Vintage Guitar Magazine, June 2005
by Ward Meeker

Builder Profile: Babicz Guitars
BABICZ GUITARS was founded after Jeff Babicz built a prototype six-string he knew was “acoustically real and visually different” – and subjected it to groups of industry experts and professional musicians. The response was so positive that he and partner Jeff Carano, who once worked together at Steinberger , decided they had to take the next step, which they saw as the Healdsburg Acoustic Guitar Festival in California.

“At the show, we were fortunate enough to be invited by Tom Ribbecke to show my guitar in his workshop where it would be seen by many of the world’s top luthiers,” he said. Babicz’s design was so well-received there was little question whether they should take the guitar to market. “And we never looked back,” he said.

“Because we were employed in the IT industry, we had the luxury of taking our time to find the right factory to produce the new Identity line,” he added. “This was a great benefit because early sales revenue went right back into the company, where it was allowed to grow because we didn’t depend on it. Also, we learned a lot about the guitar market during the Steinberger days, so we had a strong foundation.

“Hopefully we learned along the way.” Today, Babicz Guitars consists of three divisions in relation to patents, research and development, and distribution; Babicz Design, Babicz Guitars USA, and Babicz Guitars International. We recently posed a few questions to Jeff Babicz.

Vintage Guitar: Was building guitars something you undertook as a full-time venture right out of the gate, or did you start by doing it on the side?

Jeff Babicz: Everything grew very quickly, and in no time it became more than full-time. Between new product development, overseas production, and my handmade requirements, it’s 24/7.

How large was your initial product line?

It started with designs on my handmade guitars, but quickly grew into a full line of acoustics – jumbos, small jumbos, dreadnaughts, and auditoriums. As soon as we opened our first dealers and got instruments into musician’s hands, we realized that we needed to offer the typical options, such as a wood choice, cutaways, and onboard and electronics. Our newest model, the Spider, is a thin-body, all-black guitar with electronics.

Was there any particular element that has spurred your growth?

In December, 2004, we reached an exclusive distribution agreement with Hohner/HSS for our Identity Series. This really allows our guitars to get into the hands of the players because their dealer network is so large.

What is it that sets your product apart?

My goal, when I set out to develop my guitar, was simply based on my personal needs as a player. I wanted to have a guitar that addressed three specific points – intonation, string height, and acoustical sound. The The Babicz Colossal is a full-size jumbo guitar. The pattern for the molds used to build it were taken from a 1949 Gibson SJ-200. end result is a guitar that the musician can adjust quickly and easily, sounds great, and has a totally identifiable look.

How many people do you employ?

We have an overseas factory with 70 employees, which is managed by Jeff Carano and myself. As for our U.S. production, I’m a one-man shop, building about 12 handmade acoustics in a year.

What are your hopes for the future of the industry?

That it can offer the best instruments to the students and musicians as possible. This is really the heart of my Continually Adjustable Neck, from the student level all the way to the superstar musician.

What are your goals for your own products?

My soundboard/bridge and adjustable neck patent can be applied to most stringed instruments. It’s not a stretch to say that someday it will be included on an array of products such as archtops, classicals, basses, 12-strings, and electric guitars.