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The Ibanez ATK bass review thread!


JeffBass

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Since the mad rush to clear Musiciansfriend.com out of all their ATK750KA Koa basses (props to T. Alan), it seems as if I'm the only person to write a review of the bass. I know at least 4 members who bought the bass so let's use this thread to post reviews, ok? I'll start by re-posting my review (slightly modified) from the other thread.

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It's a beautiful bass, looks like it should cost 12 - 15 hundred dollars. BIG SOUND, nice and even throughout every string. Satin-like finish on the back of the neck so it's smooth, not grippy. Separate compartment for the battery (nice). The truss rod is a "wheel type" and I like it because it's so quick and easy to adjust. There's no worry's about chipping the finish trying to angle an "L" shaped wrench in there. I could even adjust it without loosening the strings. I also made some saddle adjustments to mine. All together I spent about 15 minutes to get it the way I like it.

It has a thicker neck on it, feels more like a Precision neck than my Godin's Jazzy neck (it's actually right in-between). I like the old Fender-style tuners too. Seems like they were going for old school "beef" with modern "cut". They nailed that. I can see why the call it ATK which is short for attack, it's thick aggressive sound was making my practice amp cry so I had to EQ with less bass (compared to my other basses).

The only improvements I would make are gold hardware, which would compliment the KOA top, and a bit lighter because it's heavy.

Here's my ratings based on a 5 star system;

Sound - 4 stars. It's voice is a great one but don't expect it to be great at everything because it really doesn't have a good, passive "natural" sound (IMO). Out of 5 positions on the selector switch, 2 are great, two are good and one I probably won't use.

Playability - 3 stars. I'd give it 4 stars if it wasn't heavy because I like the neck. It's easy to play hard without getting sloppy.

Looks - 4 stars. Looks lovely even with the big bridge plate. Would look better without the big plate and with gold hardware.

Value - 5 stars. Fugettabout it, $349.00 for this bass is ridiculous because it's worth double that at least. It's unique and powerful sound may be worth 3 times that to people who like it, which I do.

:blah:

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I posted mine a few days ago here:


 

 

Very cool Scary Bill. I really think the key to the sound is the huge 3-coil pickup. At some settings it sounds almost multi-dimensional, like hitting an open E on a 12 string guitar as compared to an open E on a 6 string guitar. That may sound weird but it's most noticable with the selector switch at it's rightmost setting. I like that postion the best, while boosting up the BASS a touch more on my amp (as compared to the leftmost position which is deeper sounding). The stupid manual doesn't tell you what the selector positions are because it's generic.

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It appears the ATK750KA is discontinued.

 

 

Yep. It's gone from the Ibanez website but they still have the ATK750QM, which is a lovely quilted maple.

I did experiment with mine by covering the single-coil neck pickup to see what the ATK700 would sound like.

Still sounds great and it's only 299.00 bucks at MF.com. GET ONE T. ALAN SMITH!!!!

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Very cool Scary Bill. I really think the key to the sound is the huge 3-coil pickup. At some settings it sounds almost multi-dimensional, like hitting an open E on a 12 string guitar as compared to an open E on a 6 string guitar. That may sound weird but it's most noticable with the selector switch at it's rightmost setting. I like that postion the best, while boosting up the BASS a touch more on my amp (as compared to the leftmost position which is deeper sounding). The stupid manual doesn't tell you what the selector positions are because it's generic.

 

 

There is some cool sounds to be had with the bass. The switch is laid out from neck as position 1 and all the way toward the bridge is 5.

 

1=Neck + hum cancel part of MM (coil #2)

2=neck + bridge (#3 in MM) / like a jazz bass

3=first coil in 3 coil / no hum canceling

4=first + third coils of MM

5=bridge + hum cancel (#2 + #3)

 

I hope that helps.

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Cool man, thanks! I think I like positions 1 + 5 the best... 1 is deep and warm. 5 cuts more and sounds great with a bit more BASS on the amp.

Things may change once I jam with a full band with it.

 

 

Glad to help.

 

I tend to use pos 4 the most, as it is a sound I can't really get with my other basses. I think all sound ok.

 

I was over at my drummers house tonight, so he got to see the new bass and we had a little jam. He commented it sounds very piano-like. Playing thru a Peavy TKO 115 it sounded very good against his Roland kit.

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