New Kubicki Factor Models Available!
George Dibos
instruments. He doesn't have net access, so I'm bridging the gap.
PLEASE REFER ALL QUESTIONS, therefore, to Phil Kubicki directly at
(805) 963-6703 tel or (805) 963-0380 FAX, or write:
Philip Kubicki Technology
726 Bond Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
The new instrument is the Kubicki KEY FACTOR, which is a variant of
the famous Factor and Ex-Factor basses. (The Factor and the Ex are
still both very much available--the Key is not a replacement for them,
but merely an addition to the Factor line.)
The Key's body shape, neck construction, and electronics are direct
carry-overs from their predecessors, with the changes being primarily
the ones required to make a "conventionally bridged and tuning keyed"
bass out of the radical Factor design. For those who are already
familiar with the original Factor, here are the differences:
. Rosewood or Maple fingerboard option
. Conventional "screwed into the top" type of bridge
. Four or FIVE(!) string option
. Schaller tuning keys on head (2+2 or 3+2 configuration)
. Lighter weight (7 lbs for 4-string, 8 lbs for 5-string)
. Slightly different cross-sectional body contour
. Significantly lower price--$1500 list vs. $2500 list for
the 4-string! (The 5-string is $1700 list)
The Key Factor bodies are also made out of soft maple instead of alder,
but the *original* Factors are now, too... The change-over to maple
occurred earlier this year. An improved, "woodier" tone is the reason
for the change.
Key Factor colors are:
#806 Black
#813 Charcoal Pearl
#815 Red
#817 Bahama Green
#870 Yellow
#881 White
#883 Midnight Blue Pearl
#885 Transparent Burgundy
#887 Transparent Blue Burst
#891 Tobacco Sunburst
I have not played a Key Factor, but am an immensely satisfied "regular"
Factor owner, and have some impressions based on that experience after
closely inspecting some large, detailed color photos of the Key Factors:
- I wouldn't be surprised if the Keys have a noticably superior tone.
The bridge (a Kubicki exclusive design) is compact, attached directly
to the top, and made from a super-hard aircraft-grade aluminum that's
black anodized... Aluminum is an excellent conductor of sound, and
the lack of the massive tuning screw assembly to soak up some of the
string vibrations could mean the Key Factors are less "hi-fi" sounding,
and more "woody" sounding than the original Factors. The maple and
rosewood fingerboards--instead of ebony--might also contribute to
this.
- The original Factor's exquisite playing balance may have been lessened
somewhat for the same reason (less mass in the bridge + some added
weight to the headstock). My guess is the Keys are still well-balanced,
though. Those Schallers are *small!*
- The naked, laminated maple neck showing through on the fingerboard of
the non-rosewood version looks cool as hell! 32 of them l'il puppies!
- The new bridge looks eminently funtional and easy-to-use. Each string
saddle individually adjustable for height and intonation with standard
tools. Looks like a Phil-i-fied version of the latest Stingray bridge.
- One oddity: because of the narrow headstock, the outside strings of
both the 4 and 5 string must wrap around their posts "backwards" to
get a straight string pull across the nut. This doesn't mean the key
itself must be turned backwards, though, the worm-gear has just been
cut in reverse to compensate. You won't have to develop new reflexes
while tuning, in other words, just while re-stringing :-)
- I honestly and truly think that if I were to play a Key and a "standard"
side by side, I'd probably prefer the Key outright, not even considering
the price difference. (I'm a woody tone freak!)
- If the Key models are as painstakingly executed by "Perfectionist Phil"
as his original Factors, their $1500 list price (meaning ~$1100 "street
price") will make them a *serious bargain* in today's market.
- I want one. 8-0 (aaaaagh! not another bass!) (yes! yes!)
That's it. Remember, please don't e-mail me with specific questions,
call Phil. He's a complete gentleman and always has the time to talk
to musicians. Get ready for customer service the old-fashioned way...
He *earns* his loyalty, one instrument, and one customer, at a time.
Oh yeah... The key models are a production item, and available TODAY.
This announcement is not a "teaser" designed to measure customer demand.
And one more thing: I receive no compensation for, and never have, or
am I associated in any way with Kubicki Technology, Inc. I'm just a
satisfied customer doing a favor for both my friend Phil AND my friends
on r.m.m.b. Exactly the sort of thing the net does best, methinks.
Keep it low, and keep it cool,
George
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| George Dibos | Kubicki, MusicMan, and Alembic basses / Trace Elliot |
| geo...@meaddata.com | amplification... Serious lover of Rockin' Blues, Neo |
| in Ohio, USA -- | Rockabilly, Texas Boogie, Cajun Rock, and all forms |
| (Yuk!) | of party/dance music with a turbocharged backbeat! |
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| I'm always looking for good tracks for my band to cover -- If you have some |
| info about CDs in the Paladins/Blasters/Forbidden Pigs/Los Lobos/SRV/ZZTop |
| tradition, don't assume I already know about them. PLEASE E-MAIL! Thanks! |
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