Huge fan of the ATK; I have 3 currently. On the stringing option, you're not stuck using just string though. You can top load the strings by hooking the ball end on the slot of the holes on the top of the bridge plate.
Oh no...I completely missed that by how the strings were coming through lol...I see it now. Normally I change strings for every review but the ones that came on this one were close to new so I left them..Thank you very much for this very important correction
Thank you so much for this spot-on review of one of my favourite basses of all times! (also looove the funny graphics and visuals, illustrating your words - they had me chuckle all the way through! This and your awesome playing/sound recording makes this review really stand out among all others...plus you have a lot of background knowledge in wiring/electronics to explain how IBANEZ could bring us all the AWESOME sounds this instrument is capable of). The ATK is in my top three favourite basses of all time in terms of "value for money" (they pack LOADS of sounds, versatility/playability for a relatively low price!), reliability (these things are built like TANKS!) and are just my go-to bass for most live or studio situations....the active EQ makes it almost too easy to dial in the perfect sound for almost any musical style or playing situation. Plus they are simple and beautiful in their design. Clearly one of the best things IBANEZ ever came up with! I own two of them, one ATK 300 and one ATK 200 and both are just awesome! I will never sell them and I use them constantly! I am a bit tired of the STINGRAY KILLER comparisons, because I totally agree with your assessment: while clearly being an alternative bass for any enthusiast of the STINGRAY-ish sound spectrum, the ATK very clearly still does its OWN THING, and it is a beautiful thing! So is it a STINGRAY? No, but if you like STINGRAYS (and who doesn't?!), you might want to give this a try, as well, because you might really like it and feel right at home in ATK territory! Thanks again for showing the world one of the best basses out there, imho! Keep it up!
@@wojtekobodziec404Sure! Here is a link to our latest album. The ATK is on all of the songs. I might want to specifiy that I play with a pick, so the attack is sometimes even a bit stronger than it would be for a finger-style player. ruclips.net/p/OLAK5uy_nAUW38hQgRYZbI26beWkMBlpKSC4mS0v8
Well, a few things. First original "ATK"s, were built in Japan (in the 90s I believe). Later, Ibanez went on to build a bunch of variants, in Indonesia, Korea & probably China (500,600, 700, 800 series). Originally, there was a 5 string version too (in the 90s!), that is the best kept secret in hip-hop/rap music. Due to their scarcity and demand, they upgraded their models to the "Prestige line" (1200, 1300 and up). At one moment they introduced a 'Quadruple bobin PU' and added a Jazz bass PU in neck position. I had both, the 300 model , 'MIJ' (that I regret selling, but it was to a friend by that time), and still own my favorite Bass of all time, the "ATK" Prestige 1200, N° 0001 (!) which has the 'quadruple bobin' PU+Jazz bass, so probably the only existing Bass where you can have 4+1 sound. The neck is the perfect size between the Precision Bass & the Music Man (also had two prestigious models of those, a Fender Serie L, and an (end of production) MUsic Man you can see in my profile picture. ATK are extremely versatile, well balanced a well designed (built like elegant tanks!). The other thing is that with the ATK, you can emulate any classic bass sound (Jazz Bass, Precision, Music Man, Rickenbaker, etc). Real "MIJ" 300 are becoming rarer and rarer and the 305 (five string model) are even harfder to find. If you have on, keep it! ATK Rock! Hope it helps somehow! Take care! ps I'm just concerned this type of video will make their prices go up....! I want my "ATK" 300 back!
Very nice review. I'm an owner of a Ibanez ATK-305 (5 String Bass) from 1998 Made in Japan; and I'm an owner of Music Man Stingray (4-String) from 1983 Made in USA. Both are fantastic basses with brilliant sounds. The weigth of the ATK-305 (ash body) is 4,2 kg, the weigth of the Stingray (also ash body) is 4,6 kg. The finish of both basses is great. I love to play them all.🎸🖐
I bought it second hand. It's a very good guitar and I don't regret the guitar as I'm a big Paul Gray fan and i had fun watching it. Thanks for the video.
I had an ATK305 which I sold 12 years ago and regretted ever since, not that I have the funds, space or need for another bass these but I’d have one again in a heartbeat if the option was there
Very glad to have watched this, as there's an ATK-300 in the local listings that's been tempting me. I assumed that having Ibanez in the name meant fast and light, but it looks like I almost got catfished. A lot of older bassists are delighted when they pick up a bass and discover that it weighs a ton, as if that were a sign of quality, rather than a liability with minimal benefit. Maybe quality and heft really did come together as a package throughout recent history. It's definitely not the case today, however, and because this is Ibanez, it makes a lot of sense for them to discontinue this line of old-timey relics, and hopefully soon they'll produce something more ergonomically sensible but in the same pickup category.
