New Ibanez ATK 300 Question

[denpan]

Went to Sam Ash today to pick up an atk 300 that I played over the weekend, and of course it was gone.On my way home I stopped a GC to see if they had one. Lo and behold they did, but its unlike any others ive seen. Its the same in every way except a solidblack pickguard( on a black body) and rosewood fret board(not maple). Noticed the model number was different. Insted of ATK 300, it has printed on it ATK3EX1. Asked the salesperson what the difference was and he could'nt give me an answer. It sounded wonderful, and I like the rosewood much better than maple,so I bought it. Also noticed all the other Ibanezs had diiferent numbers on the back of the headstock other than how one look them up on the internet. What gives? BTW this ATK is FREAKING awesome! Sorry this is long winded. Thanks in advanced for any input!

 

[Slapped]

That would be an Guitar Center special Ibanez. Any model with EX in the name is a GC special (aside from the older EX model Ibanez's in the 80's and 90's).

 

[denpan]

I wondered if that was the case. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Slapped]

No problem, those are pretty nice basses. I prefer the looks of them to the other ATK's actually. Any pics?

 

[alexit]

Not positive on this, but the only thing that makes the "EX" ones different is color options.

 

[denpan]

Sure! Sorry about the smudges, just finished a 3 hour "getting to know you" session!

 

[tekhna]

I had a chance to play an ash ATK300 the other day. Was a fantastic bass. May look at picking one up when I am in the states. How much was the EX? Is it in black only? Because I really liked the Ash/Maple

 

[denpan]

Got out of there for $520.00 including a strap. Also for the first time ever, the sales person did a setup on the bass before he would let me leave. Took him about 20 min. and he did an excellent job.

 

[Slapped]

Woo, that is sexy!

 

[denpan]

I only saw one, and it was black on black.

 

[lomp]

I just bought the same bass last weekend. I've been eyeing the ATK but I too am not a fan of the maple fretboard. I love the Paul Grey series but am not a fan of signature models. Anyway, I was on my way out of Guitar Center in Orlando and this beauty was sitting just outside the section with all of the other basses. I almost walked out without even seeing her. I played for about 30 minutes, went home and thought about it all night. The next morning I called and asked them to pull it off the floor and picked her up a few hours later. Since then I haven't been able to stop playing. Such a great tone and I love the neck. What a beautiful instrument.

 

[SteveMcB]

Welcome to the ATK club, guys!
Steve

 

[dragoon419]

That is a very nice bass my friend. I just ordered an ATK305 in the alder and maple, it's gonna be so beautiful. ATKs are the greatest!

 

[suicidal_leming]

well after having to loose my ergodyne 600 series bass due to serious damage and being insured im now in the mist of getting one of the ATK300 series ibanez. went into the store the other day to see what was around played it for about 20/30 mins and fell in love with it such a great tone..

so looks like im also in the ATK club well when it turns up.

 

[keltik]

i just tried that very same model (ex1) at my local GC and the bass fell really good but it sounded extremely anemic....i'm also used to passive electronics but messing with just on the bass i couldn't really get any variation out of it....it also worries me that it is made in indonesia.....has anyone tried the RSP model?....is it too made in indonesia?

if all of the ATKs are made in indonesia i think i'll just get a mexi fender

 

[ALiP BoB]

I want this version of the ATK bad. Anyone knows anyone who sells it AND ships worldwide?

 

[keltik]

well today i was at another GC (in north carolina) and i tried this same model again and the first time i tried it, it sounded anemic again....i tried it in the same type of amp i tried before with as close to the same settings as i tried before....i guess i thought the -15dB was appropriate for the "active" electronics.....so i tried some other basses with similar weakness.....so i swapped to the 0 dB jack and was blown away by the ATKs beef....and oddly enough a used american P-bass sounded weak (probably why whoever got rid of it)

i guess i'm eating my words about the ATK being anemic.....but it still worries me that it's made in indonesia

p.s. the A string was very weak on both ATKs i've tried (not used to that)

 

[Vic Winters]

ATKs aren't a very "hot" active bass stock. I've heard there is an internal pot that allows you to up the juice of the preamp. I like mine where it is, so I haven't gone snooping yet.

 

[keltik]

i guess i'll ask again does anyone know where the ~$700 models are made?

i guess that is about right for that style of guitar to not have "hot" active p/ups

plus it's cheaper than a stingray.....but the stingray is still probably worth every last cent.....i just don't have stingray dollars right now

 

[jasper383]

The $700 models are Korean. The less expensive models are Indonesian. Both very nicely done.