The design criteria are based on human factors, or ergonomics, and the belief that a musical instrument should be inspirational to the player.

"[citation needed] A few years later, while Kubicki was in high school in Whittier, California, a friend introduced him to Ernie Drumheller.

"[1] In 1964, while attending Fullerton Junior College, close to Fender Musical Instruments, Kubicki took a factory tour, filled out an application, and was hired by Roger Rossmeisl to work with him in his Acoustic Guitar Division.

The R&D position led to many prototypical, experimental instruments like the Fender Telecaster Thinline, the electric violin, the LTD and Montego Jazz guitars,[2] and the first rosewood Telecaster for George Harrison and the first rosewood Stratocaster for Jimi Hendrix – which was the last guitar Fender made for Jimi Hendrix.

Until 1985, the primary products were guitar-making supplies that evolved into the manufacture of bodies and necks emulating the Fender design.

As soon as the Fender contract ended Kubicki was immediately back in production selling its Factor bass line.

Until recently, Phil Kubicki concentrated on filling special orders making custom Ex Factor basses with deluxe wood veneers.