Description
This is a wonderful example of a well designed bass guitar , the Kubicki Ex Factor. I found some technical info for you to peruse.
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” If you would like to “D” tune your “E” string almost instantaneously, without changing string tension and not having to transpose, then the Ex Factor is your only choice.The Ex Factor extended string bass and Factor 4 got its name from ergonomics, the study of the relationship between people and their working environment. Also known as Human Factors, this science was the foundation for the engineering parameters and the inspiration for the name.
Function and balance were addressed by designing a body mounted tuner/bridge module to redistribute weight, making the Factor 4 series absolutely not head heavy. Tuning knobs mounted at comfortable 35 degrees from the body make tuning easy, fast, and accurate.
The EX Factor 4 string bass has a 32″ scale with a 36″ scale for the extension giving a low D. Both models available in fretted or fretless, or fretless with lines.
String Installation Technique: To prevent strings from popping out of the wheel, simply bend the string in the following manner. After placing the ball end in the head and the tail end in the wheel, bend the string toward the neck. Remove the string from the wheel and bend it. The extra bend will make it stick in the wheel better.
Pickups
The special humcancelling™ pickups on your Kubicki bass work as either active or passive pickups, depending on how the active electronics controls are set. They are fully adjustable for height and tilt. Pickups plug into the circuit board
The Tuner
The patented tuner/bridge module is a body mounted tuning system that replaces tuning keys on the head. This is what makes the bass absolutely not head heavy. To install a string, place the ball end into a bronze cup in the head of the neck. The tail end is then inserted into a hole in a wheel in the bridge. Bend the string towards the neck and roll the wheel by hand to ratchet up all the excess.
The tuning knob can then be rotated to tune the string to pitch. The tuning knob glides on a ball bearing and tunes at an 80 to 1 ratio. Removing a string involves loosening the tuning knob until the string is loose, then pressing down on the ratchet spring head, allowing the wheel to rotate in the opposite direction as the string is pulled off.
The Bridge
The patented bridge is an integral part of the tuner. The bridge head holds an assembly comprised of a saddle post that is threaded into a saddle slider. The saddle slider can be adjusted to achieve intonation and can then be locked in place with a screwdriver.
The saddle post can be adjusted for string height by rotating it up or down. The saddle and saddle slider are made of stainless steel.
Electronics
Stocked with volume/blend, bass/treble pots, and six position rotary switch, you are provided with three pre-set passive, two fully adjustable active tone circuits and a standby mode, giving you all the tones you want. “
Some specs form the Kubicki Homepage
Neck: | Laminated hard rock maple; bolt on | |
Fingerboard: | Ebony; 71/2 inch radius | |
Nut: | Phenolic | |
Scale Length: | 32 inches (36 inches with extension) | |
Number of Frets: | 23; extra frets on the headstock extend the E string to D; side dash position markers | |
Truss Rod: | Single; adjustable at headstock | |
Neck Width at Nut: | 1 17/32 inches at the nut | |
Neck Width at 23rd: | 2 15/32 inches | |
Bridge: | Kubicki with internal tuning machines and 3/4 inch spacing | |
Pickups: | Two Kubicki humcancelling(TM) | |
Controls: | Two stacked pots (Vol./Pan, Treble/Bass boost); rotary selector switch with three passive, two active and standby playing positions | |
Overall Length: | 44 1/2 inches | |
Body Length: | 19 3/4 inches | |
Body Width: | 13 1/2 inches | |
Body Depth: | 1 9/16 inches | |
Weight: | 8 1/2 lbs to 9 lbs. |
When introduced , this bass ( as well the Steinberger ) were in the new and modern school. This bass has aged well.