MAJOR ATK TROUBLES NEED YOUR HELP

XtheDeadPawn · #1 03-10-2010, 01:06 PM

I just got mine back from being set up a couple of weeks ago been playing it ever since I just now noticed this problem though. Okay one of them. First off I notice that the E string is rather weak not a dead string weak but, more of unbalanced volume. Is any of that happening to you other ATK owners?

Also last night I tried unscrewing the battery plate cause the volume was almost completely zapped and right after finally undoing everything I noticed the damn screws were stripped

Needless to say I called the shop but, is this something I can fix on my own? I mean I just had it set up I can't bear hearing the words "In A Few Days" again.

Though I do need some more Tortex 88's

Oh yeah HELP! and I own a reissue ATK305

Bardley · #2 03-10-2010, 01:14 PM

You can fix the screw holes with a drop of glue in the hole and stuff it with a toothpick or two. When it dries, thread the screw back in. As for the weak E string, check the pickup height and make sure it is not too low on the E side. You can also check to make sure the ball end of the string is seated well in the bridge and the ball is completely against the bridge. If not, it can act funny.

Toastfuzz · #3 03-10-2010, 01:23 PM

Might need new strings? Maybe got a lemon E

XtheDeadPawn · #4 03-10-2010, 01:34 PM

I thought about the glue thing but, the problem is the screws are stripped. Both are broken in half they don't have any points on them like they should and on close inspection it looks like half the battery cover is stuck underneath the wood where the cover meets the hole.

I can see the other half of the broken screws under a bright light too.

Is this fixable?

BuffaloBass · #5 03-10-2010, 01:40 PM

I cant quite picture this, snap one & post it.

The screws are broken off in the wood still? *** man, it takes TORQUE to do that.I'd check EVERYTHING on that bass, every solder joint etc. It seems really anomolous.

Bardley · #6 03-10-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

I thought about the glue thing but, the problem is the screws are stripped. Both are broken in half they don't have any points on them like they should and on close inspection it looks like half the battery cover is stuck underneath the wood where the cover meets the hole.

I can see the other half of the broken screws under a bright light too.

Is this fixable?

That's a different story. I thought you meant the wood was stripped. That takes some force. Was it like that before you took it in for work?

XtheDeadPawn · #7 03-10-2010, 01:55 PM

Umm I don't really know.

FromBeyond · #8 03-10-2010, 02:30 PM

Does it really take a lot of force to strip a screw? The screws on my epiphone must be really weak then, as they start to crumble as soon as i think of taking them out...might this have something to do with either the screws, or the screwdriver?

Bardley · #9 03-10-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromBeyond

Does it really take a lot of force to strip a screw? The screws on my epiphone must be really weak then, as they start to crumble as soon as i think of taking them out...might this have something to do with either the screws, or the screwdriver?

It could be weak screws coupled with the fact that they could have been forced in too hard at the factory.
I'm not 100% sure on the proper fix for that. They may have to be drilled out and the hole re threaded.

XtheDeadPawn · #10 03-10-2010, 02:36 PM

Does it take alot of force to strip a screw?

I don't think so I think it's just due from the previous owner.
It was a gig bass so it has seen alot of wear I mean the back of the body looks like a connect the dot. The tuning keys are perfect though so is the bridge no signs of real rust or dust it looks like it's new but, on the back of it it's like a whole other animal one that is banged up.

This is my second bass how much do you think it'd cost to fix this?

I'm thinking of puting in a pop in battery compartment inside it so I no longer have to worry about screws and such.

Bardley · #11 03-11-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Does it take alot of force to strip a screw?

I don't think so I think it's just due from the previous owner.
It was a gig bass so it has seen alot of wear I mean the back of the body looks like a connect the dot. The tuning keys are perfect though so is the bridge no signs of real rust or dust it looks like it's new but, on the back of it it's like a whole other animal one that is banged up.

This is my second bass how much do you think it'd cost to fix this?

I'm thinking of puting in a pop in battery compartment inside it so I no longer have to worry about screws and such.

Not sure how much it would cost. You would have to take it to a competent luthier and see what they say.

XtheDeadPawn · #12 03-11-2010, 01:47 PM

Well I'm taking it in to the shop that set it up last time.

Maybe they'll do it for cheap I looked online and somewhere I read that if I got a pop in battery compartment then the circuit board and preamp whould have to be rewired.

Is this true?

Bardley · #13 03-11-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Well I'm taking it in to the shop that set it up last time.

Maybe they'll do it for cheap I looked online and somewhere I read that if I got a pop in battery compartment then the circuit board and preamp whould have to be rewired.

Is this true?

The wires going to your current battery would go to the box instead. That is all. 2 wires, not the whole circuit board.

XtheDeadPawn · #14 03-11-2010, 01:56 PM

That's a relief. Now say I want to get one will this one fit?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...duct=9B&cid=43

testing1two · #15 03-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Installing a battery box means routing a hole in the back of your bass for the box and drilling a hole between the battery box and the electronics cavity to run the wires. I think fixing the stripped holes would be easier and less expensive.

XtheDeadPawn · #16 03-11-2010, 02:24 PM

But, I'd never have to worry about stripped screws again if all I need to do is pop the battery box open and it would make it faster to get back to playing.

XtheDeadPawn · #17 03-11-2010, 02:27 PM

Besides I forgot to mention can't I just drop the new compartment in the hole of the old compartment?

Bardley · #18 03-11-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Besides I forgot to mention can't I just drop the new compartment in the hole of the old compartment?

It might need some adjustment. You would have to measure.

Bardley · #19 03-11-2010, 02:30 PM

There are different kinds HERE. They have the measurements listed.

TJBass · #20 03-11-2010, 02:50 PM

If it were me, I would drill two new holes, just to the side of the old screws, through the current battery cover and into the wood, install inserts and use quality screws. The last bass I had a plastic battery cover on had problems keeping the battery cover "on." Nothing worse than your battery falling out while your jumpin around on stage!

And on the string being weak in volume, on the 305 the B string would be weak too if the pick ups were not high enough on that side, so either your sting height at the bridge is out of whack or you need new strings.