Sterling by Musicman SB-14 vs. Ibanez ATK

Gunnerhea86 · #1 10-02-2010, 05:43 PM

I've been interested in purchasing a Musicman type bass for a while now and have narrowed it down to the Sterling by Musicman SB-14 and the Ibanez ATK. I'm looking for some insight to help me make a decision. Any stories or thoughts would be appreciated.

J-Building · #2 10-02-2010, 05:55 PM

I vastly prefer the ATK to anything Musicman. The triple coil pickup is really punchy, and the neck just feels better (I've always felt that Musicman necks were always a bit odd). A lot of people here say that the ATK can perfectly recreate that StingRay growl, so I don't see a lot of reason to pay an extra $700 when I can get something that feels WAY easier to play.

Din Of Win · #3 10-02-2010, 06:03 PM

I've gig'd a '95 ATK300 for 10 years now.

A few years ago i looked into a Sterling by MM, and it was just no contest in favor of the ATK. Better feel, better tonal options, and i liked it's aesthetics more.

These days, i usually play passives... but my ATK is that bass that i won't touch for weeks, and i'll take it to practice on a whim, and fall in love all over again.

It's mainly been my 'heavy music' bass and is set up for drop d to play music akin to Converge/Botch/Pg.99/Orchid. It just cuts through any amount of distorted guitar with ease.

Though i may play it less, it's easily my 'Never sell' bass.

Here's an action shot from '04:

Dr. Cheese · #4 10-02-2010, 06:14 PM

The SB14 is much closer to an actual Sterling. ATKs are great, but are their own thing, not EBMM clones.

Gunnerhea86 · #5 10-02-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

I've gig'd a '95 ATK300 for 10 years now.

A few years ago i looked into a Sterling by MM, and it was just no contest in favor of the ATK. Better feel, better tonal options, and i liked it's aesthetics more.

These days, i usually play passives... but my ATK is that bass that i won't touch for weeks, and i'll take it to practice on a whim, and fall in love all over again.

It's mainly been my 'heavy music' bass and is set up for drop d to play music akin to Converge/Botch/Pg.99/Orchid. It just cuts through any amount of distorted guitar with ease.

Though i may play it less, it's easily my 'Never sell' bass.

Here's an action shot from '04:

Great Insight and great shot!

**peledog** · #6 10-02-2010, 06:37 PM

I've heard great things about the ATK. I tried an SB-14, and not my cup o tea.

syciprider · #7 10-03-2010, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnerhea86

I've been interested in purchasing a Musicman type bass for a while now and have narrowed it down to the Sterling by Musicman SB-14 and the Ibanez ATK. I'm looking for some insight to help me make a decision. Any stories or thoughts would be appreciated.

The closest you can get is the SB14. It sounds just like a EBMM Sterling. The ATK is its own thing. Better or not, the difference that other people describe distances it from a Musicman.

Bobster · #8 10-03-2010, 09:04 AM

if considering SBMM basses, don't forget to include the Ray34. It is definitely a "Musicman type bass". SB14 is like a Sterling, Ray34 is like a Ray.

Bob

Florox · #9 10-03-2010, 10:29 AM

ITT: Elitists trying to justify their 1500 instruments. While, yes, the ATK is a different animal, it can duplicate a Stingray and give you much more other tones considering that it is much more versatile. Also, it is 300 bucks. However, like people here have said, if you want the Sterling tone, get the Sterling, although the OP never said he wanted that tone particularly so I don't know where people got that from.

In any case, go check out the G&L L2000 tribute which is much more versatile bass than any of those, has U.S. made electronics and you can pretty much get it incredibly cheap used, especially from someone here in TB.

syciprider · #10 10-03-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florox

ITT: Elitists trying to justify their 1500 instruments. While, yes, the ATK is a different animal, it can duplicate a Stingray and give you much more other tones considering that it is much more versatile. Also, it is 300 bucks. However, like people here have said, if you want the Sterling tone, get the Sterling, although the OP never said he wanted that tone particularly so I don't know where people got that from.

In any case, go check out the G&L L2000 tribute which is much more versatile bass than any of those, has U.S. made electronics and you can pretty much get it incredibly cheap used, especially from someone here in TB.

Why do some have nots hate on the haves? Way to bring a hostile tone to this thread.

Florox · #11 10-03-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

Why do some have nots hate on the haves? Way to bring a hostile tone to this thread.

