I would pay a subscription to a channel that just had Eric Johnson trying out guitars.

@Shamwilder

Ай бұрын

😂 I would totally get down on that.

@essemmetv

Ай бұрын

@@Shamwilder That makes it three of us. :)

@ericdreese9145

Ай бұрын

here another, four then

@beefcake0354

2 күн бұрын

make it five 🖐

I was attending school in Lubbock, Texas back in the early 80’s. There was a club there named Fat Dawg’s that was probably smaller than Norman’s shop from the looks of it. The likes of Eric and Stevie Ray would play there for a mere $3 cover charge when they came rolling through town. Talk about bang for the buck. Those remain some of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

@Michaelobama184

2 ай бұрын

Thats when concerts and gigs were cheap and they made their money from albums and other recordings. I remember the first few Rock concert i attended cost 5.75 for a ticket then 6.75. Then along came Napster to steal the recordings and people was downloading the music for Free. Do you remember the times where the DJ would talk during the beginning of each song all the way up until the singer started in. And then they would chop off the end of the song. Its because everyone was recording the music off the radio. Now we have Free recordings and outrageously high prices for concert tickets

@jaytea42

2 ай бұрын

I was there too, great era for Lubbock and Austin.🎉

@alexcorona

2 ай бұрын

Adjusted for inflation, it was $12. Which is still a steal! Bonamossa cost me $200 last time I saw him and I was in the back row 😂 still worth it!

@davidhealy7743

2 ай бұрын

I wish I was there . But happy to still be . Thanks for this Normans Rarities.

@rancon265

2 ай бұрын

Every New Year day I recorded the top 100 with my portable cassette recorder. Had to be quick deciding if I wanted to press record since the DJ didn't give a heads up.

The opportunity to listen to Eric play without delay or reverb is awesome, still sounds amazing!

Eric’s look’n pretty good for almost 70 💪

@Fearzero

Ай бұрын

Plant based diet.

@NoName-ql1wk

Ай бұрын

​@@FearzeroGrow up

@vracan

Ай бұрын

he always looked wayyy under his age

@KingJerbear

Ай бұрын

@@NoName-ql1wk As far as I know he is in fact a vegetarian

@hashimrahman51

Ай бұрын

Nice qualification (“good for 70”). 😂

Was anyone else waiting for Eric to kick off the intro to CLIFFS?😀

13 years from now, we might hear this guitar on a record.

Even the greatest pros feel like little kids on Christmas at Norman's. So great to see that enthusiasm.

@PedroMiguel-if3ll

Ай бұрын

Enthusiasm to be rip-off? Vintage guitars sound great, but asking 25k for a 1962 is just absurd.

@KibatsuMusic

Ай бұрын

@@PedroMiguel-if3ll he said twenty five hundred = $2500

@nunyabusiness6691

26 күн бұрын

​@@KibatsuMusicsounded like he said "twenty five grand"

His vibrato is just insane, I can always identify his playing. Incredible.

That second guitar he played. The sunburst one. I can see why Eric asked about the price. It sounded absolutely perfect for him.

@danimal0974

Ай бұрын

$25,000! Damn! lol

@bambambam5663

Ай бұрын

Sounds massive!

@Rickyramos87

Ай бұрын

@@danimal0974 when it comes to vintage gear $25k is an insanely great deal. I have my eye on a left handed 1961 Stratocaster for $76,000…

@duffbaker9554

Ай бұрын

@@danimal0974 Yeah, I chuckled as well.

@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic

Ай бұрын

@@danimal0974 Yeah, but he DID get the $4,000 "Eric Johnson Discount..."

I once hosted Eric for a show. One of my favorite guitarist of all time and one of the sweetest souls you'll ever meet. Thanks for this one guys, so nice to see him.

@jamiemiller6156

Ай бұрын

I saw him in a small club in North Carolina. Just a fantastic show that will always be one of my favorites. He always came across as a low ego guy who should have been more famous than he is.

