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Good morning Kubicki fans.
I'm sure some of you here are on the Kubicki FB group that I often post in. I feel compelled to reiterate that people who claim all EXFactors are the same could not be more wrong. This truly is an instrument with a mysterious past. There are so many hidden facts and pockets of missing empty information that span throughout all the eras of manufacture it will make your head spin.
For instance I recently inquired about positivity identifying the type of wood used for the body's.
The official Factor website claimes its Eastern Soft Maple. Well it turns out it could be anything from Maple to Alder to Ash or whatever Phil chose to pull out of the shed that day. Im talking about your standard model ExFactor. Not the exotic woods or custom orders.
If you were lucky enough to have the type listed on the original build sheet you in good shape. Failing that YOU have to identify it. The implications of this fact translates to different weights and tones. So in closing there is a lot more to be known and had when it comes to these instruments than one would perceive. This is just another example of many that make one Factor different from the next. If one is serious about acquiring this bass you should do as much research and history on the piece as possible.
I'm sure some of you here are on the Kubicki FB group that I often post in. I feel compelled to reiterate that people who claim all EXFactors are the same could not be more wrong. This truly is an instrument with a mysterious past. There are so many hidden facts and pockets of missing empty information that span throughout all the eras of manufacture it will make your head spin.
For instance I recently inquired about positivity identifying the type of wood used for the body's.
The official Factor website claimes its Eastern Soft Maple. Well it turns out it could be anything from Maple to Alder to Ash or whatever Phil chose to pull out of the shed that day. Im talking about your standard model ExFactor. Not the exotic woods or custom orders.
If you were lucky enough to have the type listed on the original build sheet you in good shape. Failing that YOU have to identify it. The implications of this fact translates to different weights and tones. So in closing there is a lot more to be known and had when it comes to these instruments than one would perceive. This is just another example of many that make one Factor different from the next. If one is serious about acquiring this bass you should do as much research and history on the piece as possible.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I've owned a few and one was definitely alder as I stripped and refinished it. The other two (both FCS) were of similar weight but as they were painted (black & sonic blue) I have no idea what wood they were. My favorite is the natural maple body/maple neck-fb one that is shown on The Kubicki Factor fb page. There's a couple of early & rare ExFactors on eBay right now. A prototype one (black) with different design pu's and pu placement (and a center rout for a J-pu!) and white one of the same serial # as the black one John Taylor played on SNL.
Make your head spin. Just when I think I've got a decent handle on Kubicki history I uncover something that completely changes my perspectives.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
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- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
The cost of 'rare' - I remember seeing a crazy Steinberger prototype that surfaced after years of obscurity but can't recall it's 'worth'.
That white one, wow.
Another early one on Reverb
Rare Kubicki Factor Bass Super Early SN085 1985 Pre Fender Estate Find OHSC
If it were me I'd send it straight to Mike Haney.
Now I'm curious what wood is used in mine...
Another early one on Reverb
Rare Kubicki Factor Bass Super Early SN085 1985 Pre Fender Estate Find OHSC
If it were me I'd send it straight to Mike Haney.
Now I'm curious what wood is used in mine...
That’s me. I happened upon a local sale of a 1988 Bahama Green exfactor at a great price, in such good shape, that after Phil’s reconditioning, it was practically new. It’s been one of my favorites for years, and what type of wood it’s made of holds no interest to me. I obsess over many of the unique and awesome aspects of this bass, but not wood variety.
Totally cool. There's no doubt how awesome this bass is in any aspect or configuration. I guess it's my obsession for this instrument. I'm just bringing awareness to the community that it is apparent to me anyway that no two Exafactors are the same. Era, provenance, history, color, pre amp, BODY WOOD Etc. all Factor (no pun intended) in to the value and desirability.
You don't see them in the classifieds much any more. Whoevers willing to sell has them on Ebone for a premium.
My interest ties back to my '92 Music Man StingRay5. It's black, so no way of readily identifying the wood. All I knew is that it really jumped out at me.
When I wrote to EBMM with the serial number I was interested in finding out if it had alnico or ceramic pickups (this was a transition phase). Not only did I learn the pickups (alnico) but also that the wood was poplar, which is *not* standard.
Ever since then I've found it at least a little interesting, especially if manufactures don't just stick to one wood type.
As for availability... ugh. I wish I had gotten one sooner but I'm glad I got one when I did. It's my gigging bass and I'd have a really hard time replacing it.
While I have the original receipt for the bass, no indication of a build sheet, sadly.
When I wrote to EBMM with the serial number I was interested in finding out if it had alnico or ceramic pickups (this was a transition phase). Not only did I learn the pickups (alnico) but also that the wood was poplar, which is *not* standard.
Ever since then I've found it at least a little interesting, especially if manufactures don't just stick to one wood type.
As for availability... ugh. I wish I had gotten one sooner but I'm glad I got one when I did. It's my gigging bass and I'd have a really hard time replacing it.
While I have the original receipt for the bass, no indication of a build sheet, sadly.
So after some information obtained directly from Carla. She claims the ExFactor body's were always made from Alder. However I still don't feel this is 100% consistent. I've spoke with folks that have different materials. Why the Factor site says Eastern Soft Maple I don't know but if you have an ExFactor it's most likely Alder.
Yep, an ExFactor. If I ever get to send it in for restoration then I suppose I'll find out for sure. 
Does this count? I've been selling TONS of My Basses/Guitars. This one, is NOT for sale. Was purchased, directly from Mr. Kubicki, at His Santa Barbara shop, by My Rich, EX-Girlfriend, on a drive up the coast. I literally... haven't even seen this bass, in 7, or 8 years. Been playing, "almost" STRICTLY, Spectors, and Jazz basses, for a while (when I have time).
Sooooooooooooo... I went by storage, to get a EuroLX-4-IH, that I have decided to part with, and... brought Her home.
BOY!!! HAVE I BEEN MISSING OUT!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!???
I've always called Her "Butterface", for OBVIOUS reasons.
Anyhow, Just saying... and... Sharing. I have fallen in love, all over again!!!
Here She is...
Sooooooooooooo... I went by storage, to get a EuroLX-4-IH, that I have decided to part with, and... brought Her home.
BOY!!! HAVE I BEEN MISSING OUT!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!???
I've always called Her "Butterface", for OBVIOUS reasons.
Anyhow, Just saying... and... Sharing. I have fallen in love, all over again!!!
Here She is...
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- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Awesome - I had a black '86 ... if you can, hold onto it. I try not to 'regret' anything (life's too short) but I don't have that '86 anymore.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I have about a dozen basses, that aren't, EVER... going anywhere. Butterface, is ON THAT LIST. Thank You.
Although I don't currently own a Kubicki Factor, briefly owned a Fender Jazz Plus (9v Kubicki pre) and I do have the 9v Fender/Kubicki pre in my Saundersbird and a fretless Ex-Factor neck/tuner-bridge in my Koa Factorbird. (strung BEAD - low A) I've owned a few Factors back in the 90's, but frankly couldn't afford to buy a Kubicki Factor at the prices they are selling for now. As much as I enjoyed my Factors - I'm happy with these two Kubicki relatives.
Brotha... If I were still actively playing... I'd do some pretty "illegal" stuff, for either of those!!!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,060
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
The Factorbird is on my "never sell" list.
...but for the record, the Saundersbird rocks like only a Factor can. 
