-
Philip Kubicki
Rossmeisl Guitars
Father and Son Operation
The story of Roger Rossmeisl’s career in the guitar industry had its roots with his father, Wenzel. Wenzel was born around 1900, Roger in 1927 in northern Germany, near the city of Kiel, about 50 miles from Denmark. Wenzel was a professional jazz guitarist and a jazz guitarmaker. In the early 1930s, Wenzel made a…
-
Philip Kubicki
The Fender Songwriter
Ill-Fated Mini Acoustic
Just when you think you’ve seen or heard of everything Fender ever did, along comes another tidbit about a guitar that was prototyped but never produced. In 1969 and ’70 the Acoustic Guitar Division was going strong, with Babe Simoni in charge of production. Roger Rossmeisl was the head of the R&D department, which was…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender’s Ltd and Montego
Jazz Guitars
The Ltd was introduced as CBS Fender’s entry into the archtop jazz guitar market. It was to be a prestigious example of Fender’s ability to produce a highly crafted, handmade, unique jazz guitar to stand up to the long-established archtops of the day, particularly the Gibson Citation. The Ltd was the most expensive guitar Fender…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender Ltd & Montego
Jazz Guitars
The Ltd was introduced as CBS Fender’s entry into the archtop jazz guitar market. It was to be a prestigious example of Fender’s ability to produce a highly crafted, handmade, unique jazz guitar to stand up to the long-established archtops of the day, particularly the Gibson Citation. The Ltd was the most expensive guitar Fender…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender Headless Bass
Forgotten Prototype
Reflecting back through my years in the guitar industry, much of my time has been spent in product development, prototyping, and the making of specialty guitars. In recent years, quite a bit has been written about the prototypes of instruments that made it to the marketplace. But what about the ones that didn’t, and the…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender Headless Bass
Forgotten Prototype
Reflecting back through my years in the guitar industry, much of my time has been spent in product development, prototyping, and the making of specialty guitars. In recent years, quite a bit has been written about the prototypes of instruments that made it to the marketplace. But what about the ones that didn’t, and the…
-
Philip Kubicki
The First Days of Fender Acoustics
One day in early June, 1963, I was sitting in the outer office of a deserted (maybe deserted isn’t the right word; it was an almost-empty building waiting to be filled) assembly plant in Fullerton, California, after being tipped about the development of an acoustic division of Fender Guitars. I took it as a sign,…
-
Philip Kubicki
Philip Kubicki
The First Days of Fender Acoustics
One day in early June, 1963, I was sitting in the outer office of a deserted (maybe deserted isn’t the right word; it was an almost-empty building waiting to be filled) assembly plant in Fullerton, California, after being tipped off about the development of an acoustic division of Fender Guitars. I took it as a…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender Prototypes
Gone… And Forgotten
Philip Kubicki has been active in the music industry for over 30 years. He began building acoustic guitars at age 15. At 19, he was one of the first employees to be hired by Roger Rossmeisl, of Fender Musical Instrument’s research and development department for acoustic guitars. Nine years later, he moved to Santa Barbara,…
-
Philip Kubicki
Fender Prototypes
Gone… And Forgotten
Philip Kubicki has been active in the music industry for over 30 years. He began building acoustic guitars at age 15. At 19, he was one of the first employees to be hired by Roger Rossmeisl, of Fender Musical Instrument’s research and development department for acoustic guitars. Nine years later, he moved to Santa Barbara,…