@rc121crx

Ай бұрын

My story is the same. One of the only artists that was so kind to me and my wife. There some cool cats, but EJ is the coolest of em all 😎

@907KodiakAviator

3 күн бұрын

@@jamiemiller6156was it the show Adrian Legg opened for him? I went to that show in Raleigh in the late 90s.

@jamiemiller6156

3 күн бұрын

@@907KodiakAviator No, it was Ziggy's in Winston Salem.

The King has arrived. Where’s the red carpet man. Lol. What an absolute legend. 😊😊😊😊

@bootdaclown

2 ай бұрын

Funny...he doesn't look like Buddy Guy at all.

@user-qm4uq3iq5u

Ай бұрын

The red carpet was rolled out! He clearly has the store to himself!

@realtruenorth

10 күн бұрын

​@@bootdaclownthere's many legends, EJ is one of them. So is Buddy Guy.

I like the way Eric was such a distance from the amp . Most people of demos are people sitting on top the amp. Eric has set a new method for me

@martinfletcher8275

2 ай бұрын

you can't hear the proper sound up close, you have to stand a good 8 to 10 feet away depending the speaker. Its night and day difference!!

Love Eric. One if my all time favorites. Timeless

Guess he doesn't know Stairway to Heaven. Either way this was such an honor to watch the great Mr. Johnson in the store.

@Knards

2 ай бұрын

Stairway is a forbidden rift in all guitar shops

@vedder10

2 ай бұрын

@@Knards I know that 🤨this was about sarcasm.

@zenlandzipline

2 ай бұрын

He did his own solo for Stairway on Rick Beatos channel. It was a beautiful solo, and he really sounded like HIM, he didn’t sound like EJ trying to play like Jimmy Page. He put a totally different feel to it. Amazing.

@vedder10

2 ай бұрын

@@zenlandzipline Oh I have to check that out. Thank you for the info.

@Knards

2 ай бұрын

@@zenlandzipline it is a running joke from Music Is Win.

EJ. As unique as any musician you'll ever hear. And a humble man

I’m 60 now but I can remember back a few decades ago I would tell my friends man you have to listen to this Eric Johnson fella. It so nice to see Eric still entertaining GREAT! folks across Texas and some good folks across the country. 😊

Eric has the most unique tone, he could pick up any guitar & it would sound like him. Which proves Tone is in the Hands & the Heart. Same for SRV.

@bobmanners8624

Ай бұрын

It's the driver, not just the car.

I don't know what's more impressive: Eric's playing or his head of hair.

@bogarbill6331

2 ай бұрын

The noodling did not impressed me much..

@kipponi

Ай бұрын

​@@bogarbill6331This is guitar testing like testing new car.

@Fearzero

Ай бұрын

Eating a plant based diet has its perks. I have all my hair still at age 53, 23 years into eating only plants.

@timoneil6582

Ай бұрын

@@Fearzero I bet you swallow cucumbers whole!

@JohnWahlers

Ай бұрын

@@bogarbill6331 Oh gee bogarbill-youve done it now! Im sure once he discovers you weren't "impressed me much" he will never pick up a guitar or show his face anywhere again!

Cool stuff! Eric always comes across as such a nice guy; a true gentleman. I’ve seen him play a couple times, back in the late 80s in Dallas. Both gigs were at the old Hard Rock Cafe. There were pre-show rumors that he might play a Jimi Hendrix Flying V, they had on display. Sure enough, when we got in to the to the show we noticed they had moved the guitar over to a wall hanger next to the stage. Excitement grew and he eventually took it off the wall and flawlessly played a 2 or 3 JH tunes. The crowd went nuts. I wish I could recall which songs he played. Great stuff.

@ksharpe10

2 ай бұрын

There are bootlegs of that performance, and or part of it on one of the CD's that were released.

@bldallas

2 ай бұрын

@@ksharpe10 very cool.

What a humble man and at the same time one of the best!

