"Ask Norm" Q&A - Episode 8 | Guest: Joe Bonamassa at Norman's Rare Guitars

On this 8th episode of "Ask Norm" we have Joe Bonamassa as a guest on the couch with Norman and Nick. Again thank you for all the questions, keep them coming! We will try our best to answer as many as we can. Let us know what you think about this episode. Thanks for watching!

[@ed1978ed]

I did an interview with Joe a few years ago. We were backstage and he noticed that I'm a guitar geek, too. So he let me play a 1960 burst he had in the room. I first thought it was a reissue, and when I realized it was the real deal I nearly fell off my chair ;). Never been so close to a real burst before and the fact that he handed it to me - some journalist he never met before... What a great guy! Always a pleasure to meet him!

[@cristianosmiranda]

Guys, I'm from Brazil, 39 years old, have been learning english and how to play guitar by myself, self-student, and from the videos of yours, Norman, Joe, I've been learning a lot about new things as tone, vintage guitars and amps, I mean, a new culture! And it's for free! You guys spent five, ten, 28 minutes of your life thinking that you're just talking about guitars, but I'd tell you what: You guys are helping some people like myself to change our lives for the better, knowing a world of new things and stuff! Really thank you for this and I wish to visit your store there and buy a real and good par of equiment! God bless you all! 👏👏👏

[@danujohnstonybyby3972]

u

[@JerryRiceBall]

Cristiano Miranda Well said. Hope you’re doing well!! Rock on!! 🤘🏽

[@erik3875]

this is the kind of show that makes youtube cool and tv old.

[@moskii-kb8un]

With my monthly budget, I had the choice of either cable tv or internet service, well I chose internet for one reason...YOU TUBE

[@strangedean]

Yes, one of the reasons I haven't watched tv for about 4 years.

[@jawwinker]

I would love to see Joe play the most affordable guitar in the store just to hear how amazing he could make it sound!

[@february690]

That would be awesome!

[@FelixIsMyName]

Good call!

[@olid7947]

Almost like Lemmo Demos

[@thecrankedamps]

He's too much of a snob

[@metalmulisha0143]

His playing would probably get faster and less tasteful because the guitar is less inspirational to him and the tone would be different. But I kind of agree that the better players make cheap guitars sound better than most players

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

This was so entertaining. Joe is bloody fantastic. Listening to you guys talk about guitars was such a treat:-)

[@maxg7871]

hello nelson

[@thecrankedamps]

Joe's a fucking idiot

[@constructivecritique4049]

I just love, love, LOVE the stories of all the different vintage guitars. I've got a great story that involves my all-original, but well-played 1961 stack-knob Fender J-Bass. I gave a post-dated check for $75.00, a 1/2 oz. of shitty commercial Mexican weed, and a de-fretted Fender American Squier Bass that I traded my next door neighbor, who'd just moved here in WV, from Detroit, Mich. He had used that bass in his high school garage band he was in with his childhood friend, Bob Seger. And, yes. He had gave me a picture that had the bass in it with the band. That was in 1984. And, I still gig with that bass every weekend.

[@Big_Sierra]

Awesome story!

[@lauramoore9659]

Thank You For Making ME SO HAPPY !!!!!!

[@jwbjpb1338]

He is the best. I saw him in concert a few years ago and I am still talking about how great that concert was.

[@00xanawolf00]

Beautiful. I could watch these three for hours and be perfectly content.

[@janniechamness1076]

Make my DREAM COME TRUE JOE BONAMASSA!!!❤

[@holmes1978]

God Bless you Dear Norm I just posted this yesterday about Joe using his vintage instruments the Audience gets to see these Legendary Guitars WOW !

[@wpvb]

Great interview! Very entertaining....down to earth. Thank you for doing these.

