Sterling Ray 34 or Ibanez ATK300

eyecandy · #1 07-14-2010, 08:15 AM

Hey guys, at first I was thinking of getting an Ibanez ATK300, then I saw the Ray 34, which is a cheaper version of the MM Stingray...

Now I can't decide which one should I go...

Any suggestions?

Also I've heard some negative feedbacks from the ATK300.. has anyone encountered some issues??

Help me decide

Thanks

sgtpepper · #2 07-14-2010, 08:25 AM

I would say the Ray 34. More Versatile, better looking.

I would recommend you a Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass MIM or Fernder Deluxe Precision Bass. Same price and excellent performance.

eyecandy · #3 07-14-2010, 08:47 AM

thanks I was planning on getting a Deluxe Jazz V string... but i wanted a tone close the Stingray since I can't afford to get both...

sammyfallen · #4 07-14-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyecandy

thanks I was planning on getting a Deluxe Jazz V string... but i wanted a tone close the Stingray since I can't afford to get both...

you just answered your own question...

eyecandy · #5 07-14-2010, 09:38 AM

not really... I'm still deciding on the 2... the Ray 34 is well more like a copy of the Stingray but then the ATK300 is much cheaper, and has 3 optional tone switches which comes in handy...

however i read a review saying the circuit board fried out and replacing pickups would be really hard.. so I wanted to check if anyone has bad experiences about their atk?

TechJunky · #6 07-14-2010, 09:58 AM

I've heard some issues with the ATK as you've mentioned, but the Ray34 seems to be a solid instrument. I had one, and if you want the Stingray tone, it's the best choice other than an actual Stingray. I prefer the way the Ray34 feels/plays as well, but that's purely subjective. The ATK is a pretty versatile instrument, but so is the Ray34, and if you find a used one, you can get a good deal on it too.

dwm74 · #7 07-14-2010, 10:00 AM

Have you had a chance to play either?

I've only had my Ray34 for about two weeks and I love it more each day. I came from a passive Pbass, so it took me a few days of playing different songs to get the tone right, but now that I'm dialed in, it's great.

I would assume the necks would be quite different, with the Ibby having a thinner neck. The Ray neck is similar to the Pbass neck, which I'm used to.

My Ray has no dead spots, and the overall playability is about as good as it gets, although that will always be a personal thing.

The only negative about the Ray34 is its weight...don't know the actual poundage but it's not a light bass.

danomite64 · #8 07-14-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyecandy

however i read a review saying the circuit board fried out and replacing pickups would be really hard.. so I wanted to check if anyone has bad experiences about their atk?

Not me, my ATK has 16 years of HARD playing on it, and it still works fine. I've had to replace the input jack, nut and tuners, but the preamp/pickup have never given me a problem. OTOH, I've heard bad things about the Sterlings.

**jmattbassplaya** · #9 07-14-2010, 12:12 PM

My Ray34 gives my US Ray a run for it's money. It might be cheaper than a real Ray, but it's by no means a cheap bass.

tekhedd · #10 07-14-2010, 12:23 PM

I heart my ATK 305. It has been my "go to" bass for playing live. It's definitely not a Stingray, it has its own character. But the pickup is in the sweet spot, and it pretty much does what I want. Like all Ibanez basses, I periodically have to retighten the pots as the wood shrinks, but otherwise it's been rock solid.

Having said all that, if what you really want is a stingray, well, I might actually advise against it (the ATK)...because well, it's not what you want.

I'm just saying, aside from two reports of truss rod problems from the factory, I haven't really heard anything negative, and mine is great.

THand · #11 07-14-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danomite64

Not me, my ATK has 16 years of HARD playing on it, and it still works fine. I've had to replace the input jack, nut and tuners, but the preamp/pickup have never given me a problem. OTOH, I've heard bad things about the Sterlings.

No problems with my ATK700 or ATK750 either... they were both built in Korea, I have no experience with the Indonesian ATK's, but my Indonesian SRX hasn't had any electrical problems either.

If you like the sound and feel of an ATK, go for it. That's the big factor, not a few post about faulty electronics...heck even the new Fender American Deluxes have post up saying similar things. If I had the cash and wanted one, those post wouldn't phase me...I would just be sure I could return it if there was a problem.

Din Of Win · #12 07-14-2010, 12:56 PM

ATK... all the way... what else do i hafta say??!

Seriously, My '95 ATK300 has been my main bass for the last decade. The toggelable 'tripplebucker' makes it incredibly versitile.

A-Step-Towards · #13 07-14-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danomite64

Not me, my ATK has 16 years of HARD playing on it, and it still works fine. I've had to replace the input jack, nut and tuners, but the preamp/pickup have never given me a problem. OTOH, I've heard bad things about the Sterlings.

Same. Mine was made april of 1994 and it still going fine, the finish is beat up , lost the guard but all electronics are original and all hardware is as well. Only strings have been replaced on mine.

Diogenes · #14 07-14-2010, 01:09 PM

I own an ATK700 because I liked it more than a MusicMan StingRay... so yea, of course my suggestion would be to go with the ATK.

Lemoore-on · #15 07-14-2010, 01:19 PM

My ATK 700 has no issues, I suggest you play them both. Thats what I did, I thought the ATK was much more versatile & better looking than the Ray. Both are chunky.

The Quality problems at the factory have been fixed as far as I know.

The ATK does not have the thin neck that other Ibanez's. have.

logicman69 · #16 07-14-2010, 01:30 PM

I never played any of the Sterlings yet, but I've had several ATK's and I loved them all.

sarcastro83 · #17 07-14-2010, 01:35 PM

[quote=Din Of Win;9407323]ATK... all the way... what else do i hafta say??![quote]

Why don't you just go eat some hay?
I like to make things out of clay,
and lay by the bay...
What do you say?

(Sorry... couldn't resist).

Also, I figure if you're looking for a tone closer to a Stingray, then get the Ray... I just A/B'd those two models this past weekend, and they don't sound similar to my ears at all... either way, I say go and play both, get what you like more...

williamk · #18 07-14-2010, 01:40 PM

well I don't own either, but I've tried an ATK and wasn't impressed (but that's just me). It certainly doesn't sound like a stingray, that's for sure...so if you're looking for the stingray sound, get the ray.

ssbass · #19 07-14-2010, 01:55 PM

I have both a Stingray and ATK. I play the ATK more and can get really close to a Stingray tone from it. I would play both. The neck on the ATK is a lot different than the Stingray.

NoahKnapp · #20 07-14-2010, 02:02 PM

Id say the ATK can do a rounder tone than the Ray with the switch in the bright position and can get close to the aggressive sound of the Ray with the attack setting. Ive played both and thought the build quality was about the same. Its up to you. See which one sounds better.