Acoustic Guitar Magazine
June 2005

Read this article on the AG website.

For the most part, modern steel-string flattop guitars vary more in details than in conceptualization. But the work of luthier Jeff Babicz—who is no stranger to nontraditional guitar design, thanks to his time at Steinberger Guitars in the 1980s—is a notable exception. His latest innovations, found in his Babicz acoustics, include what he calls a “lateral-compression soundboard” and an adjustable neck joint.

Construction
It doesn’t take an expert to immediately recognize that Babicz guitars are different. Although our review instrument—an Identity Jumbo—has a standard jumbo shape (measuring 16 3/4 inches across the lower bout), it takes on a radical look from the strings fanning out the back of the bridge to individual anchors (fastened with threaded posts) about 1 1/2 inches away from the top’s edge. With this design, instead of being activated by a direct pull at the bridge, the guitar top gets energized by a combination of torque in the lower bout and downward pressure at the bridge. The most obvious advantage to this construction is that it prevents the top from bellying, but it also allows for very light bracing. In fact, rather than the standard X-bracing found in most flattop steel-strings, the guitar’s primary support comes from two longitudinal braces that run almost the entire length of the top. In addition, the bridge plate is framed by two parallel braces, and the treble side of the lower bout has two short braces that attach to the top at about a 45-degree angle from the center line.

The Babicz’ other unique construction feature is an adjustable neck joint that allows you to set the instrument’s action with a few twists of an Allen wrench (which conveniently snaps into a clip on the back of the headstock). Rather than using a pivoting mechanism like some adjustable neck joints, Babicz’ system moves the entire neck up or down, keeping the action more uniform throughout the fretboard and the guitar in tune. (For more information on adjustable neck joints, see the Shoptalk article “Back to the Future” in the December 2004 issue of AG). Serving the overall goal of a completely adjustable guitar, the Babicz bridge is bolted on and can be moved about an eighth-inch forward or backward to fine-tune the intonation.

Although the Identity offers many fresh concepts, Babicz followed a proven path when it came to selecting materials. Our review guitar’s top boasted beautiful bearclaw figure, and the stunning rosewood back made me double-check the guitar’s price, as it would befit an expensive custom instrument. The guitar’s craftsmanship was first-rate throughout.

Sound and Functionality
After giving in to the temptation of strumming the fanned-out strings behind the bridge (the ploinky sound of which won’t have much appeal for anyone but the avant-garde), my first impression of the Babicz was how “normal” it felt and sounded. Some experimentally designed guitars are more pleasing to the eyes than the ears, but the Identity delivers mature, honest flattop tone that doesn’t sound like it came from a strange guitar. It’s difficult to say whether the guitar’s airy bottom-end response, which fills out bass runs and lends a big voice to chords, is the result of its large body (some “normal” jumbos offer similar qualities) or the reduced stress on the top. Whether fingerpicked or strummed, the Identity emanates a rich voice, and only players looking for the fattest of trebles may wish for a little more substance.

One important factor to keep in mind when playing the Babicz is that its tonal character changes depending on how the neck is adjusted. For instance, super-low action drastically reduces volume and overall note development, while moderately high action lends muscle and allows the guitar to breathe. It’s fascinating to hear how these adjustments affect the Identity’s sound, especially when you consider that most guitars require time-consuming detuning, saddle replacement, and retuning—at the very least—to get the same result. Even better, the Babicz neck mechanism works flawlessly and it’s easy to tweak the action to exactly the point you like best. My only criticism is that I felt our review guitar’s saddle shape was too low on the treble side. When I tried to set up the guitar for extremely low, electric guitar–style action, the high strings were more prone to buzzing than the bass strings. (Babicz says that the guitars now use a different saddle and nut). But after slightly shimming the saddle’s treble side, I succeeded in making the Babicz play as effortlessly as a Strat or Les Paul!

The Wrap
Overall, the Babicz Jumbo is a cool guitar that will appeal to players who like unusual instruments. While Babicz’ innovations are impressive, the best part is that the guitar is a lot of fun to play. Because I was able to set it up to play much easier than any of my own guitars, I particularly enjoyed playing difficult chord-melody material, and I found that the guitar responded well to a light right-hand touch. Adjusted with higher action, the Babicz also took well to more aggressive strumming, making its included Allen wrench a magic wand of flexibility.

