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Replacing an Ibanez ATK pickup with an EMG MMTW?
- Thread starter Cobaumu
- Start date
You might check out the Bassculture pickups, I've heard they are avesome. There are direct replacement pickups for Ibanez ATK. www.bassculture.de
Unless you own an ATK 100/200, the stock ATK pickup is more than fine and doesn't require any replacement IMHO. I know I'd take it over an EMG any time.
The size and 3 coils aren't what you'd call standard.
The size and 3 coils aren't what you'd call standard.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 253
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
Some of the ATK basses have the pickup wired in parallel in the standard humbucking setting.
Wiring it in series should get a fatter tone with more output.
I just got a request for a custom ATK pickup, so I'm planning on adding that to the standard lineup.
Wiring it in series should get a fatter tone with more output.
I just got a request for a custom ATK pickup, so I'm planning on adding that to the standard lineup.
Thanks for the responses. I have checked out the bassculture.de pickups, and they do sound like a good option. My only reservation is that the cheapest one is about $175, and that's before shipping.
As for the stock pickup, way too middy and flat sounding, even through my SVT 3 pro. No bottom end at all. The EMG P/J setup on my other bass completely destroys the ATK pickup, so I figured an EMG musicman might be a good choice.
As for the stock pickup, way too middy and flat sounding, even through my SVT 3 pro. No bottom end at all. The EMG P/J setup on my other bass completely destroys the ATK pickup, so I figured an EMG musicman might be a good choice.
I have had an EMG 40DC in my both my ATK305s (one in the 90s, one 2008) and it KILLS. I literally have only Volume - will possibly add an EMG BQS I've had lying around forever at some point. Running it at 18 volts too, which is the way to go with these.
It fits PERFECTLY length-wise, has small gaps WIDTH-wise as the EMG is not as wide. The cavity for the 305 and the 300 is the same size BTW, as Ibanez uses the SAME pickup for 4 and 5 string models, which is no issue as it has BLADES instead of polepieces, so the different string spacings are no worry.
That being said, if David at SGD does in fact make a direct ATK replacement, I may definitely try it
J
Have you tried boosting the output on your preamp? If you take off the backplate there should be a little metal thing with a screw top on it that you can adjust the output with, that's how you do it on the 90s ones anyway. It does sound very sterile and lifeless if this is set too low.
The Bassculture pickup is amazing though, I've had my ATK for 7 years and was very happy with it other then the electrics so I knew it was worth playing the money.
The Bassculture pickup is amazing though, I've had my ATK for 7 years and was very happy with it other then the electrics so I knew it was worth playing the money.
+1 re: adjusting the internal gain control - FYI it works the same on the enw ones too. Just be mindful that (this is from memory and may be off) that I THINK you turn the screw (which is white plastic Phillips head) COUNTER-clockwise for max gain. Regardless, just plug it in and you will soon see which way is "up". Made a BIG volume difference, and helped the tone too.
I personally think the preamp limits the tone in the pickup in this case- the EQ points are nicely chosen, but the tone gets a bit too squashed by the pre. YMMV, and many love the stock setup.
J
I never really liked the centre points to be honest, the bass was in a kinda highish muddy area, mids in a bit of a boxy one, treble was ok on the single coil setting though. The preamp is a bit horrible overall really in my opinion, my bassculture and the jazz I have have plenty of output so running passive is fine for signal which is good.
Permission denied - the link is malformed. I'm pretty sure you didn't intend the "..." to get into the URL.
This is my ATK with a dual coil MM style pickup that I made and set in an aftermarket early MM style cover. No routing was needed. I also replaced the stock DPDT toggle switch which was ON-OFF-ON and has the mid-scoop and high cut filtering on the switch's IC board with a basic ON-ON-ON DPDT so that the coil selection is parallel/series/single-coil.
Link Removed
Link Removed
Eh? That's wrong considering your pickup(s) have one, if not the biggest, impacts on your sound.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 253
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
I have had an EMG 40DC in my both my ATK305s (one in the 90s, one 2008) and it KILLS. I literally have only Volume - will possibly add an EMG BQS I've had lying around forever at some point. Running it at 18 volts too, which is the way to go with these.
It fits PERFECTLY length-wise, has small gaps WIDTH-wise as the EMG is not as wide. The cavity for the 305 and the 300 is the same size BTW, as Ibanez uses the SAME pickup for 4 and 5 string models, which is no issue as it has BLADES instead of polepieces, so the different string spacings are no worry.
That being said, if David at SGD does in fact make a direct ATK replacement, I may definitely try it
J
Does anyone have an ATK pickup they aren't using? People keep asking me for them, but I need one to take measurements off of.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 253
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
Howdy - as one of those asking, I wish I could provide the pickup, but I sold it a while ago to someone here on TB.
That being said, I am sure SOMEONE with the stock pickup could easily measure it.
David - when and if you can make a replacement for the ATK, are you planning to do it in a radiussed case like the stock pickup, or flat? I personally don't care either way, but others may....
NOTE: The pickup in the 4 string and 5 string ATKs is the SAME - same size, same build. Ibanez only lists one pickup for both. It uses blades, so that makes sense, and from a manufacturer's perpespective is much easier to deal with (one pickup for both)
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
I thought the pickup was radiused too, simply because of the 3 lines protruding from the top, but found they aren't magnetic... they're simply plastic on the case for looks, as far as I can tell. I bet you the pickup itself is flat.
