Terrible news. A Kubicki Ex-factor was my main axe for many years -- I wore down that thing down until it was practically like a piece of old driftwood, and dropped it off w/ my uncle in Santa Barbara (who knew him) to take it to his shop for repair. Phil did an amazing job restoring the instrument, and I talked with him a few times on the phone after that. We discussed him building a custom instrument for me...won't happen now. Really a friendly guy -- he actually wanted to talk to you. The last time we talked -- must've been '08 -- he told me about how he'd gotten married, that it was a truly life-changing event, and how happy he was. God bless, Phil. Great guy, and yes, an innovator, whose work and creativity will always be remembered.
