Ibanez ATK200 opinions

[rainbowreality]

Hi all,

I've been learning bass for about 9 months and I was thinking of treating myself to a new bass. I can spend up to £400 and the ATK200 looked pretty interesting.

Has anyone had any experience of it?

 

[HubbardsFate]

Hey Rainbow,

I have this bass (4-string model) and for the money it is hard to beat. I had gone to a 6-string Ibanez after years of playing 4-strings because there was something about most 4-string basses that caused my left (fretting) hand to cramp up a lot of the time (at the wrist.) I sold the 6-string after deciding to take a break from bass for a bit, but when I got the bug again, I went into a music shop, picked up an ATK200, and after playing for about 5 minutes knew that I wanted it...again, this was after YEARS of having trouble with most 4-string basses (including Rickenbacker...not saying Ricks are bad basses, just not for me.)

I have had the ATK200 for about 18 months and it is still fun to play. My only complaint is that I had a hard time closing the battery compartment cover properly, so much so that it eventually broke, but that is pretty minor.

Bottom line, a neat little bass for what you're going to spend on it. Highly recommended... - Having said that, just because it works for me doesn't mean it's the bass for you. Try to get your hands on one and play it for at least 15 to 20 minutes, plug in to an amp if one is available, etc. Good luck...

 

[rainbowreality]

Cool, that sounds really nice. Will definitely be looking into this now. Only problem is I'm having trouble finding a place that stocks it in a shop to test it out!

 

[Laurie Bass]

I had one of these basses and I liked it quite a bit. The only draw back for me was 1-the weight...ash body makes for a heavy bass and 2-- the neck I found a bit thick front to back for my short fingers.
I compared it to the ATK 300 which is a different type of pickup and to be they sounded the same. I say go for it you will like it.

 

[rainbowreality]

Thanks for the advice! I did wonder about the weight but the squire bass I have at the moment isn't very light either!

 

[HubbardsFate]

The weight doesn't bother me, but then, I work in a job where I pack 20-30 lbs of gear on my back all day, so...I actually prefer a heavier bass, I just find they have more "oomph" I guess...

 

[rainbowreality]

I don't mind the weight either, my current bass weighs a fair old but anyway

One thing that attracted me to the ATK is that it sounded pretty versatile sonically with the pickup switching. How do you find that, does it produce a decent racket?