• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Modifying an ATK

G

garythenuke

Mar 13, 2010
407
2
Paso Robles, Ca
#1
I didn't know where else to put this, and couldn't really find exactly what I'm looking for with a search.

My son wants to modify his ATK700. It is one of the sweetest playing basses ever. That being said.... he wants to keep the stingray sound, AND put in dual soap bars (or whatever) for the "TOOL" tone. We have a Luthier who could do the routing, and I have a friend who can show my son how to do the soldering. If he moves the ATK pickup he'll have to find a new bridge I guess...

So I'm looking for advice on how to proceed. Has anyone done anything like this? What preamp, what switching, what pickups, what "else" is needed to make this work? If it is going to be cost prohibitive, what alternatives are there?

Is there a Stingray/Wahl/Fender Jazz (yeah, he likes Geddy Lee) bass out there??? I'm pretty sure I know the answer...:hmm:

If this should go in another forum, I apologize. If anyone has "just seen three threads like this" please post some links and accept my apologies as well for my weak search-fu...

Thanks in advance.:bassist:
 
#2
steve_rolfeca added another ATK pickup to his 305.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/atk305-second-pickup-options-716577/index2.html
He emphasized the use of an EMG blend pot in regards to volume. The ATK750s come with a jazz in the neck position.

While I like the idea of adding a neck pickup to an ATK, I would not get my hopes up on fulfilling his desire to sound like Justin from Tool. He blurred the lines between a Stingray and a Wal and those two basses don't sound similar to me at all. I'd sooner start bi-amping and playing harder before modding a bass in order to get his sound.
 
#5
Thanks Essen. I know there are scads of threads about "getting the TOOL tone". I was hoping to avoid that pigeon hole.

steve_rolfeca's thread on his addition of an ATK pickup at the neck is very inspiring. Ironically, my son likes to slap as much or more than anything. If he's not playing TOOL, he's slapping (Les' tunes along with Mr Flea) with an occasional Rush tune thrown in. SO I think another ATK at the neck is probably not going to be what he's looking for.
 
#6
Buy him another bass for the "TOOL" tone. You have to know what you want with respect to moving the bridge, there is a route in the "string thru" area. The ATK pup is exactly where the Stingray pup is. I don't see why you'd want to move it, if you want to keep the stingray tone too. Again, another bass is the correct answer here. If he loves the feel of the ATK, start hunting for a used ATK 300 and let it be the guinea pig. If you hit on something that works out, then it is no prob to duplicate it on the 700.
BTW I have a ATK750Koa and a ATK300. I owned a 700 for a couple of years and agree that it has amazing playability and construction, which is why I don't advocate monkeying around with it until you know exactly what you are doing and what the results will be. I hurt my back and realized I subconsciously starting avoiding my 700 like a vicious dog, so I let it go....unusual move for me, and on most days I regret it.
 
#7
Thanks T. He's going to have to buy his own bass if he wants another one. In fact he's going to either finance or perform all the work for this project (if it happens). My buddy has a 750 and it is awesome sounding. My son's is more playable, better neck by far, but the extra neck pickup is really sweet in the 750. Actually putting my son's ATK neck on my buddy's 750 would be the best of all possible worlds. Well, in the ATK world anyway...

NOTE: I edited the original post to remove the possibility of moving the original pup back. That wasn't part of the original plan, I'm not entirely sure why I put it in there. Thanks for drawing my attention to it T.
 
#10
He may want to get some work done on his neck. A good set-up, a fret level or something. I recently played a Roscoe that played just like my 750 & I have never heard of a 750 koa not being easily made into an unbelievable player.
I have heard of some people having not liking the neck on the QM. I know all three of my ATK's having different feeling necks, even though the specs are the same. The 300 and the 700 are more P bass feeling(with the 700 being much better built), and the 750 feels more like a jazz with a slightly thinner profile than the other two. A 750Koa is MIK, and should be excellent quality. The 700's seem to have a consistent "it" factor...that's hard to describe.
 
