Open Letter to John Hall

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:19 pm

I've had my fill of Fenders. Not as fantastic as everyone says. During the '70's I admit that Fender made some very fine instruments, but lately, as you pointed out, the proliferation of different models is ridiculous. Quality has also suffered due to the mass market mentality.
I mean who wants to pay out more money because a Jazz has a different pickguard, knobs or finish? Not me!
Every time I open my Rick case at gigs, you can hear peoples jaws dropping open. Then when they hear that baby roar, well....

lars · Post by **lars** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:04 pm

When posting, we should consider that Mr. Hall is a very sensitive and (surprisingly being a CEO) emotional man.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:22 pm

I think the fact that the Hall family's involvement with RIC goes back quite a ways explains a lot about Mr. Hall's reactions to certain provocations (intended or not). Most people will defend family and things familial with tooth and nail.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:40 am

True....and RIC is his baby. I think he is just as passionate about his business as we are about his product, and I, for one, am thankful. I'm also thankful that he took a lot of his own time to put on a fantastic weekend-long bash for us, his dedicated customers and Ric fanatics....

I was very impressed with the 75th Anniversary bass--I thought it was stunning, with that amazing color and the special guard and TRC.... My husband, who is not even a guitar player, was so impressed that he managed to secure one of each model!!!!

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:53 am

Great post Rik - you made some terrific points!
Constructive critisism (with the emphasis on "constructive"), is fine, but I don't blame John Hall for getting upset when "armchair-CEO's" wade in with their opinions about how he should be running his company. Just because John Hall is a CEO doesn't neccessarily mean he has a "think skin" when it comes to comments about his company or product. I'm sure he feels that RIC is doing the best they can, and for folks to openly critisize his company must feel like the proverbial slap in the face.
I always wonder how we would all feel if there was an internet forum focussed on our own personal jobs where anonymous people could make comments about how they perceive our performance. I don't think any of us would enjoy such a scenario.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:31 am

Criticism (informed, not so informed) is part and parcel with producing a product, and people (especially posting anonymously) have no consideration for how their comments will be taken by others, let alone the creators of those products. As a creative person myself, I have experienced some pretty negative and unwarranted comments on occasion, but what I try to keep in mind is that although there are many who would critique, there are not as many who can do what I do, despite the faults inherent in producing anything. It's well and fine to find flaws, but let's see the critic do better under the same circumstances.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:49 am

Think about the criticism a genius like Frank Lloyd Wright or Frank Zappa had to endure in their careers simply because they did things differently and followed their own dreams. Some people think they can do it better, but it is doubtful that they could.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:58 am

John Hall and Rickenbacker have benefited greatly from the criticism here ... we see features in the 4003 like walnut headwings, and the capacitor bypass that came from input here ... and the slimmer neck profile ... call it what you want ... criticism, feedback, input ... it is a good process ... sometimes opinions clash ... hey that is part of being human ...

Rickenbacker could pay some firm to do expensive market research ... or they can come here and read our posts ...

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:00 am

Steve, you are correct. He has every right to be upset. He thew US a bone and we said, yes, BUT we want checkerboard binding, a silver case etc. I don't think we were intentionally trying to hurt his feelings, but in the end we did.
The big picture is that we are here because we all love Rickenbackers. I personally am very happy that John Hall runs RIC. A privately owned company, run the way he sees fit to run it. I'm sure if he sold out to a big corp he could make a ton of money and retire on an island. It's obvious that he CARES about the product he creates. And that's just fantastic. I hope that RIC stays in his family forever. It's so unique in todays cut-throat corporate world.

paulv63 · Post by **paulv63** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:44 am

I still think Francis Hall should have had a special edition in his memory. He made the Rickenbacker what it is today.

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:48 am

I think it's cause we love RICs so much that we had our own little "wish list" in the corner of our brains and it unintentionally broadcasted the wrong way. It came out like gangbusters and it ended up offending someone.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:21 pm

Ah, the pleasures of working with the public!

All who do, know the good and the bad.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:17 pm

Many people here already have an FC Hall signature model. Just look at the headstock of any RIC twelve string!

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:05 pm

Well, after thinking about it, I regret my lament about the lack of a 12-string. I think that the gesture was indeed very nice and I am sure the guitars will be beautiful examples.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:06 pm

Of course, I did not blast him for not offering a 12. I would not blast Rickenbacker over a choice on what model to offer. I just noted surprise and a mild disappointment.