@bluarcher5941

26 күн бұрын

For sure. I' had the honor of watching him play in a strip club/bar down in Beaumont, Tx ( the Foxy Lady off the hwy heading toward Lamar Tech, as it was called at the time) on an off night. I was a player too and our band had the night off. I saw his name on the sign outside the club and decided to check him out. I was also into photography at the time, had a pro-level camera, and snapped some pictures of him and his band. I eventually sent some prints to him. I was one of about twenty people in the bar and I was sitting about twenty feet from the stage. They were promoting their album (this was mid 70s) and played Zap, among some other amazing tunes...I was absolutely and totally blown away with the tone, touch, and blistering clean speed. Two Twins and a sunburst Strat and he absolutely cranked. Tremendous player, very humble guy. I'll never forget those times.

love all the great musicians that stop by norm's and Norm for being the class act that facilitates these videos.....Norm and Rick Beato are the best ..... wish this stuff was available when i was a teen ager in the mid 70's !

all that tone is in his fingers and soul! EJ is my all time fav. So glad I got to meet him last year at the Woodshed Guitar Experience that Andy Wood puts on!!!

Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton and Robin Ford are my favorites. Killer chops Eric Los Angeles

@UnboundOdysseus

27 күн бұрын

3 incredible players. You’re clearly a man of culture.

The myth, the man, the legend. He makes dem strings sing.

Been watching norm's channel for years. By far the coolest video yet..just to watch Eric explore each guitar was awesome..❤.completely raw and inspiring.

The expression on Eric's face at 2:51 when he said, "That one I can do for you for 25 Grand" lol

Just a normal day at Norman's Rare Guitars. You know, just Eric Johnson popping in on a Saturday. I'd have a full on Wayne Campbell moment. "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy." 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🤘😎

@UnboundOdysseus

27 күн бұрын

I wouldn’t even have the courage to approach him. I’d just lurk from a corner. 😂

Thanks for sharing! For most of us, this is as close as we will get to watching a legend work.

Always a good morning with a video from the hard working crew at norms!

The noodling he's done is very focused. At first I was thinking "wow, he's not playing much for such a big purchase", but then I realized he was playing exactly what he needed to in order to hear how the guitar responded, the sparkle or decay on a certain bend or run of notes, all very intentional and focused.... You have to be very careful when buying vintage guitars, because no one is pricing them based on their tone. If it's a 59 Les Paul, it could sound like crap and still be worth $100k

@TJjjjjjjjjjj

Ай бұрын

Yeah and Good luck finding any real 59 Burst for $100k. Player grades are going for $400-500k (aud) atm

@marshfreeman1559

Ай бұрын

That’s a great point. I’ve never understood why everyone acts like they didn’t make lemons back in the day.

@rmzzz76

Ай бұрын

@@marshfreeman1559 Oh, dealers know very well the lemons from the great ones and with vintage you have two areas of risk 1. The factory produced a lemon, which was actually much more common in the 40s/50s/60s/70s than it is today. Today guitars are much more consistent. 2. The guitar wasn't stored properly, absorbed too much moisture, etc.. more a problem for vintage acoustics, but still a potential issue. What makes "good tone" is subjective, so they price'm like everything else, supply and demand on specs you can objectively quantify.... Lots of snake oil in music gear market and industry in general. That's why shops like Norman's are sought out by players.

This video is a real gem in all sense of the word. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. The exceptional playing from Eric, the knowledge from Norm, the helpful assistance from Lemmo, and the person behind the camera for capturing a great moment in time.

$25k ? Love it !! Remember kids , it's not the gear but the talent within !!! Hard times in California 😊

@lyrasimo

Ай бұрын

i heard 25k too...WTF ? lol

@bennyg2058

Ай бұрын

For 25K it should at least stay in tune.

@kmichaelp4508

Ай бұрын

Yeah! You heard it right. I’ll bet he walked out without. I know I would have.

@Musso88

Ай бұрын

No way he bought it.

@kentbrandmeyer2104

Ай бұрын

He could play one costing $2500 and sound about as good.

Absolutely love this and the insight

such a gentle soul.

Love to hear through his ears for a few minutes. It’s gotta be a beautiful,happy place.

Yes.....I think I’ve finally decided that Eric has rather quick fingers.🎶🎸👍

You know you’ve made it when you can just nod and keep playing when your told a guitar costs 25k 👏👏👏 The second guitar sounds AMAZING!!!!