#11
He does the setup himself. No one can do a better one. He took it to a local luthier to have a fret job done so it's as good as it can be. Most normal people would probably not be able to tell the difference and would think the neck is amazing. He's just unbelievably picky... He loves the neck on my son's 700 though..
 
#12
He sounds like my kinda guy :) The 700 looks like it is only different in name from the 300, well, name and fancy top. But thats not true, the attention to detail, plus better tuners, and probably better wood just made it several notches above.Almost forgot, better strap buttons too.
 
#13
Hehe, yeah he's "unique". He played professionally in the SF Bay area in the 80's and 90's. He's self taught, self-motivated, self "produced" and VERY much "old school"... No patience for musical laziness or any instrument that doesn't feel "perfect" in the first three minutes.

The downside is that he's a huge influence on my son... GAS here we come.:crying:

I tried playing with him for a while but he wore me down. Now I'm taking up the Mandolin...:crying::crying:
 
#14
Cool. I played mandolin years ago, but hocked it to keep my gf at the time from going to jail for writing a bad check. Haven't touched one since. LOL!
I usually know if a bass is going to work for me or not within the first few minutes too, but after that, I am willing to spend acouple weeks making it "be all it can be". Sounds like you have a good friend who is also soon to be your son's partner in crime, haha.
 
#16
THand said:
Buy him another bass for the "TOOL" tone.
Click to expand...
This.

All you're talking about is spending a bunch of time and money ruining a good bass with decent resale value trying to turn it into something it isn't that you won't be able to give away when you realize you blew it.

Modding is rarely the answer, and certainly not in this case. :rollno:

Seriously. Just sell the ATK700 and buy a bass appropriate to your needs. You'll be WAY ahead on the deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BackToTheGroove
#20
Greetings Gary, hope you are well.

Kudos to your son for both his passion for the ATK, and for Tool! One of my very favorite bands.

I have currently (and have had) boutique basses costing way beyond what my ATK300 and ATK305 cost, but I still find myself picking up my ATK's :) They really are killer basses at any price. I'd love to have the ATK700! In that blue color, whatever they call it. Soon enough I suppose.

As for making an ATK sound like Tool: Uh, that's generally the idea OUT OF THE BOX. Justin Chancellor may be the current bassist, but the former bassist, Paul D'Amour - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia used an ATK just after utilizing a Chris Squier signature Rick for the first two albums. In fact, a quick Google would give you some more info: I believe he used his ATK for part of Undertow, and certainly on the tour that followed. (His custom ATK was sold a few months back on E-Bay.)

For me, the ATK *IS* the Tool sound, without having to rip the guts out and spending money indiscriminately. It's the Tool sound, and so much more! The rest will have to come from his fingers (or copper pick), technique, EQ'ing / amp settings, etc.

HTH, and hope he enjoys!

Sean

garythenuke said:
I didn't know where else to put this, and couldn't really find exactly what I'm looking for with a search.

My son wants to modify his ATK700. It is one of the sweetest playing basses ever. That being said.... he wants to keep the stingray sound, AND put in dual soap bars (or whatever) for the "TOOL" tone. We have a Luthier who could do the routing, and I have a friend who can show my son how to do the soldering. If he moves the ATK pickup he'll have to find a new bridge I guess...

So I'm looking for advice on how to proceed. Has anyone done anything like this? What preamp, what switching, what pickups, what "else" is needed to make this work? If it is going to be cost prohibitive, what alternatives are there?

Is there a Stingray/Wahl/Fender Jazz (yeah, he likes Geddy Lee) bass out there??? I'm pretty sure I know the answer...:hmm:

If this should go in another forum, I apologize. If anyone has "just seen three threads like this" please post some links and accept my apologies as well for my weak search-fu...

Thanks in advance.:bassist:
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back