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Kubicki club, part 2

#1,682
zuma said:
You remind me... I hear Pat Wilkins does a helluva fine fretless fingerboard finish.
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I've never had Pat do one for me, but it wouldn't surprise me that he does it and does it well. I coated my lined-fretless Factorbird Ex-Factor ebony fb with super-glue many years ago and although it's a bit worn in spots - it's held up pretty well. It was illustrated back when BassPlayer magazine had a 'how to' section... yah, many years ago! :)
 
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#1,683
JIO said:
I've never had Pat do one for me, but it wouldn't surprise me that he does it and does it well. I coated my lined-fretless Factorbird Ex-Factor ebony fb with super-glue many years ago and although it's a bit worn in spots - it's held up pretty well. It was illustrated back when BassPlayer magazine had a 'how to' section... yah, many years ago! :)
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Are you saying YOUR bass was the one shown in Bass Player? In either case, I have MANY of those earlier issues. It would be fun to check it out if you had a rough idea when it was.
 
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#1,684
zuma said:
Are you saying YOUR bass was the one shown in Bass Player? In either case, I have MANY of those earlier issues. It would be fun to check it out if you had a rough idea when it was.
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No, no... (hah!) I followed the "how to" on doing a super-glue finish on a fretless fb that was featured at one time in BassPlayer magazine (when it was in my hood, San Bruno CA - it's now British based)

I did have a "letters to the editor" letter posted at one point! They featured Miroslav Vitos the month before and I wrote them to thank them for featuring him as he was big influence/inspiration for me then with him playing with Weather Report, John McLaughlin & Flora Purim to name a few. If you aren't familia with him - check him out. For me more than most of the transitioning upright-electric bass players then nailed both disciplines right out of the gate. Young Dave Holland also - check out this The Isle of Wright Miles performance - I can't say enough about how pivotal/important this high-quality document is - I hope you have never seen it because it will... I'll just leave it at that -

How cool was it to be Miles' bass-player in 1970 being 24yrs old? WAY cool -
 
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#1,685
JIO said:
No, no... (hah!) I followed the "how to" on doing a super-glue finish on a fretless fb that was featured at one time in BassPlayer magazine (when it was in my hood, San Bruno CA - it's now British based)

I did have a "letters to the editor" letter posted at one point! They featured Miroslav Vitos the month before and I wrote them to thank them for featuring him as he was big influence/inspiration for me then with him playing with Weather Report, John McLaughlin & Flora Purim to name a few. If you aren't familia with him - check him out. For me more than most of the transitioning upright-electric bass players then nailed both disciplines right out of the gate. Young Dave Holland also - check out this The Isle of Wright Miles performance - I can't say enough about how pivotal/important this high-quality document is - I hope you have never seen it because it will... I'll just leave it at that -

How cool was it to be Miles' bass-player in 1970 being 24yrs old? WAY cool -
Click to expand...


I will seek Miroslav Vitos and Dave Holland out. Miroslav sounds familiar. For me, that kind of player who kicked ass on both instruments was John Patitucci.
 
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#1,689
Help me out... I should have this figured out by now, but whatever. I know the recommended string gauge for the ExFactor is 45-65-85-105. The strings from Carla have been that size for years. I read something about that being optimal for our 32" scale length. Aside from readjusting pickup height, my unscientific theory on how to get more presence out of the D and G strings compared to the E and A is to go with a 45-65-80-100 set. I probably brought this up before but my 67 year old brain is still having issues with detailed search functionality since the latest TB software "upgrade". I thought for sure that making that change proved valid at last string change, but that was over a year ago.....jeez, I can't believe I've kept these strings on this long. Anyway, the D & G have lost much of their presence and I need to change them. I've been happy with Pure Blues, both from DR and the rebranded Kubicki version. Don't ask me why I'm bringing this up since everyone has their own preference......but it's early, I'm not fully awake, I feel the need to tinker with my bass, its Talkbass, and I'm talking bass.

