Phil Petillo circa 1969.
It is a sad day for guitarists here at the Jersey shore. Master Luthier Phil Petillo has passed away at the all too young age of 64 late Friday evening from a massive heart attack.
Mr. Petillo was a world renowned luthier and builder with a star studded client list including, Bruce Springsteen, Tal Farlow, Sir Paul McCartney and Jim Croce to name a few. His reputation and luthier skills can be described as legendary.
Besides being a world renowned luthier Mr. Petillo was an Engineer, Inventor, Electronics Consultant, Draftsman, Scientist and Musician. He held 30 U.S. patents including those for his Petillo Precision Frets, Petillo strings, and pickups, as well as surgical devices, hydrogen generators and fuel cell technology. He was a true renaissance man indeed.
The list of his attributes and accomplishments could go on and on… Many people who visited his shop described him as a warm, friendly and generous man. His son David was his only partner in the shop and will have to carry on the Petillo name. I suggest you check out the thread on The Gear Page to learn more about him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Petillo family…
Click here to visit The Gear Page.
Click here to visit Petillo Guitars.