I don't often get emotional about the passing of public figures or prominent people, but I'm feeling really sad about this.

Hard to lose an innovator of any field.

The fact that he was a really nice guy doesn't help either.

Wow. A true innovator.

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.