Question regarding a 2000 post Fender Phil Kubicki

[Grand Wazoo]

Hi all, can anyone tell me what exactly are the settings on a standard 5 position rotary switch for a Kubicki Ex Factor, i.e. pickups / series / parallel.

I have just bought one and there are no instructions nor specs, not even on the Kubicki website.

Also if you have one and are not using the original Kubicki strings what type of strings can these babies take?

Thanks in advance

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

If your Ex Factor is a Pre- or Post-Fender, the rotary switch should have six poistions, not five:

1. Standby (full clockwise position): Sound off, but it doesn't disconnect the batteries.

2. Active, flat.

3. Active, scooped mids.

4. Passive, flat.

5. Passive, scooped mids.

6. Passive, high frequencies cut.

About the strings: The Ex Factor can take any standard scale strings (I have DR Hi-Beams on mine and also put a set of green DR Neons before). My only word of caution is that changing strings on an Ex Factor is not an easy task for the uninitiated.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thanks, I was aware of the 6th position but since it's a mute position I did not mention it because at all effects the only positions available are 5.

 

[TRichardsbass]

AJ Brown here has links to the manuals, which if you do a search here in the forum you should be able to find.

the description above is correct. The only thing to understand is that in passive mode the volume is quite a bit less then in the active mode. So, if you are using the active mode and you switch to the passive, you will notice a volume cut.

If you have any questions you can PM me here.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thank you!

 

[TRichardsbass]

I recommend the Kubicki strings, as I have found that overall they work best, especially on the E string. However, you can use just about any other set, you might just have to strip the thread so that there is no silk on the saddle. Simple to do.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

AJ Brown here has links to the manuals, which if you do a search here in the forum you should be able to find.

I also have the manual, but I preferred to put the description in my own words since there's a mistake there. It says about the third position "Active with middle frequencies boosted", while it actually scoops mids instead of boosting them.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I recommend the Kubicki strings, as I have found that overall they work best, especially on the E string. However, you can use just about any other set, you might just have to strip the thread so that there is no silk on the saddle. Simple to do.

I live in London, England, no one here sells Kubicki strings, I plan to use Fender Roundwound 45 / 65/ 85/ 110 nice and fat bottom end, do you think these would work?

Thanks

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thanks to all that replied with your helpful posts.

As I've said short notice I have no access to Kubicki original strings, though I am able to order them for the near future.

I have found the best compromise in a set of Fender 8250M (45/65/85/110w) and the heavier Low E seems to work wonders whereas the 100 gauge that it came with was a bit too flappy and slacky for my liking.

The Fender strings are not to be understimated, plenty of clarity, depth and the overall balance string to string is second to none.

The strings that this bass came with (according to the previous owner) are EB Super Slinky which I have used all my life and are my weapon of choice, but it just so happen that on a shorter scale bass the Low E needs to be a little be thicker for my liking.

Anyway changing the strings was easier than it was explained to me. Some people made it look really daunting but it's all to do with the coordination of those big gear wheels and the tuning knobs. You need to remove all slack by turning the wheels towards the end of the bass and then use the tuning knobs to bring it up to pitch. Easy as abc really.

Lovely bass, she is a proper slapper of a bass, and a lean mean tapping machine

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I recommend the Kubicki strings, as I have found that overall they work best, especially on the E string. However, you can use just about any other set, you might just have to strip the thread so that there is no silk on the saddle. Simple to do.

I have followed your advise and just received two sets of Kubicki Nickel EXF110 strings from Philip Kubicki. Fifteen minutes later I had fitted a set on my Ex Factor and I agree very much with you that these strings are the best for the bass.

They seem to provide just the perfect even tension across the whole neck and the sound is very balanced. I just wish the 3 passive settings on the preamp had some kind of passive tone control, I need to speak to my fav tech in town to see if he can design a solution while keeping the same knobs layout.

Thanks