Music Trades Magazine
February 2005

BABICZ GUITARS USA, a developer of patented acoustic guitar technology, has named Hohner. Inc./HSS its exclusive U.S. distributor. The two companies will formally introduce their strategic partnership at the NAMM Show in Anaheim.

Hohner/HSS President Lyndle Volz said, "The innovative features developed by Jeff Babicz were a natural addition for Hohner's resurgent and redesigned guitar product line. The Babicz Identity Series fills a crucial segment in our guitar mix for 2005 and beyond by allowing us to offer dealers a wider range of instruments, price points, and technological advances."

Babicz Guitars USA was formed by industry veterans Jeff Babicz and Jeff Carano. After introducing their Babicz Identity line of acoustic guitars at the 2004 NAMM show, the two former Steinberger Guitar managers realized that demand for the product would quickly exceed their distribution capabilities. "We had a close relationship with Lyndle during the Steinberger/Gibson era and had always respected and admired his integrity and professionalism," stated Carano. "To say that we are enthusiastic about working with Lyndle again would be an understatement."

Jeff Babicz, Lyndle Volz, Jeff Carano

Under the arrangement Hohner/HSS will provide sales and marketing services through its network of authorized retailers. In addition, Hohner/HSS will provide distribution logistics by utilizing its U.S. warehouses and distribution infrastructure.

"Hohner's impressive operation and reputation for customer service provides the level of efficiency we have been looking for." stated Jeff Babicz. "I'm very proud to have our products associated with such a fine company." Babicz Guitars USA develops and manufactures the Identity series of acoustic guitars, which feature the company's patented icZ Technology, he soundboard/string anchor system, the torque-reducing Split Bridge, and the Continually Adjustable Neck.

Acoustic Guitar Magazine
December 2004

…New York State luthier Jeff Babicz uses a vertically adjustable neck joint in both his production-line Identity series and custom-made Signature series guitars. “Being locked into a fixed string height was always an issue for me”, he explains. “I always thought that the way to deal with that was not at the saddle, because you affect tone and projection when you adjust the height of the saddle”. Babicz feels that a vertical adjustment is superior to that of a tilt, because it doesn’t require an adjustment to the guitar’s intonation as it’s repositioned. Babicz’ heel literally moves up and down on a pair of sliding skids, controlled by an Allen screw on the guitar’s back. ‘It affects your tuning very minimally” he says, “so you can continue to play, even on the fly”…

Music Trades Magazine
October 2004

The semi-annual Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night reached its 12th year in Nashville on Friday, July 23 at the Ryman Auditorium. It featured one of the most exciting lineups ever, including Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, Adrian Belew, Seymour Duncan, Kaki King and the show’s hostess, Muriel Anderson.

During the show, a silent auction was held where contributing companies offered items for sale, the proceeds of which benefit the Music for Life Foundation. The Babicz Guitar Company provided one of their Identity Series Dreadnought acoustic guitars for the cause. “We were hoping that the guitar would go to someone who would appreciate it” stated company president Jeff Babicz on the day following the event.

Steve King and Johnnie Putman placed the winning bid for the Babicz Identity Dreadnought. "The Steve and Johnnie Show" is an overnight kaleidoscope of people, places and things ranging from breaking local, national and international news stories, to celebrity interviews, to in-studio "jams" with visiting rock groups featuring Steve on guitar.

Johnnie Putman, Jeff Babicz, Steve King.

Steve King joined WGN Radio in 1984. Along with his wife, Johnnie Putman, he co-hosts Chicago's number one all-night show. A native of Chicago's south side, Steve's has used his musical talent to establish himself as a singer/songwriter and musician winning a Downbeat magazine jazz contest and recording as a rock singer/guitarist for various labels including one of the industry giants, Mercury Records.

After introducing themselves to Jeff Babicz at the Summer NAMM session in Nashville, Steve admitted that he had “been up ‘til four o clock in the morning” playing the new addition to his guitar collection, affectionately named “Babs”. An avid guitar collector, Steve King has an eye for innovative features and performance. “We are very pleased that our guitar has found a good home, and also happy to have played a part in such an important charity event” stated Babicz.

Widely respected as the premier woman finger style guitarist on the scene today, Muriel Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Finger picking Guitar Championship. She is host and originator of the renowned "Muriel Anderson's ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT®" and founder of the Music for Life Alliance, a non-profit organization to put musical instruments in the hands of underprivileged children by providing instruments and funding for music education to schools and grassroots programs nationwide.