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BGRA: Kubicki Key Factor 4
| Manufacturer |
Kubicki |
Model |
Key Factor 4 |
| Reviewer |
Ben Davis |
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| Experience |
24 |
Item owned |
1-2 years |
| Review Date |
2005-03-10 |
Price paid |
1750 |
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Bass type | 4 string fretted |
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Neck join | Bolt-On |
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Neck construction | 1-piece maple, hard rock maple |
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Fingerboard | Rosewood, 24 frets |
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Body | 1-piece eastern soft maple |
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Finish | polyurethane gloss sunburst |
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Pickups | Kubicki soapbar |
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Hardware | Schaller custom |
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Electronics | Active 18v |
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This bass was bought new from Phil Kubicki as a stock bass. There are a few problems with it- first it has a small indentation in the gloss finish from the shop slightly smaller than a pencil eraser. I didn't notice it right away, but after a few hours I saw it. It is a finish problem, not a dent from abuse. Also the original electronics that came with it had a defective pickup blend pot. I contacted Phil about it and he eventually sent me a complete new electronics board that I was able to replace easily. It's been fine ever since. My last gripe is that the neck tends to warp a bit during seasonal temperature changes, so I've had to learn to adjust the neck and bridge. Aside from those issues the bass is quite nice. It always gets people's attention because it is so unusual. The sound is awesome and there are a variety of tones. Running the pickup mix to the front pickup has a somewhat P-bass sort of tone, and I can get some jazz bass sounds out of it as well. It also has several passive settings. Check out the demos on the Kubicki site for more. Or listen to an old Stu Hamm recording from when he was using the Kubicki. I liked the strap buttons that came with them. I found out that they can be bought from StewMac for a few bucks (gripper strap buttons). I now put them on all my basses. The side bar position markers are highly visible, even on a dark stage. It is a somewhat light bass, but it's about the same weight as my MTD Kingston 5 string, so it's not *really* light. It is well-balanced, though. I doubt I will ever part with it, although I doubt I'll buy another Kubicki, simply because I'd rather get a Carvin or Yahama. I think I'd be just as happy and about $1000 richer.
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| construction |
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| playability |
| (95%) |
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| appearance |
| (98%) |
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| sound |
| (98%) |
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| value |
| (50%) |
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| service |
| (95%) |
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| overall |
| (95%) |
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