Good stuff, nice bass. I should look at Ibanez again, that's a nice siunding bass. My last Ibanez was an Artcore semi-hollow body which didn't have much in the way of low end balls. Cheers
The only drawback of this bass is the weight - it is pretty heavy. I'm a stocky guy so heavy basses don't bother me too much but I can see how folks with different physiques may not like it
Happy and content owner of not one but two atk 300s although one is a fretless . I literally never have Bass emvie, I mean I can admire other people's bass's but I am so in love with mine I don't think I'll ever let either go . I think I might have video up where I used my fretted to play with an octive pedal if anyone cared to know what that sounds like. Anyways great review I'm in a subscribe right now and I look forward to watching more of your content. Respect 👊
Great video! Love the breakdown and demo of that big ol ATK pickup. I play an 805 coming from an Ibanez Mikro and I gotta say I'm down with the heft lol. Would love to hear your thoughts on the extra neck pickup and blend knob on those models🤘
Love the ATK's i have 2 305's and 1 300 all from the early 2000's run and 2 of the Paul gray signature ATK's. its to bad the last run the did past 2010 had the pickups changed. to just a dual configuration i believe, they definitely didn't sound the same. my only complaints are yes, the weight, after a 3 hour set gig, you can tell you have been playing and for everyone of my 305's and 300's the tuning goes a bit off around the 3rd to 5th fret, even if intonation is good at the 12th. may just be mine and need to be re dressed or something. way prefer them over the sound of my stingray.
Good video. Never knew off this bass. Really cool. Congratulations on over 1000 subscribers. Good to see the channel growing. Always look forward to your content. Cheers. Willie in Glasgow scotland
Someone told me there's a new "ATK" line, called "Premium", but probably these are "Prestige" models made abroad (not in Japan). Btw, ATKs are gorgeous, and the Music Man I had was way heahvier than my First ATK 300! But I loved both! Take care!
I was wondering, if the ATK 800 Premium (Triple coil + Single coil in the neck) already exists, why not a DOUBLE Triple coil pickup to get the HH sound (and another switch to both modes of either pickup) and get a plethra of sounds and combinations... Great video by the way. Cheers...
Thank you for your detailed video, thank you very much, I have a question for you. I'm currently restoring an Ibanez and one thing I don't understand is that when you set the volume back to zero, does the signal still come out or is it completely turned off?
Rib, that bas kicks a$$. I'm not worried about weight; those tuners don't work for me. They stick out and look awkward, and I would replace them with a smaller set. But the sounds you got are awesome. Now on to your shirt; I know you got something more exciting to wear! 😊
As always, thanks for watching.....yeah, I'm impressed with this bass and im going to do a comparison with a Stingray video.......lol and .the alternate wardrobe change is coming soon
I did not know that, thanks......it weighs a ton: that's its only drawback. Otherwise I found it fantastic ( if you like the feel of Fender feeling objects)
I have a korean made ATK 400 with additional jazz bass pickup that has 24 frets. The triple coil is also wired differently so that the bright and traditional settings sound more different from each other. Attack setting is the same, though. Especially the position neck j pickup + triple coil sounds extra creamy. Those pop up frequently as they are not as sought after as the japan made ATK 300s, not so much on ebay anymore, though. If you can get your hands on one i'd recommend trying it out. I owned a japanese model in the 90s and the korean one is no different regarding built quality and sound. Only downside is that the space between j pickup and neck is rather small, so you might have to adjust your technique when popping .
Thanks Bob....for interested readers: .btw, in a few weeks, Bob above and I will be doing a collaboration video of the Stingray and ATK side by side....stay tuned :)
I love my ATK 300 that was produced around 2006, so it has the wheel truss rod at the heel instead of the truss rod cover, which I prefer. I fixed the weight issue but installing a Bad Ass III bridge and Hisphot ultralite tuners. The tuners were necessary, because the head stock holes were drilled just a hair too wide and the bushings were not laying flat in the holes and were tilting sideways towards the pull direction of the strings (so not a precise fit), and now there's way more resonance and sustain with the ultralites. The ATK bridge itself weighs a ton (it's solid stainless steel) and the bad ass bridge III allows for through-body or through-bridge stringing like the original bridge. I did have to handmake a plug to fix a trough that the manufacturers created in order to accommodate the ATK style of through-bridge stringing, but isn't visible with the original bridge. That was a massive undertaking but worth it. I think I shaved off at least around 2lbs, I think.
