Hallmark Guitars founder dies at 72

[Bob Shade]

Dear members,

Sadly, Joe Hall has passed away at 72 years of age. Joe has been fighting for his life for the last few years and finally lost to liver disease.

Just a brief history on Joe.

Joe worked with Mosrite from the late 50's to the early 60's helping build and design with Semie Moseley while also building at his own shop his own line of custom guitars under the Sterling brand. These were usually one of a kind models featuring heavily carved bodies and Joes handwound pickups and hand made aluminum hardware.

Following Sterling, Joe did some designing and building for Bob Crooks at Standel and created about 25 pieces. Bob Crooks decided to employ a lesser known company to build the Standels to save cost.

By 1965 Joe founded Hallmark Guitars. The first creations were made from leftover Standel bodies he had produced and featured a large chrome plated aluminum plate just like the ones he designed for Standel and this has become to be known as the "Double-Brand". I know of 4 of these to exist but I am sure there is a few more out there.

Joe is approached by Bob Bogle to create a guitar to compliment his new line of amplifiers branded "Encore". Joe said " Bob Bogle came by to show me a guitar concept. It was a crudely cut out body symmetrical in shape. He also had a drawing. I asked him if he was happy with the design and he said Bob said that he was not exactly sure, so Joe made one of the horns offset to improve the look and Bob liked it. Almost immediately after this Bob called Joe on the phone, and told him that the man managing the Encore sales had taken off and stolen all of the pre order capital leaving Bob with orders Bob could not fill, and sadly he was going to have to declare bankruptcy and end the project. He told Joe if he wanted to continue without him under a different name he was welcome to continue with the design, but that was it for him.

Joe then called Andy Moseley, and made Andy a silent 50% partner in Hallmark. Andy while still working at Mosrite helped Hallmark with orders, raising capital, and printing for sales purposes. Hallmark raised enough money in 1966 selling shares of the company to business men in Bakersfield they raised enough money to rent a building and hire employees. There were quite a few recruits from Mosrite. Bill Gruggett, Don Stanley, Bob Stanley to name a few.

Like other guitar manufacturers in the late 60's times were not good. Hallmark officially closed it's doors due to lack of sales in 1968. Joe Hall left the guitar industry only building one of a kind instruments later in life and becoming a consultant with the new Hallmark Guitars company.

Joe was a good man, a good friend, and I will sorely miss his companionship and help here at Hallmark Guitars.

Rest in peace Joe Hall,

Bob Shade

[KRamone27]

I'm sorry for your Loss Bob. He will surely be missed but his contribution to the guitar industry will last forever.

[Sarah93003]

Prayers to his family and friends for their loss.

[Veenture]

I offer you my condolences Bob. I feel proud owning a guitar that is connected to Joe Hall; the Hallmark 60 Custom.

[TimR]

Here's a picture I had saved of an old Sterling guitar -pretty cool, huh?

My sympathy too, Bob. You were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Joe Hall. Those old Bakersfield guys are almost gone .......

[Bob Shade]

Yes I consider myself very fortunate indeed! If you knew Joe you would know why. Thank you guys, I really appreciate the support and I will forward this to the family.

Yes I have seen this Sterling too! There is a matching octave neck guitar have you see that?

Bob

[Desert Surfer]

Thanks for sharing the news, although it is a sad one.

Rest in peace. Joe Hall. My condolence to the family.

[KRamone27]

Welcome back Vincent, where ya been hiding?

[Desert Surfer]

Welcome back Vincent, where ya been hiding?

Had cataract removed for both eyes last year. The surgeries were successful. But I can't spend too much time on computer..

[KRamone27]

Well Vinny I wish you a quick and speedy recovery