Bassculture ATK Custom

Ibanez ATK replacement passive humbucking "triple-coil" pickup using 9V 3-band EQ. Ebony housing version with 8 exposed pole pieces, like a MM pickup. Comes with 3 position switch to change pickup configuration.

Bought as replacement for my Japanese Ibanez ATK stock pickup. I suppose this is a ATK300 model (4 string), although the Japanese version does not have the model name on back of the headstock like the Korean ones. I always LOVED the feel and weight of this bass, and would NEVER consider finding another bass, although I originally bought the ATK because I couldn't afford a MM Stingray. However, I believe the ATK plays better, and due to the Bassculture replacement pickup, sounds MUCH better than a MM Stingray. The original ATK pickup was a bit weak and required lots of EQ to get a good tone.

The Bassculture pickup is MUCH hotter than the stock. Switching between the different pickup configurations actually makes a remarkable difference in the sound, unlike the stock. I've had no trouble (just a little bit of time) obtaining a variety of different tones using the different pickup configurations and the EQ, although I usually leave the EQ relatively flat on the bass (maybe a little extra bass or roll off the treble). I play everything from pop-punk to thrash/grind and even some walking basslines and the ATK plus the Bassculture pickup never lets me down.

I would definitely buy another pickup from C. Dolf at Bassculture. I've heard Ibanez is re-releasing the ATK for 2007. I'm thinking about buying a 5-string ATK and another Bassculture pickup. It's that good: much better than stock Ibanez and the Basslines MM replacement. Overall I think the ATK with the Bassculture pickup plays and sounds better than a MM Stingray, while also being a much more versatile instrument.

Thanks, Christoph!

Pickup features: passive dual coil
Impedence or other specs: Flamed Maple housing, neodym magnets.

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez ATK 305
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez ATK stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Me :)
You musical style(s): Mixture of rock, jazz and metal
Reason for pickup change: Ibanez makes good basses but bad pickups. the stock pickup had a nasty buzz in it, and sounded weak ( low output )

Perceived output level: this thing is MEGAHOT (!!) i actually had to trim the little gain-pot on the ATK preamp to prevent my amp from clipping.
Tone: very good lows and mids, no sharp highs like the stock pickups.
Sonic evaluation: I use it with an SWR workingman's 4004 connected to a Peavey 810TVX.
It gives me real nice lows and mids for fingerstyle. i push it thru a George Dennis phaser/volume pedal, a boss ODB-3 bass overdrive and a boss PS-5 pich-shifter ( works a lot better than a crappy octaver pedal :p )
combined with the odb-3 you can get REAL punchy overdrive :D

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: combination of rock, jazz and metal... this pickup is the best i can imagine for this type of music.

Comments: Originally the ATK was designed as a Stingray-wannabe, but with this pickup in the ATK.. it blows the stingray miles away.
if this one were to be broken / stolen / whatever.. i'd be on the phone with Christopher Dolf within 5 mins to order a new one.
one more thing about bassculture.. they have the BEST customerservice in the whole world. questions i e-mailed were answered within half a day, and always friendly. thumbs up for bassculture !

Pickup features: Humbucker passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez ATK-600 4string
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez standart-pickup
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: several ATK-freaks around Germany
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to have "the real thing" on my ATK-bass. The Ibanez stock-pickups pretend a good show, but by the time I was bored by them.

Perceived output level: High output level. A good deal more than stock pickups
Tone: decent sting ray
Sonic evaluation: I use a hevos 400W head with a 6/12 inch cabinet and a 15 inch one. The basscultre akt-replacement has 3 modes - seriel, parallel and single-coil. It has all that bite and growl that one expect from a sting ray. with this pickup the stock e.q. of the bass produces even in extreme positions a strong and useful tone. With the bassculture I could use the tonal range of the e.q. for the first time. With the 3-way-switch you can get every shades from transparency to thick lushy rock.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rockmusic and blues. and this pickup is just great!

Comments: bassculture pickups are custom-made. and christoph dolf, the man behind bassculture is giving his best handwork for the sound his customers want. If I would lose this pickup, I woud ask bassculture to build me another pickup just like tis one. I have never heard such a good sounding Sting Ray like replacement pickup. It has the best value for the money.