How similar is this to what Zubby was doing
I don't think he did anything beyond the usual one pole per 3 slots.
I'm not sure you can get a higher torque density out of a concentrated pole motor (such as the 26 pole, 24 slot, or 30/34/38 pole, 36 slot) than you can out of an 8 pole, 24 slot machine, but the high pole count machines have far lower cogging torque. Though its true you can reduce the cogging torque by skewing the magnets, you get a lower voltage out, you don't have to do that with a concentrated pole motor.
high pole count machines work well with transformers, low pole count machines don't, simply due to the low frequency output.
this has nothing to do with the generator, but simply that a transformer's power density is proportional to frequency, a generator's power density (by weight) is proportional to both rpm and frequency. (provided of course, the generator was optimally designed for the pole count)
high pole count generators may get the same torque as a low pole count machine when
only looking at the surface area and radius of the air gap, but a high pole count machine can do so with far less weight.
so when re-using motor stampings, i'm not sure if there is any advantage to a high pole count machine except for two things: lower cogging torque, and greater efficiency due to lower end turn losses.
the torque density is fundamentally limited by the air gap flux density. the air gap flux density can be increased with a high pole count design because you're no longer limited by the back iron, but the tooth width. if you don't care about iron losses then it probably costs less to get a higher air gap flux density with a concentrated pole motor than a traditional motor.
however, the concentrated pole motor needs thinner and smaller magnets.. these cost more than thicker magnets... so your milage may vary.
the difference seems to be as high as 3:1 for the magnet cost when dealing with 1 inch cubes (25mm) or 1/2 by 1/4 (12 by 6mm) magnets.