I have both and I'm going to be doing a collaboration video with another RUclipsr to A/B them.....I'll say this much: it's very close ( close enough that I wouldn't be able to tell on a recording)....the big difference is build: this ATK does have a decent quality build, but it doesn't compare to the very superior build of my Stingray Special
Well I own both EB Stingrays and a few ATKs and I bet if i uploaded an audio recording of the Atk200 I have and my EB Stingray most folk would be unable to tell difference in a blind audio test.
There is a USA ATK series. It is a different type - but BOY OH BOY are you for a treat. But the thuss rod is...GARBAGE, they have their own system. and no one in EU know how to deal with it. But the asses are killer.
Hey it's Bass Rutten
Bas Ruten on bass!!! Awesome video - dig the bass and the great playing style!!
I had to do a triple take. The similarity is uncanny.
Best video ever of the ATK 300
Thank you.....I'm very much impressed with the ATK
@@Rib13Bass I have an ATK 305 & two ATK 300
Huge fan of the ATK; I have 3 currently. On the stringing option, you're not stuck using just string though. You can top load the strings by hooking the ball end on the slot of the holes on the top of the bridge plate.
Oh no...I completely missed that by how the strings were coming through lol...I see it now. Normally I change strings for every review but the ones that came on this one were close to new so I left them..Thank you very much for this very important correction
@@Rib13Bass no worries, I didn't realize it myself until my second string change lol
Thank you so much for this spot-on review of one of my favourite basses of all times! (also looove the funny graphics and visuals, illustrating your words - they had me chuckle all the way through! This and your awesome playing/sound recording makes this review really stand out among all others...plus you have a lot of background knowledge in wiring/electronics to explain how IBANEZ could bring us all the AWESOME sounds this instrument is capable of). The ATK is in my top three favourite basses of all time in terms of "value for money" (they pack LOADS of sounds, versatility/playability for a relatively low price!), reliability (these things are built like TANKS!) and are just my go-to bass for most live or studio situations....the active EQ makes it almost too easy to dial in the perfect sound for almost any musical style or playing situation. Plus they are simple and beautiful in their design. Clearly one of the best things IBANEZ ever came up with! I own two of them, one ATK 300 and one ATK 200 and both are just awesome! I will never sell them and I use them constantly! I am a bit tired of the STINGRAY KILLER comparisons, because I totally agree with your assessment: while clearly being an alternative bass for any enthusiast of the STINGRAY-ish sound spectrum, the ATK very clearly still does its OWN THING, and it is a beautiful thing! So is it a STINGRAY? No, but if you like STINGRAYS (and who doesn't?!), you might want to give this a try, as well, because you might really like it and feel right at home in ATK territory! Thanks again for showing the world one of the best basses out there, imho! Keep it up!
Hey Patrick, could you share some of your music? I'd love to hear how AtKs sound in a mix
@@wojtekobodziec404Sure! Here is a link to our latest album. The ATK is on all of the songs. I might want to specifiy that I play with a pick, so the attack is sometimes even a bit stronger than it would be for a finger-style player. ruclips.net/p/OLAK5uy_nAUW38hQgRYZbI26beWkMBlpKSC4mS0v8
The amount of video editing you do is ridiculous, I love it!
Well, a few things. First original "ATK"s, were built in Japan (in the 90s I believe). Later, Ibanez went on to build a bunch of variants, in Indonesia, Korea & probably China (500,600, 700, 800 series). Originally, there was a 5 string version too (in the 90s!), that is the best kept secret in hip-hop/rap music. Due to their scarcity and demand, they upgraded their models to the "Prestige line" (1200, 1300 and up). At one moment they introduced a 'Quadruple bobin PU' and added a Jazz bass PU in neck position. I had both, the 300 model , 'MIJ' (that I regret selling, but it was to a friend by that time), and still own my favorite Bass of all time, the "ATK" Prestige 1200, N° 0001 (!) which has the 'quadruple bobin' PU+Jazz bass, so probably the only existing Bass where you can have 4+1 sound. The neck is the perfect size between the Precision Bass & the Music Man (also had two prestigious models of those, a Fender Serie L, and an (end of production) MUsic Man you can see in my profile picture.
ATK are extremely versatile, well balanced a well designed (built like elegant tanks!). The other thing is that with the ATK, you can emulate any classic bass sound (Jazz Bass, Precision, Music Man, Rickenbaker, etc). Real "MIJ" 300 are becoming rarer and rarer and the 305 (five string model) are even harfder to find. If you have on, keep it! ATK Rock!
