Normally I don't do write-ups (since I go through so many basses, I'd never get anything else done if I did!), but this one is pretty special. I just got this bass from a friend (Clint Norris - former bass player for As I Lay Dying, Ibanez endorsee and awesome guy). It's pretty unique, so I thought I'd share.
This is an LA Custom Shop Ibanez ATK 4. Specs:
Body: Flamed Maple top, walnut accent veneer, mahogany back.
Neck: 5-piece maple with bubinga stringers.
Headstock: Custom cut w/the smaller Ibanez logo.
Tuners: Schaller (massive!)
Pickups: Ibanez ATK Triple Coil w/DXJ Jazz neck pickup
Preamp: Ibanez 3-band EQ w/5-Way Switch
I've owned several ATK's (korean ATK305, old Japanese ATK300) and this one is far and away the best in terms of playbility and tone that I've ever played (including any of the PBC USA ATKs). You can feel the bubinga stringers on the back of the neck and the whole bass is satin finished (except for the heastock), making it feel very "woody". But turn it up and it gets the sickest, snarliest tone imaginable; like a Wal/Stingray hybrid. But with the extra pickup and the 5-way, you can get lots of tones out of this bass. EQ is smooth and quiet (which is usually not the case with the lower end ATK's).
It's currently strung with super heavy gauge strings (.120 E!) since AILD plays drop-tuned metal and the neck is still stable (I actually just tuned it down to BEAD for kicks and it sounds HUGE). I kind of wondered why he decided to go for standard Ibanez DXJ in the neck position; he told me the LA custom shop guys said it works the best with the triple coil and I believe him...really good tones.
Anyway, it's a great bass...ATK's are just so perfect for aggressive styles of music; cuts through mixes beautifully so you can actually hear them even with a wall of distortion. Definitely check them out if you're looking for that type of tone.
Pics:
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This is an LA Custom Shop Ibanez ATK 4. Specs:
Body: Flamed Maple top, walnut accent veneer, mahogany back.
Neck: 5-piece maple with bubinga stringers.
Headstock: Custom cut w/the smaller Ibanez logo.
Tuners: Schaller (massive!)
Pickups: Ibanez ATK Triple Coil w/DXJ Jazz neck pickup
Preamp: Ibanez 3-band EQ w/5-Way Switch
I've owned several ATK's (korean ATK305, old Japanese ATK300) and this one is far and away the best in terms of playbility and tone that I've ever played (including any of the PBC USA ATKs). You can feel the bubinga stringers on the back of the neck and the whole bass is satin finished (except for the heastock), making it feel very "woody". But turn it up and it gets the sickest, snarliest tone imaginable; like a Wal/Stingray hybrid. But with the extra pickup and the 5-way, you can get lots of tones out of this bass. EQ is smooth and quiet (which is usually not the case with the lower end ATK's).
It's currently strung with super heavy gauge strings (.120 E!) since AILD plays drop-tuned metal and the neck is still stable (I actually just tuned it down to BEAD for kicks and it sounds HUGE). I kind of wondered why he decided to go for standard Ibanez DXJ in the neck position; he told me the LA custom shop guys said it works the best with the triple coil and I believe him...really good tones.
Anyway, it's a great bass...ATK's are just so perfect for aggressive styles of music; cuts through mixes beautifully so you can actually hear them even with a wall of distortion. Definitely check them out if you're looking for that type of tone.
Pics:
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