[@jakeelliott9636]

Was lucky enough to go into norms today, and Joe just happened to drop in. Most genuine, "rockstar" I've ever met, he didn't like to talk about himself, but when I asked about his guitar and what made it unique he opened up and loved talking. Great dude

[@markjohnston3790]

I loved this conversation with Joe and you guy's and his underlying playing around 😂👍👊👏💥🔥 LOL Mark UK

[@TheRorymcloughlin]

Joe's videos are always the best, you learn something about guitars every time the genius speaks

[@stewartmartinspeight5452]

I've enjoyed every episode so far, & just love the whole Music World, so glad i play a guitar, always practicing, but it is good medicine for the soul, & "Music is the Doctor!"(Brother Doobies!), Keepin' the Blues alive!!! Peace, Love & Just feel the Groove!

[@martywilkinson6722]

Great video. Joe is a class act. I really enjoy this series. It would still be a treat to hear about the original Fender Starcasters.

[@lauramoore9659]

Thank You JOE for Sharing Your BEAUTIFUL GUITARS with Us!!!!

[@adamsrober]

Best guitar shop ever!! Thanks for the video.

[@manuelarslanyan1883]

Joe Bonamassa is a REAL Bluesman...everytime he stops talking, a cool Blues line starts till the next phrase...thats a call and response in every situaton...

[@norwegiansniper9713]

Nope, that's your friendly neighborhood annoying guitarist.

[@guitarnut7438]

enjoyed that! What a nice humble guy!

[@krazziee2000]

great interview, thanks, Joe is a very nice man and a great talent,,

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Super interview... Joe is just soooooo coooool

[@noahsianez1119]

Joe can come back any time. Greatly enjoyed this installment.

[@glassslide]

Awesome discussion, love these.

[@20watter]

Great information and insight. Thanks very much.

[@haselock1963]

Another fantastic interview.

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Norm, now we need more guitarists on this show. We love to geek out to what the guitarist plays or stories of the road. Awesome show!

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Just watched the video, and dug it, as usual - thanks guys!!! A quibble to pick though: Joe calls ES-335's "burst killers", and other great guitar players, like Warren Haynes, have said that too. However...I remember when Brian Ray (guitar and bass for Paul McCartney band) used to come over to my pad back in the day (1973-1975 Pacific Palisades, where we were raised). I had a killer stereo back then (McIntosh-JBL) which is what attracted him (along with the bud and hash I usually had). Brian was playing his vintage ES-335 (1958/9? cherry red) in the beginning, which sounded incredible to me - I had never heard a guitar played that well in person previously. Brian would play my cheap Guild Madeira acoustic, and make that sound like a million dollar instrument - brilliant playing! After he played the Madiera finger style to Dylan's newly released "Blood on the Tracks" record (which I loved), I told him he was going to be famous someday, because his playing impressed me so much. Brian replied: "there are many guitar players better than me" (butI was right!). I wasn't a "natural" guitar player myself, so it took me years to learn how to even tune and play rudimentary licks on guitar. I probably would have quit, but Brian's playing inspired me to keep at it, not that I've ever gotten very good, but I love noodling melodic lead lines. Brian subsequently brought over "Goldie", a 1957 Les Paul, right after buying her for $500, and he loved that guitar even more. He said there was something about the Les Paul that was better than the ES-335. He could feel the resonance through the solid wood more, plus it sustained better, and has an excellent sounding set of PAF's. Brian clearly preferred the Les Paul to the ES-335 back then, when he first began playing with Etta James as her band leader (his first big break). A gold-top Les Paul isn't a "burst", but they are similar guitars. Duane Allman traded his gold-top for a burst, but had his tech switch pickups, because the gold-top's PAF's sounded better to him, yet he liked the feel and look of the burst more. I wonder if the early PAF's were wound with more care, or differently? They have the same internal wiring and caps in both though - Joe explained how important they are to the signal chain. ANYways, just saying....