Hope it helps somehow! Take care!
ps I'm just concerned this type of video will make their prices go up....! I want my "ATK" 300 back!
Thanks for watching and the great info! 👍
Very nice review.
I'm an owner of a Ibanez ATK-305 (5 String Bass) from 1998 Made in Japan; and I'm an owner of Music Man Stingray (4-String) from 1983 Made in USA. Both are fantastic basses with brilliant sounds.
The weigth of the ATK-305 (ash body) is 4,2 kg, the weigth of the Stingray (also ash body) is 4,6 kg. The finish of both basses is great.
I love to play them all.🎸🖐
Definitely lighter than mine.....is your 5ver Korean?
@@TheRockingRolli How did I miss reading that in your first post? lol...thank you
Love your Graphics...very entertaining
The differences in the tone of both coils, "bright" and "traditional" are more subtle than I expected. But it sounds pretty great in all settings.
They get a little lost in translation to DAW and video: the differences are a little more pronounced in a live setting
Thanks for watching
@@Rib13Bass Ah that makes sense.
I bought it second hand. It's a very good guitar and I don't regret the guitar as I'm a big Paul Gray fan and i had fun watching it.
Thanks for the video.
Nice! Very well thought out features and functionality on this bass. And as always, REALLY digging the groove your laying on us!
Thank you sir
I love your videos, the way you put across the visuals in a fun way:)
Thank you....most appreciated
I had an ATK305 which I sold 12 years ago and regretted ever since, not that I have the funds, space or need for another bass these but I’d have one again in a heartbeat if the option was there
Very glad to have watched this, as there's an ATK-300 in the local listings that's been tempting me. I assumed that having Ibanez in the name meant fast and light, but it looks like I almost got catfished.
A lot of older bassists are delighted when they pick up a bass and discover that it weighs a ton, as if that were a sign of quality, rather than a liability with minimal benefit. Maybe quality and heft really did come together as a package throughout recent history. It's definitely not the case today, however, and because this is Ibanez, it makes a lot of sense for them to discontinue this line of old-timey relics, and hopefully soon they'll produce something more ergonomically sensible but in the same pickup category.
Good stuff, nice bass. I should look at Ibanez again, that's a nice siunding bass. My last Ibanez was an Artcore semi-hollow body which didn't have much in the way of low end balls. Cheers
The only drawback of this bass is the weight - it is pretty heavy. I'm a stocky guy so heavy basses don't bother me too much but I can see how folks with different physiques may not like it
Happy and content owner of not one but two atk 300s although one is a fretless . I literally never have Bass emvie, I mean I can admire other people's bass's but I am so in love with mine I don't think I'll ever let either go . I think I might have video up where I used my fretted to play with an octive pedal if anyone cared to know what that sounds like. Anyways great review I'm in a subscribe right now and I look forward to watching more of your content. Respect 👊
I always look forward to the new one.
Thank you :)
Great video! Love the breakdown and demo of that big ol ATK pickup. I play an 805 coming from an Ibanez Mikro and I gotta say I'm down with the heft lol. Would love to hear your thoughts on the extra neck pickup and blend knob on those models🤘
Love the ATK's i have 2 305's and 1 300 all from the early 2000's run and 2 of the Paul gray signature ATK's. its to bad the last run the did past 2010 had the pickups changed. to just a dual configuration i believe, they definitely didn't sound the same. my only complaints are yes, the weight, after a 3 hour set gig, you can tell you have been playing and for everyone of my 305's and 300's the tuning goes a bit off around the 3rd to 5th fret, even if intonation is good at the 12th. may just be mine and need to be re dressed or something. way prefer them over the sound of my stingray.
Ibanez should bring the ATK back! Also, I love the idea of a Soundgear with ATK electronics!
Thanks Dale.....a Soundgears playability with ATK electronics would be a beast.....
It will probably come. Bassist of polyphia use a brand new atk probably a signature when i saw them play on aftershock 2023
Good video. Never knew off this bass. Really cool. Congratulations on over 1000 subscribers. Good to see the channel growing. Always look forward to your content. Cheers. Willie in Glasgow scotland
Thank you so much for the kind words and watching
What a fun and interesting review. You have a new sub!
Thank you!....and thanks for stopping by 😊
That Bright setting slays!
for sure!
Nice review
wow sounds really good
i like it
Someone told me there's a new "ATK" line, called "Premium", but probably these are "Prestige" models made abroad (not in Japan).
Btw, ATKs are gorgeous, and the Music Man I had was way heahvier than my First ATK 300! But I loved both! Take care!
