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Kubicki club, part 2

#121
JIO said:
Saw this on ebay from Japan. What's the story on these again? Were they actually licensed by Phil? - I know there's a back story on these other than the reversed hs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/93-Kubicki-...E-/281588124147?ssPageName=ADME:SS:SS:US:3160
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Kubicki Fan said:
[guitardr] would know more about that, but I don't think so. You need deep pockets for that sort of thing.
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I could be wrong so do let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree!....As far as the story goes from what I've heard, Kubicki ventured into Japan after / or around the time the Fender contract ended, in order to find a domestic builder for the Asian market. I don't know who the builder was exactly, although I heard it may have been Kandashokai group. Anyway, I have come to learn (the hard way) that here in Japan they do things on word, not contract so, it may all have been a case of "lost in translation" as it were or the Japanese builders taking something that was said in passing literally, cultures are different after all. Presently though, with more and more international customers for OEM the guitar industry has to adapt to more officious guidelines....but back in the late 80's / early 90's it was probably a mess of cultural misinterpretations. In Japanese law maybe they were licensed on word, but in US law that doesn't count.
When I asked, staff at Kubicki said that it was all a long time ago and a very confusing time back then.....
 
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#122
steweDbass said:
I could be wrong so do let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree!....As far as the story goes from what I've heard, Kubicki ventured into Japan after / or around the time the Fender contract ended, in order to find a domestic builder for the Asian market. I don't know who the builder was exactly, although I heard it may have been Kandashokai group. Anyway, I have come to learn (the hard way) that here in Japan they do things on word, not contract so, it may all have been a case of "lost in translation" as it were or the Japanese builders taking something that was said in passing literally, cultures are different after all. Presently though, with more and more international customers for OEM the guitar industry has to adapt to more officious guidelines....but back in the late 80's / early 90's it was probably a mess of cultural misinterpretations. In Japanese law maybe they were licensed on word, but in US law that doesn't count.
When I asked, staff at Kubicki said that it was all a long time ago and a very confusing time back then.....
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That sounds like a reasonable explanation for that time. Thanks for illuminating as much as you could. The bottom line usually has to do with… the bottom line ($$$)
 
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#126
Ex-Factor_Blaster_sidebyside_zps80d6e0f1.jpg


Ex Factor vs. Blaster
 
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#129
That's probably just a camera distortion. Both bodies are identical - except for the small 'extension' at the bridge which many have already identified and the corners on the neck pocket. I would wager that the company making the bodies for Fender made these on the side. The pickup covers - identical. The knobs - identical. The neck is different, although still a laminate with 42 layers (in mine, at least) you get 24 frets. The preamp is completely different and does not have the mid-boost section. It's rather more 'basic' and utilizes a 441CN OPAMP circuit.

P1050006_zpsd26cb114.jpg


Based on the subtle differences in the body, neck, and bridge, I'd wager they were all made just different enough to avoid litigation. Whatever the origin of the Blaster basses, they were made with original tooling and an original Kubicki Ex Factor for reference. Despite others claims to the contrary, and with no disrespect to Phil or the instrument he created, the Blaster is a very good bass.
 
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#130
Tom McClintock said:
Oh, and curiously enough, check out the back of this 1995 Key Factor currently listed elsewhere on TB:

Link Removed

Oh, and the Key Factor has 24 frets. Please discuss.
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The Key Factor had a 34" scale neck correct? Part of the 32" scale Ex Factor is because of the extended E to D string. No capo on the Key Factor. Is it hot pink, or a rosy red? Very late 80's early 90's… I've always thought the 5'r version was the ultimate 5'r design and although I've never played one - I bet it sounds awesome!
 
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#132
zuma said:
I'd sure like to play a Key Factor 5 too!
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As stated, it probably kills in the tone dept - but a 1-3/4" nut width is tight spacing for a 5'r. I have a Parker 5'r w/that width that sounds great but I have fumble-fingers adapting from mostly playing 4-string basses. That red one is a good price all things considered.
 
#133
My thoughts on the Key Factor after having a 5 for a little bit now.

Tone definitely kills - it has the 18v Kubicki pre just like the Ex-Factors. But it is indeed a different beast. It doesn't quite have the tightness and sizzle of the Ex-Factor, and I think this is due to it using a more conventional neck (w/ rosewood fretboard) and bridge than the Ex-Factors. The sustain is a little less too, again because of the bridge and neck. So it's not quite the 5-string version of the Ex (mygodthatwouldbeawesome), but it's still nonetheless an excellent instrument and very much one of Phil's creations.

I was really impressed when I took it to band practice. Great playability and huge sound. The B is tight, solid, and clear. I'll have to post up a video of it sometime.
 
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#134
Hey, I just ran into Kubicki basses for the first time and would love to get my hands on a Key Factor 5 ... but am I reading that they are out of business, or are they still making product? If they are still in business, are they still making quality basses, and what is the price range? Just really curious, look and sound like great basses!

Thanks!!
 
#135
Econdude said:
Hey, I just ran into Kubicki basses for the first time and would love to get my hands on a Key Factor 5 ... but am I reading that they are out of business, or are they still making product? If they are still in business, are they still making quality basses, and what is the price range? Just really curious, look and sound like great basses!

Thanks!!
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With Phil's passing a couple years ago, the Kubicki company is no more so the only Kubicki's out there are used/preowned. They come up on ebay both Ex-Factors and Key Factor 4's and 5's and have been selling for around $1500 or more. The Kubicki Factor on Facebook is a reasorce for information. The Kubicki Factor | Facebook
 
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#136
JIO said:
With Phil's passing a couple years ago, the Kubicki company is no more so the only Kubicki's out there are used/preowned. They come up on ebay both Ex-Factors and Key Factor 4's and 5's and have been selling for around $1500 or more. The Kubicki Factor on Facebook is a reasorce for information. The Kubicki Factor | Facebook
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Thanks JIO, they should take down the contact page on their website. I wrote them at [email protected] and didn't get an answer. Wonder why their website is still up! Sorry to hear about Phil's passing, looks like he made a quality bass!
 
#137
Econdude said:
Thanks JIO, they should take down the contact page on their website. I wrote them at [email protected] and didn't get an answer. Wonder why their website is still up! Sorry to hear about Phil's passing, looks like he made a quality bass!
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I've never tried to contact them... not sure its status. Google Philip Kubicki - he was a mild-mannered legendary guy.
 
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#138
Anyone, by chance, a member of the now defunct Yahoo Group dedicated to the Kubicki Ex-Factor? It would be nice to re-deposit the files (and some of the photos) that were originally uploaded to the group elsewhere. Since there is no longer an administrator of that group, all the materials sit isolated and are unobtainable.
 

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