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REALLY Cheap Ibanez ATK's!

#182
Quick question on the ATK's, if I leave the cable plugged in will the guitar's electronics consume power? My Rockman BASS Ace pocket amp is like that. I'll have to put a switch in there one of these days. Drives me nuts... whenever I'm done practicing I have to yank the cables out of everything.
 
#184
I received mine, the top was lovely as many have stated. Quite versatile tonally as well. But, I had to send mine back as the strings were not centered up the neck, they were strung up with the E string riding on that edge of the fingerboard. It was not merely a matter of moving the nut a bit, or I would have fixed it myself. Obviously a neck route put in the wrong spot. This was not a minor misalignment, this was bloody awful. Woeful inspection process I suspect. Musicians friend did not even offer an apology, a future 10% discount, zip, nada. Bummer.

No soup for you!! Next!!

I'll get some photos up shortly.
 
#185
shawn2000 said:
I had to send mine back as the strings were not centered up the neck, they were strung up with the E string riding on that edge of the fingerboard. It was not merely a matter of moving the nut a bit, or I would have fixed it myself. Obviously a neck route put in the wrong spot.
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That's horrible. How did they miss that?

As you point out, it's impossible to fix on a five-point mount in a tight neck pocket. :(

Mine had unusually-true overall centerline alignment, but that's usually just blind luck in my experience.
 
#186
ajcrm125 said:
Quick question on the ATK's, if I leave the cable plugged in will the guitar's electronics consume power?
Click to expand...
Yep. Isn't that a brilliant arrangement? :rolleyes:

It's one of several reasons why I would never gig with this bass.

Seems like half the people on this board have stories about leaving the cable in active instruments after setup and afternoon soundcheck and go back to have dead batteries at showtime. Of course all this can be prevented, but actives without an on-off switch and a fail-safe passive backup are not attractive performing instruments for me as they are "Murphy bait."
 
#187
I haven't seen this bass locally but I'm taking a risk buying since it's a good price and has great reviews.

Really wanted a nice solid, slightly heavy bass with a thick neck. I like the sound of the Bongo and Stingray, which some say the ATK can be close, even better.
 
#189
update on my DOA koa - still DOA.

I tried several new batteries, verified DC power going to the PCB, verified connection from the PCB to the jack, tweaked the output pot, etc.

That's all of the tech work I'm doing; no way I'm going to mess with a brand new, warrantied bass.

I reported it to MF, and looks like my best option may be to send it back for a refund.

the wiring job definitely isn't stellar, for sure; I would tempted to install a better pre.

and, the bass is heavy.

but, it's still gorgeous.

any other ideas here? definitely not an instant gratification moment...
 
#190
See PM thanks...


studio848 said:
update on my DOA koa - still DOA.

I tried several new batteries, verified DC power going to the PCB, verified connection from the PCB to the jack, tweaked the output pot, etc.

That's all of the tech work I'm doing; no way I'm going to mess with a brand new, warrantied bass.

I reported it to MF, and looks like my best option may be to send it back for a refund.

the wiring job definitely isn't stellar, for sure; I would tempted to install a better pre.

and, the bass is heavy.

but, it's still gorgeous.

any other ideas here? definitely not an instant gratification moment...
Click to expand...
 
#192
ajcrm125 said:
Quick question on the ATK's, if I leave the cable plugged in will the guitar's electronics consume power? My Rockman BASS Ace pocket amp is like that. I'll have to put a switch in there one of these days. Drives me nuts... whenever I'm done practicing I have to yank the cables out of everything.
Click to expand...

Yes... the switch to turn on the preamp is in the jack. I never found it to be a problem. In fact I think it's preferrable because you can't turn on the bass' preamp without plugging a cable into the jack whereas a toggle or slide switch can accidentally be tripped. Put your bass into a case or gig bag, accidentally flip the switch "on" while doing so and the next time you pull out the bass you have a dead battery. Yet by adding a manual switch in addition to a jack switch for the mere sake of being able to keep the cable connected and and you've created an additional point of possible failure.
 
#193
I realize that the bass was an excellent value at this price, I was just one of the few unlucky ones I suppose. I could not fly with the string alignment on this, even at that price point (you can see how the strings favor the E side of the neck). But, everyone else, don't let me taint your enjoyment of these otherwise fine instruments! Just a bad apple. I hope MF does not try to sell this one again, someone had owned it prior to me, as it had fingerprints, scrapes on the control plate, plastic removed from pickups, etc.. So, either MF did not did not check it out before they sent it out to me, or they did and chose to ignore it. I hope it was not the latter.

Lovely top, appears to be bookmatched. The headstock was not quite as nice. (As others have stated).

ibeenhad.gif
 
#194
shawn2000 said:
I hope MF does not try to sell this one again, someone had owned it prior to me, as it had fingerprints, scrapes on the control plate, plastic removed from pickups, etc.. So, either MF did not did not check it out before they sent it out to me, or they did and chose to ignore it. I hope it was not the latter.
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Yeah, that looks pretty severe. You might be able to clear up a little of that by moving the neck, but you can't move the usual 5-point neck much. :hmm:

[I saved a cheap Spector B-stock that was about that bad as it had a gob of paint twisting the neck cockeyed in the pocket, but it was really a job. I love the bass after getting all its horrendous problems straightened out. I just cleaned and detailed it today and may shoot some pictures of it tomorrow. Cute little bass, and $168 for a new Spector of any description is quite a steal.]

I also agree that they sent you a used return that should have had a S&D discount. I don't know if there are any new ones left for replacements, though.
 
#197
I already mailed this one back on Friday, so keep your eyes peeled at the website, it may come up for sale. LOL. Cool that you were able to remedy the Spector.


Bongolation said:
Yeah, that looks pretty severe. You might be able to clear up a little of that by moving the neck, but you can't move the usual 5-point neck much. :hmm:

[I saved a cheap Spector B-stock that was about that bad as it had a gob of paint twisting the neck cockeyed in the pocket, but it was really a job. I love the bass after getting all its horrendous problems straightened out. I just cleaned and detailed it today and may shoot some pictures of it tomorrow. Cute little bass, and $168 for a new Spector of any description is quite a steal.]

I also agree that they sent you a used return that should have had a S&D discount. I don't know if there are any new ones left for replacements, though.
Click to expand...
 

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