Ibanez ATK300 Review (the famous Stingray Killer?)

[Rib13Bass]

 With the exception of weight, this bass is a very impressive Stingray alternative - - Soundwise: it definitely gets very inside the Stingray ballpark, enough to where it would be difficult to be able to tell the difference if part of a recording. What do you think? I'm curious if any of you are hearing it the way I am. Enjoy
 

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Rib13Bass

[Twincam]

Had an atk400 korean made, difference being the extra pu, a gift from a bc member actually. 

It was a seriously well built instrument. And as mentioned in the video, it was heavy! although that didn't bother me. The neck was pretty hefty though! 

 

In a multi instrumental recording it would be hard to tell the difference. 

Solo however would be a different story. It just had a different sound to it. 

But due to the pu location then it certainly gets in the ball park. Bit like a dimension bass or maybe a Warwick fna. 

 

I enjoyed the fun video. Nice playing too. Although it's always good to hear a bass in isolation too. 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Twincam

[Rib13Bass]

5 minutes ago, Twincam said:

And as mentioned in the video, it was heavy! although that didn't bother me.

 

thanks for watching and the comment. Im the same way: Im a stocky guy so heavy basses don't really bother me, as they hang from my frame comfortably not too different than lighter basses when playing live...but I can definitely see how this may be a hindrance and a deterrent for those with different physiques than mine

[Waddo Soqable]

Nice review 👍.. I don't much like the look of it but it certainly sounds OK and does the job, Im not bothered by a bass's weight either and I'm a skinny bloke!

I think someone on here is selling one at the mo if I remember correctly. 

[Lozz196]

Very Stingray sounding, maybe ‘Ray experts could hear a difference but I can’t.

[TheGreek]

I had one for a while.  

Far too cumbersome to be used regularly. 

I don't know why they're called "Stingray killers" - I  didn't see them as directly comparable. 

[floFC]

@Rib13Bass good, entertaining video. They are not all made in Korea. Mine is made in Japan.

[Paolo85]

Great video. I really like the sound if it. And the look. I think Ibanez was really good at interpreting classic shapes (I think this, the Roadster and the Roadstar). It's great that they found their own space with the Soundgears but I wish they did more classic-looking stuff.

The Talman series is a very good step in that direction. Unfortunately for what I have read they tend do be headstock heavy and I was not blown away, soundwise, watching reviews.

If as you suggested they were to bring the ATK back - but lighter - I would be very tempted.

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Paolo85

[mcnach]

16 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I had one for a while.  

Far too cumbersome to be used regularly. 

I don't know why they're called "Stingray killers" - I  didn't see them as directly comparable. 

 

Yeah, "back killers" maybe, but I didn't see anything Stingray Killer about the one I had (which was very nice, but a real boat anchor).

[LeftyJ]

I've had a few lefty ATK's, all made in Japan. They were originally made in Korea (from 1994-1995), but when they became succesful production moved to Japan for just a few short years (1996-1998) before moving back to Korea - with the exception of a Prestige model that was short-lived, the ATK1300/1305. And the weirdest oddity of all, the USA-made USATK models - made for Ibanez by Bunker Guitars, with their unique, patented Tension-free Neck, which is basically just a wooden shell around an adjustable steel rod, and a separate headstock bolted to the end. 

 

The later ATK series were Indonesian, and are easily recognizable for their lack of a truss rod cover on the headstock, but rather a spokewheel truss rod adjuster at the neck heel. 

 

I've owned two ATK300's and one very rare ATK305 (only a scant few lefties ever made). I loved them, but I'm not really into the MM type tone anymore and sold all my basses with MM-style pickups. I kinda wish I had kept the fourstring in this picture, it was a beast and somehow sounded warmer and punchier than the other two ATK's I owned.

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by LeftyJ

[Woodinblack]

I had an ATK305 and it was pretty good - sounded good, played well, but its neck was too wide for me so it never became a favourite. However, it was a very solid bass to play and the pickup was great. I am surprised they don't do them any more, but I guess they know the sales figures!

[LeftyJ]

33 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

I am surprised they don't do them any more, but I guess they know the sales figures!

 

Yep. They were discontinued twice now. Production of the Japanese and Korean models ran from 1994-1999. They came back by popular demand in 2007 after a certain mr. Paul Gray of Slipknot fame could be seen regularly gigging a left-handed amber ATK300. He was the one reason the ATK series was brought back, and he was subsequently honoured with his own signature model, the Ibanez PGB-1. These Indonesian models ran from 2007-2018. During this time, Ibanez also made some smaller-bodied versions (like the ATK200) to bring the weight down. These look very similar, but the body is slightly narrower. These also had a slightly different bridge which fits humbuckers with regular MM dimensions, which made them easier to modify. 

[Woodinblack]

I think the pickup of the ATK is the thing that made it special. I remember when first had it I wondered what the point of the switch was as the sounds weren't that different, but turned out when playing live at volume it made a huge difference.

[lidl e]

On 16/04/2023 at 18:29, Rib13Bass said:

 With the exception of weight, this bass is a very impressive Stingray alternative - - Soundwise: it definitely gets very inside the Stingray ballpark, enough to where it would be difficult to be able to tell the difference if part of a recording. What do you think? I'm curious if any of you are hearing it the way I am. Enjoy
 

 

I dont know rib13. I know DRF.

 

Wassup, bud. It's boalg.

[Rib13Bass]

12 hours ago, lidl e said:

I dont know rib13. I know DRF.

 

Wassup, bud. It's boalg.

 

WOW!!! Hey my brother ! I miss ya, dude

[Grassie]

I had a 300, mint green job. Loved it but for some reason decided to move it on (probably had my head turned by something else...). One that got away...

[Twincam]

An atk 300 is for sale in the sales section, if anyone interested. 

[SurroundedByManatees]

I like ATK's. They are definitely a cheap alternative to a Stingray. They come pretty close imo. The best one I've played was a Japanese 305, I wouldn't mind having another 🙂

 

The status of "stingray-killer" is usually mentioned by sellers, just because they've read it somewhere and think it sounds good I guess. There is no reason why they would make a Stingray feel sad....

 

 

 

[neil___lien]

Hello everyone, I am based in France and on the hunt for an Ibanez ATK800 or ATK810 (+case). I have an Ibanez SR1206 with its case to trade for it, and i am deliberately choosing those ATKs because i want to stay in the Premium quality levels: My SR is awesome so i want to trade at same value/quality levels. Feel free to reach out to ask questions, see pics and discuss our future swap !

[Russ]

I had a ATK405 about 15 years back. The 400-series were a bit different from the 300-series, and it wasn't just down to the extra pickup - they were a little downsized (the body and headstock were noticeably smaller), and the one I had was quite a reasonable weight.

 

In terms of tone, it sounded great, and it recorded particularly well, and really benefitted from the presence of that neck pickup. 

 

They're missing a trick not offering the ATK electronics in any of their other basses - I know there was an Ergodyne model a while back that had the big ATK humbucker in it, but that's the only time they've done it. I think a BTB with the ATK405 pickups would be a monster instrument. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Russ

[neil___lien]

Why have they been discontinued though? Twice! Why?