SR vs ATK

[thatsbassist]

Hey guys im new to the ernie ball family and I have a couple of questions. First how does the SR compare to the Ibanez ATK bass ( my current bass) as ive never sat down with an SR for very long and the two are compared by ATK players alot.
Second How would the five string neck on a bongo feel compared to an ATK?

Thanks Guys

 

[Lynottfan]

To be fair to Ibanez, imho its like comparing a nice Merc to Honda civic, ATK is a capable bass, the Ray, best off the peg bass money can buy, well worth the bread to upgrade mate, enjoy.

 

[bovinehost]

I had one of the better ATK fivers back in....94? 95? It was then, as now, supposed to compare favorably to the Music Man basses.

It didn't. There were numerous finish issues, the neck was a total pain to adjust, and it was sonically very different (my take was "inferior") to the EBMM SR5.

As for the new crop of ATKs, I have no clue. They are yet again supposed to compare favorably, if you can trust the internet.

But here's the thing. If you go to the Ibanez ATK Forum and ask the same question, the ATKers are going to tell you, "Absolutely, mate, no reason to go spend all that money, the ATK is much better!"

But you came to the EB Forum. So.....you see where I'm going.

But to be sure, the last thing I want to do is slag your bass. Or anyone's bass, really. So what I'd do if I were you is enjoy the ATK for what it is and not go around asking if it's as good as anything else. It is what it is and if it works for you, that's excellent. Right?

Now then. When are you buying a Stingray? And have you considered a Bongo?

Jack

 

[metalarch]

I have palyed SR5 and it's a great bass...but you really have to consider a bongo if you're going to buy a new bass...I own a Bongo 6 and it happens to be a tone monster...and it's the same in any bongo, either 4 or 5 strings...

 

[thatsbassist]

I had one of the better ATK fivers back in....94? 95? It was then, as now, supposed to compare favorably to the Music Man basses.

It didn't. There were numerous finish issues, the neck was a total pain to adjust, and it was sonically very different (my take was "inferior") to the EBMM SR5.

As for the new crop of ATKs, I have no clue. They are yet again supposed to compare favorably, if you can trust the internet.

But here's the thing. If you go to the Ibanez ATK Forum and ask the same question, the ATKers are going to tell you, "Absolutely, mate, no reason to go spend all that money, the ATK is much better!"

But you came to the EB Forum. So.....you see where I'm going.

But to be sure, the last thing I want to do is slag your bass. Or anyone's bass, really. So what I'd do if I were you is enjoy the ATK for what it is and not go around asking if it's as good as anything else. It is what it is and if it works for you, that's excellent. Right?

Now then. When are you buying a Stingray? And have you considered a Bongo?

Jack

I forgot to mention that I got a bongo on the way thats coming in january. I was wondering how the neck compared on the five string model

 

[bovinehost]

I forgot to mention that I got a bongo on the way thats coming in january. I was wondering how the neck compared on the five string model

Well, now we're going to get along fine, don't you think?

How the neck compares to what?

 

[thatsbassist]

to the ATK 5

 

[five7]

I owned an ATK 6 and found it to be noisy and the neck a pain as I had to adjust it constantly. The strings were spaced to close together to fit my style also. Like comparing a triumph to a harley!

 

[thatsbassist]

I owned an ATK 6 and found it to be noisy and the neck a pain as I had to adjust it constantly. The strings were spaced to close together to fit my style also. Like comparing a triumph to a harley!

yeah my ATK has buzz 14 frets and up its unplayable

 

[nicjimbass]

I have a newer (2007?) ATK 4, and it's a good little bass. It is kinda like pot- it's a gateway bass to something better, in this case, a StingRay. It gets close in some respects, but has alot of shortcomings as well. If you're on a budget and are jonesing for the SR sound, it'll get you close, but not all the way there. IMHO of course.

 

[Kristopher]

I forgot to mention that I got a bongo on the way thats coming in january. I was wondering how the neck compared on the five string model

Sweet! What color? How many strings? What pickup config?

 

[thatsbassist]

Sweet! What color? How many strings? What pickup config?

Stealth black HS five

 

[MrMusashi]

stealths are awesome!

you will find that the atk, although its a nice bass in its own, cannot compare to the mighty bongo!

MrM

ps: id love to check the ebony ones out to see if there is a difference between the rosewood and ebony!

 

[five7]

+1

 

[RaginRog]

ATKs are nice basses for the money, and can come fairly close to the Stingray/Musicman sound, but having had one, I couldn't get that gritty growl I can coax out of my StingRays. I've played a Bongo HH, and while it was nice, I prefered the Stingray.

Congrats on your new acquisition.

 

[r goldsmith]

My experience echoes that of Jack's, almost to the letter. In fact I already had my SR5 when I got the ATK, came along by chance and I got it mostly out of curiosity. And because it was cheap and I thought I could use it as a beater. Bottom line, I got rid of the ATK for the reasons espoused above. It had an annoying buzz that I couldn't eliminate. Sound wise they kind of get near EBMM territory but really not the same. Quite an appealing tone though, esp for an Ibanez, methinks imitation being the sincerest form of flattery etc. I'd rate the tone ahead of a L*kl*nd, personally, even if the build quality is inferior.