Official ATK Club (Part 3)

[Cb4rabid]

I was so close to buying an ATK305 last winter but the order couldn't come through I love these basses though, you guys have some beautiful shots of them.

 

[Post Mortal]

I've thought about having a metal working shop make me a polished aluminum plate that would shave off more than a 1/2 pound..

Wouldn't that mess up the balance of the bass though? I'm thinking about something like that with my other bass but I don't want to mess with the balance.

 

[BassmanM]

I think I've looked through every digitally archived Ibanez catalog and have ONLY seen the ATK405 in sunburst or transparent blue... but the same country never had the option for both colors in the same model year. However, the ATK400 was available in both colors during the same model year.

I expect that there are many ATK enthusiasts that have there eyes peeled for the rare opportunity to own an ATK400/405... and I'm definitely one of them.

Thanx, this is what I assumed. And you are right too, these are pretty fine basses, although they are a lot different than the "ordinary" ATKs, as they have a mahogany body and I think the bridge PU is somewhat closer to the bridge.

I actually owned an ATK400, which I sold because I mostly played my ATK305. Here's a pic of the old one, which, maybe, I should have kept.

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There's been an ATK405 in a local shop for quite a while now, but they want EUR 600 for it, which is way too much.

 

[Tommygunn]

That bridge looks funky

 

[dug dog]

I like the idea about having a bridge plate made from aluminum.

 

[Funk Factor]

Thanx, this is what I assumed. And you are right too, these are pretty fine basses, although they are a lot different than the "ordinary" ATKs, as they have a mahogany body and I think the bridge PU is somewhat closer to the bridge.

I actually owned an ATK400, which I sold because I mostly played my ATK305. Here's a pic of the old one, which, maybe, I should have kept.

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Yeah there are a number of differences....24 frets...square heel on the neck....different shaped bridge..
Don't know about pickup placement.
The 1300 and 700 series (2000 Eur catalog) that were available in Europe have these differences as well
I'm on the hunt for a 405 as well as a 500KA


I picked up my Bunker EX today
My luthier did an awesome job of getting it together for me.
The frets were installed as a Warmoth neck and needed to be dressed a bit, as well a cutting the string slots in the brass nut.
Total spent on neck and installation 425.00....on par with what a finished Warmoth neck with a nice flame maple board would cost alone.
There is a very noticeable difference tonally.....it's a bit brighter and much more articulate...unreal sustain throughout the fretboard.....I'm diggin' the hell out of it!!
Sometime in the future I'll probably have it re-radiused as I have on my other ATK's....I much prefer the flatter radius.
I also want a custom finish done by Rowyco Kustoms....there's a purple flake Jazz Master in his gallery that has me sweatin' !!
But that'll have to wait as I am one broke brother
I will add that Dave Bunker's customer service has been awesome....he's really concerned about your satisfaction...no doubt.
I get a few pics up later

Peace and Groove

 

[ubnomnar]

I picked up my Bunker EX today...

There is a very noticeable difference tonally.....it's a bit brighter and much more articulate...unreal sustain throughout the fretboard.....I'm diggin' the hell out of it!!

I also want a custom finish done by Rowyco Kustoms....there's a purple flake Jazz Master in his gallery that has me sweatin' !!

I will add that Dave Bunker's customer service has been awesome....he's really concerned about your satisfaction...no doubt.

I get a few pics up later

Peace and Groove

Wow... you are building the ULTIMATE ATK with only the best stuff. I checked out the "'64 Fender Jazzmaster
Purple candy color over .015 silver flake base" and it screams WOW. I think it would be a perfect match for the man behind the "Funk Factor Bass Jams."

What strings are you sportin' on the Bunker EX?

No Pics... No Bass

 

[ubnomnar]

I agree on the cosmetic appeal of the the plate. I've thought about having a metal working shop make me a polished aluminum plate that would shave off more than a 1/2 pound...

Wouldn't that mess up the balance of the bass though? I'm thinking about something like that with my other bass but I don't want to mess with the balance.

I don't think it would make much difference to the balance of the bass. But, I would also like to add a set of Hipshot Ultralite Clovers... or maybe even Lollipops, too.

 

[ubnomnar]

In reference to the ATK400/405 series basses:

Yeah there are a number of differences....24 frets...square heel on the neck....different shaped bridge..
Don't know about pickup placement.
The 1300 and 700 series (2000 Eur catalog) that were available in Europe have these differences as well
I'm on the hunt for a 405 as well as a 500KA.it!!

Take a close look and the lower horn is also cut deeper allowing access to the 23rd fret. The bridge pickup does appear to have been moved closer to the bridge as it's back edge now aligns with the middle of the volume knob. I wonder if the neck profile is the same as the 22 fret ATKs?