Have nots? Wow, talk about humbleness. Then I'm the one with the hostile tone? Please. I'm not trying to bring a hostile tone to the thread, some people just think that because an instrument costs 1500$, an instrument of just at 1/4 price can't compete or do the same thing. It's called hype bud, and that's what most instruments past the 1000$ mark are. Emphasis on most. An ATK will do the same thing. Will it be built in the U.S.A.? Of course not. Does it matter? Not if you're a racist. Most likely the bass will need a fretjob as all basses of the 300$ price range.

I don't own an ATK by the way, they do sound awesome though, although they're not even close to being my cup of tea; I'm after a very different tone. In any case, I added that the OP should try out an L2000 tribute which is a much more versatile bass. Try providing some constructiveness to your next post.

syciprider · #12 10-03-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florox

ITT: Elitists trying to justify their 1500 instruments.

Yup. This was a civil, non inflammatory statement.

Quote:

Have nots? Wow, talk about humbleness. Then I'm the one with the hostile tone? Please. I'm not trying to bring a hostile tone to the thread, some people just think that because an instrument costs 1500$, an instrument of just at 1/4 price can't compete or do the same thing. It's called hype bud, and that's what most instruments past the 1000$ mark are. Emphasis on most. An ATK will do the same thing. Will it be built in the U.S.A.? Of course not. Does it matter? Not if you're a racist. Most likely the bass will need a fretjob as all basses of the 300$ price range.

Thanks for proving my point.

Diogenes · #13 10-04-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnerhea86

I've been interested in purchasing a Musicman type bass for a while now and have narrowed it down to the Sterling by Musicman SB-14 and the Ibanez ATK. I'm looking for some insight to help me make a decision. Any stories or thoughts would be appreciated.

I eventually got an ATK700 as opposed to an MM 'Ray due to a number of reasons but the most notable are that along with a 3 band on-board pre amp the ATK also incorporates a three position switch which adds a little versatility by giving you three slightly different voicings to your eq settings that can be selected on the fly. Also the options of either stringing through the body or quick-top loading were a plus. Combine those features with the very high quality construction and fretwork at a dramatically lower price (than the equally high quality MM 'Ray) and it was a no-brainer for me.

Gunnerhea86 · #14 10-04-2010, 08:45 AM

these are all just opinions and observations. lets keep it friendly. and thanks for the input! i am definatly leaning towards the ATK

Vic Winters · #15 10-04-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florox

ITT: Elitists trying to justify their 1500 instruments. While, yes, the ATK is a different animal, it can duplicate a Stingray and give you much more other tones considering that it is much more versatile. Also, it is 300 bucks. However, like people here have said, if you want the Sterling tone, get the Sterling, although the OP never said he wanted that tone particularly so I don't know where people got that from.

In any case, go check out the G&L L2000 tribute which is much more versatile bass than any of those, has U.S. made electronics and you can pretty much get it incredibly cheap used, especially from someone here in TB.

No one in this thread said anything close to elitist. Most were for the ATK not one person said "buy a real MM".

danomite64 · #16 10-04-2010, 09:17 AM

In my experience, the ATK holds its own tonally against EB Stingrays. My '80 Stingray (and Sabre) sounded better than my EB Rays and my ATK. My ATK sounds better to me than my EB Rays did, which is why I sold them. My L-2000 had the weakest 'Stingray' sound of the batch, and I hated the neck on it. I cannot imagine a Tribute being any different. Plus, a Tribby is $600 new; twice the price of an ATK. If US made electronics is that important, the $300 you save buying an ATK can get you almost any US made preamp/pickup combo available.

Strychnine · #17 10-08-2010, 07:21 AM

It really boils down to whichever sounds and feels the best to you. If the ATK "feels right", then you cannot go wrong, as is the case with the SBMM SB14. Both are high-quality and reasonably priced instruments. Personally, I'd lean toward the SB14, but I'm biased: I've been gigging one as my primary for the last 10 months.

While it has been awhile since I tried an ATK, I recall that all of them that I tried sounded good, and the neck had more of a Fender P feel. I started on Ibanez Soundgears, so the Fender J feel of the SB14 is more like home to me. Neither of them is superior to the other in terms of anything other than completely subjective preferences.

Diogenes · #18 10-08-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strychnine

... so the Fender J feel of the SB14 is more like home to me. Neither of them is superior to the other in terms of anything other than completely subjective preferences.

This is a good point. I prefer chunkier necks which is one reason why I like my ATK, p basses and OLP so much.