Heck, even if he just used the Kubicki on one track, it would be cool to hear him play one again. Like many here I'm sure, I played the crap out of my Kings of Sleep tape.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Wow, just looked at his Indiegogo page. Paying $1500 to have the man give a private concert sounds so appealing, and a great deal to boot. Are there 15 of us willing to chip in $100? I'll even let Stu use my early 90s Trace rig. We could also enforce a condition where he plays a Kubicki at least once during his set. Ha ha ha.
EDIT: You know, I'm really thinking about this. My 50th is coming up in November.
EDIT: You know, I'm really thinking about this. My 50th is coming up in November.
Unrelated to the thread, but up in the shelves of his Santa Barbara factory were some weird, and wonderful Fenders from Phil's time there. He seemed more proud of the 'Slugger' baseball bat guitar he made for John Fogerty.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,604
- 222,071
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Interesting mods - like his Fender "Urge" signature bass from the early '90s. (and redefined in the later '90s) I've seen worse mods - I could see it being very versatile w/a P-pu. That's a signature tone the Ex-Factor doesn't do.
He's had that bass with the same mod back in the pre-Urge days. I know he sold most of his kubickis (to someone who was on here?) but it looks like he kept that one. It is essentially the Urge prototype. He said it was done for exactly the reason you say - to get a classic, non-kubicki bass sound.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,604
- 222,071
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I think this is the 1st left-handed Ex-Factor I've ever seen. Custom-made (body) by Dan Ransom/SF who makes necks for my custom basses! Neck & parts from a Blaster. (no affiliation)
Kubicki bass guitar left-handed lefty left 4-string custom electric bass | eBay
Kubicki bass guitar left-handed lefty left 4-string custom electric bass | eBay
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,604
- 222,071
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Cool - that's interesting that Phil only made one. Did he ever address someone asking why he didn't make them?
Did your pal Lefty play like Stan Sargeant? Shouldn't the E string be the one closest to him, closest to the upper horn?
As for the Blaster hybrid lefty, I know the peak on top was reversed on Blasters, making it the "right way up" on that crazy one-off BUT doesn't that mean that the extra fret and clasp was re-worked to be on the other side?
As for the Blaster hybrid lefty, I know the peak on top was reversed on Blasters, making it the "right way up" on that crazy one-off BUT doesn't that mean that the extra fret and clasp was re-worked to be on the other side?
Honestly I’ve studied it and yes he must. Not a pal. A social media friend.
Then I guess he was "lucky" he played lefty that way. That allowed Phil to use a standard neck. Perhaps, it wouldn't have ever happened had he needed the clasp on the other side.
Indeed. I’m No Luthier but I imagine the jigs for the neck as opposed to the body would be terribly difficult to manufacture and put into practice. something Phil just wasn’t going to do.
Maybe Philip got his hands on one of the MIJ Blaster necks before negotiations dissolved.... (isn't that the Blaster story? Educate me...) since all of the "Ex" parts are on the Blaster's short edge.... unless I'm looking at it wrong. Upside-down and backwards guys boggle my mind.
Does anyone here feel cursed, in a way, since getting an ExFactor? Perhaps the word I'm looking for is "blessed".
I'll explain....
I've got a ton of basses... a little over 30...not bragging... ashamed at the excess actually. Mostly all nice top USA production basses by Spector, Fender, Rickenbacker, EBMM, G&L, and yes, even a Peavey or 3. All 4 string with the exception of my Peavey GV in case I'm ever motivated (unlikely).
In the last 9 or 10 years, I've gigged exclusively with Kubickis. There's quite a few songs over the course of the night that require that Low D or even that Eb. I don't have a need nor do I want to burden any soundman with making adjustments just because I want to give one of the others the love for a while. Why interrupt the flow. I can't even get through a rehearsal without going back to the Kubicki for the extended range. All that versatility is further enhanced by the ease of playing, ergonomics, and that signature sound that I love...so do those sound guys.
So the remainder of my instruments are relegated to a homebound collection that I practice with, maintain, polish, oohh and ahhh over, and imagine myself hitting the stage with....... that in reality aint never gonna happen.
Sorry, I needed to rant (and purge).
P.S. Red '92 Inbound.
I'll explain....
I've got a ton of basses... a little over 30...not bragging... ashamed at the excess actually. Mostly all nice top USA production basses by Spector, Fender, Rickenbacker, EBMM, G&L, and yes, even a Peavey or 3. All 4 string with the exception of my Peavey GV in case I'm ever motivated (unlikely).
In the last 9 or 10 years, I've gigged exclusively with Kubickis. There's quite a few songs over the course of the night that require that Low D or even that Eb. I don't have a need nor do I want to burden any soundman with making adjustments just because I want to give one of the others the love for a while. Why interrupt the flow. I can't even get through a rehearsal without going back to the Kubicki for the extended range. All that versatility is further enhanced by the ease of playing, ergonomics, and that signature sound that I love...so do those sound guys.
So the remainder of my instruments are relegated to a homebound collection that I practice with, maintain, polish, oohh and ahhh over, and imagine myself hitting the stage with....... that in reality aint never gonna happen.
Sorry, I needed to rant (and purge).
P.S. Red '92 Inbound.
That was me - ended up trading my Kubicki away because the groups I was playing with were playing music where a low B was pretty much a requirement - so I let her go.
There’s no other bass that I miss after a trade or sale to date, save my Kubicki. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t.
hey man that’s great! Congrats on the 92. She’s a beauty.
I don’t feel bad saying it. Nothing’s perfect.
Yes the Kubicki D without having to shift /transpose notes In the traditional sense is a game changer. However I can attest to a handful of songs (cover) in D the ExFactor does not facilitate well. The notes either condense or spread out uncomfortably when you release the 36 scale.
I’ve had to bring traditional 4 string basses DABD to gigs because of this.
I’ve got a 32 scale Yamaha Motion B with the intonation purposely set for it.
Last edited:
I think it's more likely he reshaped the top of a standard Ex-Factor neck. For one, the ferrules are in the "correct" spot compared to a Blaster.