The ATK500 is a gorgeous Alder/Koa beast. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Funk Factor]

No Pics... No Bass

I've got a set of DR Lowriders 105-45 on it at the moment and will probably keep it strung with them.
I'm gonna put the flats on my 750.....I dig the tone I get out of the single coil at the neck with the flats....but that's all subject to change depending on my needs or mood

Yeah man, this bass is screamin' for that purple flake but between the mods and recording gear I've recently picked up I'm tapped....
I am gonna pick up another Glock to install in this one and call it a day......for now
But....if I could run across a set of the old Ibanez heart shaped tuners like Mark White has on his ATK, I'd snag 'em up in a minute for this bass.
Can't seem to find any not attached to a bass though

 

[Tommygunn]

I've got a set of DR Lowriders 105-45 on it at the moment and will probably keep it strung with them.
I'm gonna put the flats on my 750.....I dig the tone I get out of the single coil at the neck with the flats....but that's all subject to change depending on my needs or mood

Yeah man, this bass is screamin' for that purple flake but between the mods and recording gear I've recently picked up I'm tapped....
I am gonna pick up another Glock to install in this one and call it a day......for now
But....if I could run across a set of the old Ibanez heart shaped tuners like Mark White has on his ATK, I'd snag 'em up in a minute for this bass.
Can't seem to find any not attached to a bass though

IIRC his aren't stock. Just go for an old roadster with the 2+2 headstock.

 

[Funk Factor]

Take a close look and the lower horn is also cut deeper allowing access to the 23rd fret. The bridge pickup does appear to have been moved closer to the bridge as it's back edge now aligns with the middle of the volume knob.

I noticed these now that you pointed them out....do NOT like the shape of the bridge though.
I also prefer the slimmer headstock on my 750 and 300 over the old style on my Bunker neck.....that's just me though

 

[Funk Factor]

Kind'a hate havin' to buy a bass just to pillage the tuners, Tommy

 

[Tommygunn]

Ebay?

 

[Funk Factor]

Ya know,....lookin' at the clover tuners, it appears they could be modified into heart shapes fairly easily and look good.

hmmm....

 

[Funk Factor]

Here she is with the home made tort guard that I made today

 

[ubnomnar]

Here she is with the home made tort guard that I made today

Your Bunker EX looks great with the tort and flame. Excellent work fabricating the pickguard.

Are you tempted to swap in your Bassculture pickup and Glock pre?

 

[Funk Factor]

Nah Dave...the BC (Bassculture) pickup and Glock that's in my tri-fade will stay where they're at.
I really like the BC,.... but I prefer the stock ATK pickup over it....traditional mode is where it's at for me.
So my trifade don't get the love that my 750 has been getting.
But when I think a song calls for that tone I get with it...it's the shiznitt.
(Check out the fingerstyle groove on the "Back Door Love" on my Pimp Slap Orchestra page)

I've had a little time to dig into the Bunker and while I really dig the feel and tone I'm having some playability issues.
My luthier pointed out that there is a bit of a rise, or bump starting at the 13th fret and that he was unable to set it up as he has my other basses due to this.
I've spoken to Dave Bunker about this and he's to call my luthier tomorrow (Monday) and discuss it with him.
My guys opinion is that it's a fret board issue, but Mr Bunker says that there are little tweaks that can be done to the truss bar itself ....
I'll let them figure it out, but I'm not into having to ship it back for setups and s**t.
But as I've stated, Mr Bunker is very concerned that I'm completely satisfied
In any case, should I get the playability issue resolved to my satisfaction it'll damned sure be my numero uno bass.

Oh yeah, I really lucked out fabricating the guard as I did it free hand with my dremel tool. I'm diggin' the black and tort

 

[Funk Factor]

I've had a little time to dig into the Bunker and while I really dig the feel and tone I'm having some playability issues.
My luthier pointed out that there is a bit of a rise, or bump starting at the 13th fret and that he was unable to set it up as he has my other basses due to this.
I've spoken to Dave Bunker about this and he's to call my luthier tomorrow (Monday) and discuss it with him.
My guys opinion is that it's a fret board issue, but Mr Bunker says that there are little tweaks that can be done to the truss bar itself ....
I'll let them figure it out, but I'm not into having to ship it back for setups and s**t.
But as I've stated, Mr Bunker is very concerned that I'm completely satisfied

The neck is not relieving evenly and some fret ends aren't seated very well...Looks like sending the neck back to have the truss bar adjusted is the first plan of attack.
Bummer

Dave assures me he'll make it happen for me or offer a full refund................

I really want this neck to work out...we'll see

 

[Bogster]

I'd be interested in knowing what preamps you guys replaced the stock pre with (for those who have done it) and if you were satisfied with the results. I've been considering it for my 300 but not sure which one to go with exactly.