Machines Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) My Dad picked this Ibanez ATK200 up in August for me after I mentioned in passing it was decent in a local shop. They had it on display for about 18 months with no buyers, so was pretty dirty with dead strings, so got it for a decent price (they're £289 new). After a clean, a setup and some new Dunlop Super Brights, it is truely outstanding. The pickup and preamp are excellent, the only compromises I can find are body weight (about 10lbs) and neck finish (a light sanding has helped this). With the 3 way double humbucker and some EQ tweaking, you can get a Jazz/Stingray and Precision sounds from it - which I was certainly surprised by. I would say it is quite in your face sound, no passive vintage tones here - raw rock tones a plenty. Ibanez don't seem to have a decent following, but this really is a Stingray on a budget. Edited January 4, 2016 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Played one of these, the other day. Superb bass and at a rediculously low price. The neck on the one I tried was lovely and smooth, if a little chunky for me. A great, gigging bass. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 Yes the neck is quite chunky and reminds me of the L-2000 I had. Thankfully I don't have small hands amd prefer wide spacing too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 That looks rather nice (and shiny!) and is one bass I've been wondering about trying for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Always like the look of those basses and it's a stunner in that colour combination! [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1451912523' post='2944449'] Ibanez don't seem to have a decent following, but this really is a Stingray on a budget.[/quote] I think they really do have a more than decent following and a reputation for well made basses that really punch above their weight in terms of value. Stingray comparisons aside, I know these are always compared to them but I think they've got such a great look and sound. That you can pickup a bass like that for less than £300 is crazy! Edited January 4, 2016 by Subbeh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 I generally see Ibanez basses in metal bands and not much else. Despite being around for 30 odd years with their own models and brand, they don't seem to have the status deserved. The new SR models with Nordstrand pickups look wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Cool looking beast. What options does the switch give you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 The humbucker is 2 pickups in one case (so a quad coil really). From the Ibanez website: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.