Kubicki rescue!!!!!

[justabass]

So I found this on Craigslist titled "project bass $400". I call the gentleman and find this...

So I end up getting it and a ton of parts for $350 with the original case. He also had saved the original bridge and tuner thank goodness! The bass is covered in some sort of psuedo granite hammerite type paint. He also tried to convert it to a 4 string replacing the bridge with a Schaller 4 string bridge and removing a tuner and doweling the hole. I've started removing the paint and have discovered that the original white finish is still intact...I'll post pics as I go along...

 

[Baird6869]

Good lord! It looks like a burnt marshmallow!

 

[FL Knifemaker]

I had a Key Factor 5, awesome bass!! All your efforts will be worthwhile. I cannot believe it was turned into a 4 string

 

[Jamie_Funk]

Looks to me like that spray on truck bed liner - yuck....at least it appears to be coming off nicely.

Rescue indeed - why wouldn't you just buy another bass?

Can't wait to see the restoration once completed - keep us posted.

Jamie

 

[justabass]

Good lord! It looks like a burnt marshmallow!

Ha Ha! This is officially the "burnt marshmallow Kubicki".......ha

 

[Mon Rominee]

Wow. I'm glad you're reviving it. Tho not as exotic as the multi-lam extendo ex-factors, I love those things...it deserves to be restored.

 

[Andy Brown]

What a sad and happy story we have here. You should keep the burnt marshmallow paint on the control cover as a reminder of what used to be. It's only black plastic anyway.

We need more progress pics!

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Looks to me like that spray on truck bed liner - yuck....at least it appears to be coming off nicely.

Rescue indeed - why wouldn't you just buy another bass?

Can't wait to see the restoration once completed - keep us posted.

Jamie

I was going to suggest that the previous owner may have worked for a paving company

Come on man!! We need more pics, and update, etc!!!!

 

[cdef]

[...] You should keep the burnt marshmallow paint on the control cover as a reminder of what used to be. It's only black plastic anyway.

That's a good idea (ie. that's what I thought, too). Kubickis are most desirable recording basses, and it looks like you won't have too much trouble restoring it to its former glory. An excellent catch.

 

[Baryonyx]

Wow man, who would do that to such a beautiful instrument? Even if it's not an Ex-Factor, still...

Just found out today that my old Kubicki is up for sale in the UK, I hope it goes to an appreciative owner!

 

[justabass]

So here's the "burnt marshmallow" Kubicki update! Slowly its all coming off. The previous owner had even sprayed the gunk under the pickups and in the neck joint. The specks you see is dust and some tiny pieces that are still hangin on. I also still need to remove the tuners to finish the headstock...if I could only find my tiny screwdrivers... I'm using mineral oil and scraping to remove most of it. Theres not much point in cleaning it up perfect yet due to amount of dust and debris this is creating. I believe I will take AJ's advice and leave the control cover as is. I should finish most of it today...I'll keep ya posted!

 

[meev992]

my question is, what kind of goonie sparys that truck bed-liner stuff on a bass ????

I guess it gives it a "tough, waterproof seal" lol.

 

[stuonbass]

Why!!!? Why would somebody do that to a bass? Thank you for rescuing it. Nice job!

 

[justabass]

my question is, what kind of goonie sparys that truck bed-liner stuff on a bass ????

I guess it gives it a "tough, waterproof seal" lol.

I'm really glad its not bedliner! That stuff is resistant to oil and water so getting it off would have been near impossible!!!

 

[meev992]

I'm really glad its not bedliner! That stuff is resistant to oil and water so getting it off would have been near impossible!!!

I love Kubicki's, they're fascinating basses....and my eyes and fingers are just glued to this thread, because it just really tugs at my heart strings to see such a travesty

please please, it's Saturday! finish it before the sun goes down

 

[Eric Moesle]

Wow. There will be a special place in heaven for you for rescuing that bass.

Usually when you see someone "go all dufus" on a bass and ruin it like that, its a cheapie no-name bass or a Fender MIM. Those Key Factors are nice basses and worth a nice pile of change.

 

[Basshole]

Can't wait to see the final restore. Good job so far!

 

[neptoon]

nuts! bedliner bass! on a feakin' kubicki?? what a sin...

after scraping that crap off, is the finish underneath left all that bad?

 

[justabass]

nuts! bedliner bass! on a feakin' kubicki?? what a sin...

after scraping that crap off, is the finish underneath left all that bad?

Actually the finish is great! I'm sure its a nice hard poly finish. It should be really close to how it looked originally. I'm gonna have a local luthier hit it with a buffer and some compound when Im done doing the grunt work...

 

[morf]

It's a great thing you're doing! Keep us updated, I'm definitely subscribed to this one