[@law6044]

Such a good guitar player. Humble guy as well. Knows what he's talking about

[@rayfridaymusic]

Thank You Joe!! for bringing out stuff (vintage guitars) to play for audiences, that is after all, why they made the things. In my youth, you could go into a bar and hear a guy playing an old '52 tele through a beat up bassman, usually because that's all he could afford but now it tends to be rich collectors who own them and I find that sad. So a BIG thank you for letting people hear this stuff again! rf

[@classicartfoundation639]

That was so good I watched the whole thing, interesting

[@poobum9857]

geekin it man !!! - awesome

[@holmes1978]

People that will appreciate Unconditionally

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Thanks for answering my question guys. Absolutely loving these videos, regretting not buying a guitar when I visited in May now. Next time....

[@bjdenil]

I think Joe may be becoming my favorite guitarist of all time and let's face it there are some real greats out there... Love Slash's playing... Page was increadable... Hendrix possibly pushed blues rock the farthest. BB and Albert King have such warm spots in my heart, love Eric Claptin and yet the only hold out I can think of is Stevie Ray Vaughn... Honorable mentions: Brian May, Petricci, Kieth Richard's, Jerry Garcia, Jeff Beck, EVH, Dwane Allman, Santana, David Gilmour, Mr. Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, Pete Tounshend, John Lee Hooker, Billy Gibbons, Tony Tommi, the Edge, Angus Young, Muddy Waters, George Harrison, Jim Crocci, Johnny Winter, Robert Johnson, Joe Perry, Dimebag Darrell, Willie Nelson, buddy guy, Trimony, Buddy Holly, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett (sp?)

[@leedavis6372]

I really enjoyed this video :) thanks!

[@susiewheeler8197]

I really find this relaxing to listen to

[@EcBaPr]

really cool.. thanks for sharing.

[@MattyK-USA]

Late post, who cares. What a great session, I could sit in there all day and listen to this stuff.

[@smacman68]

Joe is so good. Not only his music, but the way he honors and tributes the old greats Like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. I have had kids say "who the hell is that" and they then proceed to KZbin old videos and it keeps that old groove going. To get a 16 year old searching for tabs to Smokestack LIghtning is a very cool thing

[@johnnytruck2009]

Class act!!

[@janniechamness1076]

I OVE THIS MAN❤❤❤

[@lauramoore9659]

I love it when He Says Have You Ever Dropped a Les Paul ! Joe Has SUCH GOOD Common Sense

[@1000mg.]

I had a mahogany Gibson acoustic, 1963, the year that I was born, that I had to sell for groceries. I will never be the same. The guitar was given to me by an uncle.

[@thorndog100]

I would love to spend a day with Joe, talking guitars, jamming and just being normal, ie me not being a complete fanboy. But what a day that would be. He seems so cool and knows his stuff when it comes to guitars.

[@jeffreyminor4701]

We Love You In Cleveland Joe !!!!!!!

[@garylea6274]

I normally do not idolize anyone or have heroes but Joe is right up there! Can I play one of your 59 Les Pauls please? LOL

[@wastbs]

Just saw smoking Joe in Roanoke, VA. WOW!!! He is really awesome. The entire band.

[@Hugh9]

That was great

[@holmes1978]

So true what a trill for the fans

[@mikehabic6314]

If I lived nearby Norm's, I'd camp out there 24 x 7........Listening to players that are so in love with the instrument, is the greatest 'story time' ever. Another great player, who I personally don't think gets enough credit, and is a MASTER story teller, is GE Smith.....It would be incredible to have him, Joe, Norm, and others sitting around and sharing their stories....

[@nateemory3994]

I giged a vintage guitar today and I always do.

[@thinkpositive2393]

Bonamassa is such a cool name.

[@KoolKatRecordingStudios]

Cool Joe & Norman

[@Ozymandias_1818]

Joe is such a well of knowledge

[@SquashPile]

LMAO that Buddy story

[@metalmulisha0143]

SquashPile great story, those stories are why I watch these kinds of videos.. Buddy was a hell of a drummer and singer though

[@ryan.1357]

"I gotta run because I.. I have a... I... I gotta get my amp and... and go." That was classic. Joe Bonamassa cannot tell a lie.

