431:'s band, toured internationally playing his Ex Factor bass. By this point, production of the Factor bass could not meet demand. In 1988, a licensing agreement between Kubicki and Fender Musical Instruments was established for the manufacture and sale of the Factor bass by Fender that lasted until 1991. During this period, the main emphasis was on the development of the Key Factor 4 and 5 string basses as well as other prototypes. As soon as the Fender contract ended Kubicki was immediately back in production selling its Factor bass line.
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on TV and then saw his first guitar on family visits to his grandparents' house. "For some reason my grandfather had a guitar in the closet," recalls Philip. "And that's where I'd head: to play with that guitar. It had one string that was a mile off the fingerboard. I think all of us instrument
415:. Until 1985, the primary products were guitar-making supplies that evolved into the manufacture of bodies and necks emulating the Fender design. Short-scale guitars called the "Arrow" and "Express" were a major effort during this period resulting in 275 numbered instruments.
350:, a friend introduced him to Ernie Drumheller. "His hobby was making guitars. He invited my friend and me to come to his shop on Saturdays, and he taught us how to make guitars. I took off with it and built a half dozen classical guitars during my high school years."
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to work with him in his
Acoustic Guitar Division. Rossmeisl then became head of the Research & Development for acoustic and electric guitars and asked Phil to be his assistant. The R&D position led to many prototypical, experimental instruments like the
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Until recently, Phil
Kubicki concentrated on filling special orders making custom Ex Factor basses with deluxe wood veneers. Factor basses are made in America and sold factory direct.
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Philip
Kubicki was a renowned guitar designer and builder who was active in the musical-instrument industry for more than 50 years. He died March 18, 2013, at his home in
427:, winner of the Bass Players' Best Bassist in both jazz and rock, gave more credence to the instrument. Worldwide recognition began when Vail Johnson, playing in
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The ambition to make a line of original instruments began in 1983, culminating in the Factor bass. The first production model was sold in
January 1985.
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integrated multi-function, 18V powered circuit board that uses a rotary switch to select one of the six positions available from the humbucking pick-ups
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Human factors were the inspiration for the Factor bass. The design criteria were to develop a bass that:
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made in
America and sold factory-direct. Bass guitars designed by Kubicki are distinguished by a unique
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makers have had that kind of fascination - some little spark, back at the very beginning."
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Offered a quick way to "D" tune the bass without changing string tension or having to
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Phil
Kubicki (correct pronunciation: ) first became interested in guitars when he saw
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Was balanced to naturally rest in playing position and was absolutely not head heavy
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unique neck side dashes that eliminate and replace fingerboard position markers
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and various guitar-making supplies. During this time, an acoustic guitar and a
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Had an original outward appearance that would be aesthetically pleasing
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Guitar
Legends, The Evolution of the Guitar from Fender to G&L
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all in-house designed knobs, pick-ups, bridge tuner parts, etc.
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module located in the body of the bass guitar rather than the
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American Basses, An
Illustrated History & Player's Guide
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Used only unique, in house-designed electronic components
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The design criteria resulted in these unique features:
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A few years later, while
Kubicki was in high school in
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The early products created after leaving Fender were
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a patented string clasp "D" string tuning mechanism
720:a design patent for the overall Factor bass design
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634:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
487:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
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698:Learn how and when to remove this message
551:Learn how and when to remove this message
317:Learn how and when to remove this message
772:, CENTERSTREAM Publishing, 1993, p. 49;
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399:Early independent career – 1973 to 1982
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647:"Philip Kubicki Factor Bass"
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806:U.S Patent Design #D362,262
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158:Construction
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38:Manufacturer
425:Stuart Hamm
362:, close to
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737:References
658:newspapers
511:newspapers
381:Telecaster
307:March 2015
291:improve it
257:ergonomics
232:humbucking
173:Neck joint
124:humbucking
69:Neck joint
615:does not
575:transpose
468:does not
295:verifying
253:headstock
226:Pickup(s)
198:Fretboard
163:Body type
118:Pickup(s)
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59:Body type
828:Category
409:dulcimer
338:playing
212:Hardware
206:rosewood
104:Hardware
672:scholar
636:removed
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525:scholar
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474:sources
429:Kenny G
289:Please
263:History
177:Bolt-on
153:Kubicki
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183:Woods
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