July 12, 1943 – March 18, 2013
One of Santa Barbara’s favorite sons, musical instrument manufacturer Philip John Kubicki, known to all his friends as Phil, passed away peacefully at home in Laconia, NH after a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Phil settled in New Hampshire in 2008. He is survived by his brother Stanley John Kubicki and wife Nola of Oceanside, CA and their sons, Bill, Dan and Steve.
Born in Detroit, Phil’s family moved to Los Angeles, CA when he was seven, settling in Whittier two years later. An early fascination with an old guitar in his grandfather’s closet turned into a hobby in his teen years resulting in Phil building six acoustic guitars before graduating high school. After attending Fullerton Jr. College, he began his career as a master guitar-builder at Fender Musical Instruments under the tutelage of Roger Rossmeisl where he was involved with many new offerings and high-end creations including electric guitars made for George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix .
In 1973, Phil moved to Santa Barbara and began building custom acoustic guitars, dulcimers, and then custom electric guitars. In 1985 he introduced the Ex Factor 4 bass, the result of his quest to create a perfectly playable, all original, state-of the-art musical instrument. He was also the go-to guy for many accomplished professional musicians the world over for custom manufacturing and optimizing any stringed creation that they desired. As stated by one of Phil’s closest friends – and customer – Rick Reeves, “His passion for sensible, simple, yet genius ergonomic attention to detail was turned into touchable perfection on each instrument made from his hands.”
As remarkable as his life’s work as a musical innovator, is the fact that Phil had the most admirable of personal qualities – being cherished and loved by his friends as being a uniquely kind and decent person.
In keeping with his wishes there will be no service. His memory can be honored by a donation to Central NH VNA and Hospice, www.centralvna.org.
Godspeed Philip Kubicki, you are dearly missed and will dwell in perpetuity
in the hearts of all of us who have known you and had the pleasure of your friendship. Peace.
