molan Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) NOW TRADED PENDING FINAL EXCHANGE This is a really nice, and very rare, tobacco sunburst Kubicki Key Factor 4. It was one of the very first to be made by Philip Kubicki at his custom shop in Santa Barbara in the USA. It was made in 1994 & is serial number 11. This bass was reviewed by a couple of guitar magazines and I still have a perfect condition copy of the review from Guitar mag in the UK (they gave it a great review!). I've owned it since then and it cost me about £1,200 but I thought it was worth every penny and stuffed every other bass I tried at the time - including some that were a fair bit more expensive. The best things about these basses are that they are so flexible in terms of sound options, really light weight and easy to play, only about 7.5 lbs. This means they are are great for live work, especially if you play in a functions or covers band. Basic sound options at the flick of a 6 way rotary switch are: [1] Standby - completely mutes the output so you leave it on stage without causing nasty feedback, especially useful if your amp doesn't have a mute option [2] Active, flat response - 18V bass/treble EQ boost activated [3] Active, mid-scoop - This setting is really cool. It creates a really deep tone without being too boomy, great for solos or heavier rock stuff [4] Passive, flat (EQ knob disabled) - very useful "everyday" setting, quite "Jazz" like sound which is impressive for a pair of humbuckers [5] Passive, mid-cut - another useful sound, bit punchier than position 4 [6] Passive, hi-cut - A bit of a "Precision" tone to compliment the "Jazz" of position 4 The twin concentric pots control the active bass & treble boost circuits and the individual pickup volumes given even more tonal options. The body is soft maple, fingerboard a really nice rosewood, and the neck is a very slim hard rock maple. It hangs beautifully and is really nicely sculpted so it's very comfortable to play for long periods. I used to be in a functions band that played really long sets and this bass was quite simply the most comfortable to work with for extended periods. Despite the light weight and thin neck it has a really punchy tone in every setting, almost impossible to get a bad sound of it! It has a few minor surface dings but nothing really bad. I'll throw in the nice Hiscox Liteflight case in as well. The pics hopefully highlight the nice tobacco sunburst colour. A couple of them have a lot of sun reflection on them (I'm really not a pro photographer!). Probably the best pic to see the finish closely is the third one which is just the body of the bass itself. Also found the magazine review so have added a couple of shots of that as well. Edited November 21, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golchen Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Interesting Bass. always liked them since Stu Hamm first played one. Unfortunately I'm a 5 string guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='Dillsfretless' post='166069' date='Mar 29 2008, 07:56 PM']Interesting Bass. always liked them since Stu Hamm first played one. Unfortunately I'm a 5 string guy.[/quote] I've tried the Fender Urge version of the Kubicki that Stu Hamm "inspired" - I have to say that I thought the Kubicki was a much nicer instrument and better finished (definitely the earlier ones anyway!). There are some 5 string Factors out there but they are pretty rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='Dillsfretless' post='166069' date='Mar 29 2008, 07:56 PM']Interesting Bass. always liked them since Stu Hamm first played one. Unfortunately I'm a 5 string guy.[/quote] Although it should perhaps be noted that Stu played the Ex-Factor basses that tuned from the bridge and had the 36 piece neck. I still miss my old Ex-Factor on the occasion. These Key Factors are indeed cracking basses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='Chris2112' post='166144' date='Mar 29 2008, 10:12 PM']Although it should perhaps be noted that Stu played the Ex-Factor basses that tuned from the bridge and had the 36 piece neck. I still miss my old Ex-Factor on the occasion. These Key Factors are indeed cracking basses.[/quote] I did try out a "regular" Factor at the time the Key Factor came out. The Factor and just felt more "right" to me at the time, not a lot to choose between them although my Key had obviously been set up for magazine reviews so was was probably a little more looked after than the Factor. The Factor was a very plain black so that might have influenced me a bit as well, Just for reference - the last set up on mine was carried out by Martin Peterson at the Gallery so it's been well sorted since new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 Some new pics added today at the top of the page - also decided I'd throw the case in if I get close to the asking price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Having left this sitting in the case for about 3 years I took it out to play when I needed to get some up to date pics - I'd forgotten how much fun it was! May drag the old girl to rehearsals this week :brow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 (edited) Price reduced - this is a quality piece of kit folks! Edited November 9, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 (edited) Any takers or shall I stick it back in the case for a while Edited November 9, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Did this ever sell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='214796' date='Jun 8 2008, 11:04 AM']Did this ever sell?[/quote] It moved to the rehearsal rooms, lol. Because it's so light and has a really slim neck it's great for long rehearsal sessions! However the Lakland is destined to become the new "everyday" bass so the Kubicki will be home again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 (edited) Back up for sale at £600 and I'll chuck in a complete set up as part of the deal prior to sale Currently residing in Central London right round the corner from Denmark Street - and about half the price they'd charge as well! Edited November 11, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Any interest or do I chuck it back to the rehearsal studio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Last bump before the Bay Would consider a trade for something like a US Fender Jazz if that's any help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Sorry - based on messages I don't think I've been very clear on possible trade options. I'd only be interested in trading for something that would be easy to sell onwards at some time in the future. Obvious choices being Fender Jazz or Precision. With the market in general being as dead as a very dead thing indeed I just thought about maybe trading short term for something that I'd keep for a while & then sell if/when the market recovers a little Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flychris Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 But If you think to trade yur Zon VB againt a custom 5 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 [quote name='flychris' post='333354' date='Nov 20 2008, 07:32 PM']But If you think to trade yur Zon VB againt a custom 5 .... [/quote] ... or your Sadowsky, Roscoe, Lakland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flychris Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 No, no... just the Zon VB, I'm Ok with my other basses.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeycruz Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 [url="http://simulationpretimmobilier.net"]Simulation pret immobilier[/url] I've tried the Fender Urge version of the Kubicki that Stu Hamm "inspired" - I have to say that I thought the Kubicki was a much nicer instrument and better finished (definitely the earlier ones anyway!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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