I laughed during the Screw Driver reference 😂 Great video, I know IBANEZ makes great stuff but I could not ever part with my Stingray.
Why did Ibanez ever stop making these?
I had an ATK305 that I sold and I regret all the time. I think I’m gonna get one of the 805’s some day
wow this video is great!
@@eysherrera thank you 😊
I was wondering, if the ATK 800 Premium (Triple coil + Single coil in the neck) already exists, why not a DOUBLE Triple coil pickup to get the HH sound (and another switch to both modes of either pickup) and get a plethra of sounds and combinations... Great video by the way. Cheers...
a fabulous idea !
Love my 1995 atk300
what is the scale ?
Great playing...Very Funky!!
Thanks
atk 800 solves the weight issue, plus adds more tonal variety with an extra pickup
Thank you for your detailed video, thank you very much, I have a question for you. I'm currently restoring an Ibanez and one thing I don't understand is that when you set the volume back to zero, does the signal still come out or is it completely turned off?
On mine its Off
I do agree she is a heavy girl compared to any other 4 string I've had
Rib, that bas kicks a$$. I'm not worried about weight; those tuners don't work for me. They stick out and look awkward, and I would replace them with a smaller set. But the sounds you got are awesome. Now on to your shirt; I know you got something more exciting to wear! 😊
As always, thanks for watching.....yeah, I'm impressed with this bass and im going to do a comparison with a Stingray video.......lol and .the alternate wardrobe change is coming soon
Little side note, Greg K from the offspring played one of these on the smash album and tour.
I did not know that, thanks......it weighs a ton: that's its only drawback. Otherwise I found it fantastic ( if you like the feel of Fender feeling objects)
@@Rib13Bass Is it as heavy as a Thunderbird?
Never heard of this model!
I have a Ibanez ATK3EX1 it has a Rosewood finger board not Maple.
@@JDMarshall-og9vb awesome.....I wish Ibanez would bring these back
Is it in a 24 fret model? Most don't bother. 😭
Im not sure if later ones were...this is a 90s model
I have a korean made ATK 400 with additional jazz bass pickup that has 24 frets. The triple coil is also wired differently so that the bright and traditional settings sound more different from each other. Attack setting is the same, though. Especially the position neck j pickup + triple coil sounds extra creamy. Those pop up frequently as they are not as sought after as the japan made ATK 300s, not so much on ebay anymore, though. If you can get your hands on one i'd recommend trying it out. I owned a japanese model in the 90s and the korean one is no different regarding built quality and sound. Only downside is that the space between j pickup and neck is rather small, so you might have to adjust your technique when popping .
Great review. Bass sounds great but the weight................!
Thanks Bob....for interested readers: .btw, in a few weeks, Bob above and I will be doing a collaboration video of the Stingray and ATK side by side....stay tuned :)
Funny story. I used to own one. I got it for 100 usd - from a dude who won it playing cards
That is an awesome story!
i have one
I love my ATK 300 that was produced around 2006, so it has the wheel truss rod at the heel instead of the truss rod cover, which I prefer. I fixed the weight issue but installing a Bad Ass III bridge and Hisphot ultralite tuners. The tuners were necessary, because the head stock holes were drilled just a hair too wide and the bushings were not laying flat in the holes and were tilting sideways towards the pull direction of the strings (so not a precise fit), and now there's way more resonance and sustain with the ultralites. The ATK bridge itself weighs a ton (it's solid stainless steel) and the bad ass bridge III allows for through-body or through-bridge stringing like the original bridge. I did have to handmake a plug to fix a trough that the manufacturers created in order to accommodate the ATK style of through-bridge stringing, but isn't visible with the original bridge. That was a massive undertaking but worth it. I think I shaved off at least around 2lbs, I think.
Awesome......thank you for sharing
Often called the "Stingray killer" on online forums by people who have never played a Sringray
I have both and I'm going to be doing a collaboration video with another RUclipsr to A/B them.....I'll say this much: it's very close ( close enough that I wouldn't be able to tell on a recording)....the big difference is build: this ATK does have a decent quality build, but it doesn't compare to the very superior build of my Stingray Special
Well I own both EB Stingrays and a few ATKs and I bet if i uploaded an audio recording of the Atk200 I have and my EB Stingray most folk would be unable to tell difference in a blind audio test.
I'm about to say something very controversial... The Ibanez ATK sounds & looks better than a Stingray...
There is a USA ATK series. It is a different type - but BOY OH BOY are you for a treat.
But the thuss rod is...GARBAGE, they have their own system. and no one in EU know how to deal with it. But the asses are killer.