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Ibanez ATK initial impressions
- Thread starter BillisCool
- Start date
were there any custom models...i seem to recollect birdseye maple fingerboards and exotic tops....or is this just a GAS dream?...
I had an ATK 305 for a while, and it was OK. I never did hear much (if any) difference between the three positions of the switch. It had a really bad dead spot at the 7th fret on the G string, too. I sold it and bought an Alembic Epic 5, and I can't say that I've regretted making the change.
I tried one in a music store and it was real nice except for me the neck was way too big & thick--I'm used to jazz type necks, but if you like a beefy neck, these got 'em!
Im usually a sterling/jazz type neck guy but lately ive been into the p bass shape for kicks. The atk was really a nice shape.
I have a 2007 ATK 300, I really like the tone and variety the bass has, but it's so friggin heavy and the neck is so fat that I have a really tough time playing it with any speed.
I recently bought a Warwick $$ Vette, and tons of people knock wicks for having baseball bat necks and being super heavy but after spending 6 months playing my ATK the wick felt extremely light and thin necked in comparison.
I have my ATK strung BEAD now and use it for playing punk (w/ pick) and slap since the ATK is more suited to those styles.
The 3-way switch on the ATK is a strange beast, you will NEED to EQ your bass to the tone that each switch sets the pickup configuration for before you will notice a significant tone difference, if you expect it to sound significantly different with the EQ set flat on the bass you're going to be disappointed.
I recently bought a Warwick $$ Vette, and tons of people knock wicks for having baseball bat necks and being super heavy but after spending 6 months playing my ATK the wick felt extremely light and thin necked in comparison.
I have my ATK strung BEAD now and use it for playing punk (w/ pick) and slap since the ATK is more suited to those styles.
The 3-way switch on the ATK is a strange beast, you will NEED to EQ your bass to the tone that each switch sets the pickup configuration for before you will notice a significant tone difference, if you expect it to sound significantly different with the EQ set flat on the bass you're going to be disappointed.
where is this? i really want to get one, but am kind of short on cash...i checked ebay, but there were almost none, and the ones that were there were new from ebay stores..
am i just searching for the wrong thing?
They arent the most common thing. They turn up on ebay every now and then though, keep checking.where is this? i really want to get one, but am kind of short on cash...i checked ebay, but there were almost none, and the ones that were there were new from ebay stores..
am i just searching for the wrong thing?
As far as atk weight is concerned, they do vary a lot from bass to bass.
i cant find that sexy thang anywhere, even guitarcenter.com
If you go to one thats the only kind they have, and theres a picture of it in the GC catalog. $380 also.
I play a rickenbacker and a lakland and I went to guitar center and the only bass there that I liked was the $300 Atk300. Theyre really nice especially for the price
mmmmmm ATKs, I think the only thing that could make me more happy than having the one I do, is owning another 305, or 3, for backups...yeah....multiple backups.... 
where is this? i really want to get one, but am kind of short on cash...i checked ebay, but there were almost none, and the ones that were there were new from ebay stores..
am i just searching for the wrong thing?
I picked up a practically mint 90s model for $180 + $30 s/h. I've seen others go for around that price as well. You just have to keep an eye out for them.
That's just beautiful. I really like how the sunburst looks with the black guard and the maple fret board.
While I'm here, anyone know how to mellow out the sound to be more jazz-bass like, or do I have to get another bass for a mellow sound?
After playing an 81 fender jazz for years, I bought a mid 90's fretless sunburst ATK 300 ... really like it's tone and playable ... then subsequently I bought a matching mid 90's fretted ATK300 ... I find it much more versatile than the old fender jazz to be truthful ... I like the wider neck and tone variety ... you can see and hear both of mine in my homepage profile (youtube) if you're interested. Groooovy! 
not mine, its denpan's
ATk3EX... Guitar Center special version.
Those are being cleared out right now at Guitar Centers (not online, only in stores). $379.99. Very tempting.
There's one at my local GC, but it's pretty well dinged up from being on the floor for several months. Can you order one in the box at a GC, or do they only sell what they have in stock at the store? I'd like a brand new one.
