Official ATK Club (Part II)

[PilbaraBass]

I've got a '96 ATK 300 FL (Made in Korea)...

Here's some shots of it just after I leveled the fingerboard a bit... it's not heavy, sounds great, and plays sweet

 

[THand]

I'm VERY jealous!

I'd love to have one of those!!!

 

[sixway]

I'm VERY jealous!

I'd love to have one of those!!!

Agreed - great looking bass! Would love to have a fretless ATK.... left hand of course!

 

[kesslari]

Definitely cool.
And cool seeing all the options.
I love my blue moon, but I could see trading it for a Koa...

 

[BottomFeederJax]

Man, I want a 300fl... And a Koa....
Anyway, already shown mine, nothin fancy, 3ex1, but I just put some Chromes on her, hot damn! Fundamental city
Heres a pic just for fun.

 

[zoxybass]

Even the wall sockets are amazed at how nice your bass is!

Hahah

 

[zoxybass]

Didn't realize - I hadn't posted my little lovely.

The smart and beautiful blonde

 

[Femto]

Just picked up a black and pearl ATK yesterday.
Very impressed. I was thinking about getting a 'Ray but I'm glad I didn't now. Very impressed. What a great neck the ATK has.

Oh and yeah I know:

I'll post one once the camera has charged up.

 

[vstring3]

Wow, an ATK club! I just recently played one and loved it - and thought it was just me. Buying one soon.

 

[Bongolation]

OK, some of you have been playing these quite a long time. I gotta know: How many have busted that tiny bat switch so far?

I got Link Removed out of storage last night to look at something on it and I immediately thought, once again, "Man, if I actually played this thing, I'd probably manage to shear that switch off before dinnertime."

 

[THand]

OK, some of you have been playing these quite a long time. I gotta know: How many have busted that tiny bat switch so far?

I got Link Removed out of storage last night to look at something on it and I immediately thought, once again, "Man, if I actually played this thing, I'd probably manage to shear that switch off before dinnertime."

LOL. Yeah, mine is still in one piece.
You'll love this... I added weight by putting a brass chrome plated thumb-rest on mine.
I used "new to me" 3M automotive molding tape (double stick witha red backing). It's holding fine so far. So, no screw holes. I think I'm going to cut the screw heads off of the screws and crazy glue them to the rest, so it will look screwed in.
Thanks to these forums for teaching me about that tape, or I would have drilled into it by now.

 

[Bongolation]

Thanks to these forums for teaching me about that tape, or I would have drilled into it by now.

Yeah, my rule #1:

Never make an irreversible modification to an instrument.

 

[THand]

Yeah, my rule #1:

Never make an irreversible modification to an instrument.

That tape is amazing. That's no lightweight rest I put on there. At the same time, it can be removed with no damage to the finish. Really cool stuff to have on hand.

For inquiering minds:

 

[Femto]

Right, the camera got its juice so here's the evidence.

Played it through my GK1001RB and Ampeg 810 a few hours ago at band practice. Punchy...very very punchy. I'm very pleased!

 

[Essthreetee]

LOL. Yeah, mine is still in one piece.
You'll love this... I added weight by putting a brass chrome plated thumb-rest on mine.
I used "new to me" 3M automotive molding tape (double stick witha red backing). It's holding fine so far. So, no screw holes. I think I'm going to cut the screw heads off of the screws and crazy glue them to the rest, so it will look screwed in.
Thanks to these forums for teaching me about that tape, or I would have drilled into it by now.

T...did you post a pic of where you put that thumbrest? I was thinking about adding one and was just curious...

Funny thing is...I don't really have a problem with changing, adding, messing with my basses in order to make them right for me. Especially on ones that aren't going anywhere, like my ATK and my Peavey (at least I don't THINK they are ).

 

[Femto]

Strange, I find the pickup makes a pretty good thumb rest...but it only does because I play over the pickup. I imagine if I was going to put an extra thumb rest on there, it'd be half way between the neck and the pickup.

Now I've read this back, it seems like I'm stating the obvious.

 

[THand]

T...did you post a pic of where you put that thumbrest? I was thinking about adding one and was just curious...

Funny thing is...I don't really have a problem with changing, adding, messing with my basses in order to make them right for me. Especially on ones that aren't going anywhere, like my ATK and my Peavey (at least I don't THINK they are ).

No pics yet...

I'll try make time this weekend, but I haven't had much free time lately.

I don't have a problem with changing things either, but to be able to do that without damaging anything is pretty cool.

That tape is amazing. I would have never believed that tape would hold a thumb rest as heavy as mine, plus the pressure of playing...but it does. The cool thing is, if I decide I want it in a different location, all I have to do is move it...no holes left behind. That really lets you find the perfect position for your hands. It takes the stress out of mounting a thumb rest, because if the location doesn't feel right, just take it back off and move it. Can't recommend that stuff enough for something like this!

 

[Essthreetee]

Strange, I find the pickup makes a pretty good thumb rest...but it only does because I play over the pickup. I imagine if I was going to put an extra thumb rest on there, it'd be half way between the neck and the pickup.

Now I've read this back, it seems like I'm stating the obvious.

I agree, that is where one would go...I just wanted to see it...

No pics yet...

I'll try make time this weekend, but I haven't had much free time lately.

I don't have a problem with changing things either, but to be able to do that without damaging anything is pretty cool.

That tape is amazing. I would have never believed that tape would hold a thumb rest as heavy as mine, plus the pressure of playing...but it does. The cool thing is, if I decide I want it in a different location, all I have to do is move it...no holes left behind. That really lets you find the perfect position for your hands. It takes the stress out of mounting a thumb rest, because if the location doesn't feel right, just take it back off and move it. Can't recommend that stuff enough for something like this!

I may have to look into it....

 

[Femto]

Okay, here's a question:

How the heck do I get the main backplate off my new ATK?

Before anyone asks, of course I've taken the darn screws out!

It's such a close fit, I cant get even a tiny flatblade screwdriver down the edge. It appears to be stuck down.

Edit: Okay, I've managed to do it. I was worried I was going to chip the finish but no such disaster occurred.
The reason I wanted to get inside was so I could turn the output level of the on-board preamp up to match my Fender Precision with its Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup (which is a very hot pickup), so I didn't have to fiddle with my amp when I switch basses. I think I've got it about right.

 

[THand]

Okay, here's a question:

How the heck do I get the main backplate off my new ATK?

Before anyone asks, of course I've taken the darn screws out!

It's such a close fit, I cant get even a tiny flatblade screwdriver down the edge. It appears to be stuck down.

I'd try a pocket knife, if a screw driver is too wide.
All the usual common sense cautions apply.
ANNND, that's just me. I always have a Swiss Army knife on me. It is usually the first tool I grab, because it's already with me and can usually handle small things quickly. It also keeps me from having to hunt for the perfect tool.
Somebody else probably has a better/safer way of doing it.
Just remembered, I have used a guitar pick before for that very thing.
Whatever works.
EDIT: glad you got it.