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Quick question for fellow Kubicki Factor players

paddydaddyo

paddydaddyo

Supporting Member
Jun 16, 2007
428
663
Greenville, SC, USA
#1
Just for the sake of my own curiosity: how many of the settings do you regularly use on the rotary selector?

For me personally (besides the "off" position) I play probably 90% on "Active 1" with a slight amount of bass and treble boost. The other 10% of the time (for more vintage tones) I am on "Active 2" with only a little extra bass boosted. I have yet to use any of the passive modes on gigs, but it is nice to have them as a backup in case of battery failure I suppose.

I feel certain Phil designed the circuit with a LOT of planning and consideration, so I have a hard time believing he would have offered three "throw away" settings ... which makes me wonder: Am I using it wrong? Should I roll the active bass and treble all the way off and set the gain level on my amp for the passive settings, and then pre-set the active boost controls just a little for songs or sections requiring an added punch? Seems to make more sense that way.

Wish he was still around--for a lot of reasons--but specifically to ask him about his design concepts for the circuit, and how he envisioned it being used.

Anywho, what are all y'all's thoughts on this?

FWIW: mine is a black Ex Factor, 18v, Jan '90 build.
 
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#2
When I used mine in an 80's band I pretty much just left it on one of the active settings... can't recall which one at the moment! It sounded great for picking, slapping, whatever I was doing I didn't feel the need to change it. For any other sounds, particularly synthy stuff, I had a pedal board. All the more reason to leave the bass itself alone I guess!
 
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#3
My Kubicki hasn’t been in regular rotation for years. But when it was, I always used it in the Active/Mid-Boost mode. The only other useful rotary switch position was the mute position.

I think Phil designed it that way on purpose. not multiple setting for everybody, but something for everyone. There are probably others that exclusively use a different switch position.
 
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#7
paddydaddyo said:
What is it about the 9v preamp that you prefer? I know one difference is that you get a tone control in passive mode, but you mentioned you really don’t use anything but active 1 …
Click to expand...
I like that the output is not over the top. Even with the Vol. all the way up I can leave most of the amps I've used with it at the same Gain level as I would one of my passive basses without clipping. The tone controls set close to mid way on Bass and Treble seems more even across the board without excessive low end to have to filter out that I've had with the 18v system. I think its weird that the Bass and Treble controls are reversed on the stacked pot, contrary to what is found on most any active preamp found anywhere. I like having the trim pot for the Mids. The 2 Active settings on the 9v are fairly close to my ears, but I like the mid boost in the 1st position from Mute. I don't think any of the 18v settings feature a mid boost. A mid Cut is stated in the comparison from Kubicki hat I've posted below. I have a very early '85 with the first generation of pickups and 18v preamp that sounds very different from my '92 18v. Quite a bit darker. A previous owner had Mike Haney replace some caps on that '92s preamp, and it sounds very good. My '94's 18v pre was too agressive in the low end for my taste and for me, and kind of hard to tame. I swapped in a 9v pre. I still have a couple of the Jazz Plus basses with the 9v pre. All of the 9Vs I have sound great and very consistent from bass to bass. I cant say that for the 18v systems. Here's what is posted on Kubicki's support page.
 
#8
paddydaddyo said:
I feel certain Phil designed the circuit with a LOT of planning and consideration, so I have a hard time believing he would have offered three "throw away" settings ... which makes me wonder: Am I using it wrong?

Wish he was still around--for a lot of reasons--but specifically to ask him about his design concepts for the circuit, and how he envisioned it being used.
Click to expand...
Good questions. Maybe @Jon Scott can fill us in a little.
 
#9
Relsom said:
I think it's weird that the Bass and Treble controls are reversed on the stacked pot, contrary to what is found on most any active preamp found anywhere.
Click to expand...
FWIW, the new "Red Board" option switches the bass and treble boost controls on the 18V preamp, so bass boost is the lower knob. It's available on the website, and the majority of new customers are opting for it.
 
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#13
paddydaddyo said:
I feel certain Phil designed the circuit with a LOT of planning and consideration, so I have a hard time believing he would have offered three "throw away" settings ... which makes me wonder: Am I using it wrong?
Click to expand...

Relsom said:
Good questions. Maybe @Jon Scott can fill us in a little.
Click to expand...
More extensive information on the 9V and the 18V preamps is being compiled and will be posted on the website when it's available.
 
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