Norman’s rere guitar founder on the documentary and “back to the future”

DURING recording Norman’s rare guitarsNetflix documentary on Los Angelesa Strip-Mall
Institution in which Tom Petti and Bob Dylan once coincided through the Rickenbacker Pikapa box,
The star became sick. Norman Harris, 76, who founded his names of the store in 1975. year, had a rare carcine carcine, suffered two heart attacks and endured extensive surgery. “I hope I’m still here to work this year,” Veteran used a guitar seller, which is at the same time intense and
Leid-Back, he said on the screen. “But if not, Saunar.”

Since the film arrived last December, Harris continued his workload, shifting the video for a robust feed, as a mission’s mission, as a peaceful means of re-homeless, and peace angeles for midnight homeless and collect Mission. Through this intensity, the store in Valley San Fernandoa City of Tarzana retains its domestic vibration for all people: “It’s like your favorite family restaurant in which the owner always said there,” he said in an interview for the film.

The store itself has reduced its hours for three days a week, so “it is crazy” when it is open, Harris says that you need 45 minutes off for phone interview from your home kitchens. Normans rare guitars are about guitars, of course, but it is also about stability. In addition to keeping the store, Harris is married to his wife, Marlene, since 1969. years. “My intention,” he says in the doctor, “just so he could provide life for my family.”

The documentary emphasizes demand for your customers and loyalty to your customers during many decades, but this does not describe the offer in detail. Where did you find all these guitars?

When I started, it was before the Internet, so you had to think of creative ways to reach people who have good instruments. I would go to all pawnshops and music stores at first. Many music stores or occasionally did not want any instruments used; They just wanted to sell their new instruments. I was happy to buy used guitars. I would give staff to the store that instructed them to the Commissions. I also descended into the Union musician. They have a manual that lists players and what instruments play. We started calling people in the book and said, “I’m a collector. Do you have anything you think you are selling?” My wife suggested that we are making an ad for “horses for sale”. We figured out that cowboys play guitar. It was somehow of Harebre, but it was actually working.

Cowboy guitar players! Can you give an example?

We have calls from people going (Conversations in a confused voice) “” For sale are horses … But you wanted to buy guitars? “It was older guys who had beautiful things. I would always say,” If you have friends who have older guitars … “Sometimes asking that question, you never know what could come.

What are the most unusual circumstances you can remember when you went out to meet a potential seller?

I went to areas in town and I would have to bring some money. I was glad to have taken my purchase and get off I didn’t stay. There were several cases I thought that would probably be best to leave. I would follow every advantage to the very end.

Give me an example.

I was once in a music store in Miami, and he became a guy next to me. After the seller went, the guy said, “Looking for old guitars? I have old Les Paul.” I told him, “I’m staying in town and this is my hotel room. If you have that guitar and want to bring it, I will be happy to buy it.” I never thought the guy was serious. I said, “Be there at 10 o’clock”

(He knocked on my door, and it was a sunshine of Les Paul. I could go through Peefole what it was. I’ve been buying it for $ 2,500. These guitars these days can be worth hundreds of thousands. This was in maybe the late 70s.

Do you still buy guitars that way?

Using the Internet all have access to everyone else. Now people contact me because we are more establishing. Back in the day, we were more Renegans running.

How did you create an atmosphere in the store, which movie is emphasizing, where everyone feels such a comfortable socializing, from regular customers to hair?

These are all musicians working in the store. We have something we usual love. People who play guitar speak a language that is all in their models, brands, who play them.

Were there moments over the years you were challenging? Are you worried about tariffs, for example?

Fortunately, we are mostly immune to it because we are dealing with American goods. It’s one of the few things we made here in America that we fixed. You look at some cars in the 70s, the 80s, and the 90s and most of these models do not have much demand because many of them are these big boats. But there were several models, such as Thunderbird or Mustang or Corvette, that there was demand. Sometimes you will see a model that is not as popular, say, fender or Gibson. Then suddenly, because it’s more accessible, some big band will play that model and it drives the job. For example, Fender Jazzmasters. Elvis Costello started playing them. We have a guy, a fantastic player; He loves jazzmasters. He sees these people play them, and other young groups begin to appear, playing these models and creates their own demand. If you can jump on that at the right time, you can get a very good purchase about these items.

You are involved in search of the original guitar from 1985. Years Back to the future. What is the background station?

Steven Spielberg and his men came to us and said they were doing film composition in 1955. years and wanted to guitar. The first guitar I suggested is the ES-5 SCVatmaster, Gibson model made in 1955. years. It was a kind of futuristic at the time. I rent them 10 weeks at 300 dollars a week.

The day they fired on the guitar, they opened the case and sentence of art, “No, what we wanted is a red guitar with a bar on Whamma.” They saw the second guitar I had, which was made around 1960. years. I said, “They didn’t make that guitar in 1955.” They said, “We’ll take some artistic freedom. The look of this guitar will make sense.” They finished keeping that guitar for a while, and on
$ 300 a week.

At the end of the shooting, I eventually sold the guitar to my friend – not knowing that the movie was ever ever big movie – for maybe $ 3,700. He has passed away since then and his wife sold the guitar. Now Gibson is looking for that guitar to do the story of the invention of that instrument.

Gibson ES-345 who used in the film, 12. Fret, (it) had a solid block of art, which was very unusual. We said several videos: “We are looking for this guitar.” We found Return to the future part IIGuitar in Europe, but it’s not the ones they’re looking for.

How did the Netflix documentary come?

My daughter (Sarah Edwards), during the pandemic, she wanted to make a small story about the store to show her her children what their grandfather was. Her friend, cinematic and director and editor, Devin Dilmore, went to school together. He was out of work during the pandemic, so they thought it would be a good time.

They came to me and I said, “I don’t mind, but please do me a favor: Don’t bother my friends and customers.” My daughter, as well as good daughters, said, “Dad, stay out of it. I guess from now on” – and called my customers. No one refused us. Kiefer Sutherland was about 40 years old, so he came as an executive producer. The next thing to do was was the hair and the Malone and Michank gun Kelly and Vince Gill and Richie Sambor and Joe Bonamass and still. He developed into something much more than originally intended to be. It is a kind of little business story. It’s a love story – I’m 55 years old. It’s a story about my health. It is much more than just a guitar.

Has the documentary led to more people entering the store?

Yes. We thought maybe women wouldn’t get it. We come a lot of women who go and go, “I really like the story and I love the fact that you married so long.” It’s not just for people who are guitar aficionados.

How is your health?

I am 76 years old and I have serious questions. I had a board of 14 hours cancer and several heart attacks. But I’m worse, I’m working and I’m fine for a person of my age. Being around young people and around you, he gave me that purpose and makes me want to go to work and push myself. I’m always looking for guitars. I have to deal with work. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning and do what I do.

This story appears 30. August 2025. year, issuing Bilbord.