http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj9LzzYE ... B6&index=2

Nice video of John Hall.

Yes nice video of Mr Hall giving us a History lesson, glad to know the wood worms are long gone. Yes the electric guitar business was definitely boosted by Mr Hall's fathers influence. The guitar market today is massive, so many brands, and models. Still great to know Ric is still there going strong, still in family hands and producing great instruments

If Adolf Rickenbacker had no heirs to pass the business onto then it was lucky Mr Hall Senior stepped in even though at the time electric guitars were relatively unknown. We all know that changed into the late 50s and early sixties. Lap steels first then guitars, that seemed to be the order of the day.

I'm going to guess that this was some time ago; I believe JH's mustache is entirely, or more, grey than in this video. He also sounds different than the other two videos I have seen. Notice the small smile, too.

This wasn't THAT long ago . . . 5 years maybe? I may be grayer but I'm also lots more fit looking! Anyway, you'll have plenty to compare with, as I've done several video interviews more recently that will appear one of these days.

This is pretty abbreviated. As I recall there was more than an hour's worth to that interview.

Damn those editors.

I look forward to hearing more about the company. I'm totally obsessed with these guitars now... Just what I need. Why do you have to make such iconic guitars?

Mr Hall, glad to see your keeping fit never mind the splash of grey. I would have liked to have seen the complete hour of interview, it would be a good history lesson and who better to tell it

LOL ..... I bet AGNP ain't no oil painting either! He's a tad cheeky!

I never see grey hair as a bad thing. I'm not particularly concerned with going bald either. Some men look better as they age; Roger Waters, for instance. It's one of those maturing things that make humans comparable to wine.

I agree about the grey hair, as I have plenty. Being fit is my personal solution to feeling unattractive to the opposite sex.

Is there any possibility of seeing the whole hour+ interview?

I found another interview from about the early nineties, judging from the 220 I saw on the factory floor racking. The whole thing is in Japanese except for John and Roger (Jim) McGuinn speaking. The film shows much of the inside of the factory with people working.

What I found most interesting was John apparently saying that Rickenbacker was never meant to be anything but a niche guitar. Not meant to be an all-around instrument. If I understood him correctly, this is a real problem for me.

I always thought of a Rickenbacker as an early attempt to make a better mousetrap. This gave me hope of establishing an individual tone with a design and a brand that had a strong historical pedigree. I have always felt a deep need to establish a different yet relevant tone and approach to guitar.

That is one reason I like progressive rock and Rickenbacker guitars
-Take what exist and go further and deeper to discover new ground -based on and as good as, the old.

I find his comments somewhat disheartening. Am I naive for feeling this way?

I'd also like to add, that I own 2 650s and a 260(Eldorado). All three of those guitars have quiet, high-gain humbucking pickups that sound completely modern. Also, they have a large dose of jangle and are great for playing searing high-distortion leads. So I guess that answers my question.