Okay folks, I am once again going to be controversial and go out on a limb here.
I've been an EBMM Stingray fan (and owner) for years. But over the past year, I developed a Japanese Bass problem and recently got to Jonesing for an Ibanez ATK. I remember playing them when they were first intropduced some 11 years ago and thinking they were dope, but dismissed them as ugly EBMM copies.
Well anyway, I recently picked up a couple here on the TB classifieds-- an ATK100 made in Korea (passive) and a MIJ ATK300 (active) with a Koa Wood top and a clear pickguard.
Well let me start by stating that I am never letting go of these beauties. I cannot believe how great these basses are. Did Ibanez come close to capturing the classic Stingray sound? You bet they did. But I think (and here is where the controversy begins) that in some ways they actually made a BETTER bass than the Stingray, especially for the money.
Here real quickly is where I think Ibanez came up with a better design.
First the bridge design is awesome. It is an oversized peice of metal securely fastened to a large surface area of the body for increased and enhanced resonation (a lot like Traben's bridge design actually). As such the bass acoustically has more guts and sustain than a lot of neck-thrus I've heard in the 4 figure price range. And Punchy!
Additionally, the bridge allows you the option to string through the body or drop in the bridge. The former give an added tightness and punch and the latter gives you a more mello sound with real easy string changes! I personally keep mine strung through the body and the response is scary-- like an old strings through Stingray B00 bass. Yep, to me the old stingrays are better than the new ones mostly because of the string thru design, and you have that right here with the ATK. A response like no other bass. The notes just come off of the strings!
Second, in addition to a sweet 3 band eq they put a coil tap on the bass to let you get more variation from the PU itself. In this regard, they borrowed from the Sterling too. So you get more variations on your tone and are less relegated to that pure Stingray tone.
Add to all this, the string spacing is nice and wide, the neck is a bit flatter, the bass is light and well balanced (shorter headstock) and you've got an absolute beast of a bass. Certainly the best money I've spent in a while.
I don't plan on letting go of my stingray anytime soon. Afterall, nothing sounds or feels exactly like a stingray, but I would certainly take my ATK's to a Stingray gig or any other gig and feel good about it.
A shame they stopped making them in the US. Like many other great basses, you can still get them in Japan. Perhpaps a TB field trip is in order?
ATK lovers and hataz, weigh in on this topic!
I've been an EBMM Stingray fan (and owner) for years. But over the past year, I developed a Japanese Bass problem and recently got to Jonesing for an Ibanez ATK. I remember playing them when they were first intropduced some 11 years ago and thinking they were dope, but dismissed them as ugly EBMM copies.
Well anyway, I recently picked up a couple here on the TB classifieds-- an ATK100 made in Korea (passive) and a MIJ ATK300 (active) with a Koa Wood top and a clear pickguard.
Well let me start by stating that I am never letting go of these beauties. I cannot believe how great these basses are. Did Ibanez come close to capturing the classic Stingray sound? You bet they did. But I think (and here is where the controversy begins) that in some ways they actually made a BETTER bass than the Stingray, especially for the money.
Here real quickly is where I think Ibanez came up with a better design.
First the bridge design is awesome. It is an oversized peice of metal securely fastened to a large surface area of the body for increased and enhanced resonation (a lot like Traben's bridge design actually). As such the bass acoustically has more guts and sustain than a lot of neck-thrus I've heard in the 4 figure price range. And Punchy!
Additionally, the bridge allows you the option to string through the body or drop in the bridge. The former give an added tightness and punch and the latter gives you a more mello sound with real easy string changes! I personally keep mine strung through the body and the response is scary-- like an old strings through Stingray B00 bass. Yep, to me the old stingrays are better than the new ones mostly because of the string thru design, and you have that right here with the ATK. A response like no other bass. The notes just come off of the strings!
Second, in addition to a sweet 3 band eq they put a coil tap on the bass to let you get more variation from the PU itself. In this regard, they borrowed from the Sterling too. So you get more variations on your tone and are less relegated to that pure Stingray tone.
Add to all this, the string spacing is nice and wide, the neck is a bit flatter, the bass is light and well balanced (shorter headstock) and you've got an absolute beast of a bass. Certainly the best money I've spent in a while.
I don't plan on letting go of my stingray anytime soon. Afterall, nothing sounds or feels exactly like a stingray, but I would certainly take my ATK's to a Stingray gig or any other gig and feel good about it.
A shame they stopped making them in the US. Like many other great basses, you can still get them in Japan. Perhpaps a TB field trip is in order?
ATK lovers and hataz, weigh in on this topic!