@thomaspick4123

Ай бұрын

Not to worry. Eric will not be buying it. Musicians are poor. Movie stars can afford to buy it. Musicians get their instruments stolen too. Better to buy something cheap and get it set up nice.

@darenanderson1960

28 күн бұрын

I was in a music store and asked to try some 335s. I’m playing this amazing guitar and I said this one is outstanding. The guy helping me says, “it ought to be for $6k.” I immediately stopped playing and very carefully passed it back to the man.

Good on Eric for showing us his selection process, great Playing, great Guitars ❤❤

He sounds great ,love his playing ,he's Great😊😊

If Eric wants it he buys it! Norman knows this also!

Such a treat to watch this. EJ is one of my fav's. Just cool to see him in the candy store checking out the goods!!!

Not a fan of Eric's music, but let there be no doubt, I have immense respect for his playing skills. He's one of the very best of the very best. Thanks Norms and Eric. I can hear all the Eric influences that JB borrowed from him in a lot of his playing. Super tasty.

Guy is a legend. Cheers

Bought for $9 grand and selling for $25 grand. How does anyone make a living? And people complain about Gibson custom shop guitars that are around $6 grand +. Norm does have very nice guitars and fulfills a certain market and need.

@lelandgaunt7130

Ай бұрын

Anyone who complains about Gibson Custom guitars are just mad they can't afford them. I'm a Strat player with a few $5k relic Strats, and at $5k, they're nowhere near my $5k Reissue Goldtop. I got lucky to play a 59 Reissue, and that was also incredible, but I'm waiting on a Custom 68 Black Beauty. Don't have to change pickups, don't have to have them set up, they're perfect straight from the factory. Gibson pleks them.

@dragan4658

Ай бұрын

@@lelandgaunt7130 anyone who complains about any Gibson guitar just doesn't know quality. I don't think that its always that they can't afford them, either way anyone dissing Gibson is not guitar knowledgeable, Gibson though overpriced in some cases, makes great guitars.

Some time in the 80s I saw Eric and Pat Travers at the Astrohall in Houston. It was a great night for us wanna be players

That's very inspiring too hear ❤

This is pure joy to watch! Eric and clean (no pedals etc) gibson hollowbody.Especially out off phase* positions. So much character! I will not have guitar shop cuz i would give to Eric all what he wants for free.

One of my favorite guitarists....great guy and great playing!...waiting for him to say "Hey.....give me a Strat will ya!"

awesome video great guitars . awesome music from the amazing Eric

BB King. Freddie King. Albert King. Otis Rush. Astounding blues lick vocabulary.

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!

I had the pleasure of meeting and seeing Eric perform at The Woodshed Guitar Experience last year. You can really hear his roots and influences in his inflections in this video. Love it!

Had the pleasure of seeing Eric opening for Satriani about 30 something years ago and been a huge fan ever since. I’ve got an early EJ Strat that is a fantastic guitar. And just bought me first 335.

EJ is the kindest soul I have ever met.

Wonderful sounding guitars.

A master class in how to shop for a new guitar

It's captivating to see such a pro player evaluate a guitar. That's not noodling, everything Eric's doing has a sonic or feel purpose. Great Video.

Same pentatonic standard rock runs he’s been playing for 50+ years. He’s never grown. I’d love to hear him expanded his vocabulary.

@timmoman

14 сағат бұрын

Yeah, like most other guitarists, its only pentatonics all the time, every time, and that got really boring like almost 50-years ago

Holy smokes 25 grand! Thats one hell of a guitar 🎸

It’s interesting to hear him testing them out. I wonder what he’s listening for! Seriously one of the best players around.

LEGEND right There!

I used to live in Tarzana and I've been to this store so many times. They have a great selection of vintage and used gear and the staff is really nice and friendly. All I ever bought from them was a lowly Marshall JCM900 but they were always great to me and everyone whop walked into the store. Good memories!

The "OG" of the shred, but with accuracy and tone that's tops! Very cool to see how he processes selecting a guitar, what better place to do so than Norm's?

