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Firefox Bass from Ark Instruments

#107
fyrwyr said:
I offered to work for them after Phil Passed on but they did not seem to know what to do for a while after his death so I continued on my own with my new designs with Phil's blessing...
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I really like some of your other designs way more than the Firefox! the SR71 bass would be even better looking if the rear "pods" were integrated IMHO - and I like that even the headless designs have SOMETHING up there
 
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#108
India_Sierra said:
I think this bass is super cool and it's great to see a builder looking forward with his design, through the fog of vintage-obsessed nonsense which has rather stymied cool new designs in recent years.

As a former Kubicki Ex Factor player, I think I would like this and I love the fact Phil had some input on this project before be died. He was always a visionary himself and wanted to drive instrument design forward. I still consider the Ex Factor be one of the best looking, best sounding and easiest to play basses around.
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By saying "vintage-obsessed" are you referring to players seeking only vintage inspired instruments? If so I feel it's the same criteria as with any design/style, which is - is it a good, playable design. Either 'vintage inspired' or 'futuristic' (for lack of a better handle) or a mix of the two can be good or not so good design. As long as any design is a good design both functionally and aesthetically - it simply comes down to a difference in style and ones personal preference toward one or the other.

Phil Kubicki's Factor design was an example of old-meets-new and checked all the boxes of function. They remind us of the 80's because of the players/bands who used them then - but the design is classic good design.
 
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#109
JIO said:
By saying "vintage-obsessed" are you referring to players seeking only vintage inspired instruments? If so I feel it's the same criteria as with any design/style, which is - is it a good, playable design. Either 'vintage inspired' or 'futuristic' (for lack of a better handle) or a mix of the two can be good or not so good design. As long as any design is a good design both functionally and aesthetically - it simply comes down to a difference in style and ones personal preference toward one or the other.

Phil Kubicki's Factor design was an example of old-meets-new and checked all the boxes of function. They remind us of the 80's because of the players/bands who used them then - but the design is classic good design.
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Very well said ;)
 
#110
DDXdesign said:
I really like some of your other designs way more than the Firefox! the SR71 bass would be even better looking if the rear "pods" were integrated IMHO - and I like that even the headless designs have SOMETHING up there
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The Firefox is not my "personal" fav, just the model the OP decided to discuss in this thread. The SR-71 and a few others are even more fitting to my personality, but I do still like the Firefox ;)

And I agree about having "something up there" for a headless design. The one thing that I never cared for with headless designs was a lack of some sort of a "head" to finish it off visually
 
#113
Robert B said:
I tend to be a traditionalist when it comes to bass designs. The Pbass is my instrument of choice. But I have to admit, I find this design very attractive, although definitely different and futuristic. Am I the only one that's been checking out this bass? Dare I say, "This is the bass BMW should have designed?
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Hey Robert,

Actually I find the design attractive as well. However headless basses just creep me out.

Do you know if Firefox makes a bass with a headstock?

I am thinking about getting a Kubicki though it would be a "Key Factor" with the tuners in conventional location.
 
#120
D-Smith said:
Someone may have asked by now, did not read all six pages, have you built the bass in the first post yet or just the CAD drawing at this point?
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No Firefox built yet, just it's cousins the Relayer and Pulsar which have the same neck and bridge and pickups, just a different body shape..
 
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