[@caseylrand]

"Here's to great tools"......😂😂 anyone catch the comedy in that?😜 Anyways, in all seriousness, what a great interview. I could have listened to them talk forever about that stuff.

[@charliefoxtrotthe3rd335]

My local shop had two identical rigs set up. Les Paul into a JCM 800. One rig was all 2008, the other was 1968. He even went as far as used an original 1968 cloth covered "coily" cable and a new one. The guitars were identical in specs and setup. All the knobs on the amps were the same. He would have you play through the new one, then play the same thing through the old one. The difference was not as pronounced as I would have thought, but the old rig just had this mojo about it that I could not pin down. It was smoother on the clean side, gnarlier on the dirty side. The guitar was more comfortable to play, the amp on the old rig had a much different response and the feedback was more natural and musical. Both were stellar and there was no inherent "flaw" with the new rig, but that vintage thing is really an eye and ear opener. I bet Norm could set up something similar in his shop and Mark could really show off the difference between the two. Hey! There is a new video series. Modern Vs Vintage!.

[@paulk.5767]

Charlie Foxtrot The 3rd a 1968 JCM800? that doesn't exist

[@rafaelolazo7081]

Charlie Foxtrot The 3rd p

[@bobstarkie9925]

My father in law took lessons from Wilbur Marker back in the late 40's and 50's at the Gibson plant. ( they offered lessons at Gibson back then) He is always telling stories of those days. His dad worked there too. One of his best stories is taking home the first les paul to try out and saying it was crappy ( before the stop bar) lololol.

[@garycoates9306]

my dream come true ,,,,was at gruhns in nashvegas a real Gibson l5 from 1939 and a 30s D'Angelico

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Hey Norm, that was stupendous keep 'em coming. I have a question/suggestion for a topic of discussion: What can you tell us about the history and evolution of the various versions and any problems concerning the Fender Telecaster Bass.

[@outerloop]

Bona-seum shirt so dope!

[@outofbodypickle8408]

Great guy

[@Deliquescentinsight]

There is nothing like a good old chinwag among guitar nerds about classic vintage guitars and amps...maybe a beer or two as well!

[@Justwontdoit]

Joe, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and John Mayer are today's torch carriers

[@revned75dw]

As vintage guitars become rarer and rarer do you see a time when reissues become collectable? Perhaps the new wave of vintage guitars. ( Denver from Whitehaven England )

[@niptodstan]

Norm. Have you ever bought a vintage guitar and found out it was fake? Have you ever seen a fake that is indistinguishable from the real thing?

[@deldia]

Good question but how would you know? I'm not sure they'll admit to making mistakes and being corrected later by another party.

[@1954telecaster]

Like all dealers I'm sure he has accidentally bought a fake once or twice (and re-sold it for a profit)

[@heishephaestion4178]

"well, guys I really gotta leave because I gotta get my amp..and go.." lmao excuses. awesome clip.

[@Gtraxx1]

Joe's the man

[@f1s2hg3]

Norm and Joe my 1960’s Japanese Fender Mustang and Jazz master and Stratocaster are so good they are used in studio music and great artist and what makes them better is Fender was not first Epiphone Gibson was first and my 1969 Epiphone EA-250 is a 1970 Epiphone Matsumoto 5102T Red burst ( watermelon) finish all original and working condition. Gibson awarded Tak Matsumoku licenses for Gibson Epiphone guitars and only the fifth person to ever get this recognition for being the Mr Les Paul of Matsumoto Japan.

[@pinkeye00]

mmm Coleman's ... love that place.

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

INFORMATIVE...

[@drorwis1]

Hi Norm, i kinda like the looks and sound of 70's strats, is there anything wrong with me? ;-) my other question would be, am i better off buying "the real deal" (197X strat) or a custome shop version of a 1970's strat? BTW, just re watched the classic "this is spinal tap" movie and noticed your tshirt on Nigel, are the guitars in the movie from your collection?