A side note... I took my '92 18v and my '90 9v basses to a gig last Saturday. My opinion on the 18v vs 9v debate remains that I still favor the 9v version .....even with year old strings on the 9 volter. I predict my stockpile of 18v preamps is going to grow.
 
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#1,690
Relsom said:
Help me out... I should have this figured out by now, but whatever. I know the recommended string gauge for the ExFactor is 45-65-85-105. The strings from Carla have been that size for years. I read something about that being optimal for our 32" scale length. Aside from readjusting pickup height, my unscientific theory on how to get more presence out of the D and G strings compared to the E and A is to go with a 45-65-80-100 set. I probably brought this up before but my 67 year old brain is still having issues with detailed search functionality since the latest TB software "upgrade". I thought for sure that making that change proved valid at last string change, but that was over a year ago.....jeez, I can't believe I've kept these strings on this long. Anyway, the D & G have lost much of their presence and I need to change them. I've been happy with Pure Blues, both from DR and the rebranded Kubicki version. Don't ask me why I'm bringing this up since everyone has their own preference......but it's early, I'm not fully awake, I feel the need to tinker with my bass, its Talkbass, and I'm talking bass.

A side note... I took my '92 18v and my '90 9v basses to a gig last Saturday. My opinion on the 18v vs 9v debate remains that I still favor the 9v version .....even with year old strings on the 9 volter. I predict my stockpile of 18v preamps is going to grow.
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I prefer the 9v system as well. My Factorbird fretless is currently strung up with BEAD and In can't recall what length they are. Maybe medium scale 45-65-80-100 is optimal, but I generally lean to heavier strings with no issues.
 
#1,691
Relsom said:
Help me out... I should have this figured out by now, but whatever. I know the recommended string gauge for the ExFactor is 45-65-85-105. The strings from Carla have been that size for years. I read something about that being optimal for our 32" scale length. Aside from readjusting pickup height, my unscientific theory on how to get more presence out of the D and G strings compared to the E and A is to go with a 45-65-80-100 set. I probably brought this up before but my 67 year old brain is still having issues with detailed search functionality since the latest TB software "upgrade". I thought for sure that making that change proved valid at last string change, but that was over a year ago.....jeez, I can't believe I've kept these strings on this long. Anyway, the D & G have lost much of their presence and I need to change them. I've been happy with Pure Blues, both from DR and the rebranded Kubicki version. Don't ask me why I'm bringing this up since everyone has their own preference......but it's early, I'm not fully awake, I feel the need to tinker with my bass, its Talkbass, and I'm talking bass.

A side note... I took my '92 18v and my '90 9v basses to a gig last Saturday. My opinion on the 18v vs 9v debate remains that I still favor the 9v version .....even with year old strings on the 9 volter. I predict my stockpile of 18v preamps is going to grow.
Click to expand...

Tough one my friend. I'm so gosh darn used to 45-65-85-105, not much else feels right, regardless of scale too. I'm using 45-65-80-100 on my Stingray right now. I tried it "just because" and I do feel the lower strings lack in power and feel. What IS more important to me than experimenting with gauges, is experimenting with string tension. Maybe try the DR Lo-Riders instead of the Sunbeams or Pure Blues? I remember them having more tension, yet still feeling pretty good. That could be the ticket you need for more power in your G and D.
 
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#1,692
JIO said:
Cool colour/finish... if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it! :laugh:

View attachment 7293185

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"A better idea would be buying an Ex-Factor for half that and have Pat Wilkins shoot that finish on it"

I just learned that in fact Pat Wilkins did do this as he is doing finishes for Kubicki. I'm having him re-fin a custom bass I designed/built and used this pic asking if he could do it! It will be for sale when done, but at a much more affordable price than this one. ;)

1756941756130.jpeg
 
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#1,699
zuma said:
Holy trick-truckety trux! That is stunning. I tend to favor solid bodies or the subtle bursts, but this one... Yowza indeed! :drool:
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I'm gunna' ask Pat if that's one of his finishes. I wonder what kind of wood that is. I don't care for the Fender transition finishes (yellow to red etc) but this one is very gradual and with the woods texture it looks great.
 
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