A bit off topic, but also a bit on: I did the social media for Höfner for a while. Long story. And you can't imagine how many people message you, know it better, etc. I think it is a big pain in the arse for smaller manufacturers to deal with customers online.
In Höfner's case, people expect you still have parts from the fifties and you can send it immidiately and if possible for free, and as warranty. From screws to whole necks.
People are disappointed if you don't know the exact price for a '60s archtop, which they wanna sell.
People know the truth about Macca's bass, tell Höfner this truth, while a guy from Höfner worked on that bass. They claim he uses certain strings, while Höfner/Pyramid supply them...
People blame a bad setup on a Chinese Höfner, ordered online. Go to a shop, buy it there and ask for a setup, I would say, but they blame the brand and ask for a new, well set up bass. Etc.
And a lot I have blocked in my mind, haha! And you always have to be polite.
So for JH I think it must have been frustrating sometimes too! So many know-it-alls. I daily deal with people who never played Thunderbirds and claim my '76 is very heavy, while they've never played one. It is one of my lighter solidbodies and I think my lightest long scale by far.
Rant over.