The dude is one of the coolest guys. Back in the 80s he'd play at a club in College Station and the place would be packed. He'd hang out after the show and chat with all of us and I always thought that was very cool. Just a down to earth guy.

picked up a Minty 1972 cherry es 335 in 1985 for $500 Canadian= $1.50 U. S. Gave it to my son 5 years ago.

How cool! EJ trying out guitars! Good licks!

Must be hell to work there 😅

And I could have swore he had been to Norms and even signed a Epiphone or Squire for charity. Some mission or something, maybe a different store. EJ is a classy humble and great guy. Not to mention his amazing musical abilities. I’ve seen him live way over a dozen times over the last 45 years.

love the face of Eric when Norm says 25 grand. Such a great dude Eric, amazing player.

I am from Austin and see Eric all the time . Never get used too him !

I love Eric. I wish I could see him live.

I love that Eric has a sound like no one else but if he wants to he can play any type of music he wants to…the man is definitely a guitar God in my book 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Oh man!what a legend WOW

The guitar sings the Blues Baby!

Eric is great and great on piano too and seems like such a nice guy too

In case you never realized: the longing for a new guitar never goes away. Even when you yourself have created a guitar that others long for. A plethora of guitar in his house and still has to visit norm for something “new.”

I heard Norm say, "That one I can do for 25 grand". Wow...I really should have bought every vintage guitar I came in contact with in the 80s-90s. They definitely were nowhere close to that. Especially in the 80s. No one even wanted them. Many would pick a pointy locking trem guitar. When Slash showed up with a Les Paul that started to change. You could pick up a good used 345 for a couple grand. Less than that, at Pawn shop looking to dump one.

@killroy123

2 ай бұрын

Isn't that what Norm basically did?

@jallenshaw

2 ай бұрын

All us “old guys” have stories like that……who’d a’thunkit at the time 🤷‍♂️…..I guess guys like Norm did

I heard him sneaking in those “Bonamassa” licks 😂

@woodybowen5362

Ай бұрын

Got that backwards. Joe will tell you himself he copped that vibe from EJ.

@19581998

Ай бұрын

@@woodybowen5362 sarcasm my friend, sarcasm

@neighborscomplaint6859

11 күн бұрын

When the clerk told EJ the guitar "had a Clapton thing going on". I just cringed. A lesser man would have said "No, it's got an Eric Johnson thing going on when I play it," but EJ took the high road. That's part of what makes him great.

Great Job Man ❤❤❤

I first heard this clip from a distance from about half way through. Obviously EJ, you can't mistake his sound. Love it.

Smooth as butter 🧈

Thanks Norm for this video. EJ and EC are my favorite guitarists.

cool to see eric playing / testing out a new guitar

@kipponi

Ай бұрын

New guitars from sixties😂. But yes nice to see...

My son's first show was EJ. What a way to get started in Guitar. EJ sounded phenomenal!

$25k! That must be the Friends & Family discount! Wow! Glad Eric stopped by, Love your videos Norman!

Mr Johnson looks good flying with Gibson every time

⚓️ Thanks NRG 🌈 Eric 😎

EJ IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER AND GUITAR MIND…EVER!

What a treat.

Eric is the man!!!

Clean is king! Thanks Eric.

He has his 'pick up and test a new guitar' go-to licks just like all of us haha

I am the proud owner of a 2008 Gibson ES 345 stereo custom re-issue three tones Sunburst. The two rigs I use in stereo are the 65 super reverb and the 57 tweed Bassman LTD. The other one is the 65 Princeton reverb matched with the 57 tweed deluxe. He would be a fool not to get that guitar

That’s a super high definition camera !

I keep a short list of best guitar players on earth And Eric Johnson is one of them. Along with: Jeff Beck Alex Lifeson Chris Poland Guthrie Govan Derick Trucks

I love that EJ does his talking with the guitar.

Thanks to Eric!

That guitars got the EJmod. Sounds awesome!

I love "Soulful Terrain"!

cool ..love this channel//wish to meet Eric someday lol