[@redjet4810]

Joe is best ever.

[@markjohnston3790]

Make sure you switch your mobile phone off after that Joe wants to leave that pissed him off 😂 LOL Mark UK

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Dangerous Dan Toler was a hell of a player.

[@redjet4810]

What do you think of Fender reissued Strats? I ask this as a player that has had some original 60s Fenders, bought in the 60s. I sold them for obvious reasons, but I find that the Fender American Vintage 59s come pretty close.

[@Ryleys15]

hey norm, I want to know if the new Rickenbacker hi-gain pickups are better or worse to get the classic Rickenbacker jangle than the old toaster pick ups. is the up charge to get the toasters worth it?

[@rronzoo]

Hey Norm, could you talk a bit about your take on the differences between pre/post CBS Fenders and likewise pre/post Norlin Gibsons - specifically, any positive shifts that you feel came out of their respective "post" eras?

[@slippreygritz]

Hey Norm i was wondering why i do not see very much difference in prices of old say custom les paul's and standard's also I'm in love with the early 90's les paul standard's they sound close to the "burst" sound to me is there a reason for this or do you have a different opinion on them.

[@ShinyRacer22]

Classy guy

[@JC-mx8fy]

8:15 nailed it

[@joeycastle1997]

Are the late 60s beginner acoustics from Gibson worth buying?

[@horsecockexpress7612]

What do you think Joe uses for his Reverb handle

[@DannyStarr1976]

Wow, interesting to hear the effect that Dickey Betts show had on Joe... he's never really been into the Allmans Brothers music.. at least I'm pretty sure I've heard him say that in interviews. Am I wrong on that?

[@SamuraIrish]

Norm, with so many copies and attempts at recreating the original PAF pickups (be it Seymour Duncan's, Gibson Tim Shaw, '57 Classics, Burstbuckers, etc.) do you have opinions on which ones thru the years have truly come closest to the original PAF's?

[@JerryRiceBall]

4:27 thank you. The “les paul” was not created by les paul.. give credit where credit is due, but a lot of other great minds went into creating those guitars.

[@kenseaman5464]

norm I have a question for you. have you ever seen a 50s strat 2 -single pick up slanted.full size neck and more like a jag body?

[@lauramoore9659]

YES HE IS THE GREATEST BLUES PLAYER !!!!!!!

[@granvillefriel4469]

Wow Joe's cool as hell I have never played a 59 Paul or a Mary Kay hook me up!!

[@scottbogfoot]

14:35! Thankyou that's what i wanted to hear, 15:58, did you hear that Mark A.? Take your rings off! You should have had Joe answer the phone when it rang and not tell anybody that it was Joe Bonamassa

[@janvandamm1864]

Go to see the 12 year old Dustin Tomsen playing and sing Joe Bonamassa's song Blue and Evil. Included guitar solo. He reminds me a lot of the young Joe.

[@1234seeeed]

Norm, given the vast amount of acoustics in the store, I'm curious if you guys are familiar with Collings? Do you think they make good acoustic guitars and do you ever have them in the store?

[@jacobmckinney1414]

He played through the Deville! My question is now: was "the eq at noon with a touch of reverb?" Haha

[@metalmulisha0143]

Jacob McKinney Joe seems to be quite used to the hot rod deville and deluxes, I'm not sure if he likes them too much but he doesn't mind them at least!

[@TheSICITIPOWBrothers]

Nice

[@MissChrissyM1]

I would love to see 👁and hear 👂 Joe, John Mayer and Gary Clark Junior collaborate. Please, I’m begging for that !!

[@babayaga1767]

side note. the B52 was designed in the biltmore hotel on the corner of monument and main st. in dayton ohio on the 3rd floor conference room over the course of a week in 1952

[@DICKSLEXIA]

Hi Norm, are you friendly with George Gruhn, can you tell us about your relationship with him? Would be great to get you both in the same room talking about guitars :)