PRODUCED: 1995 - 1999

ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE: Solid body, twin cutaway, Active 4-string

BODY: Light Ash

NECK: Maple 3-piece, bolt-on, 22 jumbo frets

SCALE LENGTH: 864mm (34-inch)

FINGERBOARD: Maple, black dot inlays

HARDWARE: Chrome ATK Custom Surround fixed raised tail bridge, open gear ‘Elephant Ears’ tuners

PICKUPS: Ibanez Triple Coil featuring dummy hum-cancelling coil

CONTROLS: Volume, Treble, Middle & Bass (all cut/boost), Pickup Character Switch

FEATURES: Two aside tuners, back plate in two parts for easier battery replacement

FINISHES: Solid Black, Natural & Sunburst

COMMENTS: Although sadly short lived the ATK was a fine workmanlike bass trying to muscle in on the Music Man action. It employs a relatively traditional look but the Custom bridge/pickup surround gives it an air of individuality.

With a 3-band active EQ the sounds generated are pretty expansive but even more so thanks to the Character mini switch that offers Attack, Bright and Traditional settings. This gives it something rather special, particularly when turned up to produce great growl and barking deliveries.

It was also available as the ATK305, which is the 5-string version, or as a regular 4-string with passive circuitry at a lower price. Although this may have been tempting at the time the active version is the one to get as it offers much greater tonal range and attack.