would be. Many groups came to LA also hoping to hit it big, but those who didn't might have to sell their instruments. This helped make early-1970s Los Angeles a haven for beautiful vintage guitars. At the same time, Hollywood was beginning to realize the value of time-correct instruments in film, and the recording industry recognized the high-quality sound vintage instruments produced. The value of these instruments has grown dramatically since the '70s, and the vintage guitar market has become an international phenomenon with Norman Harris at the center of it all. Filled with fascinating stories and insights into the entertainment business, Confessions of a Vintage Guitar Dealer is an intriguing memoir from a man who has spent a lifetime getting extraordinary instruments into the hands of extraordinary artists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781495035111
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/2016
Pages:	308
Sales rank:	653,454
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Norman Harris (Los Angeles, CA'), 'owner of the renowned Norman's Rare Guitars, has for 50 years bought and sold treasured guitars in deals with the world's top stars and supplied instruments for more than 100 TV shows, music videos, and films, including Back to the Future, The Last Waltz, and This Is Spinal Tap. His previous book, Norman's Rare Guitars, displayed beautiful vintage guitars from his collection. Harris has been featured in the Robb Report, LA Magazine, and every guitar magazine worldwide.

Table of Contents

Foreword Richie Sambora ix

Preface Joe Bonamassa xiii

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction: Let's Make a Deal xix

1 Miami Daze 1

2 Draft Board '69 9

3 Moving To California 19

4 The Hendrix of the Electric Bass 23

5 Union Dues, Music Stores, and Buying Strategy 27

6 Encounter With A Beatle 37

7 A Gentleman Named Robbie 43

8 Eddie's Custom Strat 51

9 Crash Corriganville 57

10 Norm's In Hollywood 63

11 Plan B 77

12 Founding Fathers of Fender 85

13 The Right Time to Sell 91

14 King of the Swaps 101

15 The Elusive 'Burst 109

16 Advertising Pays 115

17 World Famous Tinkerer 123

18 The Ones That Got Away 129

19 Mysterious One-Offs 135

20 The Greatest Unknown Guitarist 145

21 Fogerty's Rick 151

22 Scary Situations 155

23 Killer Basses 161

24 Playing For Laughs 165

25 A Really Good Guy 171

26 Reo Dave 177

27 A Piece of the Magic 183

28 Unexpected Gifts 189

29 A Mission 197

30 Shaking All Over 203

31 You Can't Do It Alone 207

Conclusion: Wisdom 211

Index 217