Kubicki club, part 2

[JIO]

Maybe it was the Stu Hamm Urge Bass you were thinking of?

interesting recording.

No, it was a full scale 24 fret Jazz looking bass from the mid 90's. It was sort of a nod to the '85 Performer- the 1st Fender 24 fret bass. I'll see if I can find a pic of one. The track was a real-time improv (no overdubs) - the guitarist and I both used loopers to enter the layers of wackiness. Just thought it provided an example of my Factors active tone.

 

[JIO]

Jazz Bass Deluxe - 24 fret neck, Lace Sensor pu's, Fender/Kubicki 9v pre, string-thru, 6 bolt neck-plate, MIK

 

[Relsom]

Now that I'm flush with ExFactors, I'm thinking about fitting one with flats.

I like no silks on my Kubickis, which might be a tough call when talking about flats.

I normally like the nickel Kubickis or the 45~105 Pure Blues which, interestingly enough, are what comes in the Kubicki packaging these days.

Finger style classic rock, typically. Any ideas?

 

[JIO]

Now that I'm flush with ExFactors, I'm thinking about fitting one with flats.

I like no silks on my Kubickis, which might be a tough call when talking about flats.

I normally like the nickel Kubickis or the 45~105 Pure Blues which, interestingly enough, are what comes in the Kubicki packaging these days.

Finger style classic rock, typically. Any ideas?

It's tough with the silk winding on most flats - I'm not familiar with ones that don't have it. As far as flats go, I personally like LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats but I have heard good things about their "reduced tension" set but haven't tried them yet.

 

[Peter Lufrano]

Now that I'm flush with ExFactors, I'm thinking about fitting one with flats.

I like no silks on my Kubickis, which might be a tough call when talking about flats.

I normally like the nickel Kubickis or the 45~105 Pure Blues which, interestingly enough, are what comes in the Kubicki packaging these days.

Finger style classic rock, typically. Any ideas?

I use GHS Precision Flats on one of mine exFactors. Sound great!

 

[ThomasTronics]

Do you guys use standard scale length or do you have to buy super long strings?

 

[JIO]

Do you guys use standard scale length or do you have to buy super long strings?

Kubicki Strings | JB's Gear Outlet | Reverb

 

[CryingBass]

Kubicki Strings | JB's Gear Outlet | Reverb

And already sold!

 

[saltydude]

Do you guys use standard scale length or do you have to buy super long strings?

I use standard strings mostly. The GHS Boomer long scale is like the only LS strings I use.
I’ve used DR Sunbeams, Pure Blues. ErnieBall Regular, Super and Hybrid Slinkys etc.
I stay away from silk wrapped like Roto’s. You run into it riding on the saddle.

 

[JIO]

And already sold!

That was a deal.

 

[ModuMan]

Standard scale is fine and I also try to avoid ones with silks. The important thing is to cut the new strings to the length of the previous strings (assuming they were correct).

I like a lot of things about Factors but changing strings is not one of them.

 

[zuma]

Standard scale is fine and I also try to avoid ones with silks. The important thing is to cut the new strings to the length of the previous strings (assuming they were correct).

I like a lot of things about Factors but changing strings is not one of them.

Yup! Not fun, so much so that I usually let them go far more than I'll let other basses go. It's not something you look forward to! That being said, if it was my only bass and I did it often enough, I'm sure I'd drastically improve my Kubicki-string-changing skill.

 

[Relsom]

If you go to the Kubicki store, you'll see that they state that the Kubicki branded strings are Pure Blues... fine by me.

 

[Relsom]

Nickel = Pure Blues
Stainless = Hi Beams

 

[zuma]

Nice find(s) Relsom. Also fine by me as I am a Sunbeams fan. I believe that is what I currently have on my Kubicki. They are also round core. It would be interesting to know what the real-world differences between the Real Blues and Sunbeams are. Just a different nickel-alloy on the wrapping? I rather liked the DDTs as well. I didn't even used them in Drop Tuning. They have a rather unique feel. Very tactile somehow. Now I'm rambling about strings. I'll stop.

 

[ThomasTronics]

So when I'm string shopping I don't have to look for super long 36" scale strings. Bought them thinking you needed super long scale specifically for the D string. Your product range shrinks so much when you do that.
I don't mind changing the string, that hint of just cutting the previous ones is what I do. Saves tons of time!
I'm think of trying some 40-100 or 30-90 just for fun. If they sound awful I can just throw them on another bass.

 

[zuma]

I finally got my Kubicki back in ACTIVE mode. One of the 9v leads basically disintegrated. It was my fault. I left the last set in there WAY too long without checking them. I ordered a new clip but, it just sat for quite a while. Time to get to work!

Unless you're a soldering genius, I'm not certain you could do the job without removing all the control knobs and loosening the board some. I suppose you could heat the through hole from the bottom and shake the black and red wires loose from the top but hey, hindsight. I took the opportunity to squirt some Caig FaderLube in the pots and they're like butter now. Observing how the stacked knobs fit together and how sturdy those knobs are really made me appreciate Phil's attention to detail even more now.

Two quick pics of the surgery prep. Sorry, forgot to snap a post-op pic. And yes, despite my crappy iron and beginner skills, the two active modes are back!

 

[JIO]

I finally got my Kubicki back in ACTIVE mode. One of the 9v leads basically disintegrated. It was my fault. I left the last set in there WAY too long without checking them. I ordered a new clip but, it just sat for quite a while. Time to get to work!

Unless you're a soldering genius, I'm not certain you could do the job without removing all the control knobs and loosening the board some. I suppose you could heat the through hole from the bottom and shake the black and red wires loose from the top but hey, hindsight. I took the opportunity to squirt some Caig FaderLube in the pots and they're like butter now. Observing how the stacked knobs fit together and how sturdy those knobs are really made me appreciate Phil's attention to detail even more now.

Two quick pics of the surgery prep. Sorry, forgot to snap a post-op pic. And yes, despite my crappy iron and beginner skills, the two active modes are back!

View attachment 3822911
View attachment 3822912

It's a good time to address back-burner to-do's.

 

[Relsom]

It's a good time to address back-burner to-do's.

Come to think of it, I have a 9v pre that I'd like to swap into one of my Philbuilts.

 

[ThomasTronics]

Got a question.

By Kubicki is coming up on 30 years old and the frets are just banged in and worn out. I find I get some fret buzz in some sections and lack of ringing (clarity?). Am I better to re-fret the bass or just get the frets redressed and made more even?

I attached some pictures showing how clean the frets are at the 22nd fret versus the heavy use at the 5th fret.

Ideas? Tips? Can't stand to have some notes chime like a piano and others kind of buzz/rattle.